I've said it before and I'll say it again. School Night drinking makes you cool. The Founder's Arms is possibly one of the best places to indulge your naughty mid-week drinking. It's right on the South Bank and when it's cold it's relatively empty which means you can have an intimate drink whilst over looking the City and St.Pauls Cathedral which both look epic under the veil of darkness. Whilst I do have to admit it is rather expensive £7.00 for a glass of red wine, it is a beautiful place to sit. Should you find yourself wandering along the Southbank having had a glorious day of culture at the Globe or the Tate Modern, make sure you swing by. read more

Lovely location and view of the river, but the food isn't as impressive. Perhaps it was just the Jerk Chicken I ordered, but it was rather bland and was missing the plantains mentioned on the menu. I would return if the weather was nice enough, but expect it to be full of tourists stopping in after/before a visit to the Tate. read more

My wife and I were taking a cruise down the Thames when the tour guide pointed out the Founders Arms and declared it "a lovely pub." Fast forward a few days later my wife and I were leaving Tate Modern and decided to stop in for a drink. We decided to order the Level 42 double cheeseburger and it was delicious. This would be a great place to sit outside and watch the world float by on the Thames. read more

I heard this place was recently renovated from its musky carpeting and you can tell from its sleek decor that it's trying to go for interior aesthetics that complement its amazing view. Situated right next to the Thames, Founders Arms has a beautiful view of St. Paul, the Millennium footbridge and the river. Its outdoor deck is heated and would be a great place to hang out at during the summer. They have a decent wine and beer selection, but avoid their mulled wine as it was very watery. We ordered the Mediterranean platter, containing extremely salty feta cheese, questionable tzatziki and hummus, crudites, olives, and pita bread. Some of the salt in the cheese could have been used in the incredibly bland fries we ordered. Lastly was the deconstructed bruschetta which was another way to say, look I'm kind of lazy so here are some tomatoes, a clove of garlic, and some basil leaves- go crazy. Come here to enjoy drinks with a view, as the food is unfortunately disappointing. read more

I discovered the Founders Arms whilst walking to Waterloo from the City in the recent Tube strikes. This place is all about the views, perched on the South Bank, the patio area is a great place to look at London's ever changing skyline with the luxury of a pint in your hand. It is conveniently located for the Tate Modern so when pretentious modern art gets to much it is worth popping in here. The beer costs around £4.50 a pint which is a price I have become used to paying in London. read more

Spent an evening here for 30th birthday drinks with friends. We'd reserved an area for 20 people and were given a table with benches. Could have probably seated around 10 at a squeeze so a little smaller than expected which wasn't a great start. That said the venue as a whole was a lot classier than some of the pubs in London and views of the Thames were stunning. It was a cold January evening so didn't get much use out of the terrace but imagine it would be a great spot for an alfresco pint or two on a hot summer afternoon. Our table was right next to the window which meant unobstructed views of the river which was great, and a little later on we were able to spread our party across the neighbouring table too. Staff generally polite, but be warned that the higher end target market for this establishment comes with a price at the bar - £20.20 for two drinks which even for London prices is a little on the "Ouch" side when you hand over a £20 and get told it's not enough. Only negative for me was the unisex toilets. Granted there was a note on the door saying it was a temporary measure during refurbishment but it was quite awkward sharing facilities. Closed for refurbishment shortly but after that well worth a visit if you're taking a stroll along the South Bank. read more

Great views, friendly staff, decent prices! Especially during happy hour. I'm American but the fish and chips were pretty damn good. Had to put the disclaimer in there. Free Wifi too! read more

Pretty much the Tate Modern's riverside local, this relaxed, modern and lively bar surrounded by glass walls and with an outside terrace gives great views of the Thames from Blackfriars Bridge eastwards down the river taking in St Pauls and its environs. Spectacular at night read more

