Woodins Shades, Bishopsgate, EC2

A decent pub in a typical Nicholsons style, seven handpumps dispensed a few usual suspects but there was also two or three more interesting beers in evidence,I tried a Scottish Borders Wild Harvest(made with Sea Buckthorn)and Broughton Dark Dunter, both were well kept,certainly worth inclusion on a crawl of the area.

Another nice Nicolson pub with the usual good range of beers. Great Heck -American classic was in fine condition. Handy for Liverpool st station as well

Interior as described below. 7 real ales and food served.

Although William Woodin, for whom this pub is named, bought the premises back in 1863, it was rebuilt thirty years later, leaving it in the form that we now find it. The layout is extremely simple, with a narrow, single room set-up accessed by a front corner door on Bishopsgate or a second door from Middlesex Street. Like other Nicholson’s pubs with this type of compact layout, attempts have been made to retain a traditional feel, with dark wood fixtures and bare floorboards and some stained glass panes with a bell image combining to this effect. A more modern touch is the dark floral wallpaper which can be found on certain sections of wall, but this doesn’t detract from the overall look and much has been covered with old black and white photos. The servery runs down the left side of the room, with enough space for a few high tables and stools opposite, but the space widens beyond the end of the bar allowing for more high tables and a few standard table and chair arrangements. A decent soundtrack played throughout my stay whilst a couple of TV screens showed muted 24 hour news coverage. Signs pointed upstairs to the Trader’s Bar, named after the local traders from Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields markets who would’ve frequented this pub in the past. On the bar, the usual Nicholson’s ales such as Nicholson’s Pale Ale and Fullers London Pride were available alongside Roosters Astro, Dent Golden Fleece, Adnams Kristal White, Castle Rock Sherrif’s Tipple and something from the Broughton Brewery. I sampled the Astro, which was excellent and the bar staff were efficient if not particularly engaging. Although the pub is nothing you haven’t seen before, especially if you’re familiar with Nicholson’s pubs across the capital, the combination of the cosy interior and good ale range make this as good an option as you’re likely to find in the immediate area.

Visited again for the first time this year and it seemed much tidier and smarter than last year. Service was good, ales excellent and food really good - gone up in my estimation.