Jans (ex-The Cricketers), Stoke Newington

Our rating: FAP Rating 3 - Click for an explanation of our ratings User rating: Community Rating 3 - Click for an explanation of our ratings (3 reviews)
View:
Photo
Map
Streetview
FancyaPint?'s review...
FAP Rating 3 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
So, you've been looking to buy a bar for months, found the perfect spot, signed the lease, given the place a bit of a refurbishment and chosen some good beers. Onto a winner? Maybe not. Jan's is a case in point that doing everything right sometimes isn't enough. On two consecutive Saturday nights, Jan's has been entirely bereft of customers. It's crime? Being two minutes north east of Church Street, where the action usually takes place. Formerly a harmless but manky place called the Cricketers, the new owners have turned it into an attractive Belgian-style bar. There's two open fires, comfy seating and some nice touches, such as a full sized London Underground sign (for Sudbury Hill, we seem to recall). There's also a couple of ales on tap and an excellent choice of continental bottled beers - better, we think, than anywhere else in the area. So while the nearby Three Crowns is too busy in relation to what it offers, it's a real shame to see this place languishing. How long can it last will all depend on how much support it can garner from the local population. At the moment, it doesn't look promising.
Reviewed by 26 Apr 2009    Helpful? yes/no
User reviews

Reviews (1)
05 Nov 2012
Rating 5 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
This place is an absolute haven for anyone sick of trying to enjoy a pint in the local area and finding themselves shouting above the shrieking masses and being jostled into a corner. The beer they have is outstanding, the music is always good and when the live music is on it excels. Mercifully quiet during the week, it has started to pick up at the weekends, which is great for the bar but not for me, but I prefer to drink there when you can enjoy the fire and the tunes without listening to too much barking from a Dalston straggler. The two people who run the bar regularly are informed and no nonsense, and frankly I like a landlord with a bit of personality, even if he does comes across as 'rude' towards the end of the night. Considering the number of watering holes I've been in around here where I've been ignored and treated with disdain by the pseuds that ponce about behind the bar, the staff at Jans would have to spit in my pint to put me off going again. Just a fantastic place, soon to be crowded with 'types' if the last few weekends have been anything to go by, but still an absolute gem and a true original in this wasteland of novelty.
Helpful? yes/no
report  
19 Aug 2012
Rating 1 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
I have visited Jan's several times since it opened. I also thought it was an ok venue with a bit of a lack of support from the local community. I now realise that it is just not a great bar/pub. The idea is good but delivered with a real lack of experience and skill. There are so many much better places to drink nearby. It is a big shame because this could habe been a real hidden gem if it was owned by a better person. I have heard from several people that the owner can "get a little rude towards the end of the night"
Review: 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Helpful? yes/no
report  

Reviews (1)
Contact details

18 Northwold Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16 7HR

020 7241 4236

Features:

How to get there
Nearest Stations
Door-to-door journey planner
How to find the Jans (ex-The Cricketers) pub

From Stoke Newington train station, exit left and follow the road down. The one way system will pull off to the left and you'll soon see the pub on the right after that, next to some sort of gym.

Nearby attractions
Is this your pub? Claim this listing to add your pub's web site, more photos or other information about your pub.
History
05 Nov 12 Updated by Admin