See all

Easy enough place to stop for a drink on the bank of the Thames, I've been here a couple of times, the most recent being after a performance at the Globe. It being late in the evening on a weekday, it was still warm but hardly anyone was about. A couple glasses of wine went down nicely while enjoying the view before the staff nicely asked us to finish up as they were closing. Prices were decent and it was a nice place to finish up. I've been before on the weekend and it can be rammed though, just plan your visit and you'll have a good enough time. read more

This is a great spot that I love to take visitors from out of town to. It's a bar with a large outdoor area and seats that sprawl all along the riverfront with great views up the Thames and St. Paul's just across the way. While I've never eaten here, their food looks quite good with a decent-sized menu. The main selling point here is the view and the chill atmosphere along the river. It is nicely-situated, but just far enough from the hustle bustle of the touristy crowds at the embankment. read more

Just past the Millenium Bridge, on the Southbank, is this great pub/restaurant. Nice views across the river. Reasonable selection real ales with a nice food menu. We shared their large British meat platter. Ham, pork pie, terrine, two cheeses, toast, gherkins and two relishes. A real filler. Outside seating, if the weather is 'right'. Nice pub and worth a visit. read more

I thought Young's was just a small English brewery that produced that Double Chocolate Stout that I've never bothered to try. Little did I know they not only produce a buttload of other beers, but also own well over 200 pubs around London. From my extensive research (ten minutes of Google), it doesn't look like it's nearly as bad as a chain restaurant - Young's owns the properties, and leases them to budding Sam Malones for a few years. You can even let Young's be in charge of the repairs and decorations, though in return Young's gets to by the sole provider of alcoholic drinks. Personally, this doesn't sound like such a bad thing, especially considering the pub is still on their own when it comes to the food, and in Founders' case, this turns out to be a very good thing. Sure, it may have been something simple like Sunday roast, but it was done very well, featuring a very large portion of beef and veg. The beef was plenty tender, and smothered in a traditional brown gravy, but what really killed me was the vegetables - a medley of fresh potatoes, carrots, broccoli, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and probably others, all cooked to the perfect doneness and really just as much the star of the show as the roast. I can appreciate some good veg, and this definitely qualified. Of course, I was a tourist and I was with other tourists doing touristy things, so everyone else got the fish and chips and were suitably pleased. And when the only beers on tap are variations on Young's, you have no choice but to try one, and it turns out they're not bad, either. Ultimately, it's the killer views and the patio dining that are going to keep Founders Arms a popular dining destination. They probably could have gotten away with offering much cheaper food and still maintained business, but I'm glad they decided to put some effort into it. read more

Although not overly lovely to look at both outside and inside, the redeeming feature of this pub are the stunning views. A great spot to bring friends and show them just how good looking London can be sometimes. Great terrace for summer drinking and the inside is cosy for the winter months. A lot of tourists found in here during the day but come the evening it's a the office crowd that swamps the place. Not a bad spot this. read more

I'm not quite sure how to rate this place. It has an amazing view! Right on the river. And friendly staff to go with it. My wife and I ordered a couple beers which were great. Of course that was the highlight. The food? Not so much. It was fairly bland and expensive for what it was (although maybe that shouldn't be a surprise given the location? Or maybe I'm just used to Canadian prices?). We'd go back... But just for a drink. We will skip the food next time. read more

Regardless of what criteria you use, London tends to be an overwhelming experience. There are so many of any kind of thing you might be looking for that even using trusted resources like yelp can present you with too much information filter it all properly. Luckily, an expat acquaintance recommended Founders Arms to us, as we might have missed it completely otherwise. FA is a modernish pub, that is to say it's decor is more in the vein of an Applebee's or Red Lobster (minus the nautical theme). That aside- the service was friendly, the food was delicious, and view of the city along the Thames is to die for. We came here twice during our stay, once for a family meal, and again for a date-night nightcap. The clientele seemed to skew younger, but not obnoxiously so. The next time we go back, if we're in the neighborhood, I think this will definitely be on the agenda for a relaxing night of watching the city. read more

