please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Nice authentic looking ale house that's a modern interpretation, even if the building itself is ancient.
Good beer Guide 2020 entry and here's the rub - easily the worst pint of a 6 pub crawl.
Its the only London outlet for St Peter's brewery. I'm assuming this was a one off, but I won't be rushing back.
|
Quaint small pub with a Dickensian feel to it though apparently it is all repro. The St.Peter's best is the most popular brew here apparently - which is quite surprising given that most tourists want something chilled. As mentioned previously, when it's busy outside the interior tends to be pretty quiet. Fairly handy for Farringdon station.
|
A classic even if its use as a pub is limited to only the last two or three decades. Convivial, the snug that sits opposite and looms over the bar is the place to get but all the pub's quarters are lovely. The St. Peter's beers are generally excellent too and it's a place full of atmosphere. The only quibble would be over how busy it gets but in summer, head indoors as people tend to spill out on to the pavement, leaving room inside.
|
Not as old as it appears and much of the interior only dates back to the 1990s. Pleasant enough though and the St Peters beers are O.K. I particularly liked the mild but the best wasn't to my taste. Normal London prices c.£4 a pint. Apparently can get very packed and the bar area is small, as is the pub. I went on a Monday afternoon so it wasn't too busy. Worth going to if in the area.
|
Good beer, good service, very atmospheric and historic pub with a decent buzz in an area of London where being up yourself never goes out of fashion. It's busy but you can't criticise any business for being popular.
|
An early 18th century building with original features, this atmospheric place is a favourite location with film and television crews, and it's easy to see why. As other reviewers say, it is quite small and crowds routinely spill out on to the pavement at busy times. However, time it right, and you will find it pleasantly quiet, tucked away in a side street near Farringdon Station. The St Peter's beer range is extensive and well-kept. In my experience, the food has been quite limited, but then it is not a pub I would go to specifically to eat – this is primarily a drinkers' place, a role it performs extremely well.
|
A return to the Jerusalem after some time, but it's still just as comfy and atmospheric as ever. The cream stout was nice and satisfying.
|
The only criticism is that it’s a little on the small side! The St Peter’s beers are a mixed bag but that’s the sort of selection that a brewery should have. You can’t expect to like them all but if you like any at all this is the place to drink them. I was very fortunate on my visit; they had their Christmas Ale available. Excellent and, despite the 7% ABV it was not excessively priced. A gem.
|
Great pub which serves as the tap for St. Peter's brewery. Never had any problem with the staff, in fact all have been happy to answer questions about the beer and offer tastings before buying.
Food is reasonably pricey at £5 for a burgers, but this kind of "pop-up-burger-shop-in-a-pub-thing" are everywhere nowadays and you a fiver is par for the course. I had one and it was pretty good.
My only gripe is where the bar is placed. The Queue blocks the walkway and you end up having to knock people to get by. Maybe a reconfiguration of the space would open up the pub a bit?
|
It's previously unprecedented for me to write about this particular problem. When you go for a drink, you don't expect to be randomly insulted by rude bar staff; it's completely inconceivable that a customer would be expected to be treated that way. Oh well, step forwards, the Jerusalem Tavern. But perhaps let's also discuss the basics...
The décor is old fashioned but pleasant. Very wooden, and all very close. You imagine that the pub could be very cosy in winter. In summer there is a strange overriding coldness, promoted by the fact that the bar staff clearly do not want any customers to be here, and do little to disguise how they feel. On a busy summer Friday after work, every drink is served with a scornful face, from the minority of staff who actually lower themselves to liaise with customers; most simply stand back and sneer.
This pub is the flagship outlet for the St Peters Brewery. A name which you may have heard before, but if you've never actually sampled their drinks the I'm afraid it's all downhill from here. The wheat beer, in particular, is an absolute joke; presumably it's actually just a simple flat-tasting Fosters-esque lager, but something erroneous happened at the labelling factory and we've ended up with a bottle engraved with the moniker of a completely different drink.
The food is limited (only three items on the menu), and poor in quality; a man in an apron really pushes the hard sell when he comes to our table imploring us to buy food. We each pay five pounds for what is basically a mushroom in a roll. No side-order of fries, either included or paid for on the top. There aren't even any condiments available. The food is terrible.
So, back to the grievance. A young lady with a bored expression, dangling red hair and and a tendency to yawn every few seconds displays obvious annoyance at having to serve me at the bar. She is, just about, young enough to be my daughter; although old enough to understand that she is employed here to serve customers, not paid for the benefit of her benevolent company. She interrupts me every single time I order each drink, as her memory span is not enough to cope with more than one part of the order at a time. Then, as when we finally approach the end of the order, she reprimands me, complaining that apparently she would have preferred me to have listed all of the drinks in the order right at the beginning. She does this whilst displaying neither any sense of irony nor humility. We have already been in the pub for three hours at this point, and had been their best customers of the evening.
When staff abuse and insult the customers, whilst they are ordering drinks in a polite and respectful way, then the pub scores zero out of ten. I've never previously experienced this before. And I hope I never will again. I also hope that this pub comes under new management soon. In the meantime, zero out of ten; because minus scores are not permitted here.
|
Small and simply furnished but great beers - the Golden and Fruit (grapefruit) beers were in excellent condition. Handy for Farringdon.
|
An "old fashioned" pub that is now the sole London outlet for the full range of St Peters brewery beers from Bungay, Suffolk.
I had the Mild and it was excellent. Good price as well.
My companion had the Best and he also remarked how good it was.
Busy with no where to sit but with the weather being fairly mild we stood in the alleyway.
This is a really quirky place and definetly worth a visit as St Peters beers are very good.
|
visited last night ..had 2 pints of St Peters fruit beer..nectar..lively after work pub...will visit again
|
A splendid "old fashioned" pub with wooden benches and paneled walls painted dark green. Full range of St Peters beers , I tried the Organic bitter which was excellent. Not to be missed.
|
Superb little pub in the city. Dropped in last night with a pal, and it was definitely "our kind of pub". Yes, it is small and a bit cramped, but the friendly staff and excellent beers more than compensate. I urge people to visit this little gem, although save a seat for me.
|
A classic. Love the St Peters ales. Great service from the landlady I think, anyhow a busy , quirky joint, a london institution. Visit this place, mon to fri. (closed weekends)
|
Damn - walked up from Farringdon only to find it closed for a private party!! Oh well there's always next time.
|
Dropped in at lunchtime today excellent ale, as usual.
There appears to be an exhibition in the pub of war comic art running at the moment in support of the Royal British Legion.
Something to view and read while you drink.
|
Olde world pub which is something of an institution offering the range of St Peter's beers. Beer was excellent and atmosphere good as well, although conditions were somewhat cramped last Friday, when a group of us descended for some pre-prandials! Probably not the best choice for a biggish group but I'd definitely recommend this place.
|
A terrific pub with a fantastic selection of excellent quality ales. A great atmosphere and friendly bar staff.
Last visit only spoilt by some loud mouth poser who insisted on relating his somewhat boring love life to a disinterested lady friend. Fortunately he moved outside presumably to spread the word in Britton Street.
|
I love this pub! I miss it so much as I worked just a few doors down until recently. A little gem in EC1.
|
The Jerusalem Tavern is like stepping back in time, we visited yesterday lunchtime and it was an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise hectic London. The small interior is split into various drinking rooms and at different levels; it is atmospherically dingy and maintains a feeling of antiquity in its wooden furniture that many would have condemned to the skip years ago. The Jerusalme is tied to the St Peter's Brewery of Bungay, Suffolk and has seven ales on stillage and a sixteen in bottles - alas, on our crawl we only had time for one pint and the porter was fantastic and very well priced. The welcome was warm, the ale well-kept and very reasonably priced. All in all a fantastic experience of a pub and well worth seeking out.
|
On a day out in London this is a Haven of Peace and Quiet in a very,very busy part of London. Looked in at a few Pubs near to the Jerusalem Tavern but were mobbed by City types. Found this completely by accident. Had 3/4 pints of St Peters Ale and relaxed on a very hot and sticky day . The decor must date back to the 18th century but is not a Tourist Magnet.Excellent Ale, Pleasant Bar Staff (1). Handy for Farringdon Station and a Wee Gem. Must go back
|
I couldn't disagree with you more basil, one of the most friendly pubs in London, and I've been visiting for years, and always interesting beers, it does get a bit busy with suits on occasions, but you are in clerkenwell
|
Gloomy dark very small pub,barman cold and unwelcoming like he didnt want strangers in the pub.Yuppie types.
|
Tried this pub early on a Monday lunchtime. The pork loin sandwich was huge and came with chunky pieces of crackling....very nice. The Best was good too. Could well be cramped if very busy: on my visit there was a mix of local workers and city types, the latter talking of 'offshaw investments'... There's also free wifi with no password required.
|
Martinsh - This place is certainly not an "obvious tourist trap". Yes, the faux Dickensian interior only dates back to the mid 90's, but the majority of the clientele here are certainly not tourists - the few that do venture in are normally beer savvy. If you visit on one of the quieter nights early in the week and talk to patrons surrounding the bar, you will find this pub has a thriving local clientele.
