The Ancient Foresters — Restaurant in London

🚇 Bermondsey 🍺 £5.30 Fosters

The Ancient Foresters is located in South Bermondsey about a ten minute walk from The Den, the home of Millwall FC. The nearest Tube is Bermondsey.

This is an architecturally unique looking pub that was built in the 1930’s. It’s believed the pub is named after The Ancient Order of Foresters which is a Friendly Society formed in 1834.

This is a no frills proper oldschool two bar pub that is traditionally decorated. The servery is horseshoe shaped and straddles both adjoining bars. The bar on the right has a stage at the back with a large black and white photo of three iconic Rat Pack members, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra. The bar on the left is accessed by a mirror lined corridor and is similar in size with a pool table at the back. The decor here is marvellous, you’ll find red upholstered banquettes, a proper pub carpet, lots of Millwall memorabilia and a few photo collages of regulars who have been patrons over the years.

The beer is selection is simple and offers a basic range of keg beers. I decided on a Fosters, my pint was decent, price point was just over a fiver. This is a wet-led pub that doesn’t serve food, there are bar snacks available if you’re feeling peckish.

I arrived just after 2pm on a sunny Friday afternoon in April. The pub was empty except the Landlord and Landlady who were chatting outside. The service was personable, I was served by a friendly member of staff who has worked here for many years. As it was quiet, we had a good old chinwag about Millwall match days and how life has changed compared to the way it was in the 80’s. I also had a nice chat with the Lanlady about her time spent here.

It was great to see this Bermondsey boozer alive and well, most likely helped by Millwall’s ground move back in 1993. Visiting this pub put a big smile and my face as it reminded me of the pubs my parents ran during the 70’s and 80’s.

Wonderful architecture, marvellous decor, reasonably priced pints and friendly service, this is a must visit London pub.

📅 4th April 2025

More London Pub info...

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Came in and asked for a tap water, which I was refused. I mentioned that you could not refuse someone tap water as a liquor establishment, which they denied. When I mentioned it again to the older man at the counter, he said it “only applied to dogs” and insisted I was wrong.

I ended up showing the man the government website (I would not keep insisting under usual circumstances, but I was very tired and light-headed at the time.) He started complaining to me about water bill costs, and when he finally gave me the water he told me I could not drink it inside the establishment (the place was completely empty), and continued to raise his voice and degrade me for asking for water.

Rude, boorish, and misleading, not to mention blatant and intentional disregard for the law. I could not imagine trusting anyone behind that bar with alcohol, let alone pay them for it.

(After writing this review and looking through others, it seems I am not the only one who dealt with this issue....