The George - Southwark - Pub Reviews

Dating from the 17th century, The George Inn is London’s last surviving galleried inn. Its two-story white timber galleries and quaint cobbled courtyard convey a distinct old-world charm. Today the pub is owned and leased by the National Trust, ensuring the preservation of its period character even as it operates as a busy modern tavern. The exterior – with hanging flower baskets and wooden balconies – hints at the historic atmosphere inside, where patrons enjoy craft ales and hearty meals against a backdrop of exposed beams and vintage décor.

Atmosphere and Ambience

Stepping through The George’s front door feels like entering a slice of London history. The interior retains many original features: dark wood panelling, antique mirrors, and a low-ceilinged, timber-framed structure. The ground floor is divided into interconnected bars. For example, the ‘Parliament Bar’ (named after its old clock) was once a waiting room for coach passengers, and the adjacent ‘Middle Bar’ was a coffee room frequented by Charles Dickens. Upstairs, a gallery overlooks the courtyard, providing extra seating (now a restaurant area) among the balconies. Despite its age, the vibe inside is warm and welcoming rather than stuffy – a friendly mix of locals, office workers, tourists and families all enjoying a pint or meal. On busy nights the pub hums with conversation and laughter, and on nicer days customers often spill out to the outdoor seating in the courtyard or in front of the inn. The combination of history and conviviality means there’s always a cosy corner or a lively spot, depending on your mood.

Accessibility: The George has step-free entry to its main bar areas and notes that it provides disabled access. However, some parts of the building (including upstairs dining areas and toilets) are up a narrow staircase. There is no private parking on-site; instead it’s best reached on foot or by public transport. The pub is centrally located – about a two-minute walk from Borough Market and near London Bridge – making it very convenient for explorers of Southwark.

Beer Selection and Quality

Beer is a focus at The George Inn. As a Greene King–managed pub it always has the brewery’s classics (like IPA and London Pride) on tap, but the pump handles rotate through a wide range of guest ales and craft brews. In the words of the pub’s own website: it offers “iconic classics to bold new pours… [with] Greene King IPA, plus loads more!”. This means you’ll typically find a mix of traditional English bitters, seasonal ales, and beers from local microbreweries (for example, Southwark Brewing Co.’s Borough Market Brown Ale often appears). Stouts and lagers (including Irish-style stouts) are available too. The quality is generally high – cask ales are kept in good condition and served properly – and the friendly bar staff are happy to describe each brew and even give taste samples. In fact, The George Inn’s historic interior has earned it a place on CAMRA’s National Inventory of pub interiors, so beer aficionados know it takes its real ale seriously. Those who prefer something else will also find a decent wine and spirits list, plus a few craft ciders. Overall, the beer selection is fresh and varied, ensuring there’s usually something new or interesting on offer with each visit.

Food and Dining Options

The George Inn serves classic British pub fare, with an emphasis on hearty, comforting dishes. The menu includes all the staples: think juicy burgers, traditional fish & chips, and warming pies. A highlight is the Sunday roast – offered with a choice of roast meats, all the trimmings and rich gravy – which the pub bills as one of its signature dishes. They also run seasonal specials (for example, a Christmas dinner menu at the holidays) and have a few modern twists on comfort food in their “authentic British comfort food” line-up.

Lighter appetites and dietary restrictions are also catered for. The pub explicitly notes that it provides vegetarian and vegan options, and even gluten-free dishes are available. Salads, veggie burgers or plant-based mains appear on the menu alongside the meaty classics. Snacks like a cheese plate or sausage roll may be on offer at the bar as well. In short, whether you want a full meal or just bar nibbles, The George has a variety to suit most tastes and diets.

Prices and Value

Prices at The George Inn are typical of a centrally located historic pub. Most main courses fall in the mid-range (roughly £10–£15 each) and pints usually run around £4–£5. For its Borough location and the quality of food and drink, customers generally find the pub to be reasonably priced. While it’s not a budget venue, many visitors feel they get good value — excellent real ales and generous portions make the spending worthwhile for a city-centre pub. (The Greene King app often offers promotions or a free pint/spin-the-wheel deal for new sign-ups, which can add extra value.) Overall, reviewers note that you’re paying London prices, but for solid fare and well-kept beers, so most consider it good bang for the buck.