I chose this location when some friends from out of town were coming in because it's along the river (and the other option was Pizza Express, and I was like what?) So we arrived here on a Tuesday evening. It was a nice day so the place was packed. Even though it's quite a good-sized pub, there were a lot of people here. It's a Young's pub. And that's awesome because they have all those weird Young's beers that I like (Double Chocolate Stout and Banana Bread Beer), but also the usual ones on draught. It's a nice mix, plus they also have a few other guest ales (one of which was Bombardier when we were there). I did manage to find us some seating, so when everyone else arrived we had a great place to chill and relax. Unfortunately, the bartenders are REALLY slow. When you've got a big pub and a lot of people and about four people working behind the bar, SPEED IT UP. The slowness was a letdown because it seemed that when people went up for a round they were gone for AGES. And when you're hanging out with friends from out of town, you don't want to spend that long waiting for your order. We also had dinner. And it was alright. Nothing special to be honest. I heard the food was good, but I wasn't overly impressed. Just standard pub food. But it's a great location, and if you want a great view of the Thames and St. Paul's (and the Blackfriars station), this is the pub for you. read more

The Founders Arms is nicer than your usual spoons. I liked its glass walls on the tames side and the cute fairy lights decorating the place. It is ideally located by the tames just just down the Tate Modern. It also wins an extra star for the view. As we entered the pub to order i was suddenly attacked by the noise level that suddenly brutally ascended. So first of all, it is duly noted their windows contractor is a good one, the sound level is not heard from the outside, second of all, there are little chances i would ever sit inside. Placing our orders was quite tricky because it was incredibly busy and the bar is really long, so you never know where to catch the barmen. Other from that our barman was sympathetic and took time to review the different juices and lemonades they had for us. We sat outside because the place was packed. It was kind of an adventure to find a spot around 5 on a Friday night. We ordered drinks and snacks in the form of sweet potato wedges and a bread platter (??). I was happy with my cucumber lemonade but disappointed with my sweet potato thingy. They were cut in enormous bits, uneasy to eat and i expected them in kind of a wedgy shape and crusty. The softness made it taste like mashed sweet potato. Mary G. had the bread platter which literally consisted in grilled breads and oil to dip it in... I was surprised. This dish is completely uninteresting. Have i mentioned the view ? Yeah, but i'll mention it again. It is worth it. Especially at night when all the lights turn on and you can admire all of London's beauty. read more

See all

With just a hint of sun I head over to the Founders Arms for their outdoor patio. Right on the Thames and near the Tate Modern, it's probably a bit more touristy than my normal haunts but worth it. There are heaters on the patio, bag hooks on the tables, and plenty of space. Moderately priced pints and not cheap food but a nice after work stop nonetheless. read more

Good food. We had the roast chicken and Caesar salad. The view was perfect of the Thames and St Paul's

Southbank has a lot of hidden gems, but this one is as obvious as can me. Right outside Tate Modern and next to the Thames, this is one of the best places to grab some lunch or some drinks after work and enjoy a great view of the river. The food is not as cheap as pubs usually are but you are definitely paying for the view, which is amazing! You can see St Paul's Cathedral right across you and the rest of the buildings all the way to the City and Bank. The food is quite good, nice juicy burgers, mouth watering salmon and heart warming pie. Enjoy your meal with a pint of your favourite tipple, or try one of their special ones (toffee or banana ale anyone?) and you won't regret it. Make sure you take lots of photos with the city behind you to make all your friends jealous. read more

See all

I never used to like this pub because it lacks character and is a waste of a potentially excellent building. But now I like it more, simply because of its location, which despite the pub's waste of, is still an excellent draw. The Founders Arms is right outside the Tate and has panoramic views of London's riverside. If you forget where you are for a moment, then notice, it can be quite breathtaking. The problem with the pub is that it's generic, the music is too loud and the decor bland. Howevere, aside from the view, it also has another redeeming feature - its outside riverside terrace which is wonderful in the summer and possible even in the winter due to outdoor heaters and blankets provided. Curl up under one with someone and a bottle of wine, look out onto the river, and you can forget the pub behind you! read more

