The Stage Door Pub & Kitchen
Simply designed theatre pub with wooden tables, large windows and live music at the weekend.
About
Just what London needs - another pub with a theatrical name trying to cash in on its proximity to the Old Vic. The Stage Door Pub & Kitchen in London's Waterloo district initially struck me as yet another wannabe establishment riding the coattails of its more famous neighbor. But like a surprisingly good understudy stepping into a lead role, this place manages to steal the show in its own peculiar way.
Let's address the elephant in the room - yes, it's housed in what appears to be a building that time and architectural taste forgot. The exterior has all the charm of a 1970s community center that's been through a few too many renovations. But much like that friend who dresses terribly yet somehow pulls it off, The Stage Door wears its shabby chic aesthetic with a kind of defiant pride that's oddly endearing.
I arrived fully prepared to pen a scathing critique about another mediocre London pub serving lukewarm ale and microwaved pies. Instead, I found myself reluctantly impressed by their craft beer selection, which rotates frequently enough to keep even the most jaded hop enthusiast interested. The cask options might be limited to "a couple," as they say, but what they do have is kept properly - a surprisingly rare feat in central London these days.
Speaking of pies - and I can't believe I'm about to write this - their Pieminister offerings are actually worth crossing the Thames for. The Mothership Moo and Blue (their beef and Stilton creation) manages to be both sophisticated and satisfyingly hefty, like a working-class hero who's done well for themselves but hasn't forgotten their roots. They're not the largest portions you'll find in London, but they're executed with the kind of consistency that makes you forgive the somewhat eager pricing.
The rooftop garden deserves special mention, if only for its hilariously honest urban views. While other venues might promise "cityscape vistas," The Stage Door gives you an unvarnished look at London's architectural medley - complete with wheelie bins and cardboard bales. It's refreshingly unpretentious, and somehow, on a warm evening with a cold pint in hand, those grey walls and brick facades transform into something approaching charm.
The staff, contrary to my natural expectation of bored twenty-somethings counting down their shifts, display an almost suspicious level of enthusiasm and knowledge about their products. They'll recommend beers without the usual craft-beer-snob condescension, and they actually seem to enjoy being there. I'm still trying to figure out if they're all just very good actors - this is theater land, after all.
Now, about those prices - they're firmly in the "London normal" category, which is to say they'll make anyone from outside the M25 wince slightly. £7.10 for a Guinness might seem steep, but show me a central London pub where it isn't. At least here you're paying for proper service and a venue that clearly reinvests in its upkeep, rather than just riding the tourist wave.
The dog-friendly policy is another plus, though watching theater-goers in their finest step carefully around lounging pooches adds an element of comedy that I'm sure wasn't intentional but thoroughly enjoy. The fact that they take both cards and cash feels like a minor miracle in these increasingly cashless times.
For those considering a visit to The Stage Door Pub & Kitchen in London (and I can't believe I'm saying this), it's worth making the trip. Whether you're catching a show at the Old Vic, working in the area, or just looking for a pub that manages to balance character with competence, you'll find something to appreciate here. The combination of decent pies, well-kept beer, and staff who actually seem to give a damn makes it a standout in an area that could easily coast on theater crowd overflow.
Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation as a cynic to maintain. But if you happen to see a food critic in the corner, nursing a pint and grudgingly enjoying a pie while scribbling in a notebook, feel free to raise a glass. Just remember to book ahead for show nights - even us skeptics have learned that lesson the hard way.
Contact Information
Address
28-30 Webber St, London SE1 8QA, UK
London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
Phone
+44 20 7207 1728Website
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