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The Old Shades, SW1
SW1
SW1A 2BX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Old Shades
This handsome little pub dates from 1898 although there has been a pub on site since the late 17th Century. The building is tall and narrow with a decorative façade and long, narrow interior that is roughly divided into 3 sections.
The pub has a warm and cosy feel with a relaxed ambience even though it can get quite busy being in the heart of tourist London. The oak paneling throughout is nicely complemented by hanging portraits and the front area has a bit of a Gentleman’s Club feel with tub chairs that are in keeping with the building’s character. The front patterned windows display the pub name and the main bar area also contains a large coloured glass window albeit not very well presented. The bar back has a fancy personalized mirror and an attractive carving overhead. Above the main bar area is an eyecatching rotunda with a chandelier centerpiece and beyond the main bar, a separate dining area with a large stone fireplace in front of which one can almost imagine a medieval banquet taking place.
There is a single TV but it is rarely used and music is played at a tolerable level. I have always found the service to be prompt and efficient which is a lot more than can be said for some of its neighbours.
I am assuming that the Old Shades has recently been offloaded by Nicholsons as neither the beers or food reflected the normal Nicholsons range. It is certainly no longer listed on their website although there are still traces of the brand within the pub which I assume will be removed in due course. On the ale front I found 3 Westerham beers (SPA, British Bulldog and Grasshopper) plus Adnams Old Ale and Theakstons Original although I wasn’t over impressed with the quality of the Grasshopper on my recent visit (especially at £3.50 a pint). The food was also a bit pricier with main courses starting at around £9.
The Old Shades has always been one of my favourite pubs in the area but it in comparison to some of its near neighbours it now seems expensive and whilst the beer range is still good, I would probably need to make another visit before deciding whether the quality justifies the price.
On 25th January 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Old Shades
Visited in May 2010
Situated up near the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall, The Old Shades is a fairly typical Nicholsons house in many respects - much dark wood panelling, leaded windows, leather banquettes etc, and the usual fine traditional feel. Note in particular the old H G Simonds of Reading brewery mirror.
The pub looks quite small from the outside, but extends back quite a long way. There's a separate restaurant area at the back, principally catering for the hordes of tourists in this area.
In contrast to recent reviewers, the beer range was pretty disappointing on my recent visit - 3 pumps with London Pride clips, 1 pump serving Chiswick. Also on were TT Landlord and Greene King IPA.
I like the Nicholsons style of pub, but I do hope the beer range is much better next time.
On 21st October 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Old Shades
I'm not sure I'd say this pub is in Pimlico, as it is situated at the top of Whitehall just off Trafalgar Square. Not the tourist hell I thought it could be on a Sunday afternoon, instead I found a pleasant Nicholson's house, with the usual wood floor, dark wood panelling etc. Mixed seating some of which is seperated by fairly recent glazed screens. A long narrow interior, the bar being about halfway down on one side. The bar floor is "tiled", however this did seem to be of the rubber/cushion floor type. Another, more ornate and attractive room beyond the bar is seemingly just for eating.
Impressively I was offered the choice of a straight glass or dimpled jug. Beers were, Thwaites Nutty Black, Pride, Jennings Lancaster Blonde(£2.95...not bad nowadays for round here), Tim Taylors Landlord and also Golden Best.
The beer was in good shape, and this is somewhere I'd certainly duck into again.
On 6th February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Old Shades
The Old Shades is the middle of three pubs in a line down Whitehall. The Silver Cross is right next door and The Clarence is a few doors further down from Trafalgar Square. Only had time to do two of them so decided to skip the Silver Cross on the basis that it's a GK house and in theory , this place being a Nicholson house should have a better choice of Ale.
And in this respect The Old Shades did not disappoint, having six hand pumps dispensing TT Landlord and Golden Best, Fullers Pride, Bateman's Rosey Nosey and two other Xmas Ales.
It's also a bit more traditional décor than the other two having leaded windows, what looked like original interior wood paneling and leather bench seating.
So of the three, if you only have time for one, I'd go for the Old Shades.
On 21st December 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2351 recommendations about 2197 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Old Shades
A nice pub real ale on sale. Food served all day. Friendly staff.
On 10th January 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 760 recommendations about 721 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Old Shades
This place has something of the look of a gentleman’s club about it, which is something of a Nicholson’s trait. At one time it was a Heneky’s Wine Bar. They had Reverend James on at £2.90 a pint, which is not bad for Central London, and pretty good it tasted too.
It’s changed a bit since last time I was in here. A fairly major refurbishment has done away with the entrance door on the right (which no longer forms part of the pub) to be replaced by a door on the left – which must have always been there but not in use. But the makeover seems to have been very sympathetic and I think this is one of the better Nicholson’s houses. Despite being a tourist stopover, I highly recommend this pub.
On 20th August 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about Old Shades
I liked it in here and have to say that it is one of the better pubs in the area. The very nice barmaid served me excellent Deuchars during an afternoon session last week.
The chatter can get a little mind numbing as people start competing to be heard over each other and their voices echo through the long thin bar, but other than that I was impressed and will go back.
On 30th June 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6673 recommendations about 6635 pubs]