As for the pub itself, it remains the sole outlet for St. Peter's tied house in London (the world?). For a brewery that often divides opinion you can view this as either a positive or a negative thing. Fortunately, St. Peter's beers have always been a favourite of mine, especially their fantastic porter and stout. Coupled with the excellent atmosphere and charm, the Jerusalem Tavern one of my favourite watering holes in the capital.
Misk. - 28 Dec 2010 19:17 |
I've been here many a time and love it. OK, it's a bit fake-old, but then again in London so many places are. Incidentally, simonk, though it was 'renovated' as a pub relatively recently (in the Eighties, I think), I seem to remember reading that it was indeed a coffee house originally. St Peter's beers are imaginative, and it's wonderful that they have a tied house in London so that you can get a go at the full range. The honey porter is lovely. Gravity dispense will lead inevitably to an impression of flatness in the beer which you wouldn't get with a pump, but then we don't all mind this. I'd rather have more liquid and less head any day. One thing about the Jerusalem is that it keeps popping up in films and telly programmes. It was a Fleet Street pub in 'The Wings of the Dove', and a Cornish (I think) pub in an episode of the Mrs Bradley Mysteries (the interior only: in fact, they also used it for a room in someone's house when she was fitting a bride-to-be for a wedding dress).
|
I'm not sure if this pub really is a tourist trap as other comments have suggested. The immediate area is mostly business premises and I imagine that is where the lion's share of the trade comes from, which is why it is closed at weekends. 'Good Pub Guide' readers may seek it out as it gets a consistently good annual review from that organ, but I'd be surprised if many tourists chanced upon it.
Tiny inside, feels a bit like a coffee house rather than a pub, but good beer and good food.
|
Great pub - does get very cramped - but if you can get a seat you will see a wide variety of people pass through. You need to have the 'tube' seat mentality and pounce as soon as you see someone shuffling with their coat.
Beer usually top notch and busy bar staff reasonably well informed about the St Peters range.
|
What I liked most about this place is the hazy olde-worlde atmosphere. Yes, I know that it was only converted into a pub a few years ago, but it was done sympathetically and fools a lot of the visitors. The dim lighting of most of the place lets the imagination run riot. Lots of low beams and quirky corners � on my last visit we even managed to grab the table on the balcony. Of course, you can drink outside, but that defeats the point and you have to have plastic glasses as well.
An obvious tourist trap, that for some reason is closed at the weekends (and Friday nights too ??). Food is available, but I think only at lunchtimes. Certainly I�ve never seen anyone eating there.
For me what lets this place down is the quality of the beer. There is only one font on the bar, serving Cider and Lager. There are half a dozen casks in the wall behind the bar, served a changing range of St Peters beers. [ the full range is available in bottles � including the Gluten Free beer, my girlfriend will be pleased to know !] But the two times I�ve been here, the beer I�ve had has been flat and tasteless � a real shame.
Also, note the sign behind the bar saying �full range of beers available at the back bar� is a misnomer � there is no �back bar� !!
8/10 � would higher except for the beer quality.
|
Old, hallowed pub serving St Peters Ales. A must visit pub.
|
Rough and ready, spit & sawdust pub which ironically I hope they don't rip up one day - pub unchanged from when last went about 15 years ago. Huge list of St Peters beers mostly bottled but with about 4 ales on gravity.
|
Last came here in the mid '90s and it hasn't changed a bit. Had the Mild, as previously described it's the outlet for St. Peters beers, they had 4 beers on the 'cask' (although doubt it's cask conditioned). Quite busy, people are allowed outside (before 10pm I think) but only with plastic glasses.
|
Excellent pub, very civilised and St Peter's beer is always top notch. This is an excellent place to meet a couple of friends during the day or to take a book and read. A very calm atmosphere.
|
interesting place, really feels historic, shame though when we went it was so busy and loud, nowhere to sit but of course you cant blame the place for being popular. Would be nice to go back again on a quieter day to get a proper idea of the place, but seemed nice for a quick pint. Typical cool young bar staff though, not sure that suits the rest of the place but anyway.
|
I used to love this pub, but two changes have affected it recently.The restriction on drinking outside, probably can't be helped due to local residential complaints....But why have they employed that obnoxious tall chap behind the bar?...He tries to bully various customers whilst sucking up to his 'mates'....I'm surpised that a brewery with only one outlet in London would allow this.Can someone please put a review up when he has left and I can inform a few ex customers that it's 'safe' to come back...
|
This pub is a 1990s fabrication so the history isn't there. The beer is warm and flat here and it isn't even cask conditioned - it arrives "bright" from the brewery.
|
Plastic tourist pub trap;horrible.
|
Great pub - 5 on today and the place was crowded at lunchtime!
|
Reading the previous review this is obviously how St Peters Brewery want it to look like [it opened in 1996 and was previously a clockmaker's workshop amongst other things]. Personally I love it and friends I have taken there always want to return. Never had a bad beer there, never eaten there though. Worthwhile for any London real ale-loving visitors to call here, although it's closed at weekends.
|
Old boozer which may have had a fiver spent on decor 80 years ago. I actually would prefer at least a lick of paint. Nonetheless extensive range of well kept St Peter's beers which it was not clear if they were served on gravity.
Have to love a pub where you can drink 6 different well kept pints without a pint of malty brown garbage that must turn off young drinkers more than your granny not wearing her teeth.
|
Can't believe I've never heard of this pub. Fantastic throwback to the days of real pubs - looks as though it's shut up from the front but inside it's the sort of look that Davey's Wine Bars used to try to recreate! Just old and wooden and very cosy. Fab beer - a range of 5 different St Peters Ales on draught. My Best Bitter was in top condition. Didn't get the warmest reception from the barman but we *were* hogging half the bar and he was trying to have his lunch - so I'll let him off. Will be back very soon. Food looked average, mind. We ate round the corner at Farm Collective in Cowcross St - excellent pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches :-)
|
Friendly place. There was a very grumpy barman until recently but it seems he's been give the heave ho - saw him working round the corner at the Bear. Now staff seem lovely.
Came with a few friends and we hung around the bar chatting to the folks that worked there - a fun bunch. Other regulars seemed nice as well - young and in a band apparently. Some suited types ordering lager but they went home soon enough.
Beer in good condition and every pump on the last few times I've been down.
Plastic glasses are still needed outside which is a pain but when I asked about this the manager (Dave) explained to me it was due to a local councillor targeting the pub. Seems he was helping the pub's new next door neighbours get it shut so their little clerkenwell investment would pay off. A disgrace for a petty local official when Clerkenwell has so many crap bars!
|
The beer here has been eulogised many times before and I have to say my Golden Ale was very good. The Jerusalem though is a pretty unpleasant drinking experience. There is not much seating and not many places to stand that aren't in the way. You can drink outside but hey it was November and it's mandatory plastic glasses if you want to do that.
