Ye Olde Mitre
1 Ely Court London EC1N 6SJ
Hidden down a side alley between Hatton Garden & Ely Place, and easily missed, Ye Olde Mitre is a hidden gem of a pub with a fascinating history. A traditional place with friendly staff and a fine real ale selection, it regularly wins awards (most recently it was Town Pub of the Year 2012 in the Good Pub Guide Awards). The date on the sign says 1547, but this version of the Mitre was actually built around 1772, as part of the Palace of the Bishops of Ely in Cambridgeshire, which is why there are archaic laws about this still being under Cambridgeshire jurisdiction.
It’s not a foodies pub at all – the menu, such as it is, is simple and limited (pickled egg, anyone?) – but everyone gets a warm welcome, and there are two bars downstairs, including a ‘snug’ that can be reserved, and extra seating upstairs. There’s no garden, but drinkers often gather in the beer barrel area in front of the building in warm weather.