The Ship - Southwark - Pub Reviews

The Ship is a classic London pub located at 68 Borough Road, Southwark, SE1 1DX, known for live music, sports, and a unique Lebanese food menu. It’s open daily from noon (Monday–Thursday & Sunday until 11pm, Friday–Saturday until midnight). Run by independent True Pub Co (which took over in early 2023), The Ship blends its long history (reopened June 2023 after refurbishment) with modern touches. Customers give it roughly a 4-star (4.0/5) rating on review sites, praising its cosy atmosphere and friendly service. The pub’s contact number is 0203 924 6868.

Facilities & Entertainment

• Sports TV & Garden: The Ship has multiple TVs showing major sports (football, rugby, etc.) throughout the pub. There is also a well-kept rear beer garden for outdoor seating, a rare oasis in busy Southwark. True Pub Co highlights this beer garden as a “serene retreat” for enjoying drinks in the sunshine.

• Live Music & Events: Regular live music is a highlight. For example, the pub hosts Irish traditional sessions on Sunday afternoons, as one guest notes “listening to their amazing Irish trad band”. True Pub Co has emphasised weekly performances (“live music every week”). The Ship also promotes special nights (open mic Mondays, midweek cocktail deals, etc.) to engage the community.

• Other Amenities: Facilities include free Wi-Fi and a friendly smoking area. It does not have on-site parking (typical for a central London pub), and there are no darts or pool tables. Dogs are generally welcome (it’s listed as dog-friendly by local guides) and the pub even has family-friendly seating. There is a full-function kitchen (lunchtime and evening meals are served) and a well-stocked bar.

Cuisine & Drinks

Authentic Lebanese cuisine at The Ship, prepared by Reda’s Kitchen chefs. The Ship’s menu is one of its standout features. Under the “Reda’s Kitchen” banner, the pub offers authentic Lebanese dishes – think generous mezze platters, grilled meats and vegetarian specialties. Dishes like shish taouk, falafel, hummus and tabbouleh showcase fresh ingredients and warm spices. (According to True Pub Co, Reda’s Kitchen will be a new addition emphasising “a tantalising taste of Lebanon”.) Customers recommend items like lamb kofta and grilled halloumi as highlights, though vegetarians and vegans also find plenty of options. Prices are moderate – starters run around £5–£7 and mains £10–£15, with appetisers and sharing platters available for groups.

On tap, The Ship serves a range of beers and ciders. A CAMRA pub guide notes that Fuller's ales are a staple – in particular, Fuller’s London Pride is on as a regular beer. There is usually at least one rotating craft/guest ale (e.g. from local breweries like Five Points) to keep things interesting. The bar also carries popular lagers, ciders and a full wine list. True Pub Co promotes “an impressive line-up of world beer favourites, alongside locally brewed beers paying homage to London’s vibrant brewing scene”, so patrons can expect both classics and new craft options. In addition, there are cocktails (the pub advertises midweek 2-for-£15 cocktail nights), plus spirits and soft drinks. Pints generally start around £5, wines by the glass around £6. Overall the drinks menu is solid, if not huge – some regulars have suggested a wider selection of dark ales or wheat beers, but the existing offerings are well-maintained and varied.

Ambience & Service

Cosy interior of The Ship pub in Southwark, with wood panelling and warm lighting. The Ship balances historic charm with a welcoming, community feel. Its exterior is character-fully tiled in green and white (a local landmark at Borough Road) and it has the “long, narrow, wood-panelled interior” typical of a London Victorian pub. After the recent refurbishment, the interior feels refreshed but still cosy: warm lighting, comfortable seating areas (with new partitions for intimate spaces), and eye-catching features like a reclaimed-wood back bar. True Pub Co designers used salvaged wood from old buildings to create an “authentic atmosphere” in the pub. The upstairs area is quieter and used for dining or events, while the downstairs bar is livelier.

