Part of our Best Pubs in London microsite. Is your local listed?
The Glad, as it's affectionately known, is a smashing little pub hidden away at the quieter end of Borough High Street. We have to confess to overlooking it for years, as more famous local bars tugged at our attentions. Having now discovered the place, we'd rank it among our top 10 in London, let alone the Southwark/Borough area.
The main bar is effortlessly cosy, with candlelit tables for intimate discussion. A pub cat pads around, occasionally settling on the piano. An upstairs room continues the small-tables theme, and in warmer weather there's a (very) small but quiet and sun-soaked terrace. This is not a place for large groups or rowdy revellers.
That said, the pub also supports the live music scene, with free gigs several times a week. The area is a bit of a music nexus, actually. This was the closest pub to Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'hit factory' in the adjacent mews, which churned out some of the catchiest hits of the late 80s.
The drinks choice is pretty decent, with a range of easily missed keg taps on the back wall, plus a couple of casks. The food menu turns around small-plate Indian dishes (with Anglo-Indian pies). Fans of puns will also leave 'feeling Glad all over'.
Sadly (or gladly, if you prefer plants to paints) the famous mural on the eastern wall has since been covered with ivy. Still a great pub, though.
Images below are from 2015 and may not reflect the current look of the pub. We keep them in for nostalgia.
