Doggetts Coat & Badge

I didn’t used to like this pub next door to the ugly futuristic housing estate, but the beer range has been pretty good the last couple of times I have been by and a location right by the river like this is always a plus.

Very popular pub situated on the water by Blackfriars bridge. Can’t fault it really, a good variety of ales and plenty of seating both inside and out. My only criticism is sometimes it’s hard to get a table.

Had dinner there. Pea and bean soup was good. I ordered the sausage and mashed, my husband ordered the beef pot pie. The sausage had been grilled previously and must have sat a bit because they were shriveled like when meat cools off and then reheated. My husband really liked his dish. The restaurant overlooks the Thames River which is a great sight. Atmosphere is very casual. Slow service so if you’re ready to relax and sit a spell, no worries. Nothing great but nothing really bad.

Great view.
All the rest was just mediocre. Bad quality food, too expensive. Four waiters on an empty room and yet had to wait for a very long time for the menu. Both me and my partner hated it. Dreadful experience. There are much better places right next to it im sure.

I’m going to address the elephant in the room; from the outside this place looks dreadful. I’d walked past on a near daily basis, often several times a day, for over two years before I dared set foot inside. On the outside it has the air of a drinkers bar, full of lads with banter wearing football strips.
The inside is quite different though; a decent selection of beer, good prices for a Thames-​side view and surprisingly peaceful and, dare I say, slightly sophisticated. Even on a quiet Saturday night there were no seats with a view of the river but the rooms towards the back are perfectly lovely and there’s a nice beer garden away from the Thames.
Overall, don’t judge a book by its cover and give this place a try.

This is one of my go to pubs when I want a chilled drink by the river all year round. In summer they put out seats next to the river and the beer garden at the back is open. The beer garden may also be open sometimes in the winter with heaters so that people are warm. Even without that area though there is always a lot of space to sit as the pub has several floors and you can have a view of the river even when sitting inside. The back are has leather couches along the walls and there’s a separate upstairs dining room as well as another floor that you can book for private functions.
Considering all these different areas and the number of people that could be there at the same time I have to say that the pub does get quite busy at times. It becomes more apparent when everyone is trying to order from the same bar that usually might have only two or three people serving and it can take a while. But they do their best to get to everyone fast and also be quite friendly and nice so I personally don’t mind the wait.
The drinks selection is quite good, with several craft beers and ales along with the usual brands and the food is pretty decent. This is definitely my pub of choice in the area as it’s easy, convenient and there’s always space so if you are looking for a place it may be worth checking it out.

I usually dont eat in pubs but on this occasion I did as was near the BargeHouse Theatre in which I was seeing Grimm Tales (an excellent immersive play). I ordered a chicken and mushroom pie and it was delicious. A wholee chicken breast with a lovely creamy mushroomy sauce and a nice very flaky puff pastry and was all very hot. My husband had a burger and it was very thick and juicy. I would visit again for sure if in the area and I wanted a tasty pie and a reasonably priced meal. The pub was also very clean, lovely views of the river and the staff was very friendly and welcoming.

This is an average pub, but if you’re looking for somewhere for a quick drink (or to warm up — depending on the weather obviously) it does the job. I must say, I’m not a fan of this place when it’s super busy, but on a quiet afternoon or late night it’s good for drinks. I’m impressed with their wine and beer selection, so that’s always good. The bar staff are helpful and friendly, there’s actually quite a few floors (only just discovered that) and they have a beer garden (well, outdoor seating shall we say). If you manage to grab a decent table, you can get a good view of the river bank (perfect for a sunny day).

Great Sunday lunch roast option! Will definitely be back to try other things on the menu.

Excellent beer selection and had really good sea bass and fish and chips. If I come back to London I definitely want to go here again.

Now I understand that it was Christmas and south bank was rammed so have gone easy on this place but i was not impressed by the service. The food was generic pub fare and fine if not really as described. We had to clear and wipe our own table and got given a bottle of wine that had already had a glass poured from it then had to request cutlery 3 times with the waitress being surly about being asked for this. I understand how crappy working over the festive period is but seriously folks you’re trying to make money. At least try for indifference! Poor show.

Nothing more than average. The fish was nice the other meals gamon, sausage and mash & macaroni cheese came out Luke warm and greasy. This after a 50 min wait is not good enough really. Good points it in the Thames and lovely surroundings. The staff although very busy where pleasant as well. A busy pub like this would benefit from having a big pot of stew and dumplings ready to be served within 5 mins.

