A WEE DROP OF THE OLDE COUNTRY, YE OLDE ROCK PUB, GIBRALTAR
Written: Jul 15 '01 (Updated May 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great little place, both the pub and the colony.
Cons: I only had a couple of hours there
The Bottom Line: maybe it was places like this that explained why the sun never set on the British Empire.
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| JAMES23's Full Review: Gibraltar |
It had been a long and tiring day on my first visit to Gibraltar. I had spent half of the day being dragged around the tiny colony at a whirlwind pace on a fast but entertaining and informative tour, and an ape had stolen the chocolate bar I was saving for a snack. After a late lunch of authentic fish and chips and an afternoon of duty free shopping, I needed a break. I had a couple of hours to kill, before I rejoined the day trip I had booked on and we were to return to Spain.
I was tired, thirsty and the thought of a pint or two seemed to be just the ticket. Besides I still had a pocket full of Gibraltar Pounds, and as I was told they were almost impossible to exchange outside of the colony. Wandering through the streets near the Government House, I came across John Mackintosh Square. There on the opposite side I spotted a sign with a picture of the "Rock" hanging from a building above a door. My instincts told me "pub" and they are rarely wrong. I entered the doorway of an establishment , which according to the sign was "Ye Olde Rock ," but as I soon discovered, really should say, "come on in and take a load off, you're welcome here."
Ye Olde Rock is a tiny little pub, long and narrow with a low ceiling. A massive old wooden bar dominates one side and tiny tables and booths the opposite. The walls are almost completely covered in plaques and memorabilia. A closer look reveals that almost all of it is naval or military in nature, a good sign for this weary ex soldier. Standing here there is no doubt that Gibraltar has long been a military town. Soldiers and sailors have always needed a place to drink, and you soon get the feeling that this was just the place.
The place was crowded, as one might expect on a Friday afternoon, but I soon established a beachhead at the bar. I endeared myself to the bartender by dropping all my Gibraltar currency on the bar, ordering a pint and asking her to keep bringing them until that ran out, then throw me out. Either that comment or my accent, soon drew the attention of the owner Eaion, who came over and introduced himself.
Even though it was obvious he was very busy, he kept dropping over, between serving other customers, and making sure that I was welcome. He questioned me on where I was from, what I was doing in Gibraltar, and how I was enjoying myself. As other regulars dropped by, he made a point of introducing me to them and making sure that I was not excluded from the conversations.
On finding out I was both a travel writer and ex-military he offered to hook me up with a "mate" who ran tours of the famous siege tunnels, and included areas not generally seen by the public. Sadly I couldn't take him up on this offer, but I did take a rain check. It is one promise I do intend to honour someday, partially because the tunnels sound fascinating, and partially because it would be an excuse to drop in on Eaion and Ye Olde Rock again.
The afternoon passed all too quickly, as did my supply of pounds and I was eventually forced to wander out the door and stagger back to the bus tour pick up point. Fortunately that wasn't too far, as several pints of John Courage were starting to have an effect on me.
If you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in Gibraltar, drop in and say hi to Eaion, Mollie and the gang at Ye Olde Rock. It may be a little hard to find at first, but it's worth the effort.
Other Articles on Gibraltar
Gibraltar
http://www.epinions.com/content_2656477316
The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar
http://www.epinions.com/content_2094112900
Day Trip to Gibraltar
http://www.epinions.com/content_2351865988
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
JAMES23
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
Reviews written: 450
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