I guess the building is old and it has a bit of a Dickensian feel but if it was only opened in the mid 90s - well there are other places in London that are the real thing
There are better places within 10 minutes walk let alone the rest of London. I'd return in mid afternoon but it's not the place it's been hyped up to be.
|
Visited last Friday for a few Golden Ales. Heaving inside with little elbow room, but a splendid pub all the same. There is something so warming about the din of chitter-chatter and steamed up windows in a pub. Beer was great, locale clientele was found to be friendly and this pub will definitely remain on future Friday crawls. Beer limited to St Peters (all the better for it) and Bitburger lager on draft.
|
Still the best boozer in London if you're into Honey Porter (sounds like a Bond babe?), Cream Stout (which doesn't) and assorted other top brews, It's a pity that you can't stand with a drink outside after 10pm as this makes the place even more cramped...Choose your bottles from the shelf-if you want room temp ale....HAPPY SUPPING!
|
'Fancy a Pint' rate this pub one of the best in london. I just don't get. it's even wellshort of being the best in Clerkenwell. Small, uncomfortable tourist trap with indferent service. Unless St. Peters' beer is your bag - give it a miss!
|
Another pub I've been looking forward to visiting for a while. The interior is pleasant. But the lack of seating is a little annoying, especially when nearly everywhere you can stand results in you being in the way of everybody else. We would have gone outside. But the thought of drinking out of a plastic glass was unappealing. The range of St Peter's beers during our visit was Mild, Best Bitter, Organic Best, Golden Ale & Fruit Beer. Aspalls is the cider. Overall, I was a little disappointed, as I had high expectations for this place. But after Ye Olde Mitre, it seems fairly plain. I would definitely come back if in the area, as the place is still quite appealing. But it's not quite worth the hype.
|
I visited yesterday, the ale was poor. I could not fathom out why my change was slapped into my hand. I will not be returning soon.
|
This place is for drinking superb real ale and talking bollocks. If you want something more than that, go elsewhere and leave us with more elbow room! Tip -go with someone (anyone) rather than on your own. Two reasons for this: You can guard each other's seat (if you manage to find two) when getting the beer in, and you can talk to each other instead of trying to talk to the bar staff. They have heard it all already.
|
Some years ago I enjoyed a possibly imprudent number of bottles of the cream stout, and was punished by a hangover WAY in excess of my crime. A bad batch? I still go here occasionally, as I like this pub, I like the decor (no matter how fake), and they serve Aspall's, which is an excellent drink. It can get crowded with City knobs though, as noted already.
|
After reading several posts on here concerning rude/weird barstaff i was wary.I need not have been the 2 girls & 1 bloke couldn't have been nicer.The lager even went off & i find myself talking to 1 of the girls for a couple of mins while it was been changed,she was extremely pleasant.Furthermore i can't work out why some posters on here have a problem with it appearing to be an 'olde worlde' pub whilst it's only been a pub since 1996.SO WHAT ? Would you sooner it had become an all-bar-one ?.I also must say i found the beer fine (i had the wheat beer).Only complaint i would agree with is the plastic glasses,they should only be used in an emergency if the proper glasses have run out.
|
Nothing really to add to previous comments; The Crown at Clerkenwell is the onlt decent Aje house nearby.
|
Can MR MULTIPLE ALIASES please stop posting the same comments over and over again. One is enough, we get your point.
|
A TALE OF TWO CITY PUBS.
THE CHESHIRE CHEESE, off Fleet Street. Truely Olde Worlde London;rebuilt after Great Fire London.
Well served, good old English Ales. Sam Smith's, value for money beer.
Well served, good old English food.
Very pleasant and welcoming staff.
Plenty of space to sit, stand and enjoy within and without.
Served in real glassess too.
THE JERUSALEM TAVERN, CLERKENWELL. False historic, tourist trap;created 1996.
Over rated,over puffed piddle passing for beer.
Unwelcoming,cold,charmless staff.
Dark and clausterphobic former clockmakers shop.
Plastic glass beer parlour for over priced,well over rated small beer shop.
|
Plastic glasses;enough said. They don't need my hard earned either.
|
Over priced, horrible beer. Why continue the myth of it being a must visit beer house on pub crawls in the area? Charmless staff, charmless tourist trap. Fortunately situated a short walk to the charming Crown on Clerkenwell square.
|
Let's be honest,the beer here is awful like the place itself. If it's true that it's run by an independent brewery called St.Peters, then Heaven can wait. If your thirsty, then walk on by...........
|
A small,dark and dirty place;pretending to be something it certainly isn't,an old world English pub. Plastic,plastic,plastic! On my asking for a pint tonight, I was asked by the Irish girl (no, she wan't a plastic Paddy dear reader)whether I wqs drinking outside? Well as a smoker and the fact that this place is to small to drink in yes came my reply. However,I drink out of a beer glass not plastic. Plastic is unhygenic and particully hard to clean properly in pubs. Then I was told the usual twaddle that "they were obliged to serv i in plastic outside". Rubbish! No other pub has ever done so in the area; The Crown,Ye Olde Mitre,Castle Etc. A feeble excuse by slow and dirty management who don't regularly clear empty glasses,so therefore end up with broken glass. Pull yourfinger out and collect them then. Like a decent pub such as the Olde Mitre; generally old and very well run. And hundreds of glasses are taken out every day,with no breakages or hastle. It's just very well run. Unlike this backwater, pretence of a pub. Don't use the place chaps! A beer drinkers custom is to valuable to waste this day and age. Move on to one of the more comfortable,well run and proper historical pubs to be found in the area. This Jerusalem isn't worth singingabout.
|
A shame to see what's happened here. The staff aren't so much rude as just wierd. Commenter below who uses the word "unmannered" isn't far off - no social skills at all. Beer supports the old myth that English beer is warm. Here, it's at room temperature. The selection isn't what it used to be. Lucky to find two or three beers on at a time these days. Needs new management. 4/10, down from the 9/10 I would have given it a year or two ago
|
Disinguished little pub offering a sophisticated range of St. Peter's ales; all of which, bar the Honey Porter are excellent. In my opinion, the beer is an undobuted 10/10.
A short walk from Farringdon, this pub is delightful and a good way to spend a Monday night. The mannerless staff, with their uninhabited expressions, expect prompt orders from the confused newcomer. Questions such as "Which of the beers would you recommend?" and "You look rather upset, has something terrible happened?" are met with equal disinterest. If you be a newcomer then order one pint of each ale when you arrive, which will save yourself any more contact with the barmen.
The clientele is good but there is one type of dangerous drinker: the 'Honey Porter Eulogiser'. These few fall into two categories:
1) The Embarrassed - Those like myself, who say that they like their Honey Porter because they are deeply mortified that they have just spent money upon an undrinkable drink.
2) The Pretentious - Those who like the idea of liking the Honey Porter but do not like the Honey Porter. These individuals have a lot of friends on Facebook, they dress very agreeably and they also work in the Media. The Pretentious recognise a window of opportunity that the repulsive Honey Porter flavour offers; a window through which rolls wide meadows of respect from those in their extended social network. The consumption and appreciation of a beer that does not taste of beer. The Prentious recommend it to their impressionable friends, safe in the knowledge that this recommendation will be remembered by all for its unorthodoxy.
|
I was asked to leave when I complained about the surly rudeness of the person serving. A good pub let down by the staff.
|
This is a fantastic little pub and serves quality speciality beers.
I was very interested to hear that the pub is run by an independant brewery (St Peters) and there was a terrific atmosphere considering how small the pub actually is.
Great atmosphere + great beer = great pub in my opinion.
|
Another of my favourite pubs in London and usually the last stop on our frequent crawls - Princess Louise, Cittie Of York and Old Mitre in Holborn and then a quick walk over to Clerkenwell and here. Lovely pub, with an old coffee shop kind of feel it. The rotating range of St Peter's beers are always on good form and there's usually a darker one on. I'd recommend the Old Style Porter or Cream Stout if they're on when you go. If you can get there either late afternoon or late evening this is a great pub, but it can get a little rammed early evening especially if it's raining and people can't drink outside on the pavement.
|
Brilliant pub, the selection of beer is outstanding and the interior is great. It is not as old as it looks but the old battered chairs and flaky paint in the back corner have an incredible charm. The only grumble I have is that I don�t have this place all to myself, it is always pretty busy. However, if the place was bigger it would lose its charm so I won�t complain, one of central London�s finest pubs.
|
Oh... and I know this is a recreation opened in 1996. I was told (red faced) on the evening. But it's still straight out a film set.
adeyg - 25 Mar 2009 20:56 |
I adored this pub. Visited for the first time on 20/03/2009. We were on a private history tour (three of us) of The City and was particularly looking for historical pubs and this was the best of the lot.
The atmosphere here was exactly what I was looking for. Loved the tiny gallery table spot and the frontage was straight out of an 18th Century history book.
We got there relatively late and that was great. Got a table right in the window and was dizzy with thoughts of the people who may have sat in our place over the last 2 centuries.
The St Peter's Honey Porter was delicious.
Will definitely pay this tavern a visit whenever we're back in The City.
adeyg - 25 Mar 2009 20:48 |
Brilliant little pub and fantastic range of beer. Favourite was the cream stout, but all worth a try. The pub is a little pokey and suffers when the city boys invade. After 4pm prepare to be barged around by yobs in suits.
|
A gem of a pub, but as other people have said, very busy in the early evening which can make it difficult to find a seat. The office people thinned out at about 8.30 and it was fine then. Traditional in every sense, they have a good range of St Peters beers to suit most tastes, in excellent condition.
