what do tourists do in the evenings?

Last week, during the Russian President's visit on the river, we went to tower bridge about 7 pm. We had our children with us and we decided to relax and have coffees and soft drinks alongside the river. But, we discovered that everything, other than pubs and expensive restaurants were closing down. Dear Ken, we now have 24 hour buses, the pub liscencing laws are being relaxed, we are spending millions trying to encourage tourists to London, we have spent millions on the riverside walks and atractions and so, What other world tourist centre would start shutting everything down at 7.30 on a warm summer evening just when you want to take advantage of what your taxes have been spent on. Just what do tourists with children do in the evenings?



Post edited (01 Jul 03 07:42)

Find a nice riverside family pub e.g. The Anchor near Southwark Bridge?

What was shutting down and what do you want to see staying open?

What I was really looking for was some place which wasn't a pub, where you could get a nice coffee and soft drinks for the children and sit at the riverside and enjoy the evening. Is there anywhere along the south side of the river near tower Bridge where you can do this even during the day without paying a fortune?

How about All Bar One ? Yes its a 'pub' but children friendly and they do coffees and food. Not the cheapest option maybe, but the one by Tower Bridge is probably the only one I ever go to cos its a nice location.

Browns is opening next to All Bar One any moment, and their location is even better. Nicer design too !

Go to the Angel at Rotherhithe. It's really a great location and reasonably priced, with a very nice restaurant upstairs.
Plus they have a 13th century royal palace (or the foundations of it) right next to it, all excavated and ready for the kids to wander over it.

You go to Bermondsey Tube Station on the Jubilee Line (if ever a station was misnamed this is it - Bermondsey is about a mile to the west of it) and cross over the A2 to the river. Not near Tower Bridge but not far either and a great view of the river..



Post edited (02 Jul 03 09:53)

All Bar One is over 21's only isn't it? I've certainly seen them turn familes away.

A

All bar one is the most soul destroying place this side of a weatherspoons.

Doesn't the tate open late - or the globe cafe or tas opposite.
How about the cafe in kens place (in the basement though).

Agreed, but once you've managed to get served it's quite nice sitting outside at the Design Museum/Shad Thames ABO.

A

thanks for all your suggestions. by the way, Bermondsey station is in Bermondsey. However I don't like the way it is announced on the Jubilee line trains by the automated female voice with absolute derrition as if to say, "Bermondsey, as if anyone would want to get off here." As for her announcement of "Willesden Green" sounds like the station has just won an oscar for just being "willesden Green".



Post edited (03 Jul 03 06:30)