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Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Saturday, 14th February 2026
With picture contributions to 12766 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (23 more images)
Detail Pages
Shakespeare, Canterbury
Canterbury
CT1 2JR
Served areas
Reviews of Shakespeare (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Shakespeare
Another of Canterbury's pubs that has been in existence before there were pubs. This one is a Shepherd Neame pub with four hand pumps facing as we walk in from the street, but both the Bishops Finger and Whitstable Bay were "coming soon" - exactly the same as at the Old City Bar earlier. The Master Brew was a little better than at that pub, but not good enough to make me a convert. I remember drinking Shep's beers in the late 70s and being really impressed, but since then they have changed and so have I. The incongruity of this very, very old pub and the very, very modern music being pumped out is doing my head in.
On 13th February 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4674 recommendations about 4283 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Shakespeare
Modernised pub in a historic building off a narrow lane that's almost an alleyway. Must once have had a lot of character, although much of the building's fabric remains so the various seating / dining area are still small. Also has a linked wine bar across a small rear courtyard. As a Shepherd Neame house, I found Master Brew (£4.50) and Spitfire from two of the four handpumps.
On 29th January 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Shakespeare
Traditional pub interior with a Gastro style eatery at the rear, it was quiet on our early doors visit. The bar had four handpumps, with three in operation. I wanted a pint of Spitfire, but the pub clip was turned back. The young barman, made a suggestion towards their craft keg served in the kitchen area. We settled on a couple of halves of Late Red, which was tasteless.
On 10th November 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3745 pubs]
View more reviews of Shakespeare (5)
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- Official site of The Shakespeare - www.shakespearecanterbury.com
- Facebook - The Shakespeare
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Shakespeare - whatpub.com
Canterbury East, 0.79 miles, 15 min walk (show)
Sturry, 2.53 miles, 48 min walk (show)
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 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Jukebox : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Live Music : Yes - Sundays. - last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 16 November 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Real Cider : No last updated 14 February 2026 by Tris C
