The Understudy

Our friendly riverside craft beer bar. Serving sizzling street food from KERB.

A bustling restaurant counter with people standing and ordering food. The overhead menu displays various dishes and ordering instructions. Staff members are preparing food in the open kitchen behind the counter, while colorful food images are displayed on digital screens.

A lively bar scene with several people sitting at wooden tables, enjoying drinks and conversation. The walls are decorated with colorful posters and warm lighting, creating a cozy atmosphere. Patrons appear to be in good spirits, engaged in various conversations.

A selection of eastern mediteranean inspired dishes from Sireli.

A juicy cheeseburger with melty cheese, lettuce, pickles, and mayonnaise is served on a shiny brioche bun on a parchment-lined tray. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the well-lit, appetizing burger in the forefront.

Three bowls of ramen with various toppings, including sliced meat, boiled egg, and vegetables, are displayed on a red background. A can of KERB lager and a can of East London Liquor Co. Vodka & Rhubarb are placed beside the bowls. Chopsticks are also visible.

From our riverside location on London’s vibrant South Bank, The Understudy serves up an unbeatable line-up of drinks from independent makers like Black Lines, Gipsy Hill Brewing, Nirvana Brewing and East London Liquor Co., plus a curated selection of three KERB street food traders.

Bring your mates and settle into our cosy indoor bar, or soak up the views on our outdoor terrace.

For the run of Ballet Shoes (26 November – 22 February), we will be offering child-friendly options – ask our team on the day!

Follow on Instagram @KERBnationaltheatre

Opening times

Monday – Wednesday: 12 noon – 12 midnight (food service until 10pm)
Thursday – Saturday: 12 noon – 1am (food service until 10pm)
Sunday: 12 noon – 10pm (food service until 9pm)

Book a table

The Understudy Christmas opening hours:
Monday 23 December – Wednesday 25 December: Closed
Thursday 26 December – Monday 30 December: 12pm-10pm
Tuesday 31 December: 12pm-5pm (food finishes at 4pm)
Wednesday 1 January 2025: 4pm-10pm
Thursday 2 January 2025: Open as normal
Sunday 5 January 2025: Closed

Email: kerb.understudy@ntfoodanddrink.org.uk.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7452 3551

Directions

The Understudy, National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
View a map and get directions

KERB traders at The Understudy

Meltdown Cheeseburgers

Slinging out a range of juicy, oozy burgers, (choose from double smashed beef patty, spiced chicken thigh or vegan patty) – plus rotating monthly specials and loaded beef brisket fries. Ask about our child-friendly options!

View Meltdown’s menu

A wooden table filled with various Asian dishes, including bowls of ramen, grilled vegetables, and salads, accompanied by a can of beverage. The dishes are colorful, featuring ingredients like corn, scallions, and leafy greens, with chopsticks and spoons placed nearby.

Sen Noods

Serving up tasty East-Asian ramen bowls and dumplings, plus Japanese fried chicken, Hong Kong noodles and child-friendly options.

View Sen Noods’ menu

Sireli

Translating to ‘my love’ in Armenian, Sireli focuses on delicious, modern Middle-Eastern food, with a selection of flatbread wraps and small plates, including halloumi fries. Ask us about our kids menu!

View Sireli’s menu

Drinks at The Understudy

kerb-understudy-drinks-larger-beer-2000x1250-beer-photo-jwhowardphoto

We’re proud to work with some of the UK’s best independent drinks suppliers, including Gipsy Hill Brewing Co, Nirvana Brewery, Black Lines Drinks and East London Liquor Company.

Explore our drinks menu

Christmas on the South Bank

Join us in our South Bank home for seasonal specials from our street food traders, plus mulled wine and other winter warmers. Available from 1 December.

A bowl of beef noodle soup with chunks of beef, sliced carrots, bok choy, and scallions. A red spoon is placed inside the bowl, and a pair of chopsticks rests on the bowl's edge. The bowl is on a wooden table.

Taiwanese beef noodle soup

Enjoy Sen Noods’ winter warmer of five spice braised beef shin, served with carrots, mooli and bak choy

A burger with turkey, melted cheese, and a savory sauce on a toasted bun, served alongside a generous portion of golden fries on a black tray lined with white paper.

Wrapper's Delight

Indulge in Meltdown’s take on turkey: Double turkey patty, Double Emmental, stuffing, cranberry compote, mayo and pickled red onions

A pita bread on a paper plate topped with turkey and cranberry croquettes, drizzled with cranberry sauce, and garnished with red cabbage and mint tahini sauce. The plate is set on a wooden table with branded paper beneath the pita.

Iberico ham croquette flatbread

Middle Eastern flavours meet Christmas with Sireli’s Iberico ham croquette flatbread with cranberry sauce, red cabbage, bacon bits and mint tahini

Special offers & events

A tray of chips covered in parmesan and with a beef in gravy topping being piled on top.

Student deals: 15% discount

On all food & drinks at The Understudy

Available all day, every day.

To redeem this offer, show your student card to The Understudy bar team.

Not available when ordering via QR codes.

A cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato on a bun sits on a tray lined with paper. A side of French fries is placed next to it.

£15 meal deals

Enjoy the best of KERB at the Understudy with our £15 meal deals, available Monday-Friday (excluding Wednesdays) from 12pm-4pm, plus all day Sunday

Meltdown Cheeseburgers: Any burger (excluding the special), plus chips and a drink

Sireli: Any wrap with a side of halloumi fries, plus a drink

Sen Noods: Any noodle dish with cucumber salad or kimchi, plus a drink

Drink options include: a can of KERB lager, can of Nirvana Pils (non-alcoholic) or a soft drink.

January Brewery of the Month: Nirvana Brewing

Start 2025 fresh with Nirvana Brewery, the UK’s first dedicated alcohol-free brewery. Pop in all month long to try their Pils, Amber Ale and IPA on tap, or the Cloudy Lemon Lager or Hefeweizen in bottles.

On Friday 17th January, we’re throwing a sober-curious celebration, with a chance to try their range, meet the brewer and dance the night away.

Book a table for our Dry January event