The Samuel Pepys

A little out of the way to find Samuel Pepys is kinda pub /​bar type place.
Not the place to go to if you want to talk at any decent level and that is just because of the music not because of the volume of loud talking. It was not busy when we came so can only imagine the din once there are lots of customers in there.
Ordered the bruschetta which was very tasteless and non-​descript. Next i had the fish and chips. It did not matter how much sauce or salt I put on either the chips and the fish, tasted pretty much like the bruschetta, bland and tasteless. I think a lot of effort must have gone into extracting the taste out of their food prior to serving. I truly could not believe that both dishes were so non descript on flavouring.
Good thing about this place was the view. Amazing night time view of the bridges, shard, London Eye, by night.
I’d rather not come here again. It is a bit of a walk from a tube or train station and there was nothing about this place which I would go through any effort to get to,

This is a hidden gem of a bar. The bar itself is beautiful and has the most amazing balcony sticking out over the river Thames and across from the Globe theatre. There are 2 tables on the balcony and you can consume your beverage of choice whilst watching the sun set over the shard/​southwark bridge (refer my uploaded picture with gratuitous staropramen shot). Even if your inside, there are plenty of windows to admire the view.
The food is much better than the average food the Banker pushes out just down the river. However, whilst the banker is loud and and brash, this is a much more relaxed bar that not many people seem to know about. i do agree with another reviewer that the service is a little slower here but not to the extent that it would stop me coming back.

The location is awkward, but it has a nice view. Modern interior with far too many stairs. A little bit of an identity crisis here; doesn’t know whether it wants to be a cocktail bar or a pub, two bitters, only one on. I would go here again, but only if I was paid.

I have been a few times already as this is next to my job and this is the typical place you won’t see unless someone takes you there or you are walking by. The street could look quite scary on a rainy grey day and even in a sunny one, but the views worth the visit. Overlooking the Thames, you can see The Shard, The Tate Modern, Millenium Bridge and the Globe Theatre.
They have a happy hour were you can choose from around 4 – 6 different cocktails. Not really amazing. They have an ok variety of food, from pizzas to meats or sandwiches. Quite tasty, but nothing extraordinary.
The service is quite ok, but you should go a for a few drinks with friends more in a relaxing that partying night.

Excellent location, excellent view, mediocre service, and high prices. Thus, not a place I’d go regularly but definitely one I’d go to. I went here twice in my four months in London and I plan on stopping here again. Probably not for a full meal but def for drinks and chips, just to sit on the lovely couch near the window, to enjoy the view, and, if I remember correctly, some killer tunes creating a fun atmosphere.

New home … new neighbourhood pub … and what a nice one it is !! :)
Samuel Pepys is located in a tiny, shabby alley right next to the building where i stay … and the signboard looks like one of the many pubs you see all around London. But when i went inside a couple of days ago for the first time, i realized it was totally different from what i had imagined.
A wide spiral staircase rose from the entrance to the first floor … with a huge chandelier lighting the way. The dining/​drinking hall upstairs was spacious with one side overlooking the Thames. I selected a table that gave me a magnificent view of the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre.
I had come for brunch and decided on a standard, comparable order … the full English breakfast. They didn’t have beans that day and were courteous enough to mention that to me beforehand and also allowed me to choose a replacement item.
The food was decent … and well presented. It wasn’t spectacular but surely among the better english breakfasts i have had. At £7.50, it was a bit pricey. They gave a portion of french salad with the food … something i found unusual.
The whole premises was very well decorated. Half of the walls were traditional brick as is prevalent in the area while the other half was modern. The walls had pictures of bees … which seemed odd. Also the corridors had nice pictures and photographs of different parts of London … some taken years ago. I was pretty much forced to look at all of them closely :)
I was unable to imagine this place full of beer guzzling men in football t-​shirts watching an Arsenal-​Chelsea match … which by itself i think is sufficient to differentiate it from the other pubs around. Maybe i should go on one match-​day and check it out.

Oooh I don’t want to write this review. Not even a little bit. But seeing as those Blackfriars city types found this place a while ago it might be a bit too late.
This is my quiet place when I’m in the city. I mean you have to time it right. These times are not lunchtime or after work hours, but any other time and this place is bliss. In fact, during busy times it’s pretty good too.
The view of the river is perfect and I can be found there on the sofa at the window drinking tea and reading a book. I think I nodded off once and either no one noticed or they were too polite to saying anything. If you’re not sitting at the window then it’s just like any other nice bar, if you do bag a seat it’s altogether more special.
The food is great. rustic stuff served on wooden boards. The have a restaurant as well but I’ve never tried it and I can’t remember how much it is. The beer is fine but I’ve only ever drunk lager here. The guys in here are generally OK too, flirty without being drunken sleazes like they can be on the other side of the city. If anything the women can be louder and more annoying. City girls can’t handle their wine no matter what they like you to think. I know this — I used to be one and I still can’t.
This place is cool. It benfits from being very tucked away. But Now I’m not in the area as much I don’t go there as often as I used to. Shame. I like it here.

Samuel Pepys is located in the basement of a refurbished appartment house, directly by the riverside beside the financial district. The area itself isnt particularly exiting — in fact after 6 p.m. its rather dead-​alive around here (I can tell, because I happened to live in the very same appartment house for half a year) BUT that is also what makes Samuel Pepys special: Its the only possible source for a decent beer and social contact around (Oh please! Dont tell me your fridge and TV offer you the same!).
Besides the food here is not that bad and you might get a table at the window, allowing a quite nice view of the Thames and the opposite riverfront.
From time to time SP are organising Quiz nights (though for a German like me that can be a quite depressing experience smile).