The Market Porter

In Borough Market, casual place to pop in for a pint after work. Small snack menu and a burger. If you are looking for Harveys best bitter they have it.

Pub located on the perimeter of Borough Market. Lots of taps. A few casks. Gendered restrooms. Men's was in the basement though they had a handicap accessible on the ground floor. Quick service. Outside area gets busy given Borough Market leaks right out onto it.

I recently had the misfortune of visiting this pub and was greatly disturbed by the manner in which I was treated by one of the bouncer. I was subjected to racial abuse, which I found be quite unacceptable. I was left feeling disrespected and marginalised, which is not what one hopes for when visiting a bar. It is my sincere hope that the management takes swift and appropriate action to ensure that this type of behaviour is not repeated in the future. Until such time, I cannot in good conscience continue to support this pub.

I stopped by here to get a drink before dinner as I had time until dinner reservation. Typical British pub ambiance, located at the Borough market, not a bad place to enjoy a glass of beer. They have a dining area available and saw some people enjoying their meals. Not sure if they accept credit card or not as I paid in cash, which I normally do at a pub anyway. Price on the drinks were reasonable. Open on Sunday (most place at the Borough Market is closed on Sunday)

Downstairs a 3* but upstairs for food a 4*. Went here for drinks then decided to get dinner. Getting drinks at first was a bit of a mission, they had the staff, Just seem to be not concentrating, no situational awareness and distracted by other things rather than serving the drinks which was a bit frustrating. However upstairs, the service was blinking good and couldn't ask for more. It was attentive without being over the top. The pie was darn decent and most definitely would eat here again.

Typical pub ambiance. Service was fine. The prices were decent. I liked the location, as it was right by Borough Market. Got busy with business men after work hours (5pm). I'd come back for a cold beer.

This was a great find, in and around the London Bridge. For the 1st time ever, I am satisfied of the food in a London restaurant. Everyone appreciated not only the atmosphere - pub on the ground flood; dining room upstairs - but also the food and the beverage - local ales on draught for the lads in the group. It was not more expensive than anywhere else in America or the Continent and service was friendly and quick. Definitely, a must

This is definitely an odd little pub but one that nevertheless seems to attract hundreds of people on a Friday night. The Market Porter does have a certain charm about it but I still cannot get used to the fact that if you arrive any later than 5.30pm, you have to congregate outside which in the chillier months can be a bit of a pain. Still, the prices are very reasonable and the staff are on the ball and friendly. The toilets are sometimes are little on the grubby side but perhaps that adds to the whole London charm? This is definitely more of a summer pub and if you do stand outside which is probable, make sure you try and stay on the pavement as they are now becoming strict about customers standing in the road and causing havoc with the passing traffic.

The Market Porter is a traditional style pub on the edge of Borough Market. The inside is pleasant enough but, weather permitting, it is nicer to stand out and watch the market. When going around the market with friends I often stop off here afterwards. It is a good place to wide down or get a digestif if you've over done it at the market. The only issue I have with this place is that I once got ID'd and the barman did that annoying thing of looking at my passport photo and pretending to believe it was not me and showed it around the bar to the other staff, who, in fairness, seemed to acknowledge that he wasn't the coolest of cats. Anyway, a decent place nonetheless.

This is a great little pub along the edge of the Borough Market to follow up your culinary treasures with a pint. We were too full from our Market finds to try the food but they had a great beer selection. If I lived in London, I'd be hanging out here with a Kappacasein cheese toastie all the time! The owner came around, checked on tables and was really nice too.

Second time at the Market Porter while visiting London. Close to the Borough Market, great food, amazing service. Annette was awesome. Fish and chips with an Estrella pint. Who can ask for anything more

Update 30-07-2009 Went there last night: I don't know if it is the effect of the recession but, although busy, we managed to get some seats within a few minutes. All this means the atmosphere is a little less scrum-like: all the better to enjoy the impressive range of beer! --------------- Located right in the heart of Borough market, this is a real-ale pub par excellence, serving one of the largest (if not the largest) range of ales in London, together with the odd real cider. And by large, I mean large - they have 12 hand-pumps, with a regularly changing choice through the day (they have over 20 beers ready at any one time - see web-site for details). They often feature West-Country ales hard to find elsewhere in London. The pub itself is large, with several rooms, all with wood-panelled decor. Despite this, it can get absolutely jam-packed, especially in the evenings and when the market is in full swing opposite. Service, however, usually manages to cope and is generally friendly. One advantage of being next to the market is its early week-day opening time - if you fancy a pint at 6am! There's a restaurant upstairs, although I've not eaten here. You could always have a bite of something in the market, of course - indeed, it would seem the perfect venue to round off a trip to the market itself - or a visit to Southwark Cathedral Finally, film buffs may recognise the pub from some of the many films shot in the area, because of its slightly grimy, Dickensian feel. The pub even became a book-shop in a Harry Potter film!

