Jolly Sailors Inn — Restaurant in England

As a recent reviewer has already explained, this pub has a "no phones" or other digital equipment policy. Ok, I can see the benefit of this for some people, and being a private business, the owner is perfectly free to introduce whatever rules they wish to. This is their choice. As a customer, I have the choice to frequent their establishment, or not, if I don't like any aspect of it. Choices.

HOWEVER...

As a customer I do not like to be shouted at and made to feel like a badly behaved child, for simply and discretely checking my mobile phone for a text message. This message happened to be from a relative who is going through a difficult time and needs my support. If we had been told CLEARLY on entry, and I mean CLEARLY, that absolutely no mobile phone usage was permitted, then we would have had the choice to either politely walk out, or abide by this rule. Instead we were SHOUTED at by a barman. This was embarrassing and unpleasant. Perhaps he was only doing what he was told to do by the management. In this case I would say this to the management:

CONSIDER your customers' feelings in the way you enforce the rule you have decided to uphold in your establishment. Yes, there is a small notice which says that digital devices are not permitted. But it is quite easy to miss this until you look carefully. We could have happily understood being asked politely and quietly not to use our phones. It is not the rule itself that we found objectionable.

What we found objectionable, and disgusting, is being shouted at and embarrassed in front of the other customers in the pub, for a rule that had not been explained clearly to us.

This is all rather unfortunate, because in every other way it is a lovely pub and the staff were otherwise welcoming and displayed superior customer service manners.

As management, you now have the choice to avoid making your customers feel upset and not want to return to support your business, which we otherwise would have done happily.

As potential customers, you have the choice to take our experience into consideration.

I think I have expressed my thoughts fairly...

In a nutshell this is a Samuel Smith's Pub, yes unfortunately that means still no phones allowed and while that can have an effect if you're going in for a pint by yourself it also can bring out opportunities for conversations with other people. It does feel this is more of a local's type of pub however that I feel adds to the uniqueness of the venue considering how busy Whitby can get!

Had a nice chat with Jude who was behind the bar, the staff work incredibly hard while having to put up with a lot of nonsense from their higher ups, so If they tell you off for using your phone or for swearing don't have a go at them and cut them some slack, they are only doing their job!

Personally I would say Still some of the cheapest pints I've seen especially in Whitby when I expected everything to be expensive especially pints! £3 (As of Writing) for a pint of Double Four Lager? Yes Please! It is my personal favourite out of the Samuel Smith's range with the Organic Lager (£4.20 as of Writing) a close 2nd! Definitely will come back here when I return to Whitby next time.

P.S I find it rather funny and contradictory you can use your phone if you are making a payment by card (Yes, They accept Card Payments now) where as you can't actually use your phone for any other reason, might want to have a think about that one and take it into...

After new ownership of this classic British Samuel Smith pub me and my partner fully enjoyed our time here. I like the idea of the no phones as it encourages conversations between the party you go with and others in the pub. The conversation between the whole pub made for a lively atmosphere which helps get to speak to everyone after being locked up from covid.

The food was spectacular and at a very good price. We both had the garlic breaded mushrooms to start with followed by scampi and hunter’s chicken for mains. Unfortunately I was too full for a pudding otherwise I would have had one as the selection looked delicious. Can’t wait to go this Sunday for a Sunday dinner now! The service and the meal was by the landlord which was lovely too see and speak too. Very friendly man made us feel very welcomed. Thank you Ryan!

The bar staff was very friendly and helped us ‘adjust’ to the pub offering similar drinks to what you normally drink. For example a double for instead of Carling or Fosters. The staff are very polite about the no phones and swearing as they understand people get it wrong with plenty of warnings given.

You should definitely visit this pub and give it a chance. As I will be doing...