Ye Olde Mitre Inne, Barnet

This historic real ale pub ( winner of several local CAMRA awards back in the day ) went through a period of flux and uncertainty after the long term landlord Gary Murphy decided to leave in July 2021, when Greene King made him an offer he could not refuse to buy back the remaining five years of his lease. Then GK submitted plans to refurbish the pub which included moving the front door entrance and replacing some of the 14th century wooden beams with steel ones. These were rightly challenged and a much more modest renovation took place in May. After hearing from the local CAMRA branch that the ale situation has improved since the days of uncertainty I decided to pay it a revisit last week and found it back to a level of rude health. The refurb, from what I remember before, did seem largely cosmetic, in the form of a new lick of paint, some new furniture, and mainly changes to the outside courtyard drinking area, where there is now a retractable roof and a brick-built chimenea. And on the ale front it does appear that GK are continuing to honour the guest ale policy and alongside the permanent TT Landlord, GK IPA and Abbott were Portobello Market Porter, Wantsum Indy’s Golden Ale, Mad Squirrel Admiral New Zealand IPA and Leigh on Sea Legra Pale Ale. I tried the Portobello Stout followed by the Mad Squirrel brew and both were in good nick and made even more enjoyable by the fact that the pub currently has a 25% off a pint promotion for card carrying CAMRA members until the end of October.

Official site of Ye Olde Mitre Inne - www.greeneking.co.uk

Official site of Ye Olde Mitre Inne - www.greeneking.co.uk

A great,authentic interior awaits any visitor. The exterior etched glass is matched by internal wood panelling,low ceilings and a multi section internal space leading to a stables lounge and the beer garden.The best bit are to the front,most handpumps serve a front section,while opposite the side servery are some rich red button backed bench seats.A lower rear lounge has comfy chairs and an attractive fireplace.It all felt very cosy.The photos on the walls of Barnet past are most interesting. There is some modernity if you look for it,the two coal effect fires are gas,while there is a middle of the road muzak soundtrack,not really needed when there is a good hubub inside. You need to inspect both sets of handpumps to see the full range which on my trip was two real ciders,Black Sheep Bitter,GK Abbott and Abbott Reserve,TT Landlord and Tring Sidepocket for a Toad (NBSS 3).Maybe not the most exciting range ,with lots of national brands and this may reflect on the Pubco.ownership. However it deserves it's GBG entry and is probably the best place to sup ale in Barnet.It's worth a visit for the interior alone.

A wonderful old pub with a number of inter-connecting areas gently descending through several levels until you reach the small garden to the rear. There is a nice mix of wood,stone,brick and plaster throughout.The beer selection was good on my visit,T.T Landlord and Boltmaker, Deuchars IPA, Moor Raw,Adnams Southwold,Dark Star Hophead,Greene King Abbot and Burning Sky Aurora which was in top condition. There was also a nod to the future with a couple of craft taps as well as bottles and cans. A great pub.

This pub is thankfully unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit a couple of years ago. It's a veritable TARDIS of a pub, which stretches back from the old bar area at the front, back through rooms and corridors to the old stables from its coaching inn days which have been brought into pub use. There's a garden at the back, which can be something of a sun trap when the weather's right. The front bar's the most interesting spot in my view, with the leaded glass panel above the servery; wood panelled walls, and even a 40-year old fruit machine of the one-armed bandit variety. There were seven ales one, with a couple of handpumps unused. I didn't make a complete note of the beers, but I had something light and hoppy from Bedlam Brewery, and I also recall seeing Spitfire, Landlord, Deuchars and beers from Adnam's and Jaipur breweries. This pub has good beer, is very comfortable with plenty of historic pub atmosphere. That works for me. A winner in my book.