Customer Service

Patrons consistently praise the staff for being friendly and efficient. The bar team at The George Inn is known to have good beer knowledge – ready to recommend an ale or suggest a food pairing – and they are quick with the next round even when the place is packed. Many guests mention that the bartenders are welcoming, often greeting you with a smile or polite chat. Since the pub can be busy on weekends, the service can slow a bit during peak times, but most agree that any wait is shorter than expected given the crowd. Importantly, the staff keep an eye on drink quality and handle cask ales with care (once, they’ll swap out a cask as soon as it’s less than perfect). In general, The George Inn maintains a helpful, professional atmosphere behind the bar.

Events and Special Nights

The George Inn stays lively with regular events and screenings. Live sports are a big draw – the pub is famous among locals for showing major football and rugby matches, and even motorsport events. In fact, Greene King markets The George as one of its “pit stop pubs,” showing every Formula 1 Grand Prix with an “unrivalled atmosphere”. On big match days you’ll see multiple screens tuned to games, and sports fans crammed into the courtyard or bars.

Music lovers won’t be disappointed either. The pub has hosted live band nights – for example, participating in Greene King’s “Untapped: Battle of the Bands” competition – so you may catch local acts performing on occasion. There are no TVs blaring music videos; instead you might hear acoustic or rock sets during special events. The pub also puts on seasonal celebrations (holiday menus and themed nights at Christmas, for instance), as well as occasional brewery tap-takeovers featuring guest ales. For private events, the George offers small function rooms above the bar; corporate gatherings or birthday parties can be arranged with advance booking. Overall, while it doesn’t have daily quiz or karaoke nights, The George keeps the calendar active with sports, music, and festivity events to appeal to a wide audience.

History and Heritage

The George Inn’s pedigree is what truly sets it apart. A tavern has stood on this site since medieval times – John Stow’s 1598 survey of London already mentions an inn here. The current buildings mostly date from the late 1600s. The Great Fire of Southwark in 1676 destroyed much of the area, and The George was rebuilt in 1677 on the old foundations. Parts of the 17th- and 18th-century structure survive today (it is a Grade I listed building), including long timbers and brickwork from those eras.

Throughout the centuries The George has been closely tied to London’s history. In the 1800s it even served as a parcel office for the Great Northern Railway before reverting to pub use. The National Trust acquired the building in 1937, recognising its cultural importance; the pub remains under National Trust ownership to this day. One heritage note: The famed novelist Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor. He mentioned The George in Little Dorrit (and it appears in Our Mutual Friend). (Indeed, Greene King proudly cites that Dickens once stopped at the pub when it was a coffee house.)

In recognition of its unique character, the pub is listed on CAMRA’s National Inventory of historic pub interiors. The George has also earned accolades: notably, it was named London Pub of the Year (Evening Standard) for 1994–95. Despite modern touches, visitors often feel as if they’ve stepped back in time: the reading lamps, old signage and panelled bars carry stories of past patrons. Today, The George Inn remains cherished both as a living piece of history and as a warm, welcoming community pub. It continues to draw an eclectic crowd – tourists intrigued by its tale, local regulars, and anyone who appreciates beer and banter in an extraordinary setting.

Overall Impression

In a city of gastropubs and craft-beer bars, The George Inn stands out as a true classic. It offers everything one could want in a historic London pub: rich architecture and history, a friendly atmosphere, good food and drink, and lively entertainment. Yes, it can get busy (and finding a seat on a Friday night can be a challenge), but that buzz is part of the charm. Whether you’re popping in for a quick pint after touring Borough Market, settling down for a hearty Sunday roast, or simply soaking up the ambience of centuries gone by, The George Inn delivers an authentic experience. For anyone seeking a blend of great pub culture and London heritage, this last galleried inn is simply unmissable – a genuine London icon that leaves visitors already planning their next visit as they reluctantly step back into the 21st century.