The Rake Bar

Address: 14 Winchester Walk, Borough Market, London, SE1 9AG, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7407 0557
Website: view The Rake Bar’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Beer bar
Food: Bar Snacks

Review

It's tiny, has beer-crazed graffiti on the walls and piss poor toilets. The Rake is hardly upmarket, but as the sign over the bar says: "There's no crap on tap".

The Rake is hidden on a back street behind Borough Market in the shadows of Vinopolis and is run by the folk behind the Utobeer market stall. At a mere 13 feet long and seven feet wide, with a crammed-in capacity of just 44, the Rake is in contention for London's smallest bar.

Despite its size it stocks well over 100 different bottled beers, ten ciders, at least three real ales and as many interesting imported brews on draught at any one time. The range is constantly changing so it's pot luck whether you find your favourite brew. No matter, because tap beers are offered in third-of-a-pint measures for easy sampling before you commit to a pint.

A small covered and heated courtyard provides spill-over space and leads the way to the toilets it shares with the market. (Girls there's a disabled loo next to the bar.)