The Observatory is a Nicholson's pub sitting right at the heart of The O2 on Greenwich Peninsula — a proper British pub amid the entertainment complex. Expect cask ales, premium gins, classic pub grub and speciality pies, all within stumbling distance of North Greenwich station. It's the kind of place you duck into before a gig or settle into for a long afternoon when the riverside walks get chilly.
A proper Nicholson's pub at the heart of The O2 — cask ales, premium gins, and hearty pies for pre-event pints and riverside hangouts.
Check The O2's event calendar before you go — on big concert nights the pub gets packed, so arrive at least 90 minutes early or pick a quiet night for a more relaxed pint.
Solid pre-gig pub with proper pies and pints at The O2
The Observatory is the pub you want when you're at The O2 and need a proper pint before things kick off. As a Nicholson's house, it does the chain pub thing well — cask ales kept in good condition, a solid gin selection, and a menu of British classics that won't surprise you but won't disappoint either. The pies are the standout: hearty, well-filled, and exactly what you want with a pint on a cold evening.
The location is both its biggest asset and its main limitation. Being right at The O2 means it gets packed before big events, and the atmosphere shifts from cosy local to heaving pre-gig crowd depending on what's on. On non-event nights it's a much more relaxed affair — a genuine neighbourhood pub for the Peninsula's growing residential community, with riverside views and a decent outdoor area when the weather plays ball.
Service can be hit-or-miss when it's busy, which is fair enough given the footfall. The Google reviews hover around 4.0, and that feels about right — it's a reliable, solid pub rather than a destination in its own right. Come for the convenience, the ales, and the pies; don't come expecting a gastropub revelation.