Riverview Pub

Can anyone suggest a good venue to meet friends at where you can see the river Thames?

We want to be able to get drinks and not too expensive food but be able to see this weekend's boat race.

I hear there's an All Bar One that's on the river - although I'm not sure how limited their food choices are.

Is this the Great River Race or another event?

All Bar One 's food choices aren't bad at all. The food itself won't win awards, but is at least acceptable.

The All Bar One is on Butler's Wharf/Shad Thames (follow the link). The menu is quite good for eating in a group - they do little tapas style plates, but the actual food is a bit variable. Sometimes excellent, sometimes a bit mediocre.

You'd get a better view from places further west, if they're not too busy - All Bar One is set quite far back from the bank, and you'll see more of the racing if you're right on the river. The Queen Mary will have a cracking view http://www.caniseethat.co.uk/QueenMary/

Are you willing to travel out of SE1? The Trafalgar in Greenwich has a view of the finish.

I found a timetable for the race:
http://www.greatriverrace.co.uk/about_course.php

The Mayflower in Rotherhithe has a large terrace overhanging the river and the food is great.

The Angel on Bermondsey Wall has a smaller space but people can spill outside to the long low wall to the river.

Founders Arms?

You really need to be West of Tower Bridge as I think the race finishes there. The Anchor near London Bridge would be good (if the weather is reasonable as they have a big terrace right on the river)but I have never eaten there

There will be commentary on the Great River Race outside the Founders Arms on Bankside but the crowds for The Mayor's Thames Festival may be unbearable.

Sarahse1 - the race starts in Richmond and finishes in Greenwich.

Just had another thought - the outside bit of the bar at the Royal Festival Hall would have a cracking view. I doubt they do food, but there are loads of eating houses around there to cover that.

What about St Thomas's hospital - they have cafe and restraunt, and if you know someone ill (or pregnant) there, you would even get a high up view, and it's publicly accessible, easy access to the river front. An underused gem, in my opinion, if you don't mind mixing with ill people.

Yes,they are beautiful views from Tommy's,but it is so difficult for staff,who have such a limited amount of time for breaks,to have to wait in line behind everyone else.There is also a self-service cafe further down the South Wing corridor called Shepherd Hall which faces onto the river front,magnificent sight of the Houses of Parliament and doesn't get as crowded as Toms2 cafe.