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Picture of The Shakespeare
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023
With picture contributions to 5138 other pubs
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The Shakespeare, Barbican, EC1

2 Goswell Road
EC1
EC1M 7AA
Phone: 02072536116
Correct details

Pub Type

Punch Taverns

Served areas

Reviews of The Shakespeare (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Shakespeare

Housed at the base of a very dull 1960s block, this pub has an unusual 'H'-shaped arrangement of seating / dining areas with a 'L'-shaped servery in the middle of one side. Rather old-fashioned furniture and decor, with relatively small windows and low lighting levels. However, there are also a number of outside tables under the overhanging upper storeys, with part-glazed screens offering some protection from traffic noise. Two handpumps on the counter, one dispensing Doom Bar (£4.60) and the other having a reversed Pride clip.

On 30th September 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Shakespeare

Situated amid the Barbican/Golden Lane estates designed by Chamberlain, Powell & Bon from the 1950s to '70s and all at least Grade II listed. This pub opened in 1964 as part of the less successful Crescent House block and is in effect an estate pub for the surroundings.
Well described below, but with the addition of leatherette banquettes and studded leatherette armchairs and otherwise traditional furniture with tea lights on tables. Music is muted, the floor is bare boarded and there was a TV, off. There are also two pianos, one upright, the other a baby grand. Lavs are downstairs and are surprisingly modern. There's a mixed crowd and the owners seem to be Italian which may be borne out by the presence of Italian food on the menu.
Ales: Sharp's Doom Bar, Fuller's London Pride and Portobello Star which was a bit warm and not in good nick; it also cost £2.40 for a half which is a bit of an insult, especially given the nature and location of this venue.
This is an above average estate pub, but that's what it is and given the beer quality and price, availability of superior substitutes, I won't be coming here again.

On 13th July 2016 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Shakespeare

At the base of part of the visionary/dire Barbican development. Looks like an unlikely contender from outside though a better effort lurks within - an island bar in a room that, due to numerous supporting walls, has a number of seating areas and a relatively intimate feel. Decor is red painted lincrusta wallpaper with a wall dado (for wont of a better term) separating the cream upper. A number of Elizabethan era repro portraits hang along the walls. There’s little natural light gets in and the internal lighting is deliberately subdued to the point of needing night vision goggles…on a gloomy wet afternoon it did not help the ambience. Upright piano spotted, plus newspaper rack. Three ales on; Pride, Doom Bar and Adnams Mosaic which was hazy and not as good as I know it to be (unclean lines?) and I was relieved of £2.30 for the privilege. Not particularly worth a visit beyond mild curiosity value. 4.5

On 5th July 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5050 recommendations about 5033 pubs]


View more reviews of The Shakespeare (4)
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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Tris C
Farringdon (London), 0.47 miles, 9 min walk (show)
Moorgate, 0.57 miles, 11 min walk (show)
Old Street, 0.64 miles, 12 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Shakespeare, EC1
2nd May 2023, 21:01
Picture submitted by Blackthorn _ approved
 
2nd May 2023, 21:01
Picture submitted by Blackthorn _ approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Beer Garden : No - Front patio. - last updated 13 July 2016 by Tris C
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Car Park : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Darts : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Function Room : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Jukebox : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Karaoke : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Live Music : Yes last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 13 July 2016 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Pinball : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Pool Table : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Real Ale : No last updated 30 January 2023 by Rex Rattus
  • Real Cider : No last updated 05 July 2016 by Quinno _
  • Wheelchair Access : No - WCs downstairs. - last updated 13 July 2016 by Tris C
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 01 August 2017 by Tris C
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