Dean Swift Pub — Restaurant in London

The manager who refused to give me his name (tall guy, maybe eastern european, on the heavy side) was the most unprofessional and rude bar manager I have ever encounter. I would not recommend anyone coming here to receive this type of treatment. I, who live across the road from this pub, will never bring my business here ever again.

Walked in with my uncle on a VERY quiet Wednesday afternoon. There were only one other group of people on that entire bar. We grabbed a table but were waiting for our friends to arrive before ordering some drinks. Within 5 minutes of us being there the manager approached the table and simply interrupted mwith an extremely condescending "what are you ordering?" to which I replied "we are ok for now, I will go to the bar shortly". The manager immedeatly replied "No, you have to order something NOW or you need to leave". I was absolutely shocked with that! He then went on to say that I cannot walk into a bar, grab a table and not order anything, despite us being there 5 minutes, waiting on our friends. No managerial skills, no people skills, absolutely rude, for such an ridiculous ego point.

After about 10 minutes of intense discussion on how he though that this was an appropriate approach, and an acceptable way to talk to his customers, he gave in and left us there, however we simply walked away and went to the next door pub. That night on the other pub, 6 friends joined us and our bill was just over £700...

To the owner of the pub, this rude and narrow minded emplyee is detriment to your estrablishment and should not be allowed to continue to serve your customers with that attitude.

To people looking for a place to drink, I would encourage you to find...

Google maps said I hadn't been here in 5 years, so pre-pandemic, and I can't remember when or why I was in the area. Tucked down a backstreet off Tower Bridge Road, you'd only really find it if you went looking for it. Even more so now with the building works digging up the road as you walk up.

The first time I came here was after an interview I had round the corner, I was suited and booted after being at a client meeting and I wanted to transition into a cool company doing media or something. The hiring manager turned up barefoot and I could see I wasn't getting the job.

Anyway, fast forward to now and we were off for lunch at the excellent Gunpowder. I decided to see if my memories of the place hold up to sun-drenched barefoot nostalgia.

The exterior looks smarter, the interior too. It clearly had a facelift. Brighter, cleaner, spacious and more seating. What's lovely to see is the beer menu is still as vast as ever, with an extensive selection and the trusty London Black by @anspachhobday pouring well.

The only downside was my first drink of Cloudwater IPA tasted like sour yoghurt, and the glass on the second pint of Anspach was filthy. Both were changed without fuss, could've been the first pour syndrome, or age, I dunno. Maybe people aren't as picky as me.

I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, because it's quite fairly priced for the area, the music was decent, vibe was nice, staff were friendly, and the nostalgia box was ticked. Options in the direct proximity are the Brewdog owned ex-Draft House or Spoons, and then you're on the mile in cold archways. So it's a good place to perch and get away from the tourists...

The Dean Swift is an absolute gem tucked away near Tower Bridge, offering the perfect blend of cozy pub charm and culinary excellence. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this pub delivers an unforgettable experience.

With 20+ rotating craft beers on tap, including rare finds from local and international breweries, this place is a paradise for beer enthusiasts. The knowledgeable staff are passionate about their pours, ensuring every pint is served with care .

Food That Shines 🍽️ Don’t miss their Sunday Roast—voted one of London’s top 25 by The Evening Standard. The slow-cooked meats, crispy Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy are worth every bite. During the week, the Fish & Chips and tapas-style sharing boards are equally stellar .

The Dean Swift strikes the perfect balance between lively and relaxed.

Just a stone’s throw from Tower Bridge, it’s a peaceful retreat from the tourist hustle. The staff are warm and attentive, adding to the welcoming vibe. Open daily until late, it’s a reliable spot for lunch, dinner, or late-night drinks .

From the expertly curated beers to the hearty food and lively events, The Dean Swift nails the “proper pub” experience. Whether you’re here for a roast, a pint, you’ll leave planning...