Channel Islands

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A little way up from The Lamplighter, still on Mulcaster Street, is a rather grand looking edifice called Chambers, which appears to have been a hotel at some point. On entering, its true nature is revealed - it is a schizophrenic night club which tries to appeal to both the teenage clubber and and more sophisticated customer, and like all hybrids, it completely fails to be good at both. It consists of a long suite of room son the ground floor, the front bar trying to look like a London jazz club (the white grand piano is just silly here), the longer rear bar full of bored staff and uninteresting, brain-dead teeanage boors.

There were only two ales on, and neither was on top form. This wouldn't be my first choice of venue anywhere, let alone Jersey, and at best I would give it a 4/10.

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Moving from Mulcaster Street into Bond Street, one hears the noise from Bond's, a back street bar which is lively, sort-of-musical and guarded by nicotine bouncers with Glaswegian accents. It's an Irish Bar with a difference - no Republican sympathies in this bar, Rangers supporters are welcome (if they can still afford it) and Celtic supporters are most definitely not. You would be forgiven for thinking you were in a militant Ulster Unionist bar.

There is a small, shabby bar at the front where the entertainment (and most of the common sense) is provided by a rather timid parrot who is allowed to roam free from his cage. At the rear there is a pool table being hogged by students and an unused dartboard. Throught, the walls are decorated by what can best be described as paramilitary-sympathetic propaganda.

The barman was a bit awkward, and this was the only bar we went in here which wouldn't accept Euros - making a statement, perhaps? Some of the clientele were clearly up for a scrap, but overall it was reasonably peaceful. They do have live music on here, but not when we went in - the npise we heard was from an overloud jukebox.

Not somewhere to which I will return in a hurry. 3/10

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Royal Square, in the centre of St Helier, resembles a continental town square with seating around for the various cafes and bars which surround it. One is a Georgian town house, now a pub called Pierson, named after Major Henry Pierson who bravely defended the Town against the race now known (at least by Clarkson fans) as "cheese eating surrender monkeys" during the Battle of Jersey in 1781.

Inside is a rambling bar with a mix of wood and carpeted floors, jukebox and tv screens. Outside is brightened up by hanging baskets with flowers in and is lively due to the outside seating. The staff are a little unfriendly, but the food is good and the beer average. Two ales on, Bass and Liberation Ale. Both were ok but not brilliant: the Bass was a little insipid and was served too cold, while the Liberation was simply past its best, leaving me wondering how this pub justifies its GBG entry.

It's worth including in a crawl as it is so close to the Cock and Bottle (indeed, you might not even have to change seats) and the food is good, but I think they need to stop resting on their laurels vis a vis the beer. 6/10

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Still in Royal Square (as alluded to, there is no need actually to move if you get the right seat and no-one notices which bar you're buying from) The Cock and Bottle is another Georgian town house housing the Cock and Bottle. It consists of two pleasant bars on the ground and first floors, lots of timber (beams, staircase) on display and appears to have undergone a recent refurb. There is also a stone inglenook on the ground floor, which hints at a much older structure. The staff were fantastically welcoming, friendly and chatty and the atmosphere was very pleasant. Food looked ok, but we had just eaten next door so didn't partake. Free wifi was also available. Only one ale on, Liberation, which was in OK condition and went down well. I'd be happy to come back here anytime and include in a crawl. 7/10

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Further along Mulcaster Street is Halkett Place, an unremarkable shopping street. Half way up is Halkett's, a large, modern wine bar style pub/restaurant, with a slightly trendy feel. It's essentially an open plan, ground floor shop conversion, a bit like an up-market JDW that's been well decorated. Floors are mostly wooden, with a few raised areas which are carpeted. There's a good bistro-style menu and a reasonable selection of wines. The soundtrack was subdued but still made for a pleasant ambiance. Staff were very helpful and friendly, and there was free wifi available.

There were 3 ales on: I had a pint of Liberation Royale, which came i an odd-shaped glass, a bit like a Belgian beer glass. It was served a bit too cold for my liking, but it tasted OK.

I'd happily come back here for a meal and a few pints and I would include on a crawl. 7/10

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After a good day-sail from Jersey, we arrived in St Peter Port, moored on a guest pontoon and took the dinghy across to Victoria Pier. The first pub you see as you leave the Pier is The Ship and Crown, which is entered by walking up a flight of steps as the entrance is a storey above ground level. It's a GBG pub which is garishly painted on the outside, but quite cosy inside. The top floor of the building is occupied by The Crow's nest restaurant, the same business but which only offers bottled beers.

The pub was busy, the staff friendly, but some of the locals were rather tedious, and there was a profusion of drunk teenagers. Other clientele were less othersome, though, so it is a mixed bag here. There were tables and bar stools available, bar snacks,on offer and the ambiance was fine.

Two ales on: I had Liberation Ambree, a French-styled twist from Liberation Ales on Jersey. It was quite pleasant, a bit of a novelty, and made a nice change - I don't think it would become a firm favourite though. It was well kept, however, and the GBG entry seems deserved. I'd be happy to come back anytime, and the pub gets a 7/10 from me.