Bear & Crown British Pub hopes grub classics will attract customers to Old Sacramento spot

Bear & Crown British Pub on Second Street opened this month in Old Sacramento, a bet by partners Joe Wilson and Jesse Ledin that the historic area is on the upswing after the COVID-19 pandemic forced some businesses to shutter.

“I think there’s potential here,” said Ledin. “And Old Sacramento has such a unique touch. The history that makes it feel a little homey or British pubby.”

The economics of Old Sacramento also make more sense, said Wilson, who said the pair had looked at midtown Sacramento where rents are higher and retail vacancies are difficult to find.

But the restaurant and bar, with brick walls and seating with a plaid pattern, has a British feel to it just steps from the charm of Old Sacramento’s boardwalk.

Wilson, 28, and Ledin, 39, business and personal partners, are optimistic that a menu of bangers and mash, which is two sausages over a bed of garlic mashed potatoes with onion gravy and peas, lamb loin and fish and chips will bring in the crowds.

The pub, which occupies the former Hoppy’s Railyard Kitchen & Hopgarden space, will serve a full alcohol menu including beer, wine and cocktails. The restaurant is large, 7,000 square feet, and seats more than 200 people, including an outdoor patio for 50.

Wilson said the space and existing setup from Hoppy’s made it an attractive alternative over a pricier midtown spot.

Food prices start at $8 for appetizers such as scotch eggs, hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and fried served with curry mayo. They will go up to $14 for Devils on Horseback, blue cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in crispy bacon.

The lowest price main course is a classic burger at $16. The bangers and mash and the fish and chips go for $20. The most expensive main course is the lamb loin at $34.

Bottled domestic beers start at $7 while an imported draft beer from English, Fullers ESB, will cost $9 for 16 ounces and $11 for 20 ounces.

Wine goes between $11 and $17 a glass and specialty cocktails sell for $15.

Wilson, a certified public accountant by day, said the duo spent several hundred thousand dollars on the renovation, which was less complicated thanks to the previous tenants’ setup.

His partner Ledin brings restaurant management experience at various establishments to their partnership. Most recently, he was one of the opening owners of Flatstick Pub, now called Tipsy Putt, the indoor miniature golf course near Golden 1 Center.

Hoppy’s closed in early January after four years in business. Owner Troy Paski had told The Sacramento Bee that business continued to be affected after the pandemic by a lack of downtown office workers who continued to work remotely.

If you go

What: Bear & Crown British Pub

Where: 1022 Second St., Old Sacramento

Hours: 11 a.m to 10 p.m., Sunday thru Thursday, until midnight, Friday and Saturday. Food served all-day until 9 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

More information: bearandcrown.com

This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 8:26 AM.