This pub has been voted by our readers as one of the best in Stoke Newington. See the full list of winners here.
This pub was editorially chosen among the best in London for Sunday roasts.
The Jolly Butchers made an immediate impact on Stoke Newington when it reopened at the start of the decade. Just around the corner from Church Street, this knowingly back-to-basics ‘ale and cider house’ is a welcome addition to a vicinity which at times seems in danger of becoming engulfed under a wave of organic baby food and kooky home furnishings.
The array of beers on offer reflects the eclectic and independent residents of N16. Ranging from microbrewery ales, through real ciders and perrys, to German weissbeers, Belgian kriek and quality lagers, it should provide something to slake the thirst of even the most demanding drinkers.
The bottled beers on offer include some relatively familiar names (Chimay, Delerium Tremens, and Brooklyn) as well as more unusual choices (The Belgian Fleur Chocolat, for example, is clearly for adventurous souls.)
A good range of wines are also displayed on a board behind the bar, and a reasonably priced menu of appetising (though relatively no-frills) dishes is prepared in an open kitchen in the corner. The German sausage platter is particularly popular, and the perfect side-nibble for a beery session.
In keeping with the theme of doing things simply but well, the decor here is minimal and lets the building’s natural space and light speak for itself. The ultra-critical may carp about the lack of comfy seating or secluded corners – but the open setup adds to the friendly and convivial atmosphere. Alas, the pub might be considered a victim of its own success. It's rare to find a free table in this ever-bustling pub, so visit in the afternoons or a Monday evening if you're after a quieter time.