The bar staff are friendly and the pub has a good atmosphere. Well worth a visit and I would go again if in the area.
|
Visited just before xmas for the first time in a while. Packed as usual. Made the mistake of ordering the Honey Porter which turned out not to be to my taste.
Just wish this place was bigger as we ended up having to stand outside in the cold due to there being no room at the inn.
|
Small traditional pub owned by St Peters Brewery in Suffolk and situated reasonably close to Farringdon Tube Station ( the pub, that is, not Suffolk !).
I paid my first visit here for some time early yesterday evening, enjoyed tasty pints of the Best Bitter at � 2.80p.
There's a range of 6 or so St Peters beers served by Air Pressure from barrels built in to the bar, together with various bottled beers as well.
Taddington Lager ( where's that ?) was also on offer.
I would come here more often, but it always seems busy and not much room and I'm not a big fan of standing up while drinking
Note that it doesn't open weekends at all
|
I cant believe some of the comments. This pub fully deserves its award of " town pub of the year " ( GBG 2009). The beer was superb, atmosphere good, staff friendly. Okay it is a little on the small side , so if you want a seat dont go there at peak times.
|
Confusion about the my last comment this should be on the Dovetail pub page
my apologies
|
I have to say this is not my story but a friend of mine and his drinking buddies!
They were in here on sat 31st jan enjoying the varied selection of beer when at 6pm they were asked to leave allegedly because one of them had smashed a glass! of course my friend says this just did not happen he reckons the "manageress"
just wanted them to leave as they were not eating and she wanted the space for diners!
Just wondered if anybody else had any trouble like that before as my mate has been quite a few times and never had any worries.
|
Still the biz!!...off the shelf Honey Porter......WWWOOOOWWW!!
|
Great pub, have had wonderful cheese and wonderful beer, in fact can only ever seem to remember the earlier stage of each visit. I dont think theres anything gimmicky about this place especially not the beer
|
Good beer, but the whole experience was ruined by staff who stopped serving at 10.55pm and hustled everyone out by 11.15. There are many better pubs in the area
|
After dark, the pub is quite difficult to spot, as the sign is in darkness. The staff didn't seem to be interested in serving, but once the beer arrived, it was delicious, especially the Organic Best Bitter. Very cosy on a cold evening.
|
Sought out to try St Peter's ales and wasn't disappointed. Lovely pint of Organic ale, served by friendly barman - good luck when trying to get a seat, but worth coming for the beer alone.
|
This place was in the top ten pubs in a London Guide Book. Having been to the other nine - well, you gotta do it. Certainly has atmosphere and they told me they served food but I think that is a gimmick. Very nice pint of St. Peters best. Very crowded, mostly with types I thought had died out in the sixties. Recommend? Yes. Tourists who have only tried Weatherspoons or Beefeaters will rave over this place. And I must admit it has some character.
|
Very good, small, atmospheric pub. Yeah, a bit fake but so what! What's the alternative! The beer was goooood! Not crowded last night but it was a Tuesday...
|
good luck getting a seat! But the place is special! Beers are amazing, i would take anyone who loves a good pub here
|
Fantastic evening last night - Organic Best and Golden Ale were on their very best form. It was well worth waiting for a seat indoors in the snug at the pub's rear. Worth regular visits!
|
If the previous review is to be believed... He wouldn't have had his account deleted, It's a shame some people just want to slag off everything they don't like, which would seem to be life with this one.
Yes there are some odd things such as the beer dispenced from 'obviously fake' barrels, try the 'Bree Louise' near Euston for real beer straight from the wood.
|
Pretentious place;false age of history as a public house aimed at tourists. Not worth the track through Clerkenwell for.
|
Really good pub. Unsurprising, because the brewery is fantastic, too. Pleasing interior, and set up. Ample supply of St.Peter's bottles to take home. Rare dispense method. Seems well run. More power to them.
|
Visited at lunchtime on the GBBF thursday. Lovely pub, managed to find two seats immdediately. Tried the cream stout, a very nice pint. Five more beers would have been available,but to dangerous before the GBBF, so I took three bottles home. The old style porter (from the bottle) was brillant as well. I certainly will be back.
|
Very enjoyable evening at the JT and, for the first time, managed to get a seat. Taddington lager was lovely as were St Peters beers, particularly the cream stout, although I was rather the worse for wear on leaving.
|
Interior has a lot of character without it being pretentious or forced.
Beer on offer is exemplary.
Service is very friendly
Everything a good pub should be.
|
A Jewel in the crown for Capital Drinkers. Visitited this week, not as crowded as have seen, Organic Bitter and Grapefruit Beer excellent. Mild is always nice to see. Reliable as ever. Recommended
|
Great little pub with a great selection of beers - its great to be able to get a mild in london! It's drawn in an interesting manner too...
It was quite crowded but we found a seat, lots of people stood though.
What I didn't like was that they insisted that if you stood outside you had to have a plastic "glass". I remained inside but did not like feeling inhibited by the fact that I was "not allowed" outside if I fancied it...and didn't like being questioned as to where I was planning to drink; I would have made up my mind after I got my drink thank you very much!
All that said, its a great little pub with a lot of character with friendly bar staff and fantastic beer.
|
Excellent beer as usual and very well kept, particularly the Organic Ale. Always worth a visit
|
Finally made it here...
Not the biggest Public House around but the strange interior makes this place stand-out from the 'Identikit Pubs'...
Pub-Co people PLEASE take note; you can not give a pub atmosphere out of a box! It takes work and one manager not any Joe Blogg's straight from the Labour Exchange.
|
Enjoyed an afternoon visit when it was fairly quiet so you could relax and enjoy the unique surroundings. Good range of ales including a dark mild. IPA was very nice too. Bar staff were friendly and efficient. A must visit pub when it's not too busy.
|
Had a swift one in here last night, the Cream Stout which was very nice indeed. Other beers on were the Mild, Best and the Golden Ale.
Difficult to criticise a place for being too popular but you couldn't get in the front door at about 7.15. Had to walk up the side alley. Am not totally convinced by all the St Peter's beers, I've had some in here that weren't great, but this has to be worth a visit.
|
Unique old pub and the only time I have had draft, rather than bottled, St Peters. Great place and a shame that like so many other pubs in the area that it does not open at weekends. I wish a load of the better London pubs all agreed to open say the first Saturday of every month so you could do a decent weekend crawl.
|
Rickety tables fixed, glasses clean, St Peters ale back up to top form and still a great selection - not many places have a mild and a porter on at the same time!
An excellent choice.
|
Back again on St Patrick's Day for an early evening drink. Just to let readers know that the pub is actually quite empty around 1745-1830, early in the week, so that's another good time to get a seat. Beer still on top form.
|
Visited last night with a friend for the first time in 18 months. The beer seems to have improved, even upon the high standards I experienced last time. Mild was exquisite, very dry yet malty, whilst Organic Best Bitter was superb.
Weekdays after 9 are good - we found a seat after 5 mins or so.
This remains a very good pub to include on any Clerkenwell crawl, but not as the final one, due to a strict, hurried closing routine which includes opening the main door fully which allowed the chill of an early March evening into what had been quite a warm pub.
Do visit, beerwise this establisment is fully deserving of its GBG status, and the prices - �2.60-2.80 are now in the "very reasonable" bracket for this part of London.
|
Fantastic old pub with brilliant beer and friendly, attentive staff.
|
cramped, creaky and no atmosphere - totally overrated.
|
If you can get here outside the busy periods, you will find one of the great hidden gems of London. Full of character, with a number of cosy wooden alcoves, and a tiny raised area with three seats that resembles a pulpit. First class St Peters ales on draught. Absolutely top of the range.
|
Best thing about this place is the beer, which is obviously rather important. The trouble is finding a seat. Turn up before the City boys pile in at 6pm and you should be ok though.
|
I have to agree, one of the best in the smoke. I used it from time to time when I lived in South West London - maybe Ill be back one day, but this place was atmospheric, had good beer and was very lively. Rightly called a gem.
|
One of the best pubs in London. Well worth seeking out. Excellent St Peter's beers. As others have said, often very crowded - much better now there's no smoking though, even when busy. Get there before the post work rush & enjoy a quiet pint, then stay with the after work crowd for another two or three.