You might call it «Dodge-​etts».
Big, modernish and off-​putting.
Great (according to those in the know) for the firba. Or other sporting events.
Decent food. Decent ales. Decent once you’re in.
By my, is it ugly.

One of few pubs along the Thames, modern building.
Good food, lots of selections. The beers and ales are fine as well.
Nice to sit in, fun to sit out.
Come enjoy!

Really not that bad actually. I was pleasantly surprised.
From the outside, it looks like a prison or the scene of some racial hate-​crime in the 80s. You’ve got to question some of the urban planning decisions made in our fair city during this terrible, terrible architectural era.
Inside, it’s actually quite nice. When appoaching for the first time, I noticed it’s a Nicholsons pub. A fairly decent chain who always have decent looking places, a good ale selection and very resonable tasty food.
Great view out over the Thames found here.
I’d rather walk 5 mins futher to the White Hart, but for a cheeky post work pint, it’s not a bad stop. Just don’t make the effort to come here especially. No, really don’t.

Very middle of the road pub, although offering interesting views of the Thames, and a convenient pit-​stop if you’re walking along the south bank. Lack of discernable character may well be related to the very transient clientele — lots of tourists/​day trippers. One minor point of note is the origin of the name — Doggett’s Coat and Badge is the world’s oldest rowing race, started for apprentice watermen on the Thames in 1715.

#1 on the Historic Blackfriars Ale trail across the Blackfriar Bridge is what Nicholsons calls a pub but it’s anything but. Especially as one of my personal favourites The Black Friar is at the opposite end of the bridge, owned by Nicholson’s as well, but it has so much flair and character! Doggetts Coat & Badge is the complete opposite.
It’s very big, two floors, and has a large outdoor seating area along the Thames. I spent a couple of hours here writing and for that it gets it’s stars from because it provided a great amount of space to work. As it’s huge there usually is always a place to sit, they also have a back garden area I believe with heating lamps to accommodate more people.
It’s got the same menu/​beer as I’ve said in my other reviews. The bartender here gave me two stamps instead of one for my Ale Trail T shirt form. Very nice of him, that was a plus.
Yet I can’t five star the place. I don’t really like it. It’s just like a big restaurant with no charm, nothing is really special about it. It’s location is alright, except if you cross the bridge during the winter months, the bitter nipping wind will eat your face. I’d never take anyone I know here unless it was a huge gathering for something. With the Blackfriars station being shut down it’s easy to avoid and I would suggest so unless you don’t mind lack of atmosphere or are local to the area.
Nicholson’s has let many other pubs keep their personalities and I would recommend any of those unless you happen to be around this one. Even then, walk to the end of the bridge and spend your money at The Black Friar, trust me.

Though I’m awarding a three stars, the 2-​star default «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» says it all.
Spectacular view (sans the construction on the East side of the bridge) with alright food and friendly but SLOW service. The fish and chips are supposedly their specialty but after seeing my friend’s face as she bit into obviously fresh-​frozen fishy-​tasting fish, I’m glad I stuck with my stuffed red pepper.
Those not consumed by calorie counting should definitely go for one of the meat pies. The steak and ale ones drew raves reviews from the flatmates.

Doggetts Coat and Badge sits in one of the ugliest buildings ever created. Unless you’re by the window looking out to the great views across the Thames then you’re going to be sorely disappointed by the interior of this place too– it’s really charmless and generic.
Due to its location just off the Thames the clientele seems to be a very mixed bag and you’re as likely to find a stag do out to watch the football as a couple of lost tourists trying to find there way out of here. On my visit both were in equal abundance and I got the delightful treat of watching two rival boys nights out have a good brawl. It was half past 7. I wish someone had taped this scene, it would make a perfect anti drink campaign.
I’ve given this pub two stars on the basis of its view and its staff who were very friendly and apologetic about aforementioned brawl. Despite this however, I very much doubt I’ll make it back here.

South Bank, particularly during the summer, is my favourite part of London. In itself it holds many incredible Arts venues, everyone seems in a pleasant mood. You can see across the Thames, to along the North Bank where the best of London’s architecture is at the forefront. The only real draw back about is that it dies at 11, and beforehand the pubs aren’t really up to much.
Doggetts sits across a few floors and has outside seating. It has a wide range of beers and spirits and good staff. Unfortunately, the interior is really bland and unattractive. Even the outside seating seems ill-​positioned. Not terrible, but a shame for an area with so much potential.