Alright, Market Porter. A standing pub really with a few high chairs around the place. For me the place has no real character or atmosphere. But it wasn't mobbed or overcrowded, so that was a bonus. We nabbed some high chairs Bar staff were fairly efficient, especially when it got busy, which it did at times. It ebbed and flowed. I wouldn't be rushing back.

The Market Porter is a great option if you are visiting Borough Market (or just in the neighborhood) and looking to sit down for a fresh, but casual meal. My sister and I wandered in after exploring Borough Market; we decided we preferred to have a sit-down pub lunch rather than standing and eat at the market. We were so pleased to learn that the choices on the menu are all made with fresh ingredients from the market! We thoroughly enjoyed our fish and chips and steak, ale and mushroom pie which were both hearty portions and well complimented with fresh seasonal veggies. The service was extremely friendly, and the bar tender happily shared several samples of beers with us as we were deciding what to get.

Spot on place for an after (or before, or in between) market drink. They have a huge selection of draught ales, including two by Sharp's. Also some lagers and 2 or 3 ciders of course. The service is a bit brisk, and even a sealed food item from the market will get you told off (even though nobody would be daft enough to eat outside food in a food serving pub), so you better put it away before coming in. The place is a bit too dark but that's just the kind of pub style.

Good pub right next to the Borough Market. Always busy and bustling. Best on a fine day when its possible to spill out onto the pavement. This is one of the pubs in the area where the staff get used to handling large orders quickly. One time I was there recently we ordered circa 18 drinks and they came as quickly as a couple of pints at some places. Its got the buzz and a mix of tourists, locals and city folk maikng an evening on the South Bank. The whole area around the pub is also worth an exploration and is just that bit further than many Westminster tourists would dare to venture. Don't forget the Posh Bangers on sale next door. Well worth £3.50 if peckish, and they do let you try a sample first! A good 'partial evening experience' - expect to stand.

Came here for a sit-down lunch after visiting Borough Market. The atmosphere is pure pub. We ordered the Steak and Ale pie and the mac n'cheese with butternut squash (and a very few pieces of Stilton cheese). The food was OK (have had better and worse). It definitely needed more seasoning as it was rather bland. Am not a beer drinker, so cannot comment on that, but they appear to have a number of choices on tap.

A good place to stop for a drink mid Borough Market visit. Great to stand outside and watch the world go by, especially in the evenings there is great atmosphere under the (London) bridge. The pub is nothing special, with average range of spirits, wines and draught beers. There's a guy who sets his own" food truck" style food stall right across the pub. That's the best food to accompany your pub drinks - a selection of only 4 Japanese and Thai dishes ( miso soup, gyoza, Thai noodles and rice), yet a tasty one!

Have a nice selection of drinks/beers. Does get crowded by the bank crowd after 5pm (especially on a Thursday) but clears out a bit by around 7pm. Lovely decor with lots to look at. Great for a small group.

The Market Porter is a busy pub located in Borough Market. People are always flowing out the door at this conveniently located pub. It's a great place to have a pint and people watch on a sunny and warm weekend afternoon. I stick to Stella here and have been known to have a few pints when breaking from "Boroughing". It has proved to be a nice pitstop and I would suggest this as a great place for tourists making the rounds.

I was a big fan of The Market Porter on my London trip. The pub is conveniently located on the outskirts of Borough Market, which makes it the perfect place to grab a pint before braving the crowds, or sidling up to a high top table outside with some market eats and a nice brew. The beer variety during our visits was solid, and I appreciated the colder options since I'm not one for cellar-temp beer (though they have plenty of that, too). Perfect spot for a drink or two at any time.

Being right on the edge of Borough Market, this place is always packed with people spilling out onto the street - even the pavement gets packed; especially so around lunchtime and after work. Despite the huge crowds they usually have quite a lot of bar staff and so the wait at the bar isn't too bad relatively speaking. They always have a pretty decent selection of Ales (they always have Sussex - which I like). It's a decent "proper" pub for having a few pints after work, or with your lunch from the Market - but don't come here if you want a table and a quiet chat.