Location, location, location. Oh - and mulled wine. Do yourself favor and wait till nighttime. Take the tube to St Paul's Cathedral. Then walk down Peter's Hill to the Millennium bridge. Walk about a third of the way across the Thames. Then turn around -- wow. Take in the view, take in the cold, feel really good about being suspended over the Thames, and THEN go to Founders Arms. It's warm, cozy and friendly. Sometimes crowded, but don't let that deter you. The mulled wine is perfect! Delicious. They also have a full bar and even serve coffee if you're in the mood. Sit by the window, go with a bunch of friends, and you'll have a great time. read more

Very handy for the Tate Modern and it has a great view over the river. I'm pretty sure however that if you picked this pub up and moved the location it wouldn't prove to be anywhere near as popular. Not a great food selection and what I saw brought out from the kitchen didn't look too appetising. A pretty average beer selection and a bit of a lack of seating outside. If you can get there early enough to grab a spot and the sun is out you can almost forgive the bad points read more

We had a a quick pint on the patio in the evening. Great view of the river and London in the background. We didn't have food, so we are rating for the ambience. read more

Founders Arms - View from patio at night - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Founders Arms has the best view. I've never eaten there, but I make sure to visit whenever I am in town. Since it's right on the Thames, you have access to all of the exciting tourist attractions. The setting is more on the modern side of things, but with big windows and fantastic outdoor seating, this is a top pub in my books. read more

Maybe just on a lucky night, or maybe not so busy being freezing cold, but staff attentive, friendly and speedy with good sized platefuls of reasonably tasty grub. Building not so drab looking in the dark either, with such fantastic views to shiver over, well worth getting pneumonia for. 7 stars for location, maybe 3 or 4 for the rest = average 4.0975 read more

See all

Imagine London spread out before you like a delicious buffett of extraordinary goodness! I've been here twice and had fun both times. The location is here is, of course, not to be beaten. The view along the Thames is absolutely fantastic! Ok, right. Um, the pub is good too. They have heat lamps outside which take the chill out of the London evenings which is helpful. And inside is bright and very clean and very cool when they bring the candles out after dark. I've only ever been here for drinks, so no review of the food today. But the service has been fast and while it can be pretty busy, I've managed to get a seat outside without a problem on both occasions with minimal waiting. I'd especially recommend it for those who are heading to Tate Modern for an after-drink. read more

Good food and drinks! We randomly ended up at the Founder's Arms during a recent Sunday Funday London pub crawl. The outside area was full and we were only too happy to find many empty tables inside as it looked like it would soon rain. We ordered some drinks from a very friendly bartender and plopped down at a large high top table while we waited on 2 more friends. Our friends were running late so we decided to go ahead and order. About this time, the sky opened up and everyone came running inside looking for seats. The place became PACKED!!! Our food was delicious and fast. Our friends finally arrived and they ordered food, as well. They are locals and they tell us they know the place well and the food is always consistent. We stayed for a couple of hours drinking and chatting. All of the servers were extremely friendly and efficient. I would highly recommend the Founder's Arms to anyone taking a strold along South Bank. read more

The Founders Arms enjoys a Southbank riverside location close to Blackfriars Bridge. Behind the pub is the converted power station that is the Tate Modern, and a few yards along the river is the famous Millenium Bridge. Inside, The Founders is nothing special at all, and always seems to be crowded. However, decent food is served here. The beauty of the pub is in it's location on the riverbank. This is an outstanding summer pub for sitting or standing outside in order to soak up the memorable views along and across the Thames. The stand out view is of course of St Pauls Cathedral lit up in all it's glory on the other side of the river. The Founders is the ideal starting point for a Southbank crawl along to London Bridge featuring The Anchor, The Old Thameside and The George. read more

Had lunch there today. Hubby got a burger and I got fish and chips. Was super good and fresh.

