The Blackfriar and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Thursday night before the long Easter weekend seemed like the ideal time to go pub hunting once again.  Workers of London would be out later than usual to celebrating the long weekend so the pubs would be full of people having fun. 

A short walk from work took me to the Brew Wharf at Borough Market where there were some work drinks happening.  I’d not been there before, on first impressions it looked a bit like a wine bar.  The people in there were all very smart like they were going for a day at the races.  Girls in full dresses and blokes all suited up.  The prices matched the expensive look of the place.  But I thought the overall feel of the place was nice.  It might not be so good on a cold winter day but on an unseasonally hot April day it was perfect as 90% of the pub is outside on a big patio.  Plus the beer was well kept and interesting.  They had two house beers which I always like to see.  I only tried the IPA and was not a huge fan of it as it was slightly too bitter and dry.  They made up for that by serving a good range of other specialty beers and lagers.  I had a pint of very expensive Brugge Zot and two good pints of Cotswold Dark Lager.  I know I had a lager.  Shocking... It was a really good pint and I’d happily drink it anytime.  One thing I am surprised about it how I didn’t see any of this when I was actually in the Cotswolds!  

Time to head on to hit some of the pubs on my list.  First up for the evening was the The Blackfriar about a 15 min walk over the millennium bridge from Borough Market.  Located on a busy road near to Blackfriars station the wedge shaped pub delivers a calming retreat once inside.  The Nicholsons owned pub is dressed in the usual Nicholsons style with lots of curly writing wood and brass hand pumps.  The marble frescos of the Blackfriar monks that adorn the walls give a sense of sobriety to the place.  Having lots of stone in a place can sometimes lead to a cold feeling but the marble is mostly a golden brown colour which gives a nice atmosphere.  The link to the history of the area is a nice touch and something that really adds to the pub experience.  The seating areas looked comfortable but we stood outside.   

The Blackfriar

Barman and some good ales

Inside the pub

Being a Nicholsons pub they had a good range of ales on tap from their list of 20 ales on their books.  I’d love to know how they chose the beers on their list.  That must be a great job choosing the ales.  On the day we were drinking Downton Honey Blonde and another good beer from the Butcombe Brewery Old Vic.  Both were well kept and lovely to drink.  A few times the tattooed long haired bar man was a bit short on his pouring but was happy to top up when asked.  My mate woody did not seem to be a huge fan of the pub.  As seems to be the case, my notes which at the time probably would have made perfect sense now are as clear as mud.  I should have noted down Woody’s opinion (if you read this let me know what you thought).  The only note I had from the day simply said ‘I wouldn’t kiss a sausage on the cheek’.  Anyway I liked the pub and would definitely go back.  I’d recommend it as a good pub for a session and it looks like it would be good in the winter too.  

Outside area

Ben, Dave and Woody

Short pints

Ed man Stott

As the clock was ticking both on the evening to get to another pub and for me to get through all the pubs on my list this year we took a walk along fleet street to the famous pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.  The pub is a must visit pub for put interior enthusiasts and tourists alike.  Entering the pub via a narrow alley way off Fleet Street you see on the outside a list of 15 monarchs who’s reign has come and gone since the pub has been standing gives a sense of the age of the pub you are about to enter.  The second clue to the old traditions being upheld is the sawdust you’ll notice in the grate at the entrance and on the floor of the pub.  This certainly harks back to a bygone age when sawdust was used to soak up any spilt beer and any unfortunate bodily releases that can result from consuming too much beer and mead.  Going further into the pub its dark wooden panelling (standard for most Sam Smiths pubs) is wall to wall.  Various websites argue over the age of the panels I’ll go as far as saying some of it is old, very old!  The rooms are small on the ground floor with short bars with room for one barman only so it can be busy and crowded.  Even when busy it is a big enough pub to explore and stepping from one room out into the corridor you notice the noise drop away like the history is soaking up the noise.  There are a number of rooms in the pub and I may have even missed some myself, the biggest room where we ended up sitting in a booth is down stairs.  The room opens up into a bigger space unlike the small rooms upstairs and the decor is newer than above with tiled floor and newer panels.  The usual array of Sam Smiths produce is available, Sovereign bitter, Alpine Lager etc.  I’m not as much of a fan of Sam Smiths as when I was a student as I can afford better beer now.  I used to go to the Chandos by Charring Cross quite a bit but not been in ages as the beer is crap.  Me and Woody both discovered that Sam Smiths beer leaves you with a horrible hang over.  I find the Sovereign Bitter the most drinkable (but not nice) of the beers they have on tap despite its incredibly metallic aftertaste.  

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

The Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a pub that should be visited.  It should be visited because it is old and keeps the sense of history alive well.  It should be visited for the experience of drinking in an interesting and historic location.  I am not trying to be deliberately controversial when I say this BUT I don’t think it is worth the fuss it seems to get.  My first visit to the pub some years ago was one of the most disappointing visits to a pub I’ve ever had.  I’d heard so much about ‘oh you must visit the Cheshire Cheese’ and arrived to find it to be just another dark Sam Smiths pub.  I’ve read the lack of natural light gives it a ‘gloomy charm’, that is some great estate agent spin right there.  Woody mentioned he didn’t like the fact he couldn’t tell if it was 10am or 10pm.  I’m not sure quite how the pub got the reputation it has other than from being very old.  I’m just saying it’s worth dropping by for a swift pint and a look around but don’t get your hopes up for a nice beer or an enjoyable session.    

The 'gloomy atmosphere'

Standard Sam Smiths

So two historic very old pub done in one evening.  My favourite of the two is definitely the Blackfriar I am looking forward to another visit there one day.  After all that beer a curry was needed and we wandered off in search of food.  A good night out.