Editorial
Bermondsey and Borough have become essential Southeast London drinking destinations. Bermondsey Street hosts some of the capital's best craft cocktail bars, while the Beer Mile around Borough Market and Maltby Street is unquestionably one of Europe's best craft beer concentrations. Add wine bars that care genuinely about their selection and neighbourhood pubs that have retained character, and you have two neighbourhoods that reward deep exploration. These are our picks. To extend the evening north across the river, our guide to the best bars on the South Bank covers the SE1 riverside mile in full.
Bermondsey Street has developed into a genuine cocktail destination. Multiple bars practice serious craft without pretension. These are places where the bartender's attention matters, technique is visible, and the list rewards study.
The stretch between Borough Market, Maltby Street, and Shad Thames contains the highest concentration of quality craft beer bars in Europe. Multiple breweries run taprooms here, multiple bars dedicate everything to beer, and the knowledge level across venues is genuinely high. Walking this route means you're never more than a few minutes from excellent beer.
Bermondsey has more than just cocktails and beer. Several wine bars focus on selection and service equally, while neighbourhood pubs have kept their character while upgrading their standards. These complete the drinking picture.