Jolly Sailor, Poole

Official site of Jolly Sailor - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of Jolly Sailor - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

An old historic pub ruined by Greene King, despite five handpumps all clips were turned on a Sunday lunchtime.

This GK bar and restaurant is a historic pub that dates back to the early 19th century "a former landlord of the pub was famous for the number of times he dived off the quay to save people" (http://www.pooletourism.com/page/ref:I483ED26E32D39/)and has stopped exerting its fascination: modern decor and bland GK furniture do not help the caue. There are four pumps, three of them were on serving the following GK owned ales: Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale and IPA. I haven't tried IPA, but the former two were in an acceptable state. Food isn't more expensive than next doors Spoons, but much tastier and definitely of good quality. Half-dead during the day (when breakfast, tea and cakes are served) it is very busy late in the night. I would not go there for a pint, but rather for dancing or a cheap meal.

A narrow-fronted Greene King quayside pub, dating from around 1830, quite claustrophobic, consisting of a single long bar with a parquet floor. At the front is a roped off terrace with bench seating and tables for diners. It was quite noisy, despite there being plenty of room to sit, possibly due to the tv screens and lots of large people. The decor is a bit dreary, but the staff are, like the eponymous sailor, jolly. Food was very bland-looking. There were 3 ales on, two from GK and a guest, American Pale Ale. The latter wasn't that exciting but did seem to be well kept. I'd be happy to come back on a crawl or just for a few beers.