Bars
The 6 Best Pubs in Waterloo
Cask ale on Roupell Street, whole roasts on The Cut and a river terrace by Blackfriars: Waterloo drinks far better than its commuter reputation suggests.
In short: our top picks are The King's Arms, The Anchor & Hope and The Camel & Artichoke. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Most people only ever see Waterloo as a station concourse and a sprint for the 18:12, which is their loss. Duck into the cobbled backstreets around Roupell Street and Lower Marsh and you find some of the most characterful pubs in south London, from a Victorian real ale temple to a gastropub that helped define the genre. The mix is unusually good here: proper boozers, a couple of eccentric one-offs and a riverside terrace for when the weather behaves. Drink where the theatre crowds and the locals go, not where the departure boards send you.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The King's Arms | Roupell Street, Waterloo | ££ |
| The Anchor & Hope | The Cut, Waterloo | £££ |
| The Camel & Artichoke | Lower Marsh, Waterloo | ££ |
| Vaulty Towers | Lower Marsh, Waterloo | ££ |
| Doggett's Coat & Badge | Blackfriars Bridge, South Bank | ££ |
| The Wellington | Waterloo Road, Waterloo | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
The King's Arms
Why we pick itEight handpumps of well-kept cask ale, a snug Victorian front bar and a back conservatory where the kitchen sends out proper Thai curries.
traditional real ale pub
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The Anchor & Hope
Why we pick itOne of London's original modern gastropubs, opened in 2003, with shared tables and a daily-changing menu built around whole roasts and offal.
gastropub
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The Camel & Artichoke
Why we pick itA pub has stood on this spot for over 200 years, and the sheltered rear beer garden fills the moment the sun comes out behind the taxi rank.
garden pub
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Vaulty Towers
Why we pick itRecycled sets from The Vaults dress the rooms, so you drink among a giant replica moon, a treehouse table and a pair of glittering red lips, with DJs Wednesday to Saturday.
quirky theatre pub
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Doggett's Coat & Badge
Why we pick itA multi-floor Nicholson's pub beside Blackfriars Bridge, topped by a terrace that looks straight up the Thames towards St Paul's.
riverside pub
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The Wellington
Why we pick itA Fuller's pub hotel opposite the station pouring London Pride and ESB, with bedrooms upstairs if the last train has gone.
traditional pub hotel
Before you book
Everything here sits within a ten-minute walk of Waterloo or Waterloo East, and Doggett’s is closer to Blackfriars if you are coming over the river. The Anchor & Hope keeps a few walk-in spots at the bar, so arrive early and wait, or aim for a booked table. The Camel & Artichoke garden and Vaulty Towers are the dog-friendly picks, and both fill fast on warm evenings.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The King's Arms is our editor's choice: Eight handpumps of well-kept cask ale, a snug Victorian front bar and a back conservatory where the kitchen sends out proper Thai curries. The King's Arms, The Anchor & Hope and The Camel & Artichoke lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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