SA162 - 14 Dec 2007 20:11 |
Great pub with lovely beers. Gets crowded, understandably.
|
A little difficult to find but well worth the effort. Definitely a pub for standing outside, mainly because there is only really enough room inside for those waiting at the bar. Wonderful old building, a bit like walking into someone�s front parlour. Friendly service and of course they serve the full range of St Peters beers both bottled and on draught.
|
Best time to enjoy this special pub is late lunchtime and early afternoon, when it's not so rammed with drinkers enjoying the very special beers from the St Peter's Brewery.
That said, it's also enjoyable when thoroughly crowded...
A gem.
Cheers,
|
Best time to enjoy this special pub is late lunchtime and early afternoon, when it's not so rammed with drinkers enjoying the very special beers from the St Peter's Brewery.
That said, it's also enjoyable when thoroughly crowded...
A gem.
Cheers,
|
Really good. A lovely setting in and out. Excellent range and quality of beers. Stood outside between the buildings and had a super time.
|
My first visit to this fabled pub and was not disappointed. Tonsillitis meant that I was not really in a hugely beer drinking mood so limited to one pint of Porter but a pub dripping in character that I will definitely return to, even if no weekend opening means this may be restricted to my holiday times (school teacher!). I can see how it would have been pretty ripe pre-smoking ban!
|
A must if you are in the area, a small range of St Peters beers are sold on tap, with the bottled beers also weel to the fore in this somewhat cramped Pub.
|
A rare opportunity to enjoy St Peter's beer. Space is a bit tight and no weekend opening. Otherwise, a real gem.
|
This is a lovely, quaint pub, with a great range of ales. A bit of a trek for me, but worth it.
anonymous - 12 Sep 2007 22:43 |
The only downside to this pub is that it is closed at weekends. When I first visited a few years ago I wondered where the handpulls were, then noticed the cask ales are set into the wall behind the bar! It does get very busy, so a trip from the bar usually involves spilling some of your pint as elbows jab into you. About a two minute walk from Farringdon station.
Slake - 11 Sep 2007 18:26 |
Excellent beers in a friendly, cosy pub. The food is good too.
|
Spent a really lovely evening at this quaint pub. Staff were really helpful and explained about the (unusual)beers which were unfamiliar to me. The more I tried the more I liked them. St Peters is now on my favourites list. Cant wait to go there again.
|
A good pub and the only one that St Peters still owns, hence the near full range of their own beers in bottles (save for the seasonal ranges). The only down side is that whatever they have on cask can be a bit hit and miss at times and it is usually packed solid so it's best to get there in the afternoon or late evening! If you like St. Peters beers then you'll love this place, if not you won't, simple as that. Definitely worthy of repeated visits though.
|
This is a must visit pub, never disappointed.
|
Have visited twice in two weeks. Really enjoyed the varied selection of beers on here. Friendly and welcoming bar staff and crowd. The place has great character.
|
It's a unique pub: fine beers from St Peter's brewery, simple worn wood-panelled interior, handsome late Georgian shopfront, and tile representations of the seasons. Visit mid-afternoon if you can and then you'll probably get a table.
|
lovely quiet oasis - not quite sure what the dispense method actually is - obviously not gravity but beers pretty good
|
to the last person to leave a comment -
the beer is not served straight from barrels, the barrel ends are fake, the beer is pumped up from the cellar
the lady of a certain age isn't of a certain, she's early 30s, you cheeky bugger
anonymous - 8 May 2007 14:44 |
Wow went there for the first time on Wednesday and really enjoyed it. This pub sells the St. Peter brewery beers and having tried four of them in a crate of beer from Majestic Wine it was then great to try it for 'real' by draft! Small pub with really friendly staff (especially the lady of a certain age!) and the beer was fresh and served straight from the barrels behind the bar. If you get the chance you have to pay this bar a visit!
|
This pub would stand a fighting chance of being nominated in any "Best Pub in Britain" award. It's not as old as it looks, but never fails to impress with its range of tasty beers (including an ale without hops that is supposed to be an approximation of the tipple drunk in the Middle Ages) and some excellent fruit varieties - elderflower, anyone? Being as big as a shoebox is the pub's only drawback - the elevated snug which overlooks the compact bar is the best seat in the house.
|
Great range of beers all tasting perfect, worth s visit just to admire the superb interior. Can't wait to visit again.
|
Best bitter superb, lemon & ginger a bit hazy, but tasted good. can see it spilling well into the street when the smoking ban comes. Staff helpful. Will be back for a second visit!
kchef - 22 Apr 2007 20:08 |
This place is it. Character, character and more character. The only thing it has too much of is cigarette smoke which means street drinking, and this is quite OK too in this area. I will return
|
WAHEY!!! still the bis....Management change-but at least they've got some room temp stuff...EX-CELL-ENT!!
|
We had a good couple of pints of St Peters bitter but were not that inpressed with the green wood panelling interior. It was also incredibly smoky.
|
I enjoyed the Organic Ale, but didn't stay for more than one for two reasons. First, about three of the stillaged ales had only that morning been put in place, and so were not ready (not easy to justify when the pub owns the brewery, or vice versa). Second, the price of the food struck me as extortionate. �9.50 for shepherd's pie and green beans is bad enough, but �4.50 for lentil soup is the sort of stuff that gives showbusiness a bad name! I would have liked to try the pulpit mentioned by Mr Matt, but no luck. Still well worth a visit.
|
A fantastic range (both bottled and stillaged) of the St Peters ales that it's difficult to know where to start (or end). Darks, Milds, Bitters, Fruit...it's all here.
Very appreciative of the fact that bottles can be purchased chilled or at room temperature. Real fire was on the go when I visited on Friday, and the service was friendly and efficient.
Two minor quibbles - the dishwasher isn't doing a great job on the glasses (to the obvious embarassment of the barmaid) and our tabletop was loose and very precarious...'olde worlde' does not preclude basic maintainance!
Otherwise, a great place for beer and definately worth a good couple of hours on a weekday afternoon.
|
Pub was great with heaps of character and a good range of beers. Plenty of punters in good form. There was one strange chap wearing a wee vest however, who took up an entire table and sat on an OJ for an hour! They seem to pride themselves on their sausages and whilst I didn�t get to sample any I know Bradshaw would be well impressed!
|
Please bear in mind this pub is CLOSED AT WEEKENDS i do wish it was made clear on this site as it's more than a pain doing a crawl & turning up at a closed pub, That apart when it is open it has almost the full range of St.Peters beers which are interesting to say the least
|
Managed to get the little 2-seater upstairs (and fitted 3 of us around it) and greatly enjoyed watching the crowd below. Liked the beer range very much and the service was top-notch. Addthe proximity to the Smithfields restaurants and we found a great place to start the evening.
|
All the beers I've had in here have been excellent, especially the "old-style Porter" and the Organic ales.
Really like the wooden benches. One day I intend to get to the little 2-seater table on the tiny upstairs bit but It's never been free when I've been in there yet.
A little gem of a pub.
Seems to be closed on the weekend though???
|
Easy to miss at night, with the dark wooden door and lack or music playing. Instead a 'proper' old style traditional pub. Simple in concept, but warm in presense.
As other say, purely a St Peter's ale house (and a couple of lagers for thos not sure). Seems to vary with which of the St Peter's ales are on draught, but most of the range available in bottle. You even get a choice of chilled (from fridge) or room tempreture!
Just need to get their early to grab a seat, as the whole place is not that large. The best and creamy stout were in fine form. Just required a slightly slower start this morning...
|
Top quality pub with nice atmosphere and high quality ales. A relaxing place to spend a couple of hours - the intimacy of this place encourages good conversation, well worth checking out!
ssrai - 23 Jan 2007 09:10 |
Sadly Mr Toes, Dan is now gone. New management.
anonymous - 12 Jan 2007 00:17 |
Paid my first visit of the year this week, the mild was superb, Dan was his usual happy self and the clientele were as intelligent and sociable as always.Sadly the chef was ill so there was no great nosh available but who cares .
|
The St Peter's Bitter in here is, in my opinion, one of the best beers I know. The Gold is richer, sweeter, fuller-bodied but I prefer the earthier taste of the Bitter - that's just my opinion, but they are both most certainly worth the effort of visiting the Jerusalem.
|
Yes, bottles of lager are expensive because its a pub which is all about ale - St Peter's Ale. The ale is about the cheapest in the area (apart from dives like Wetherspoons etc).
anonymous - 26 Dec 2006 15:26 |
Was in this Pub last week. Very atmospheric and off the beaten track. Bought two bottle's of lager for �7.00, so not exactly cheap. Still, a hidden gem and definitely recommended.
|
Four draught ales available on Friday (08/12/06). Tried the Mild which was very good and the Suffolk Gold which lacked condition. Good selection of St Peters bottled beers available so we tried the Winter Ale (6.5% - �2.90) which was OK.
