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The Hand & Shears, EC1
EC1
EC1A 7JA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Hand & Shears
With its curved corner entrance door and Courage lettering, this was rebuilt in the mid-19th century though has a history dating back to the early 12th, this has a Listed interior and is on CAMRA's inventory of historic pub interiors; all richly deserved and seemingly given a new lease of life since the first revue.
As described below with a black lacquered floor and lots of t 'n' g panelling, though one of the aforementioned coal fires is coal-effect; muted music played. The landlord, when he's in, is very friendly, welcoming us and chatting to his regulars who were an older more local crowd. The ale line-up, typically six on rotation, is displayed on a blackboard with price and ABV, but make sure to check both sides of the island bar as the choice is greater than you think. Timothy Taylor's Landlord is a mainstay here though is £4.50 a pint which is a fair bit.
We thought that this was the highlight of the EC1 area and is definitely worth several return visits, especially in light of some minor renovations taken to repair the bench upholstery.
On 15th May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2334 recommendations about 2277 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Hand & Shears
This pub is in the Camra Guide of Historic Pub Interiors and is well worth a visit. We found this to be a very well run pub serving six hand pulled ales. There were two coal fires lit downstairs on our visit, I also checked out an upstairs wallpapered lounge, with a small bar which looked very comfortable. The manager was very friendly and welcoming, the pub also serves food, which was reasonably priced. We went for the Trumans Brewery Bold as Brass, which was superb.
On 5th January 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3747 recommendations about 3747 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about Hand & Shears
I'd been meaning to go to this place for a while - its fine example of a centrally located backstreet pub, with a simple, effective two-bar arrangement and an old-fashioned ambience. Adnams Bitter (£3.30), GK IPA, Courage Best and Courage Directors were available - not an inspiring choice, admittedly, but well kept - and they also do a range of traditional meals at below average (i.e. non gastro) prices. Internally it is bright and comfy, not dissimilar in look or feel to the Rising Sun (Samuel Smiths pub) across the road. I liked it here and would return.
On 5th April 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Hand & Shears
Fine old ale house with a central bar, with the room around it separated by various partitions to form different drinking spaces. Lots of wood panalling.
2 real ales, ok quality.
On 26th September 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1606 recommendations about 1583 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Hand & Shears
Courage Best and Wadworth's 6X on handpump. The 6X was excellent. This is a hidden gem of a real pub, retaining the separate rooms that were so common until they started to be combined in the 70s. Excellent pub - the real deal – highly recommended.
On 30th August 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Hand & Shears
Very bland place, promises so much more when you see the outside and read elsewhere about the unspoilt interior layout. Two Courage Beers on tap (my Directors was OK), but very little else of note. The inside could do with a clean-up; it’s pretty filthy and unkempt. Considering the heritage factor and location, the owners are missing out big time here. I'm not going back in its current state, but would love to have a reason to do so in the future.
On 25th February 2007
- rating: 4
[User has posted 6075 recommendations about 6054 pubs]