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After briefly dabbling as a German bar under the unwieldy moniker of Zeitgeist at the Jolly Gardners, this cherished Victorian cornerhouse has returned to its roots. Pun intended.
The Jolly Gardeners shed its Teutonic links in the wake of Brexit and the pandemic. It was relaunched in 2021 by a group of friends who shared an ethos "to open an honest and welcoming public house, with food central to its ethos and offering, where they would all genuinely love to enjoy a pint together".
And they've pretty much cracked it. This remains a welcoming, modern space in which to enjoy a drink or two, with mostly locally sourced beer from the likes of Kernal and By the Horns. A couple of German ales remain on tap, as a nod to the recent past. The decor's also got a lot lighter. Gone are the dark green tones in favour of pure white, interspersed with real plants. Jolly gardening indeed.
The pub puts a strong focus on food — not surprising given the owners have worked for the likes of Oblix and Polpo. Fresh takes on pub classics (plant-based fish and chips sounds tempting) are the order of the day.
Be sure to seek out the secret garden round the back — a delightful spot to hide from work on a sunny summer's day. Oh, and take a peak in the alley behind the pub for a delightful old cottage.
