N1 Bar - London Bridge

£8 - £20 / Cocktail bars

1 Duke St Hill, London

Opening hours

2PM-6AM

Sunday 2PM-3AM
Monday 2PM-3AM
Tuesday 2PM-3AM
Wednesday 2PM-3AM
Thursday 2PM-6AM
Friday 2PM-6AM
Saturday 2PM-6AM

Vibrant Sports Bar: Upbeat Atmosphere and Music

Stepping into Number 1 Bar by London Bridge Station is a study in contrasts—a mix of gritty London nightlife and heartwarming customer service, depending on what night you catch it. From the minute you cross the threshold, the bouncers—apparently more ambassador than enforcer—are notably affable (unless you're lacking a physical ID), granting access to an establishment vibrantly alive until the wee hours. Within, there's a promise of entertainment: pool tables, albeit with the charm of public park benches, stacked awkwardly close together. Despite the worn cues, a dispassionate cocktail assumed from plastic cups seems to adequately satiate inebriated aficionados traipsing about in sardine can proximity.

You must, however, tackle the queue issues, particularly with pool table bookings that appear governed more by chaos than order. When the surroundings treat you kindly, you might find yourself lost in good vibes, casual laughter, and shared sporting experiences on screens larger than life. Yet, some days miscommunication lurks like an uninvited guest—overcharged drinks, mistimed pool rounds, or an unpalatable bite charged more for presentation than taste. It's London in a nutshell, could be better, decidedly less worse when smiled upon by Jessica—the patron saint of amiable bartending. But therein lies the paradox: somewhere between blazing overcrowded disappointments and nights that melt blissfully into dawn, Number 1 Bar quizzes both patience and optimism alike. Approach with measured expectations, roulette-like odds of a good night at this one-stop eclectic destination near the Thames. — Milo Tastemaker