‘Jolly Boys’ on ‘never-ending pub crawl’ visit their 200th boozer

Six pals from all over the UK have embarked on a ‘never-ending pub crawl’ and have finally visited their 200th.

The ‘Jolly Boys’, all in their fifties, have been coming to London on the same weekend every year for over a decade, attempting to go to all of the city’s watering holes.

They recently completed their ninth trip, having taken a break during the pandemic, and visited a staggering 35 pubs – bringing their total to 205.

This weekend included a rather special pub, too – an exclusive, invite-only location in one of the UK’s most famous tourist attractions.

The Keys, inside the 900-year-old Tower of London is run by the 35 serving Yeomen Warders, and only their personal guests are allowed to enter.

It was once described by Business Insider as what ‘might just be the most exclusive pub in the world’.

Karl Young, 55, who plans the event every year, says he can’t reveal exactly who let them in, but it came after the group sent letters for three years.

The engineer from Bakewell, Derbyshire, said: ‘It took us three years to get an invite to even get in there.

‘It is amazing. It is definitely regarded as one of the most exclusive pubs in this country. If you are into London pubs it is almost that mythical place that you might never get an invite to.

‘It is full of military history. You have to wear shoes, trousers, a jacket, a tie, a shirt. It is quite an event. It was half the price of any London pub.’

The group meets every third weekend in September, and aside from the pandemic, no exceptions are allowed.

They always order a pint of Guinness as they say it is always good, and the lack of carbonation makes it easier to drink.

The Jolly Boys began their mission after reading a book on London’s most historic pubs, and after visiting all of them they decided to branch out.

The core group includes engineers Richard Moore, Karl and Dave Russell, hairdresser Jon Main, business owner Vaughan Williams and commercial manager Trevor Power.

They always start at the Betjeman Arms in St Pancras station upon arrival on Friday, before mapping out the pubs for the rest of the weekend.

Amongst their favourites so far are the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, the Mayflower in Rotherhithe and Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn.

So far, they said the best Guinness in London was from the Guinea Grill in Mayfair.

This year they started in West Brompton and walked towards Central London.

Of the recent trip, the standouts were The Antelope and The Hoop and Toy, along with The Keys.

They stayed at the historic venue for over three hours and watched the Ceremony of the Keys, when the Tower of London is locked up.

Karl said: ‘I can’t believe we managed to do all of these. It is ridiculous really.

‘It is something that takes a lot of planning but something that we all really love. It is not just for the drinking, it is more like a lads weekend away.

‘London pubs are absolutely the best in the world and there are so many to go at, it is just amazing.’

Next year, the group hopes to visit the pubs in the Houses of Parliament.

Saturday of next year has already been planned, with them upping the stakes to 30 pubs in one night – ordering half a pint in each.

Karl, who plans it all, said: ‘It takes quite a long time to plan. I do a full document route every year.

‘We have probably run out of notably historic London pubs and now it is more a question of hitting a borough and working out how to get through it without crossing our paths.’

Richard Moore, 59, added that the crawl being booked out for the same weekend each year meant there was less room for excuses and other plans getting in the way.

‘It’s the only way we can guarantee we are all going to be available,’ he said. ‘The third weekend in September is always booked out in our calendars.

‘Wives can’t plan anything for that weekend – it’s our weekend.’