The Dog & Bell

The Dog & Bell

pub
outdoor-seating
dog-friendly
live-music
good-for-groups
LocalsTourists
4.7Google (1517 reviews)

Real ales and imported lagers are served at this traditional pub with a welcoming vibe.

Price range:

About

Tucked away in a delightfully unassuming corner of Deptford, The Dog & Bell in London is what happens when an Irish pub falls in love with a British local and they decide to raise a family together. This isn't just another London watering hole – it's the kind of place where the regulars have their own mugs hanging behind the bar (okay, they don't really, but it feels like they should).

From the moment you push open that well-worn door, you're hit with the kind of authenticity that marketing executives spend millions trying to replicate but never quite manage. The Dog & Bell has that impossible-to-fake patina of age and good times that only comes from decades of spilled pints and shared stories. The walls, adorned with an eclectic mix of vintage beer advertisements and local memorabilia, tell their own tales – if you listen closely enough, you might just hear them whisper secrets of old London between the clinks of glasses.

Let's talk about that atmosphere because, honestly, it's what makes The Dog & Bell feel less like a pub and more like your coolest friend's living room (assuming your friend has an impressive beer selection and doesn't mind dozens of strangers lounging about). The interior strikes that perfect balance between cozy and spacious, with nooks and crannies that seem purpose-built for both intimate conversations and impromptu friend gatherings. There's something magical about how the warm lighting makes everyone look like they're starring in their own indie film about finding themselves in London.

The beer selection here deserves its own paragraph – actually, it deserves its own novel, but we'll keep it brief. Whether you're a craft beer aficionado or someone who just knows they like "the yellow stuff," you'll find your new favorite drink here. The staff, bless them, manage to be both knowledgeable and unpretentious about their impressive selection. They'll guide you to the perfect pint without a hint of the beer snobbery that's become all too common in London's trendier establishments.

Speaking of the staff, they've mastered that rare art of making you feel like a regular even if it's your first visit. They remember faces, drink preferences, and somehow manage to keep the perfect level of banter going even during the busiest Friday night rush. It's the kind of service that makes you wonder if they've all attended some secret pub-staff academy where they teach the ancient arts of multitasking while maintaining the perfect level of friendly charm.

The outdoor space is another ace up The Dog & Bell's sleeve. The covered patio area feels like stumbling upon a secret garden, except instead of flowers, it's blooming with conversation and laughter. It's become something of a neighborhood institution, particularly during those precious London summer evenings when the sun seems to hang around just a bit longer than usual.

For the budget-conscious (and who isn't these days?), you'll be pleased to know that The Dog & Bell keeps its prices remarkably reasonable for London. Your wallet won't need therapy after a night out here, which is increasingly rare in the capital. The food menu, while not extensive, offers proper pub grub that's several notches above what you might expect. The mac and cheese has achieved near-legendary status among regulars, and the toad in the hole could make a French chef question their life choices.

Live music adds another layer of charm to this already irresistible spot. On weekend evenings, the pub comes alive with everything from traditional Irish sessions to local musicians who seem to have walked straight out of a BBC music documentary. The acoustics are surprisingly good for a pub, though that might just be the beer talking.

Dog owners, rejoice – as the name might suggest, The Dog & Bell welcomes your four-legged friends with the same warmth they extend to their two-legged patrons. On any given afternoon, you might find yourself sharing your space with a dignified bulldog or an enthusiastic labrador, adding to the home-away-from-home feeling that permeates the place.

Listen, London has no shortage of pubs claiming to be "authentic" or "traditional," but The Dog & Bell doesn't need to make such claims – it simply is. Whether you're a local looking for your new regular spot or a visitor wanting to experience a proper London pub without the tourist trap trappings, you owe it to yourself to spend an evening here. Just don't blame me when you find yourself canceling your other plans to spend "just one more hour" in this little slice of pub perfection.

Contact Information

Address

116 Prince St, London SE8 3JD, UK

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)

Opening Hours

Sunday: 9 AM - 12 AM
Monday: 11 AM - 12 AM
Tuesday: 11 AM - 12 AM
Wednesday: 11 AM - 12 AM
Thursday: 11 AM - 12 AM
Friday: 11 AM - 1 AM
Saturday: 9 AM - 1 AM

Amenities

Dine in
Restroom
Live music
Reservable
Allows dogs
Serves beer
Serves wine
Good for groups
Outdoor seating
Serves cocktails

Photos (10)

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