Ye Olde Mitre Inne, Barnet

The best of the pubs I visited in Barnet by a distance, The Mitre is a genuinely historic old coaching inn with low beamed ceilings, exposed brickwork, beams and posts. The front bar had a little gaggle of friendly drinkers gathered around the bar counter, many keen to make suggestions regarding the beer selection. There were five on on Monday, I understand they gear up to six at weekends. Adnams Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Black Sheep Bitter, Brains Reverend James and Redemption Urban Dusk. I fancied the Redemption but was wary in case it was a stout or similar (it wasn't) but the barman cheerfully offered me a shot glass taster. There is a simple pricing structure, up to 3.9% £3.05, 3.9-4.9% £3.20 and £3.30 for those of around 5%. Beers can be bought in thirds. You need to mind your head as you step down from the front to the side passage where there is a tiled fireplace and some small bench seats along a side wall. The pub opens out more down a few steps to the rear, this is where the majority of the seating is. Quiet music was playing, TV is limited to the separate coverted stable bar to the back. Smokers and outdoor drinkers are catered for in the covered "Coachway Lounge" which is the old coach and horses drive through. Good honest food served with sausages a speciality, the "guest sausage" was Bolognese, served with mash or chips and gravy, £9.95. Local CAMRA POTY 2011, this is a must do if in Barnet.

Great well kept beer range as well as cider (old rosie seems the norm), well worth a visit.

Situated on the High Street up the hill from High Barnet Tube Station is Ye Olde Mitre Inne, a 17th century coaching inn. Outside, above the original coaching inn entrance, we learn that the pub was established in 1636. Inside, we learn that General Monck stayed at the inn on his way to London to restore Charles II to the throne after the reign of Oliver Cromwell. A split level interior features dark beams, low ceilings, extensive wood panelling and a traditionally decorated interior pleasingly free of the usual promotional drinks posters. The pub describes itself as offering a “centuries old community drinking experience” which, based on my visit, would appear to be a fair description. Two real fireplaces add to the warm and welcoming feel. Several old beer related framed posters reflect the pub’s real ale emphasis. Outside is a large courtyard together with former stables converted into a separate TV room – imaginatively named the Stables Lounge. There is no separate bar servery for this room. Beers on – approx 6 in total – included Adnams, Landlord, Brakspears and Woodforde Wherry. The enterprising management clearly make full use of the guest beer range available to them through Punch Taverns and, on a subsequent visit the following day, Holts Two Hoots and Summer Lightning had come on as replacements. On both visits, all beers sampled by me were priced at £ 2.90p and in good form. This is clearly a drinkers pub and seems to attract the more mature and discerning local pub goer. It’s been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular in recent years. This place is way above average for a high street pub and you should certainly make a point of popping in if the opportunity presents itself.

Randomness Guide to London - Olde Mitre entry

Randomness Guide to London - Olde Mitre entry

This is a good pub and my couple of pints of Adnams were very nice. I also spotted Abbot, Double Maxim and another ale that I forget the name of along with some standard lagers. Whilst I was waiting for a drink the governor chucked a couple of regulars out whom he said had drunk enough and along with a few people at the bar I thought that they were fine. There is a surprisingly large garden out the back and some covered seating in the alleyway under an arch at the side of the pub. This is a good pub with some nice ales and I wouldn't mind returning, I'll just make sure I'm not loud and that I don't get drunk!

Fantastic traditional ale pub, just a short walk from High Barnet tube station. There was a great selection of beer on offer including London Pride, Black Sheep, TT Landlord, Deuchars IPA and an outstanding Caledonian Double Dark, which I went and sat in front of the roaring open fire in the back room - the perfect way to thaw out on a cold winter's evening. The pub has lots of character and seems pretty popular, given that the front room was packed out when I arrived. Staff were friendly and helpful and as soon as one beer went off, they were quick to ensure it was replaced with something else. Very enjoyable - this will be my first port of call next time I'm in Barnet.

A single pub with a rear drinking area. Has 3 real ales on tap with one of them rotating.Quite a nice pub with friendly staff. 5 minutes walk (Up a steep hill) from High Barnet tube station.