The Understudy

Tucked into a corner of the National Theatre bulding, the Understudy bar established itself as part of the Southbank watering holes in 2014.
The Undertuday is a small craft pub, and serves all the Meantime beers on draft as well as bottled, including the Yakima Red, which I’m partial to. It’s nicely decorated with a mixture of high tables and sofas. They have a limited bar menu, which includes pulled pork with fries. sweet potato fries, normal fries, sausage rolls, and the usual assortment of crisps and nuts. Hot food is only served between 12pm and 8pm.
The bar is a great place to go to as an alternative to the lounge type bars in the theatre itself, and has more of a pubby feel to it. It’s also a good place work on your laptop of tablet as it has free wifi with the National Theatre. There is also plenty of external seating.
I will definately come back here when I’m seeing something at the National or during the colder months. For me there are too many outdoor alternatives in the Summer on the Southbank, to enjoy the sun.

Good little bar built into the concrete corner of the National Theatre.

Last night I visited The Understudy for the second time in as many weeks and enjoyed it thoroughly both times. The design and atmosphere is cosy yet alluring and the staff are always friendly and eager to give samples of their beers and ales. I spent 4 hours there last night and tried a few, my favourites being the ‘fresh lager’ and the ‘Pils’ Pilsner.

A little too hipster and pretentious for me. I liked the general décor of the place, and the two beers I had were perfectly fine, but service is pretty blah/“I’m too cool for school” and I wouldn’t rush back. Perfectly fine place to stop by if you’re on the South bank. You’ll probably love it more if you like your bangs super short and your pants high and tight. :p