Ye Olde Mitre

Photos and First Impressions

The Hidden Pub

The Secret Garden

Entrance Marker on Hatton Garden

Corridor Approaching the Pub

Yet Another Side Passageway

Bar and Front Room

Rear Room

Chronicling from the Barstool

 

Ye Olde Mitre’s story is one of controversy and mystery, and who doesn’t love that? The pub proudly displays its founding date throughout the premises: 1546. It traces its lineage to the Bishop of Ely, who built the pub to serve those in his employ.

 

Trouble is, London records date the establishment to 1773. My guess is that some form of the pub probably did exist in the 1500s, but the records reflect the beginnings of the current structure. That would seem to line up with the stories of several other old pubs throughout the city.

 

I’m going with 1546 as the founding date, if for no other reason than it preserves a likely apocryphal story regarding Queen Elizabeth I. Apparently, in the company of Sir Christopher Hatton, she danced around a cherry tree that once adorned the grounds.

 

As for the mystery, that lies more in its hidden location. I’m including a map here for reference so you can appreciate the oddity of it. The pub is located on Ely Court, but to call it a street is a misnomer. I’m not even sure it qualifies as an alley. If anything, it’s more akin to a private cobblestone drive. As such, the structure lies behind the posh homes of Ely Place and the jewelry stores along Hatton Garden (familiar names!). The only indication that a pub even exists back there is a small marker above the Ely Court entrance on Hatton Garden; there’s nothing at all on the Ely Place side.

 

The plus side of the private drive is that you can do most anything you want with it. The Mitre chose to scatter seating and greenery throughout the corridors surrounding the pub, with the barrel tables and planters at the front adding a nice touch of the traditional. Since the weather cooperated, that was my chosen spot, and given the relative seclusion from the busy streets, it felt like I was in small, medieval courtyard.

 

The pub has only two rooms, each of decent size. The front room houses the main bar and features a cozy little fireplace, surrounded by a handful of small tables. The rear room is a bit larger. Each features dark wood paneling along the walls, with a wide array of cups, mugs, and tankards suspended from the ceiling.

 

Overall I found it to be a rather charming spot, somewhat surprising considering its location in a bustling business district. The scavenger hunt to find it was well worth the effort.

 

Also in the pub’s founding year of 1546…

• Henry VIII rules England alongside his sixth and final wife.
• Treaty of Ardres ends the Italian War of 1542-1546, bringing peace between England and France—for a while, anyway.
• Christ Church at Oxford refounded under its new name.
• Trinity College founded at Cambridge.
• Spanish conquer the Yucatán.
• Michelangelo appointed chief architect of St. Peter’s Basilica.

  

On Draught

 

Oliver’s Island Golden Ale

Fuller’s Cheswick

3.8% ABV

 

As you would expect from a golden ale, it delivers on a light, crisp flavor. Somewhat surprisingly, however, it has a subtle yet noticeably hoppy aftertaste. I like that little bite. Adds some character.