One of London’s most famous ships is turning into a floating pub

| Lifestyle Reporter Published August 10, 2026 11:47am Updated August 10, 2026 11:48am The Golden Hinde has been sat in Bankside since 1996 (Picture: Getty Images) Forget a packed pub in the centre of Soho, why not drink a glass of chilled rosé on a pirate ship? Without perhaps knowing its name, most Londoners will have walked past The Golden Hinde before. Perched on the water in St Mary Overie Dock, the large historic ship is situated right off of Clink Street — just a stone’s throw away from the bright lights of Bill’s and Flat Iron. A replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Elizabethan galleon, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe, it’s become an incredibly popular museum since its opening in 1996. However, for the next six weeks, it won’t just be history buffs onboard. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Starting this Thursday, The Golden Hinde is turning into a floating pub. Thursday is one of the most popular drinking days of the week in the city (Picture: Getty Images) Aptly titled ‘Thirsty Thursdays’, the sessions will run once a week from 5.30pm until 10pm. With no booking required, customers are invited to board this iconic ship and enjoy music and the top-notch views of the Thames seen from the main deck. And, unlike other days, when entry to the ship is £6, attending a Thirsty Thursday night will be completely free. Plus, the ship has made the rather bold claim that it plans to serve ‘some of the best value drinks in SE1′. Ending in mid-September, you’ll only have six opportunities to test your sea legs so make sure to jot these dates down: August 6, 20 and 27 and September 3, 10, and 24. Latest London news Why not finish the week with a pint onboard a pirate ship? (Picture: Getty Images) Over the years, The Golden Hinde has become one of the most interesting venues in the city — hosting everything from pub quizzes and rum tasting to live music events and historic Q&A’s. During the summer, the ship even offers guests an opportunity to spend the night onboard. The Golden Hinde Sleepover is a fully immersive experience which includes interactive sessions led by the crew and hands-on activities. Marketed as a fun adventure for children aged five to 10, accompanied by an adult, the sleepover costs £47. At the end of the night, after a hearty dinner, guests are tucked into sleeping bags and left to snooze on the ‘atmospheric gundeck’… If you’re looking for something less likely to give your children nightmares, why not try one of the ship’s regular Shanty Nights instead? They’re far less scary — unless, of course, you’re afraid of beards. Before you get to the bar, remember this one rule If you are planning on attending a Thirsty Thursday, it’s worth brushing up on your pub etiquette. There’s a code of conduct when it comes to pubs: never form a line, put a coin on the side of the pool table to reserve a spot, and resist the urge to rob your glass. Another is to always know what you want to order before you approach the bar, making sure not to hold everyone else up while you umm and ah. ‘It’s a small thing, but when the queue is three people deep, extra seconds or minutes add up,’ Todd N, North London Account Manager at Beavertown tells Metro. Lisa Williams, landlady of The Cricketers Pub in Farncombe, Surrey, adds: ‘You can always spot the customers who haven’t thought about what they order until they get to me. They stare at me then start thinking, it drives me crazy!’ Our Top Shopping Picks Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Arrow MORE: DJ remixes cabin crew’s demand to ‘idiot’ passenger and invites her to gig Arrow MORE: Missing mum found dead in London home in ‘unexplained’ circumstances Arrow MORE: London’s biggest McDonald’s announces major change to opening hours The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.