Patrons find the atmosphere friendly and unpretentious. The pub attracts a diverse crowd – local office workers, residents, students, and visitors on a night out. On weekends or during big sports matches it can get lively; midweek tends to be more relaxed. Staff are generally warm and attentive, which creates a “buzzing, friendly atmosphere”. In fact, one recent patron review (on the pub’s own site) raves, “This place is absolutely gorgeous. Such lovely food, drinks and service”, and mentions enjoying a “lovely Sunday… listening to their amazing Irish trad band”. This underscores that both the food and the hospitality leave a strong positive impression. Visitors note prompt service (even when busy) and a staff knowledgeable about both the pub’s beers and its Lebanese menu.

Events & Specials

The Ship regularly hosts special events to keep things interesting. A signature is the Irish Trad Session on Sunday afternoons (around 3pm), featuring live folk music and singing. (The pub has an acoustic guitar on the wall and a few locals often join in.) Live music also appears on other nights – for instance, Thursdays and Fridays often feature bands or DJs, and the new owners have hinted at “captivating live music performances” as part of the pub’s revived program. On Mondays, the pub has run an Open Mic Night (7–10pm) giving local singers and poets a stage, though recent listings suggest this may currently be paused. Midweek also brings drink deals: a popular one is “2 cocktails for £15” every Wednesday. Sports fans can catch major games (Premier League, Six Nations, etc.) on big screens during weekends. The combination of themed nights and sports draws a mix of regulars – you might see pub quiz teams, football fans, and music-lovers all under one roof.

History & Community

While The Ship feels timeless, it has undergone changes. The building dates back to the 19th century (some sources say early 1800s), and it has been a Borough Road fixture for generations. In early 2023, the previous operator (Fuller’s) handed the lease to True Pub Co, who then closed the pub for several months of renovation. True Pub Co’s blog describes how they “breathed new life” into the venue: interior and exterior were refreshed, new lighting and seating were added, and subtle nods to history were preserved. The pub finally reopened on June 1, 2023 with a split identity – preserving the traditional pub look while offering new amenities. For example, they installed vintage-style partitions to create cosy corners and revamped the beer garden into a landscaped terrace. The revitalised Ship quickly became a community hub once more. As True Pub Co puts it, the Ship now serves as the “vibrant centrepiece of Southwark’s pub scene”. Locals have embraced it, treating it as a friendly neighbourhood tavern with character.

Location & Nearby Attractions

The Ship enjoys a very convenient location in Southwark. It sits just off Southwark Bridge Road and Borough High Street, about 350 yards from Borough Underground station (Northern Line) and roughly 650m from Elephant & Castle station (Northern Line, Bakerloo, and national rail). Numerous bus routes pass nearby, making it easy to reach from anywhere in South London. This makes The Ship a good meeting point for Tube connections or arriving by bike (there are bike racks nearby).

Its surroundings are full of London attractions. A short walk north brings you to Borough Market, the famous food market under London Bridge (just ~5 minutes away), where many pub-goers do a daytime shop or grab street food before heading to the pub. Southbank’s theatres and the Tate Modern art gallery lie about 15–20 minutes’ walk to the north. To the south, the Elephant & Castle shopping area and its Northern line tube are even closer. Cultural sites like the Imperial War Museum are a mile or so south-east (a quick bus ride), and London Bridge station is within easy reach for trains to the City and the South. In other words, The Ship is at the heart of historic and modern Southwark – an ideal starting point for exploring local sights, or a cosy refuge at the end of a London sightseeing day.

Conclusion

In sum, The Ship offers a harmonious blend of traditional pub charm and contemporary pub comforts. Its wood-panelled interior and beer garden exude old-London warmth, while the menu and events program add a modern twist. Patrons consistently enjoy the vibrant atmosphere – from lively sports or music nights to quieter weekday lunches – all backed by quality food and drink. The attentive, friendly staff enhance the overall experience, making newcomers feel at home. With its prime location near Borough and Elephant & Castle, plus attractions like Borough Market within walking distance, The Ship is both a local favourite and a worthwhile stop for visitors. It’s a testament to Southwark’s pub heritage, updated for today’s crowd: a cosy community pub where great Lebanese food, good beer, and London camaraderie meet.