New Pub Review: The Understudy At National Theatre

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 113 months ago
New Pub Review: The Understudy At National Theatre
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We've found your new favourite weekend afternoons pub. We really have. The Understudy is one of the first results of the National Theatre's renovations, and it's a craft beer bar with views of the Thames. Just the concept made us so happy we could spit, and the reality turns out to be pretty peachy too.

First things first: no, the range isn't as extensive as somewhere like the Old Red Cow or Craft Beer Co's rapidly expanding empire. The range on draft is heavy on the Meantime (we're pinning the next day's hangover firmly on Yakima Red) but they're concentrating on London breweries. Currently, you can find beers from Redchurch Brewery, Five Points Brewing Co, Fourpure and a fine Saison from Brew By Numbers. There's also plenty of bottles and cans (again, Fourpure) in the fridge, alongside cider and Gosnells London Mead. Prices aren't outrageous considering the location and hipster appeal of good beer: we got two pints for £9.50.

It's been open less than a week and when we visited it was, shall we say, not busy — but this meant staff were more than happy to indulge us as we had a taster of nearly everything on tap. The decor is basic wood and simple seating with the occasional sofa, but the real draw is the floor to ceiling window looking out onto the river.

If the South Bank lacked anything, it was a relaxed bar selling decent beer; the BFI bar does well on the drink front but is always too full of Guardian Soulmates first dates to properly kick-back in. Plus, The Understudy's open longer: until midnight Monday-Thursday, 1am Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm Sundays. But we think the perfect time for this bar will be a weekend afternoon, watching the sun go down over a leisurely pint or three. Visit it now before everyone cottons on.

The Understudy is next to the new Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, South Bank. Opening times Monday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Fridays and Saturdays 12pm-1am and Sundays 12pm-11pm. Official opening is 21 October.

See also: The 10 Best Craft Beer Pubs In London or the best places in London for Waterside Drinking And Dining. And don't forget to check out our ever-expanding pub database, with London's best pubs arranged by area.

Last Updated 16 October 2014