The picture probably summarises this place - a rubbish modern looking outside with a great Thames view so that you can avoid looking at it. Inside is an updated but still recognisable English bar, and a recent addition - a separate coffee bar which is a great idea if you don't feel the need to have any alcohol. Still a pint of Ordinary does the job as you sit by the riverside :-) Decent-looking food too (you guessed it, I wasn't eating at the time). read more

As others have said, the view of the Thames is pretty good, but unless you're there to knock back a couple of drinks then it really isn't worth it. Food service was extremely slow and, in the end, not really worth it. The fish was mainly batter, the chips were soggy, and the mushy peas... well, they're never really a redeeming part of the dish. I say you'd be better off going to the bar on the 7th floor of the Tate Modern next door--fantastic view of St. Pauls and the Milennium Bridge, and it comes with a decent selection of food and drinks. read more

Popped into here after a tour at the Globe Theatre. GREAT location. Sits on the River Thames and is very near the Tate Modern and the Globe. A bit touristy since it's near these two popular places, but it was pretty chill when we happened to come in (around 1pm). Lovely patio area, though we opted to sit inside since it was cold outside (but there are heaters on the patios, so I imagine it wouldn't have been too bad to sit outside). Ordered the fish and chips (tourist! haha), and they were delicious! Served with a side of mushy peas (which I love!) and great tartare sauce. Prices were quite fair considering it's location in a well-traversed tourist area. Great pub atmosphere. Staff was really nice. Would defnitely stop here again during my next visit to London. read more

This was my first time here I Tasted British food in England. I ordered shredded lamb soaked in dark ale Shepard's pie. And trust me it was the best Shepard's pie I ever had. The Ambiance was very nice. What more can you ask to dine on the bank of River Thames for a view while dining. Will go again some day. read more

Founders Arms - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

See all

The beer was watered down and the beef shin sandwich tasted like it's a mix of beef and goat (or some other rneat). Not coming b

I studied in London about a year and a half ago and Founders Arms was one of my favorite spots. It's one of those places that really makes me miss my life abroad. I was there during the colder months and took advantage of the outdoor fireplaces and blankets to keep warm and cozy. We discovered Youngs Double Chocolate Stoudt here and needless to say our lives haven't been the same since. The view from Founders is truly remarkable. I often stopped in for food after checking out the Tate Modern or for some drinks after a day of wandering through my favorite place in London, Borough Market. Now as the weather is much warmer, I'm sure the summer nights on the banks of the river are sure to be amazing. read more

What more do you want on a great Summer's day! Perfectly located on the Southbank of the river Thames, this spot is perfect for grabbing a quick drink with views of St Paul's & the Millennium Bridge nearby. As expected on a sunny day, the pub was busy but there was plenty of space outdoors for sitting but also standing if you'd missed a sitting spot. The only point I'd make is that you do somewhat pay for the view and location. At just over £10 for two pints it is a little steep but it's not the most ridiculous price I've paid in this city. read more

After a rainy wander along the Thames I ducked into Founders Arms to shake off the rain and make room for a pint. Busy, but fun, clean, and quick to deliver the booze. Nice to be along the river - convenient for sure. read more

I've only been here for breakfast/brunch and a beer one evening. As a vegetarian I find the breakfast options quite satisfying, particularly the veggie full English breakfast. A good selection of beers in a great atmosphere, both inside and outside on the patio, along the river, with a gorgeous view over St. Paul's Cathedral. The staff is always very attentive and friendly, and the service is very good. Nice coffee, too! I would definitely recommend a visit and will go and try their cuisine at dinner time as soon as possible. read more

what a lovely pub and restaurant just off the water. we walked in after visiting the Shakespeare glove and were able to enjoy a drink and relax while overlooking the city lights. patio heaters and seats are conveniently outside to keep comfortable the entire time. read more

Founders Arms - view. - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

See all