Pub in Greenwich
River Ale House
131 Woolwich Road, Greenwich, SE10 0RJClosest station: Westcombe Park, about 8 min walk4.8out of 5 on Google, from 408 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About River Ale House
A micropub which opened on 13th September 2017 in a former lingerie and hosiery business. It is quite large as micropubs go with two rooms; both are bare board floored. The front one contains the bar counter and there's a smaller drinking area, down a small ramp, to the rear. The interior has a basic but comfortable feel with exposed brickwork and furniture and fixtures fabricated from scaffolding boards. Seating is at high back wooden wall-mounted settles and high tables.
There is an extensive range of both cask ales and ciders served on gravity dispense from a temperature-controlled room behind the bar counter. They are listed on blackboards above the bar counter (cask ales) and to the right of it (ciders) and in addition a daily detailed cask ale tasting notes list is readily available, placed on every table.
A range of wines, up to a dozen gins and several other spirits are also on offer.
An order-in pizza delivery service is partnered here with a nearby supplier, ask behind bar for details.
Lined glasses for many pints and halves, ensuring full measures every time, however usually not when a brewery branded glass is in use.
A great asset to the area, especially as the pub intends to always have a balance of pale and dark ales on offer from near and far.
Mobile phones to be set to silent please. Background recorded music may often be playing.
Card payments accepted. There may be a 5p rounding price mark-up on some half pint measures.
SPBW London Pub of the Year 2019 - a great achievement in its first year of eligibility.
Local CAMRA branch Greenwich District Pub of the Year 2024.
2024 CAMRA SE London Branch Pub of the Year (and previously in 2019 and 2022) and its 2024 Cider Pub of the Year too (and previously in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023).
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide.
Features
- Dog Friendly: Bowls & treats
- Outdoor Seating: When outside pavement seating is operating plastic glasses must be used out there
- Live Music: Acoustic folk music in the back room being Irish acoustic most Tuesdays
- Sports TV: For very special events e.g. World Cup Football
- Games: Cribbage league team (Mondays in season); Dominoes
- Serves Food
- Real Ale
- Real Cider: Some, but not all, of the boxed ciders / perries here conform to CAMRA's real cider / perry definition. If you wish to check that these are real check out the lists via: What is Real Cider & Perry?
- Disabled Access: Ramp between the 2 bar room levels then level access to toilet at rear but it is not fully wheelchair compliant being an Ambulant Toilet
- WiFi
- Good for Groups
- Lined Glasses: Except when a brewery branded glass is used, these are invariably brim measures
- Newspapers
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 4:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 4:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 4:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 4:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 2:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- 1:00 – 11:00 PM
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Two For The Road Ltd.
- Price
- 1 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.8out of 5 on Google, from 408 ratings
5 out of 5Bharadwaj Omkaramon Google, January 2024
The River Ale House in Greenwich is like a classic British pub, and the vibe there is just unbeatable. The lady behind the bar was super friendly, even letting us try some beer samples before deciding. She was cool and pro at her job. The place has a simple and cute feel that attracts everyone. We tried Snailsbank mango cider, Snailsbank pigsqueal cider, and Kent Ale – seriously, some of the best beers I've had in London. They hit the spot. You can't order food there, but you can bring in your own from outside. Castellanos Pizza, just two shops away, gives a 15% discount for orders placed…
5 out of 5John Carr (Corinne and John)on Google, June 2023
Excellent Greenwich pub in a former shop not far from Westcombe Park Station. Six cask ales available when I visited including a porter together with a great choice of real ciders. The River Ale House which opened in 2017 is currently the only micropub in Greenwich. The ales are poured straight from the casks that are kept in a chilled room. There are two separate bars with a rustic feel. Very friendly and helpful staff.
5 out of 5Robb Konradon Google, April 2024
Excellent selection of ales and cider along with solid spirits and wine. Great music on the playlist and Folk Jam Nights every Tuesday.
5 out of 5Chris Gledhillon Google, April 2023
Small micro-pub serving local (London and UK) ales and beers. Wooden interior with a quiet zone (silent mobiles) in the back. Seems to be popular with middle-aged/old men enjoying good beers and good conversations. London should have more pubs like this!
5 out of 5John Kingon Google, May 2024
Excellent Real Ale Establishment and Customer Service Second to None,Unfortunately do not do Food but do Allow Food in if you Ask. Again Great South London People who look after you.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.