It looks like they have a real fire but it wasn't lit - which is a pity - as the pub had a cold feel to it, despite the fact it was packed.
|
Fantastic atmosphere and awesome beer.
You can buy some of the St Peter's range in a few off-licenses, but it doesn't taste as good as when served in the Jerusalem.
|
Woody, auldy worldy interior, tiny bar. St Peter's brewery beers. Nice. Went at 2pm yesterday and took a few minutes to be served, heard a couple of groups asking when their food would appear, but friendly enough and well worth a visit although I would avoid peak times as it must surely be uncomfortable when busy. Briefly featured in the beer episode of 'How London was built'.
|
Tried 3 bottled beers last night - Ruby Red, Lemon & Ginger, then Grapefruit to finish, as only cider remained on tap. All a good sup. Does get packed early on, but wait until post-work crush and you'll be rewarded (although the choice of beer diminishes). Good place to spend an evening, whatever you choose to get down your neck.
|
Fine beer, nice orginal unspoilt interior with no music or other distractions from enjoying a good pint and a chat. Best spot is right at the bar to ensure the next pint is never more than arms reach away.
|
I have been intending to go to this pub for about eighteen months, and it was well worth the wait. Don't know if I would class it as THE best pub in London, but it is certainly on the shortlist!
Exceptional range of beers both on draught and in bottles - I tried the Mild (on draught) and the bottled Old Porter. Both delicious. I will definitely be making further trips to this pub to sample the rest of the beers they have available. Atmosphere was also very pleasant - if you arrive shortly after the offices are emptying the pub will be packed (you would have to arrive very early to get a seat), but gradually quietens down as the evening wears on.
Unfortunately it is closed at weekends.
|
What a pub! Try and leave work early to get a seat ( on furniture that looks like it was carved by a previous landlord from any old wood he could get his hands on) as it fills up pretty quick. People stand out front in the summer months. Stupendous range of ales, both bottled and on tap, although some of the fruity numbers are just a little too weird for me.
|
at the right time, wonderful.
|
I regard the JT as a London classic, that despite having been operated for many years by a suffolk brewer (mercifully, not THAT Suffolk brewer!) still retains a genuine sub-East-End feel. It is tricky if you want to sit, but those of us happy (and able after too many St Peters ales) to remain perpendicular will have much to enjoy if a good boozer with character is what you're after. I hope to get back there soon.
|
Paid a repeat visit on 20th Sept. Pub fuller being a Wednesday evening - needed to wait approximately 10 minutes for an available seat. Arrived too late to try out any food but it all looked good on people's plates.
The mild was consistently flavoursome with that of my visit the previous week, and I also tried the Organic Ale. A very bitter beer @ 4.5%, russet-amber in colour; quite lemony and citric in-mouth, but bitterness prevails to a dry, satisfyingly bitter finish - Excellent.
The quality of the beer is so good that even staff (Danny?) drink here on days off!
It is tempting to try all the beers one evening, and the atmosphere is so pleasant here it is difficult to leave.
|
Of course I meant twenty past eight until eleven twenty in the evening! Also, one single line of advice to anyone taking home the bottled bitter (Original Best). The flavour is highly temperature-sensitive, best serve it at real ale temperature of about 12-13 degrees C. Don't over-chill it in the fridge as I made the mistake of doing. Was still good chilled over Sunday lunch but excellent a bit warmer.
|
Ladnewton - When you said you were here from 2020 until 2320 were you talking in terms of years? That's a long session!...good taste in pubs AND a time machine, a perfect combination!
Great beers, great pub.
|
Visited with a friend on Monday 11/09/06. The mild was absolutely packed with flavour and on great form. The bottled original Best Bitter, 3.7% had slightly more flavour than the organic Best Bitter on draught. In pub from 2020 until 2320; staff were friendly, well-informed and helpful. No food available on Monday but I intend to try the menu out on another day. That bottled beer was so good I took one home with me!
If you make an evening visit, go early in the week as I did and you will find it a lot less crowded than some of the previous commentators have experienced. A very pleasant time was had and I will return with a greater frequency than in the past!
|
Great place as only place I know that serves St Peter's on tap. Real pity it is closed on the weekend as I don't live in London so can't often visit.
|
Food is served between 5pm and 10pm too... Same great chef, but differeent food to lunchtime. I had the burger.... AWESOME!
anonymous - 2 Sep 2006 13:45 |
interior only 10 years old
anonymous - 31 Aug 2006 17:29 |
Ancient interior and always smokey/busy.
Very interesting fruit beers from St Peters Brewery.
Enjoyed the grapefruit.
nebel - 31 Aug 2006 17:14 |
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE BRUCE THE SOUTH AFRICAN GUY WHO WAS THE GUVNOR ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO WENT ?
HE WAS A GOOD MATE OF MINE,I RAN A PUB ON OLD STREET THEN I MOVED TO IRELAND.OH YEAH, GREAT PUB.
|
Superb pub - good atmosphere & friendly staff - remarkably good home-made fresh food (obviously a good chef on the premises) at reasonable prices - but sadly food only served until 3pm and pub closed at weekends. St Peters' beers well kept and served but session bitter at 3.7% was not available during my visit - stronger organic bitter at 4.0% good though if a little too stong for my consumption! I will definitely return.
|
Lovely pub, let down by badly kept beer in my experience
|
Was certainly full of suits on my lunchtime visit but that reflects an area honey-combed with lawyers. Both the Organic and the Golden Ale on draught were superb.
|
A good pub, different , good service, stPeters beers and when i was last there (a Thurs pm) a grown up crowd of beer drinkers. Never seen it "full of suits" - more likely to meet beards on bikes in my experience.
|
The pub is named after the nearby Priory of St John Jerusalem founded in 1140. A gatehouse is the only significant part of the priory still visible. Do visit the pub though, it is a cracker!
|
I've not been to this pub, but am wondering why it is so called. I mean - the lovely city of Jerusalem is not renowned for its pubs.
|
About to lose its guv'nor
anonymous - 27 Jul 2006 13:23 |
Decent enough pub, slightly out of the ordinary, but they struggle to keep the beer cool during the summer.
|
Dreadful place.
Converted in to a pub about 10 years ago by someone with the historical instinct of a whelk.
The St Peter's beers are ok when on form but otherwise go to a proper old pub like the Mitre in Ely Place.
Full of suits which should say it all.
|
My first visit to this pub was very enjoyable. Went at about 3.00pm in the afternoon and was served a very nice pint of St Peter's Golden Ale. This pub has a lot of character, it is however a city pub so on afternoons expect suits galore
|
Wow!
What a place. I'd long wanted to visit what I'd heard was a tiny but amazing pub and was duly introduced a while back on a crawl. They don't get much smaller than this and you'll be hard-pressed to get within sight of the bar when it's busy but it's well worth seeking out. The St. Peter's ales - particularly its unusual bottled range - are all here and damned good they are too.
Get in early and chain yourself to the bar!
|
I Stand corrected!
Thanks to Gueuzefan for putting me right here! When I were at the JT last time it was a mate buyin the round in last thing on an 8-pinter Clerkenwell crawl. Still gets 6/10 as the beers are good most of the time. Problm with [this] site is that you can't go back and edit mistakes in your own comment boxes - that would be nice.
|
Everyone was outside when I went here. So plenty of space inside. Great couple of pints at the usual high standard that I expect from this pub. If you like your ale you must go here.
|
Good...but not that good. A diverese selection of ales is hampered by having no space to drink in, and it also gets somewhat lost in its hollow "isn't this historic?" image.
