What is a Sea Shanty?

When Nathan Evans’ Wellerman sped to number one in 2021, I remember Hannah, our MD, regaling us with stories of a Sea Shanty festival she used to attend every year in her hometown of Hull. Standing on tables, singing your heart out. It sparked an idea and she decided she wanted to bring a bit of that magic to her London taproom. 

Fast forward a couple of years and our monthly Sea Shanty nights are the talk of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. We have regulars who come back for every session, we have tourists who want to experience something traditionally British or folksy and, our absolute favourites, those friends who have been dragged along but end up standing on the tables, singing along with the rest of us.

So what’s a “Sea Shanty”? Well, it harks back to our sea-faring heritage. As an island nation, we weren’t short of a few sailors and docks men and the workmen would use sea shanties to keep them in time as they pulled on the ropes or hoisted a sail. Since then, the tradition has changed and they’ve been rebranded as drinking songs and where better to sing them than on the Bermondsey Beer Mile!

Including songs we all know, like Drunken Sailor, plus others that have been sung on this fair isle for hundreds of years, all lead by a professional sea shanty group. Whether you’re a folk band fan or just love a singalong, everyone has a song in them and we would love to hear yours. 

It’s long been said that singing is good for your soul and it has now been proven that it has numerous health benefits too, from improving posture, reducing stress and relieving pain. 

There is a reason we all come together to stand in a crowd and watch our favourite artists perform and why, when we go to a football game, we all join in with the chants. 

Because it feels good to sing together. 

So now imagine a place you can go every month to sing your heart out, with excellent natural acoustics, delicious beers and a live four piece singing group. This is Hiver’s Sea Shanty night. 

Doesn’t matter whether you sound like Cat Stevens or a drowned cat, we all have a voice and to sing together is something quite special.