There's something that draws me back to this pub. Probably a combination of the location, on the edge of Borough Market, the pub itself which is a friendly drinking space with hundreds of vintage beer mats on the wall and the fact that apart from that it's just a decent, proper pub. Good for standing inside or standing outside in the atmospheric surroundings as evening falls. Nice mix of people in the crowd too. Service at the bar is relatively efficient which is a plus. Toilets however were sub-optimal, as another reviewer noted - minus points for that.

I was squashed by what seemed like a stadium of people when I came to this pub on a Friday night. It is poppin', to say the least. Finding a seat on a Friday night is virtually impossible, finding a place to stand is equally just as hard. Even though the seating may be limited, it doesn't matter, because this pub is generally a good night out, unless it's midwinter and you have to stand outside with your drink. The music is loud and all of the most fun pop tracks ever made are guaranteed to play on loop. By the end of the night, unless you're a social retard, you will have met at least a handful of a new, cool, bubbly people. Two shops down from this place there is a restaurant that sells £3 sausage sandwiches to die for. Great pub and good drunk food two doors down, how can you go wrong?

A bit of a classic, this. Winner of numerous 'best pub' awards throughout the years, it's not overly hard to see why. The loctation is great, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed (if not a little too busy) and their ale selection is second to none. In the warmer months, I don't know of a better pub, save for those perhaps in Soho, for outside street drinking. It's a nice feeling to finish work and head here to unwind. If you're passing through Borough Market as a tourist, this is a good place to try some our fine British Ales. Just make sure you've moved on by 4pm though, as it'll be full of post-work drinkers.

This is a fine pub, they always seem to have about a 8 guest ales on together with their standard Sussex bitter. It's just a little too busy, but the staff are phenominal, even with customers 3 deep at the bar your order is normally taken within 30 seconds or so. You can ask for your beer by character, generally I prefer a light and hoppy pint and if you aren't sure what you want, they are fine about giving you a taster. The best day and time to go is on Sunday evening, when, without the commuters and market goers, you can normally get a table. They have a shop unit next door into which they have installed a makeshift gourmet burger kitchen and if you want to sit down in here with your pint and munch away at a great chorizo bap away from the crowd assembled out on the street, out of the cold, but unfortunately out of the ambience, you can. Or at least you can when it is open. If you like proper beer in a proper setting, this place should be high up on your list of deserved throat emporia.

This is one of the places that to me is quintessentially London that I'm really going to miss when I move back to the US. A spot where we meet up for friends after work or a late evening pint the beer selection is fantastic. Recently, I had the Market Porter Summer Ale, and it was perfect (refreshing and not too hoppy). If hoppy is your thing the selection is such that it will meet your needs. It does get busy, but never so busy that you can't get to the bar. I would highly recommend bring friends from out of town here for a pint (or three) any time of year.

I'm finding it hard to give low scores for pubs, unless they are horrible or are a chain or I really have a surely bartender. Maybe it is just a virtuous circle of a drink a beer, I lke beer, I drink another pint, and I am smiling and happy so long as the bathrooms aren't shite. Anyhow, enough deep thoughts about pubs, and onto The Market Porter. I dig the decor--I don't know the proper term for the tags that sit on the taps, but the walls and ceilings are adorned with tags from hundreds of different brews. You really take in the thought and art on these tags, and how muh thought not only goes into a brew, but also in marketing the brew. OK, enough deep thoughts about marketing beer. Had a nice ale, drank it with some friends on the sidwalk people watching around Borough. Can see how this place could get stuffy inside or out....popular place.

Good British Boozer I have drunk here many times, and always enjoy it. It's no frills, decent boozing at its finest. A good range of beers, certainly not served to perfection, but nothing to complain about - unless you are the crazy old guy with the red scarf who has obviously been a CAMRA member for far too long! Decent wine list, and stacked back bar - it is popular among the locals - right next to Borough Market, so its incredibly busy on Saturdays - also popular for the local after work crowd, not a bad mix of suits and casual. Nothing about this pub is intimidating. No live sport, but plenty of puggies - good for large groups as there is plenty of space around the back - also drinking outdoors is permitted in this area - dynamite!