Still, if you are there when the beer is on and it is not standing room only, this pub is worth a visit.
|
I don't think Tim Taylors would add anything. I like the concept of the tied house. Tied houses ENCOURAGE diversity in the market. If this sounds counterintuitive, think about it for a moment and you will see I am right.
anonymous - 5 Jun 2006 18:03 |
Might be a bit dear but worth it for all the St Peter's brews - including a wheat beer on a recent visit. Pity you hardly see any of their beers elswhere in London's freehouses.
|
Beer does vary a bit. It *IS* real ale - dispensed thru hand pumps etc, but sometimes comes up a bit flat. On a good day & there are many of these its well worth goin in for one or 2 of them but this place just gets too crowded for its own good. Be nice if there was a guest beer like timmy taylors in here. All behind the bar friendly when I were last there but I could not say the pub's cheap.
|
One of the best pubs in London if not the world, quality beer.
|
The quality of the ale is questionnable at times, you're never quite sure if the pint will be spot on or past its sell-by date. Shame because I really like the place.
|
You are talking nonsense. I was in the Jerusalem the last two nights having a great time, and happened last night to ask Dan the barman (he's the little fella) how the beer reaches the tap from the cellar. Of course the beers sit in their sediment - they are served from casks. Do you think if they weren't St Peter's would have got away with it all these years?
I can't be bothered to explain how the pump mechanism works but suffice to say this pub serves real ale and if you don't believe me ask next time you are in and you will receive a full explanation of the slightly unusual, but by no means unique, dispensing system here.
anonymous - 20 May 2006 13:29 |
A bit tight at times but an interesting pub. There is some debate if the beers are really cask (as in, sitting on their sediment), because they are served from tanks via air pressure, they may well be using bright beer for this purpose. St Peters, are actually a very average brewery, several of their beers are terrible and the rest are mediocre, but they are all here for you to try. Not the best pub in London or the second best in the country by any means. Market Porter, Royal Oak and Beer Circus are all better for a start.
|
Ah, that's a shame.
Even less excuse for keeping the beers so poorly then.
|
The other two pubs have shut. The Jerusalem is the only one left.
|
No, they have two other pubs (neither in London).
I went again recently with a friend and the beer was really not very well kept at all - my organic bitter was almost undrinkable. It is just never reliable in quality alas. Shame, as I like the place and the beer range.
|
this is a superb pub with a cracking beer menu from st peter`s brewery their only pub(what a shame)pub well run with excellent barman/manager food looked good to
|
ABO-SOL-UTE-ELY THE BEES KNEES!!....Great pub!...Had the draught Old Porter & Cream Stout-also had the Aspulls cider and (my personal favourite)the Honey Porter from the bottle.......Everyone of them was totally top notch....The only slight gripe I had was that the Honey Porter was too cold to really get the flavour as its served from the fridge...The same thing happens with Taddy Porter in Sam Smiths houses.
Mentioned this to the barman-who admitted it was a problem with space-but said to speak to him next time I'm in and he'll get a few room temp ones from the cellar-CLASS BLOKE!
Sat down by the table up the steps in the middle of the pub-I think this is the place from where you can see Jerusalem!....
Stonkingly good Pub -pity you can only give a maximum score of 10 on this site!
|
One point I would like to make about this pub - there is no weak lager option, only a quality german lager on tap. So Fosters drinkers will hate it (we all know who I am referring to).
anonymous - 31 Mar 2006 12:32 |
I'm a fat lass and I was fine in this pub :)
It was a nice little boozer - my husbands an ale drinker so loved it - I had some lovely cider there and found that although it was quite a basic looking pub it didn't lack atmosphere in any way. I did think that it got far too busy far too quickly though and a lot of braying into mobiles occured! My only disappointment was the opening of the back door to let out the cigarette smoke - sorry but it was about zero degrees outside!!!
|
this one is exymondo but not a place for fat people. Although I have no problem with fat people and they are welcome there as far as I'm concerned!
|
The only reason I can see why someone wouldn't like this is if they have absolutely NO interest in good beer and if they came when it was too crowded.
anonymous - 9 Mar 2006 11:46 |
Well that was informative... what didn't you like?
|
Extremely disappointing pub. After a 1/2 hour trip and being promised the Earth, I couldn't wait to leave!
|
Best pub in London? Its in the running, certainly. Amazing cask ales (pot luck what they have on - which adds to the fun) with all the old favourites and the odds and sods from the St Peter's range. Decent food too. Great staff. Great fun.
|
On an uncrowded night, this is as close to heaven as you'll get in Farringdon.
Nice pub, good service, and St Peter's ales. All of them top-drawer stuff.
Just down the road is a very good Tandoori restaurant. Another reason to visit the area!
|
if you want pine and ikea dont go if you like beer and boozers that have a pulse this is a start
anonymous - 2 Mar 2006 19:47 |
Thanks Stonch. Was obviously given wrong info.
|
Delirium - it wasn't closed on Monday night (two days ago) when we had dinner and a few pints in there so no fear about closure.
anonymous - 15 Feb 2006 10:30 |
Certain friends say the JT is 'tatty'. Well it's not exactly pristine but has a tremendous natural atmosphere. The place seems to breed contentment and laughter. Excellent barstaff, St Peter's beeers always on form. I have heard that the pub is currently closed. Can anybody advise?
|
The staff are probably the most friendly, efficient, and helpful in all of London. I met up with some friends one night and although the place was rammed, the staff were great hosts and really took the time to deliver quality service. Great experience. Incredible beer, particularly the Porter. Finally, I've eaten there twice and both times have found the food to be delicious and at a fair price.
|
Has started doing decent food in the evening. Extremely limited menu but its all good stuff and great value. Had a lovely time in here last night. They seem to have started getting in a variety of casks again which is good - for a month or so it was the same stuff night after night.
anonymous - 14 Feb 2006 13:47 |
A great pub. Good atmosphere with excellent choice of St Peters Ales. Helpful staff. When it goes no smoking it will be as near to paradise as you get!
|
If you're a bearded, big-bellied Camra member, it's like you've died and gone to pub heaven. And if you're quite normal it's a fun place to drink on a quiet afternoon. As so many people have noted, evenings are a no-go.
|
This place is getting so packed these days I am tempted to give it a 0/10 just to steer people away!
Everytime I go these days they only ever seem to have a Best, Golden and a Fruit beer on draught - no Mild, no Cream Stout, no Honey Porter (this time last year they always had at least two of those on).
Slightly annoying when you can't get in the door because groups of office workers exclusively drinking lager are in attendance...
anonymous - 1 Feb 2006 12:17 |
Excellent range of quality beers - definitely a 9 or 10 out of 10!
|
This is my favorite pub in all London. I'm afraid to recommend it to too many people, because it already gets too crowded when the five-o-clockers show up. Go in the early afternoon, especially early in the week, and try their fantastic sandwiches. The staff is friendly and know their beer (and the St. Peter's line is just excellent). There's no annoying TV, the pub is small without feeling cramped (except for the later afternoon) and while I'd like it even better if smokers were confined to the outdoor seating, I've not yet found a better place to really sit and enjoy a good beer in relaxing surroundings.
Just do me a favor and don't tell anyone about it, okay?
|
a cool place. very good beer and friendly wait/barstaff. the one table loft up the stairs and across from the bar is probably one of the coolest interior pub spots in all of London (a primitive book-end to the Blackfriar's marble/alibaster room). wonderful selection of St. Peters brews...also for sale in bottle at the bar for take home.
|
I've always gone for the beer and have finally tried the food. Great. Wonderful pub, good food, great staff. One of my favorites, but yes, smoke filled. 9/10.
|
Wonderful.
|
Fabulous beer and really friendly. Revoltingly smokey though as there is no ventilation and it is a small place. Deffo worth a visit tho'.
|
This pub is the damn good in London,damn services, the condition is damn good,and the beer is f***ing awesome!
|
I haven't managed to visit for a couple of years now, but the comments below suggest it's as good as ever, if not better. I used to like whiling away a couple of hours here in the afternoon, when it was reasonably quiet. A shame for me personally that it shuts at weekends, like many City pubs. The St.Peter's Cream Stout (6.5% ABV) is fantastic - probably one of my favourite half dozen cask beers ever.
|
This cracking little pub is rapidly becoming a victim of its own popularity, bursting at the seams nightly (and at lunchtime) as the word spreads. Nonetheless, if you can make it in early and grab a table it's still a fabulous local.
The atmosphere is friendly and sociable (expect to share your table and possibly actually talk to the strangers at the other end) and the beer is divine. Food is lunchtime only, but excellent - I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes, even over the super-busy Christmas period.
Also serves the delicious Fentiman's bottled soft drinks as an alternative to the usual fizz.
|
Nice place, friendly guy at the bar who was suspiciously well-informed about the Singing Thai Elvis restaurant. Smell of cooking food when we stumbled in was distinctly pleasing.
Not sure there's any room for more staff.
