Secret Drinker reviews The Jolly Brewer in Lincoln

You’ve all heard that question about who would be your guests of choice at a dream dinner party, but what about the perfect crowd for a night in the pub?

Well, if your answer would be The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen and Phil Daniels then I’ve got just the boozer for you.

A city slicker friend recently offered to show me around some of his favourite spots and, convincing me we needed one for the road (literally, I was behind the wheel that night), suggested we loop back past his local, which has something of a reputation as a decent live music venue in Lincoln.

From the outside The Jolly Brewer looked like it could be a bit of a rowdy, spit ‘n sawdust type music venue those of you who went out drinking 20-30 years ago would have been accustomed to.

But no, this place is anything but. In fact, it’s an absolute visual delight of pop culture and rock heritage.

This music-inspired Lincoln spot strikes just the right chord.

The entrance is a nice, open and brightly-lit area leading to a lively bar with no shortage of options for both drinks and seating.

Lyrics you instantly recognise such as ‘I’ll send an SOS to the world’, ‘every little thing is gonna be alright’ and ‘you don’t know where you’re going but you know just where you’ve been’ are jotted around on the beams, offering a stiff little finger to the ‘live., laugh, love’ crowd.

But what really catches your eye are the murals sprayed across the walls.

A black and white motif of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ arrest mugshot, Eddie Cochrane, guitar in hand, and even some space to allow Kevin and Perry to go large grabs your interest.

I also noticed a tiled section with a Pink Floyd The Wall artwork replicated but, typically, my camera caught a fuzzy shot of that bit.

Flanking a behind-glass scooter are designs for two-wheeled enthusiasts of Daniels’ star turn in Quadrophenia and McQueen’s Great Escape.

But the best is yet to come, a brilliant Beatles Abbey Road tribute linking the boozer with its cracking outdoor area.

If that wasn’t enough then out back is a stage area, plenty of places to plonk your pint and yet more colourful artwork giving the thumbs up to the Camden Brewery, Mod culture and Sheffield band The Sherlocks, who relaunched the pub with local businessman Adam Fields a couple of years ago.

As expected, there’s quite a Sherlocks theme around the place, their name appearing as sponsors of a framed Jolly Brewer Football Club shirt, plus a drink in their honour on the pumps which, to my chagrin, I didn’t spot until I was on my way out.

The Jolly Brewer found itself in the news this week, the boozer set to face questions after police found it had sold alcohol to under 18s over the Christmas period, after the force carried out some test purchases.

In response the owners described this as an isolated incident and said they’d had no complaints in the past six months.

I can only call as I find and, on the quiet evening I found myself enjoying a pint here, I’d suggest every punter was at least twice the legal age to buy a beer.

The youngest guy in the spot was the barman who, judging by his tattoos, was clearly old enough to be in there too.

Gutted I didn’t get to see the place in its live music glory - upcoming advertised gigs include Elvis, Eminem and Robbie Williams tributes - I vowed to return when I know the place will be rocking out.

I’d go as far as to suggest you do too. Unless you’re under 18, then you can Let It Be.

THE JOLLY BREWER, BROADGATE, LINCOLN, LN2 5AE

DECOR: Wow. Just an amazing visual treat capturing the spirit of rock culture, pop art and good booze. No space is wasted and thought has gone into every aspect. The Jolly Brewer knows exactly what it is and hits the right note. 5/5

DRINK: One for the road, literally. It was a pint of Guinness 0.0% for me, still one of the better non alcoholic options. 4/5

PRICE: I paid £11.85 for my Guinness and a pint of Hoegaarden. 3/5

ATMOSPHERE: I was in on the wrong night. Inside was empty but those in the beer garden were creating a little buzz. 3/5

STAFF: The young barman was a pleasant enough chap. 3/5

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