I think this is one of the best known pubs in London. It's certainly one I've heard of a few times. I think it's quite a long standing establishment but how longI must confess I know not. The pubs proximity to Borough Market and to the business district nearby mean that its stays busy throughout the week. I've been here twice and it's been packed both times which can make getting served and finding a place to stand a tricky business. It's worth giving it a try though because they have an excellent oft changing selection of ales on tap (check out all the different beermats on the walls too!). I think I need to figure out when this place is at it's quietest because I'd like to come here from time to time.

Given the crowds outside here on the Friday I visited you'd have expected it to be like a scrum at the bar but thankfully this was not the case & it was relatively easy to get quickly to the front & then try to work out which of the many beers to try first. Cannot fault the range on offer. On the downside the humid weather meant it was necessary to join the punters on the pavement (& road) outside because the pub itself was a bit of a sauna. Another one to re-visit at a less popular hour of the day (& maybe in winter too).

Nice enough pub smack in the middle of Borough Market. Neither bad nor fabulous, but gets the coveted fourth star for bringing in a wide selection of ales -- including a house ale or 2 most of the time. Also, not extortionate -- neither the food nor the pints. While I wouldn't make a trip here, as I would to, say, the Rake, it's a decent place to fill your belly so you can stomach the prices at the Ginger Pig.

An institution in the Borough Market area and the pub with the most charm out of the collection surrounding the area. However, that charm does mean it pays the price of being very very busy at times. It's pretty much your quintessential boozer insider - all wood, brass, barrels for tables and real ale. There's a decent amount of room inside, but it's not huge by any stretch of the imagination. It has a lot of real ale on offer so for any CAMRA fans, this is a decent pub to head for a visit. It gets very popular in the evenings, and you can often find yourself forced out onto the street outside - not the worst thing as the pub's atmosphere flows out onto the street and its a generally very friendly crowd. However, the delights of the British weather can make it a bit of a lottery especially on a Friday night. It's been said already - but despite it being very busy the service is pretty decent and they get through serving people quickly, generally are good at getting the order right and are friendly. Food here is your typical pub grub - but of a pretty good quality. Oh and as dmj1962 says - if you fancy a beer at 6am, this place is open for businessalways a bit alarming when I work past it on the way to an early start to work and there's a load of people tucking into their pints(!)

Good old-fashioned London pub right next to Borough Market. Not only does it have an excellent selection of beers, it also does a good range of wines. If you manage to make it through the Borough Market without eating something, the Market Porter serves a good range of traditional tasty bar food either in the bar or in the small dining room upstairs.

This is a perfect pub, especially in the warmer weather, when all the happy pub-goers spill out into the stoney street of Borough Market. There is such a relaxed, friendly vibe, and it's almost always busy... for good reason! Not only does its location lend it favour, but the range of beers and the traditional pub atmosphere really give it that extra something... oh, and as it opens at 6am, you can go there after the late-night clubs if you so wish!

A fantastic pub nestling just off London Bridge's bustling Borough Market. The Market Porter is an excellent pub for real ale enthusiasts sporting a good wealth of beers on draught. Excellent both in the Summer and Winter for different reasons. In the Summer it's nice to have a pint in the road outside the pub, watching the busy goings on of the market. In the Winter it's a great place to escape the cold and grab a warming pint of ale. Be warned it's not the best equipped pub, spatially, for the number of punters who frequent it in the evenings. It is however a very traditional and good all round boozer for a proper London pint.

Our experience was all as per the previous reviews, I would just like to add that we did have a meal here, which was also superb. The restaurant is upstairs and overlooking the street below, we had a good meal taking in the hustle and bustle of the market through the open window. A very pleasant lunch time.

This place is a sausage fest! And there's a pretty good sausage place next door, and food at Borough Market. Guys galore in here.

I've never understood the great appeal to this place. I used to work nearby and always found it much busier than it deserved to be as hundreds of people were spilled out into the streets. I once got a seat inside here and it was such an achievement I had to have a photo taken to prove it. With Uto beer around the corner, I say just pick up some better beers and drink in the street like everyone else! If you attempt to go here after work, don't expect to get served within an hour of arriving.

