Review

The Cutty Sark pub is nowhere near the Cutty Sark tea-clipper; it’s about 750 metres between Ballast Quay and Greenwich Pier along the Naval College river pathway. The pub – an 1805 Grade II listed building - was the Union Tavern until it was renamed in 1954 when the Cutty Sark arrived at Greenwich permanently.

The pub is spread over three levels and is presumably designed to resemble the inside of an 18th century ship: low-beamed ceilings, creaky wooden floors, dark panelling and beams like a ship’s timbers. The grandiose Gothic stairway ascending from opposite the pub’s door and the stone floor wouldn’t have been found on a Georgian ship. The tables made from barrels are not indicative of a maritime theme, as they’re almost a feature of every pub. The bar’s extra level, upon which to rest your beer, is an unusual feature, especially with its sculptured tits!

The huge bay window overlooking Ballast Quay and facing the river is the Cutty Sark’s main feature, both externally and internally: ‘Cutty Sark’ painted upon it in large white lettering renders the pub unmistakable from afar, and it’s the ideal position from which to watch the cleavages languishing in the sun below.

The Cutty Sark has lots of tables outside, across the cobbled street, at which punters can sit and watch life on the Thames in the shadow of the colossal Greenwich Power Station, which supplies power to the London Underground. The pub’s riverside location provides an excellent view of the Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf and the huge white elephant that is the Millennium Dome; not so wonderful is the view of the grim wasteland that shares the quayside east of the pub.

Don't visit the Cutty Sark if you're thinking of having a quick drink, as the barstaff are amongst the slowest and it took at least 20-30 minutes to get served during our visit - the bar wasn't even busy! The staff and pub seem more interested in selling food than beer; a separate bar for ordering food is much smaller than the main bar, yet is crammed with staff who insist upon fawning over diners to the detriment of people waiting for a drink. Honestly, unless this issue is addressed I strongly recommend avoiding this pub at all costs during times when food is being served!

Review by mr_psm