The Award-Winning Guv'nor Inn & Pub
It’s no accident that you’ll feel a bit of a tug at your inner Brit when you step into the Guv'nor Inn & Pub. We have a long history connected with England here in St John's and we like to celebrate its quaint traditions.
Built back in the 1950s, our inn was first known as the Kenmount Motel and featured a fancy dining room complete with starched white tablecloths and a perfectly polite ambiance. Fast forward to June of 1993 when a young married couple, Brenda Lawlor and Derrick Aylward (that's us) came on the scene. Married for just four years, we leased the restaurant and lounge, and six years later, in 1999, we purchased it along with the attached Centre City Hotel. We began growing a business that would carve out its own special niche in the St. John’s tourism and hospitality industry.
You could shoot an episode of Coronation Street there... Rita, Norris, Audrey and Gail would feel quite at home in a Guv'nor booth
- Karl WellS -
The Story of The Guv'nor
Our vision was to own and operate a St. John’s old-English inspired inn and pub, smack dab in the middle of the oldest city in North America. We often reminisce about the days we spent scouring England and its countryside, familiarizing ourselves with English traditions, food, and, of course, the atmosphere of its iconic pubs. And we began collecting artifacts and curios, many of which you will see hanging throughout the Guv’nor. Check out the antique brass bed warmer hanging in the pub. If you pop in on the right day, you might even hear British radio!
What’s important to us? People are.
We welcome the weary traveller for an overnight stay in one of our private courtyard rooms. We welcome business people to our elegantly furnished meeting rooms. We welcome locals and tourists into our pub where we’ll pour a pint of craft beer made right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Many can’t resist staying just a while longer for something from our British-inspired menu. And we love sharing our Newfoundland cuisine with the foodies who stop by. For people, we have all the time in the world.
It’s hard to believe 27 years have gone by. And the Guv’nor Inn & Pub is now a favourite of ‘come-from-aways’ and locals alike. Of course, we wouldn’t have had it any other way. We like to think we got here by never forgetting who we are and from whence we came ... back hundreds of years ago, that is.
Whether you're staying, dining or meeting, stop by the Guv’nor Inn & Pub and let us show you what Newfoundland hospitality is all about. It's All Right Here.
Gift Cards
Want to tuck something a little out of the ordinary inside that special occasion card? Maybe you know someone with a birthday, anniversary or engagement. Or maybe there's someone who needs a pick-me-up or a thank you for a random act of kindness. The Guv’nor's Gift Card puts smiles on faces.
Join Our Team
Would you like to join the Guv’nor’s crew? If you think you’d fit in with us – friendly and helpful with a well-exercised sense of humour – then we'd like to hear from you.