The Blue Maid reopened in April 2025, having been closed for over five years. The pub has reverted to its original name, having more recently been known as the Blue Eyed Maid. It is a traditional pub with outside seating in Chapel Court, the alley adjacent to the pub. A 1542 map of Southwark shows Chapel Court as originally being named Blue Maid Alley.
The Blue Eyed Maid unfortunately had a troubled past and suddenly closed in late 2019. Southwark Council granted planning permission in November 2021 for the upper floors of what had latterly been used as an Indian restaurant to be converted to residential use. Consequently, there isn’t a kitchen in the new pub and so no food will be offered.
I was lucky enough to attend the launch event on 4 April. It is encouraging to see how positive the new operators Simon and Dav are about the pub’s future and the support that they have received from local residents and other pubs in the area. Simon said he loves pubs and wanted to save this one.
The Blue Maid will have three cask ales available, with Five Points Best (4.1% ABV) having a permanent line plus two rotating ales from independent breweries. All cask ales are priced at £5 a pint, which is reasonable for the area. CAMRA always encourages pubs to have at least one mild on for May. Luckily, on my visit, I had Howling Hops Dark Small Batch Special Mild (4.5 % ABV) on cask, a smooth, lovely dark brown rich ale with roasted coffee notes. Burning Sky Plateau pale ale (3.4% ABV) was also available on cask. The pub has 18 keg lines, stocking a range of beers from independent breweries, including Elusive Oregon Trail IPA and Kernel Table Beer.
The full address is 173 Borough High Street. Both London Bridge and Borough stations are within easy walking distance.
Joanne Scott