For nearly a decade, a dedicated group of six friends from across the UK has been undertaking a legendary, ‘never-ending’ pub crawl through the heart of London. Calling themselves the ‘Jolly Boys’, these merry companions have made it their mission to sample the capital's finest establishments, having already notched up an impressive 169 pubs since they began.
A Tradition Forged From a Book
The adventure started back in 2017, sparked by a shared passion for London's watering holes and a specific book detailing the city's most historic pubs. Richard Moore, 58, one of the group's members, explained that they initially planned to simply work their way through the 20 or 30 pubs listed in their guide. After successfully completing that initial challenge, their ambition grew, and they set their sights on a much grander goal: visiting 500 pubs in central London.
The group is a true testament to long-distance friendship, with its members spread out across the country. Mr Moore is based in Staffordshire, while the others hail from the Peak District, Chesterfield, and North Wales. Despite the geographical hurdles, their commitment to the crawl is unwavering.
The Annual Pilgrimage to the Capital
To ensure nothing gets in the way of their tradition, the Jolly Boys have a steadfast rule: the third weekend of every September is exclusively reserved for their pub crawl. Their wives are instructed not to make any plans for that weekend, as it is sacrosanct. This annual ritual has seen them make eight trips to London so far, with only the pandemic disrupting one planned visit.
Their weekend follows a cherished routine. It always begins at the Betjeman Arms in St Pancras station upon their Friday arrival. There, they chart out their pub route for the weekend ahead. The planning is meticulous and done well in advance, with the group already organising next year's excursion, which is expected to take their total past the 200-pub mark.
Mapping the Mission and Sticking to Stout
The friends have created a Google Map to document their progress, adding roughly another 30 pubs to their list with each annual visit. Among their top picks to date are the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, the Mayflower in Rotherhithe, and Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn.
When it comes to their tipple of choice, the Jolly Boys have a simple philosophy. They usually stick to Guinness, with Mr Moore noting they've never had a bad pint of the black stuff in London. He added that sticking to the same drink generally leaves you 'better off'. Of course, they have to adapt when a pub doesn't serve their preferred stout.
The group typically has just one drink in each pub, though Mr Moore admits they sometimes get carried away and have two. As the weekends progress and the tally grows, remembering which establishments they have already visited becomes an increasingly amusing challenge. With their sights set on 500 pubs and their calendars permanently marked for the third weekend in September, the Jolly Boys' legendary London pub crawl is far from over.
