Simon The Tanner Pub

Words by Simon Difford on 08-Sep-2012

Address: 231 Long Lane, Bermondsey, London, SE1 4PR, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7357 8740
Website: view Simon The Tanner Pub’s website
Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Pub (traditional British pub)
Food: Set menu
Established: 2011

Review

This small local's boozer lay closed for 4 years until reopening and given a new lease of life by young owners early in 2011. Little has changed inside, save for a lick of blue/grey paint and the regulation 'gastro pub' mismatched dark wood dining tables and chairs.

Named due to this area once being the centre of the tanning industry - next door is Tanner's Yard -despite the pub sign, the eponymous Simon was not an old boozy local tanner but the 10th century 'Simon the Tanner' Coptic Orthodox saint associated with the myth of moving the Mokattam Mountain in Cairo. Thirsty work.

Safely around the corner from Bermondsey Street, Simon remains a local's haunt - only the tanners are long gone, replaced with middle aged professionals and office escapees who enjoy a Quiz Night on Tuesdays and Hugo Simmonds playing the Joanna on Wednesdays.

The drinks offering includes: 4 whites, 4 red and 2 rose wines - all available by the glass; a rolling selection of 3 cask ales and 1 cider on hand-pump and a good line-up of Euro lagers. Fairly typical homemade snacks to 3-course meals include ploughmans, steak sandwich, cheese burger and chilli con carne.