Great place for a random pre lunch random lager thing. Otherwise a bit tiny in the evening.
|
Wonderful, wonderful beers, licensee Steve and his team and great, wonderfully quirky place in a brilliant area for a pub crawl - a beer lover's paradise. My favourites are the Cream Stout and the Honey Porter, though the Mild is nice if you want to take it easy.
The pub is a victim of its own success to some extent - it does get annoying having to fight through a crowd of people drinking the one lager on offer (Bitburger) to get a look in on the real ales. Recently this has got worse because the brewery (St Peters in Suffolk) that owns the pub has been doing a lot of self-promotion.
anonymous - 15 Dec 2005 10:24 |
This is one of the greatest pubs in London. Well worth seeking out.
Food service isn't as quick as some would like, but then if you want quick (and fairly naff), you eat in Wetherspoons or McDonalds. It's worth waiting for and the aroma of cooking permeates the whole pub.
Beer is outstanding even ignoring the fact that St Peters beers are very rare as guests anywhere else.
Best appreciated outside the dreaded early evening period when the inhabitants of nearby offices fill it up.
|
Superb little pub. Little is the word. Can get crowded most nights with Friday being the worst.
It's gotta be said. If you want a random after work bar in which to drink random after work lagers. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! Leave this for people who'll actually appreciate the fine St Peters ales on offer.
And the pork scratchings aint bad either.
|
Serves well kept St Peter's Beers, not often found and a welcome change from Fullers etc in an historic building with lots of little rooms rather than one big bar.
It wasn't too busy the evening we visited but I guess it can get packed with 'City' types, so pick your time wisely but do try it!
|
To wait 40 minutes for a steak sandwich and a sausage and mash is inexcusable on any day and certainly mid-week. If the bar is that busy - get MORE staff! Eventually left after asking for a refund.
anonymous - 28 Oct 2005 14:01 |
Gets so full on a Friday night you can't sit down. Last time I were there I had to stand at the bar with less than a metre square standing space. So a popular pub. Beer not bad tho, a bit dear maybe, all St Peters beers. Needs a building twice the size to make drinking more comfortable inside.
Worth going in when "crawling" Faringdon which, I am finding out, is full of good pubs like this.
|
I love this pub. A real ale drinkers palace. Serves St Peters beer and must be one of the only places that does. Well worth a walk from Farringdon Station. Been there a number of times and the atmosphere is always welcoming.
|
Superb beer and a nice atmosphere well worth a visit.
|
load of pretentious b*lllocks
anonymous - 12 May 2005 23:32 |
This pub is a bit too small especially in the evenings when it can get very busy. The St Peter's beer range is excellent and the draught ales are served under air pressure from taps on fake cask ends. There was one lager when I was there last (I think it was Bitburger) and the St Peter's ales not available on draught can be had in their unique bottles. I have been disappointed that they have had their organic best bitter on draught rather than the ordinary one (I prefer English hops to the Hallertau used in the organic) but the beers are excellent and well kept. The floor is wonky but the tables are wonky too so it is possible to get them to sit flat without rocking if you line the table legs up properly. Definitely a pub with character and atmosphere.
anonymous - 10 May 2005 22:40 |
Enjoyed the St. Peter's range, there is real strength in depth here, particularly the honey porter and cream stout. Not the most spacious establishment but the quality of the beer and the friendly landlord more than makes up for this. Small but yet perfectly formed, there are few better pubs in the area.
|
I visited midday then the place was virtually empty. Not sure it would be as enjoyable when its packed to the gills. The St. Peter's was very well kept and a nice break from the Fuller's/Young's domination of London.
anonymous - 27 Mar 2005 03:27 |
Honey Porter......paradise in a pint glass!!..The other beers aren`t bad either!..Excellent if you can find a table....bit of a bind standing outside...but the beers are terrific & if you get there during working hours its not too crowded...One of my favourite watering holes.
|
If you want real ale in a pub that is "back to basics" but nice and cosy, this is the place. No Fosters, Stella Artois, John Smiths etc. served here.
Well worth seeking out. The only pub I know of where people are standing on the pavement outside drinking in February. Can get smokie if busy.
|
This pub is great - a little too small for comfort at times, but great. Unfortunately as it is quite busy they do tend to run out of some of their (excellent) St Peter's beers. Only open on weekdays which is fine by me. Usually at least one St Peter's beer on keg too, which is nice. Definitely worth visiting - check out the cream stout and the strong ale. Lovely.
|
Old converted clockmakers shop serving St Peters Ale including an Organic Ale. Tiny Bar but well worth a visit
|
Great beer from Peter's brewery, had the bitter, the ale and a great pint of Lemon and Ginger Ale. My mate went for the 'spiced apple' which was a bit of a mistake, it was dark as ditchwater and a bit caustic.
Other than that, the interior is a fine wood and tile affair that doesn't look like it has been changed for years. This place really has a feel of old London about it. (Despite the barstaff being two hard-core Russian New Romantic girls).
The crowd inside are usually good, honest beer drinking folk but you do get the odd well-feb alpha-male talking loudly about his boat. The pub is good enough to risk encountering them, though.
|
Happened across by pure accident as they had their A board on Clerkenwell road. Great little spot though it did smell a bit weird :)
Jack Knight - 24 Aug 2004 12:17 |
The ambience is good, the beer sare excellent but sadly variable in quality as I don't think they are kept as well as they could be. On one visit in every four I have been served with cloudy or off beer (explanations have ranged from "it's hot today" to "it's a new barrel" - both of which are just not good enough).
When it *is* godo however, it's very good indeed.
|
I visited this pub on a saturday night and the music was quite funky. Was really nice to find a place selling alcohol at reasonable prices, and the food was good too.
Would recommend it to anyone!
gemma Wynn - 3 Jun 2004 11:30 |
Fab pub! Fab food/drink and fab staff!
What more can you want.
rio - 24 May 2004 14:47 |
Could this be the Best Pub in London?... It's a little Bobby Dazzler!!
D. Dickinson - 24 Mar 2004 11:16 |
the City of London has lots of great pubs scattered around, but this is probably still one of the best. not much room, but a good atmosphere and a fine mix of people as well.
|
Good beer
Good food
Nuff said
Grynster - 5 Mar 2004 17:28 |
A small and very traditional pub surprisingly hidden away near the City. For the area and quality I didn't think the beer was expensive, merely reasonable.
There is no musack and this is a place where you go to talk and socialise - a wonderful find.
PS Would thoroughly recommend "the Cheese Platter".
Stephen - 7 Jan 2004 09:26 |
A wide range of interesting and tasty beers, and the traditional style seems quite authentic. Pleasant atmosphere but most nights you need to arrive early to get a seat.
Tim - 2 Jan 2004 16:04 |
Who cares about the size of the pub when the beer's this good?
I'd rather spend one expensive night in here then two cheap ones in any other pub.
bigboaby - 18 Dec 2003 09:38 |
Superb beers, old-world charm, one of the most distinctive pubs in London. Loved it.
Jonny Jones - 21 Nov 2003 16:44 |
The pub is a bit on the small side but otherwise it is a great place. A huge range of St Peters' beers - there are very few pubs in London that still serve mild. No fancy decor, overly loud music or silly stuff inside, you go there for the beer, and while it is expensive, you get what you pay for. If you want an underfilled pint of cheap lager go to O'Neill's or Yates. The staff here are friendly and know their beer.
Adam - 12 Nov 2003 14:12 |
Really fabulous sandwiches.
Miranda - 2 Oct 2003 08:38 |
Everythin's good about this pub apart from the price of the beers. The beer is good, but just a little overpriced. However its ok if you are doin a crawl round the area where you'll find the Sekforde Arms and O'Hanlon's nearby which are good, but easier on your wallet.
anonymous - 18 Sep 2003 19:42 |
Fantastic beer, worth standing for.
Anthony Walker - 10 Sep 2003 15:12 |
Great beer but too small. Worth it just for the beers though.
Meister - 4 Aug 2003 16:23 |
Superb beer. Pub is on the small side though; so best go on a sunny day (like today!) and sup on the pavement. 9/10.
Darren in the City - 11 Jul 2003 08:34 |
It has a funny musty smell, like stale cheese. Non existant managment.
Brian - 11 Jul 2003 01:23 |
spartan repro of yesteryear alehouse with scrubwood tables and great beer!
jackmac - 22 Jan 2003 18:15 |
Small pub of the St Peter's brewery. Excellent range of ales and good hot and cold lunches. Small seating area inside but punters usually spill out into the street on warm days.
Steve - 4 Jul 2002 11:56 |
