The Shakespeare Inn, Hull

The Shakespeare Inn, or Shakey as it’s affectionately known, is an L-shaped pub with a central L-shaped serving counter that faces banquette seating around the exterior walls. During a recent Tuesday evening visit there was some 80s background music playing and the television was off, to be honest it was very quiet. Standard keg and Cruzcampo were available and three of the five hand pump were in operation drawing Castle Rock’s Perseverance, Tetleys and Newsome’s Great Sleck. The service was polite, but my pint of Tetleys was a bit short, even for northern standards. Out the front is lots of seating, including some covered. I’d pop back in here at a busier time to see what the atmosphere is like.

We arrived at the Shakespeare to find a live band performing outdoors, with crowds of people. This is not normally my cup of tea, but after almost 18 months of restrictions, it was great to find a pub the way many were on a Saturday night pre-Covid. The outdoor area was packed. Indoors was slightly quieter, with a few groups of more senior people chatting away. We did manage to secure a table after a lengthy wait for service. The wait was quite understandable given how busy it was. The queue was orderly and staff were doing a good job. Tetley's Cask is the regular ale here. 3 guests were Great Newsome Sleck Dust, Sharp's Doom Bar & Exeter Fraid Not. I opted for the local favourite Sleck Dust, which was in good condition. CAMRA discounts may well be offered, but I didn't ask on this occasion. A bit too busy and noisy for my liking, but fantastic to see a pub so busy, with people finally able to enjoy themselves.