The Rake - Southwark - Pub Reviews

The Rake’s understated blue‑fronted façade tucked behind Borough Market on Winchester Walk belies one of London’s most celebrated micro‑pubs. The Rake (14 Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG) was opened in 2006 by the team behind Utobeer and quickly became a pilgrimage site for craft‑beer lovers thanks to its ever‑changing taps, fridge crammed with more than a hundred bottles, and walls signed by visiting brewers. Rated about 4.0/5 on major platforms, this tiny bar offers standing‑room intimacy inside and a lively terrace outside, drawing market traders, City workers and globetrotting beer geeks. Opening hours run 12:00 – 23:00 Monday to Friday, 11:00 – 23:00 Saturday, and 12:00 – 22:00 Sunday.

Facilities & Entertainment

The Rake keeps things simple:

• Parking: none – Borough Market is pedestrian‑friendly and best reached by Tube or on foot.

• Pub games / live sport: none – conversation and beer appreciation take centre stage.

• Indoor space: famously small (a handful of stools and high tables), encouraging a convivial standing crowd that often spills onto the heated decked terrace.

• Extras: no TVs, fruit machines or background thump – just low‑key music and the chatter of drinkers comparing tasting notes.

Despite the minimalist set‑up, the pub’s blackboard tap list, brewer memorabilia and signed ceiling panels turn the bar itself into a piece of beer culture artwork.

Food on Offer

There is no full kitchen, but drinkers need not go hungry. Behind the bar you will spot Mrs King’s Melton Mowbray pork pies – a cult classic that pairs perfectly with a hoppy pale ale – plus crisps, nuts and the odd market‑sourced cheese or charcuterie plate when events call for it. Patrons wanting something heartier simply wander a few metres to Borough Market’s hot‑food stalls and are welcome to bring bites back to their pint.

Beers on Tap

Beer is the headline act. At any time you will find:

• Around ten draught lines pouring a constantly rotating mix of world styles – recent appearances include Nøgne Ø IPA from Norway and Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier from Bamberg.

• Three cask‑conditioned ales on handpump when cellar space permits.

• Roughly 130 bottled and canned beers kept in pristine fridges ranging from British sours to West Coast double IPAs and Belgian lambics.

Staff update the chalkboard several times a day; rarities and launch kegs often last only hours. Brewer meet‑and‑greets are common, and the team champion independent imports alongside hyperlocal London micros. If you are overwhelmed, the bartenders are renowned for asking a few flavour questions then guiding you to something memorable.

Price Range & Value

For central London the pub sits in the comfortable ££ bracket: most draught two‑thirds (many beers are served in schooners for strength) cost £5 – £7, while special imports or high‑ABV bottles can nudge higher. Considering the rarity of some pours – vintage barleywines, limited festival kegs – beer fans generally feel the value is strong. There is no table service or service charge; you pay at the bar and tipping is discretionary.

Customer Service

Regulars praise the welcoming, ultra‑knowledgeable staff. Many are qualified Cicerone servers who relish talking malt profiles and hop varieties yet remain patient with newcomers who “just fancy something light and fruity”. During busy spells they still find time for recommendations, cleaning glasses diligently and keeping the terrace orderly – a feat given the bar’s popularity and footprint.

Events & Special Nights

The Rake’s calendar revolves around beer festivals and tap takeovers. Highlights include:

• International brewery showcases – a week of Scandinavian stouts or a night with a West Coast IPA legend.

• Anniversary party every August marking the 2006 opening, often featuring one‑off collaboration beers.

• Spontaneous “meet the brewer” evenings announced on social media when visiting producers drop by Borough Market.

Tickets are rarely required; you simply turn up early before rare kegs kick. These gatherings reinforce the pub’s community feel – it is not unusual to share a table with strangers debating the merits of farmhouse yeast.

Atmosphere & Accessibility

Inside is cosy and buzzy: wooden floors, chalk‑scrawled walls, ceiling signatures and a glass back wall looking onto the railway arches. With only a dozen or so indoor patrons fitting comfortably, the vibe is shoulder‑to‑shoulder convivial rather than leisurely lounge. Outside, a decked beer garden triples capacity and provides a view of the Shard and market bustle – heated in winter, sun‑kissed in summer.

Accessibility is surprisingly thoughtful for the size: a wide ramp leads from the terrace through French doors, giving step‑free entry, and there is an accessible WC with grab rails and alarm cord – a rarity among micro‑pubs of this vintage. Crowds can make navigation tricky at peak times, so quieter midday sessions suit wheelchair users best.

Dogs are welcome (water bowls provided) and the casual standing format means nobody minds a well‑behaved pooch or a baby buggy tucked by the wall.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Set on a cobbled lane behind the cathedral end of Borough Market, The Rake is two minutes’ stroll from London Bridge station (Jubilee and Northern lines plus National Rail) and five from the Thames. Before or after your pint you can:

• Graze through Borough Market’s cheese, charcuterie and street‑food stalls.

• Walk the riverside to Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern.

• Cross London Bridge for views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

With Southwark’s other craft hotspots – the Market Porter, Brew By Numbers Barrel Project and Craft Beer Co. – within walking distance, The Rake often forms the first or last stop on a beer crawl.

Overall Impression

The Rake proves that size is irrelevant when your beer list is world‑class. What it lacks in square footage and amenities it repays through a staggering breadth of brews, passionate service and an atmosphere that feels part London market bar, part international beer festival. Yes, you may jostle for elbow room and there is no full kitchen or sport screens, but these quirks are part of its charm. For anyone seeking a genuine taste of London’s craft‑beer culture – from curious newcomer to seasoned hop‑head – a visit to The Rake is essential. Just arrive early, order a pork pie, and let the chalkboard guide your palate.