Just a brilliant, brilliant place to go for a drink. It does get extremely busy, both inside and out so not really some where to go for a swift, cheeky Sussex half but if you've got the time (and patience) to wait to get served (not criticism of the service, just reflects how popular it is) then it is well worth it. The range of beers available is truly impressive, constantly changing, and even the most fervent ale geek will find his (or her) beard bristle with the anticipation of supping a previously unknown brew. And if you're unsure of what to go for the Harvey's Sussex Best is consistently top drawer. As mentioned above, it does get absolutely rammed so a degree of tolerance is required, especially on a Saturday, but it really is worth it, honestly. There is a dining room upstairs, staffed by the most charming waitress I have had the pleasure to have met. The food is pretty damn good. A proper pub menu, generous, well presented and with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure. (I started with a delicious duck, fig and pistachio terrine on Saturday. Wow. Truly wow.) I highly recommend the burger or fish and chips. Classics done extremely well. I've never had one of their mixed grills, much to my shame, but I am extremely keen to give it a shot! Everything about the Porter says proper, old school boozer and in my humble opinion, it really can't be beat. One of my greatest pleasures is to wander through the market, maybe picking up something to eat on the way through, a pint of Harvey's Sussex best from the Porter and an hour or so spent outside, chatting in the sun, soaking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the market. London simply doesn't get any better than this.

A local boozer in Borough that has maintained its look despite the gentrification of the Borough market area. We loved that this was open at 6am for the market traders to enjoy. The selection of ales was great and the staff friendly and helpful. Apparently the toliets were pretty dire but as an overall experience this was fine. I'd return!

This is one of the greatest pubs in London, as long as you like real ale - and after all, isn't that what pubs are for? Amazing selection of beers and friendly, knowledgeable staff. As other reviewers have mentioned, you're unlikely to be able to get a seat if you go on Saturday while the market's on, or after work on any work day. But hey, it's not their fault that they're so popular. Well, maybe it is: too many good beers! On a side note, the food got a big thumbs up from my parents, but I haven't tried it. The staff were also very helpful regarding my mum's gluten allergy.

Excellent place. Always looks off-putting because it is absolutely heaving, but the staff do a great job of serving people quickly, and so there is never any tension at the bar. There are a couple of guys who set up stall nearby serving sausage baps, and although they are nothing to do with the pub, it's great to be able to get some quick food to soak up a bit of booze before tucking into the next pint. You do need decent weather, because there is every chance that you'll be standing out on the pavement.

I'm a big fan, mainly because it's my work local, but also because the pub is well-staffed to handle the throngs of tourist and after-work punters that frequent the place. Pros: 12 pumps - 1 Harveys, 1 Scrumpy, with the rest being an ever changing rotation of guest ales. Plus the usual selection of lagers, pub wines, and spirits. Great outdoor vibe on sunny summer afternoons. Cons: funky-smelling toilets, plastic pint glasses required for outdoor consumption, and sometimes too-frequent ale rotation. Don't fall in love with your pint, because some handles will see two or three badge changes per night when busy. The MP is easily the best pub in the Borough Market area and should not be missed.

Been frequenting this gem for many years, even brought my cousin over from the USA to sample the great food and ales, Let me down on a recent stag night, turned away as the stag was wearing a costume. poor show, you willl no longer be getting my patronage Market porter. shame on you!

Horrid service from one of the bartenders. He was completely unprofessional with a few of the customers. I would not recommend. This place is a local favorite but the one bartender was an Arse.

A fantastic pub conveniently located in the Borough Market area. If you love Real Ale then this is the place to indulge - 10 hand pumps of constantly rotating ales, including a permanent Harvey's Cask. There's also a handful of mega swill lagers on offer for the less adventurous. The pub itself has plenty of charm and expect it to be busy pretty much most days with the after-work crowds during the week and market goers on the weekend. During the warmer months it's lovely as Stoney and Park spills over with punters enjoying their pints. I work in the area and it's become my 'local', I guess you could say. But an authentic London experience nonetheless. See you there for a pint:-)

Perhaps the best pub I've found in London. The beer line-up is superb and constantly changing, the bartenders are (mostly) cute and amiable, the decor is lovely and beer-centric, the prices are nices, and the location is boss. I don't know about the food as I haven't tried any. There is lots of space at tables and at the bar, plus plenty of standing room outside. I stop in here every time I am in Southwark. Just a stellar place all around.

I love this pub! It's not the fanciest pub around and can get very busy but the service is quick and the selection of ales is truly excellent. There some decent seating down the back or on summery days you can stand outside. The food in the dining room upstairs is lovely too and not extortionate. One of my favourites in Southwark.

A really good old fashioned pub. Its close to the market so gets massively busy, especially when its sunny, but when we were there last Wednesday everyone was standing outside to catch the sun so we got seats inside quite easily. It has a wide selection of beers, has a huge serving area and a lot of bar staff on duty so not too much queueing, and there's a man next door bbq'ing excellent burgers