The Dean Swift, is ever-so-slightly off the tourist trail and, as a result, is easily (and often) overlooked. Which is a pity, because after a recent refurbishment - and a minor name change - the Dean Swift has become a jolly fine place indeed. If your preference is to enjoy interesting, well-kept beers in simple, stylish surroundings, you'll love it here. There are beers from near and far - the nearest being from the Kernel Brewery just around the corner - and they're all well-chosen and well-kept. With four real ales on the hand pumps, a good range of Continental beers on tap and an extensive library of bottled beer, there's something for everyone. Of course there are wines and spirits too, but the clue is in the name - beer is Dean Swift's raison d'etre. In the early 21st Century, it seems artisan ale is truly on the up - there are now a number of pretty good specialist beer pubs in these parts. We guess this should come as no surprise - if you're going to pay a lot for your pint, you may as well make it a great one - and you'll easily be able to meet that requirement here at the Dean Swift.
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The Dean Swift, is ever-so-slightly off the tourist trail and, as a result, is easily (and often) overlooked. Which is a pity, because after a recent [...]
The Venue - A short stroll away from the magnificent Tower Bridge and in amongst the modern Butler's Wharf development you can find The Dean Swift pub[...]
The Venue - A short stroll away from the magnificent Tower Bridge and in amongst the modern Butler's Wharf development you can find The Dean Swift pub. Its a case of old meets new here, as the area has recently been revamped and now sports many modern shops, cafes and a cobblestone, pedestrianised street.
The Dean Swift itself is a quaint, rustic place with a large, square main bar decorated with low hanging chandeliers. Its got a classic pub feel, one large room with a bar to the side. Theres plenty of space to sit back and relax, or upstairs there's a separate dining room available to hire out for a party or group meal.
The Atmosphere - Billing itself as a local beer house, the clientele it attracts is predominantly male. You can almost see them rubbing their hands with glee as they step in from the cold and head to the bar. Having said that, its a cosy little pub foranyone and you'll often see workers from nearby offices or lost Tower Bridge tourists stumbling in. The atmosphere is friendly and homely and the staff really know their stuff. Whether you're a wisened beer master or a novice lager drinker they'll be able to point you in the direction of a decent drink. The pub also shows all major sporting events and on some match days the downstairs bar is heaving, with the majority of people standing up and grabbing some tasty finger food before the game.
The Food - It's not only beer that The Dean Swift likes getting right - the new menu in force is one to tantalise any tastebuds. For those not so hungry, there's a bar snack menu where you can nibble on delights such as a pork pie with apple chutney or venison Scotch eggs (both £4.50). The a la carte menu is sumptuous. A starter of mussels is both tasty and enormous and comes with a side of bread for dunking. For meat lovers, why not try the 8oz rump steak (£17), which comes wallowing in peppercorn sauce with rocket salad and chunky chips on the side - simply delicious. There are also several daily specials on offer including fillet of sea bream with new potatoes (£14.25) or venison steak in a red wine jus (£14). If you're scrimping, pop in on a Monday lunchtime when you can get a beer, burger and chunky chips for a budget-busting £13.
The Drink - This pub is a beer lover's paradise, with four cask ales to try and nine keg brews to sample; it's clearly a labour of love for those who work there. Beers are carefully selected, some chosen from local breweries and others from recommended breweries slightly further afield. The specials are changed regularly and include the likes of Windsor Knot, Windsor & Eaton's Canberra, Skrimshander and Redemption Trinity. The pub also has its own brew named The Dean Swift, of course. A pint sets you back around £3.80, while there's a myriad of bottled craft beer to try should you get bored of the draughts.
The Last Word - They say the best places are hard to find, so if you venture off the tourist trail be sure to seek out this gem.