Borough bars and pubs

For old-school drinking in a historic part of town, head to the Boot & Flogger, one in the Davy’s wine bar family. It oozes character – from its candlelit underground cave to its atmospheric and creaking ground floor bar, where wooden partitions offer privacy with your glass of Pinot.

The George's story goes a long way back and it’s a story, alright – ‘The Canterbury Tales’ began on this very spot, Shakespeare put on his plays in the courtyard and Dickens is said to have propped up the bar. Nowadays, it’s still low-ceilinged inside, but it’s the large, umbrella-filled courtyard that draws in the punters.

A new-ish team at the Gladstone Arms brought in with them craft beers brewed in the vecinity and Japanese fried chicken. They’ve also managed to maintain the cosy atmosphere and live music nights that have kept people coming round the back of Borough station over the years.

If you’re looking for old-man pub vibes, enter the Lord Clyde. It’s one of the area’s most historic boozers and it honours field marshall Clyde and his Crimean War heroism through armed forces’ photography and memorabilia. You probably won’t have a battle at the bar, though, since the pub is off the beaten track.

Just around the back of Guy’s Hospital, The Miller is a fun-time find on Snowfields, a pub hosting weekly improv comedy, an annual cider festival and daily £5 deals on its burgers. A wide range of craft beer by the bottle or can is in stock, which suits the young crowd that drifts across from the Guy’s Campus of King’s College.

If you find yourself asking ‘dónde está la fiesta’ in Borough, the answer could well be at Flat Iron Square. The thriving food hub is also home to a bar modelled on a Mexican cantina, where a menu of margaritas is well worth exploring. However, many flock here for pre-gig beers before heading to sister music venue Omeara.

The Rake is owned by beer importer Utobeer, which should give you a flavour of what to expect when drinking here. There's a sprawling selection of beers in the fridges, plus seven kegs and three casks – get ready to explore brews beyond your wildest dreams.

This Victorian boozer has a thoroughly charming look, with a gorgeous bar at the centre of the room. The pub is run by Sussex’s Harvey’s brewery so you’ll find all their ales poured at the bar (and in excellent condition). The crowd is the friendly, local sort making it hard not to settle in for a session.

Right by Borough Market, the Wheatsheaf is a busy destination for drinking. Expect Young’s beers on the bar, and a range of comfort grub (if you haven’t already filled up in the market). The best bit about the pub, though, is its small beer garden fitted with heaters to help you withstand the seasons.