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Yet another list with Tris39 on the Pub Forum

The Shakespeare, Barbican, EC1

2 Goswell Road
EC1
EC1M 7AA
Phone: 02072536116

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Pub Type

Punch Taverns

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Strongers . left this review about The Shakespeare

I think I can be forgiven for expecting a proper estate boozer as I approached the carbuncle that is the building the Shakespeare is housed at the base of, but inside it was far from the Carling and Fosters sports orientated pub I thought it was going to be. Throughout is a wooden floor with a generous number of large rugs, and up the right-hand wall is a green velvet banquette and a row of old thick wooden tables. In the centre of the pub is a piano and up the left-hand wall is the serving counter that supports premium keg and two hand pumps, one of which was off and the other was unused. There was some chilled dance music playing in the background which I liked, and the barman was very friendly. It’s a bit different in here, but I think I’d have preferred the estate pub I was expecting, which probably says more about me than this pub.

On 12th May 2026 - rating: 5
[User has posted 6673 recommendations about 6635 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Shakespeare

Housed at the base of a very dull 1960s block, this pub has an unusual 'H'-shaped arrangement of seating / dining areas with a 'L'-shaped servery in the middle of one side. Rather old-fashioned furniture and decor, with relatively small windows and low lighting levels. However, there are also a number of outside tables under the overhanging upper storeys, with part-glazed screens offering some protection from traffic noise. Two handpumps on the counter, one dispensing Doom Bar (£4.60) and the other having a reversed Pride clip.

On 30th September 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 9165 recommendations about 9165 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Shakespeare

Situated amid the Barbican/Golden Lane estates designed by Chamberlain, Powell & Bon from the 1950s to '70s and all at least Grade II listed. This pub opened in 1964 as part of the less successful Crescent House block and is in effect an estate pub for the surroundings.
Well described below, but with the addition of leatherette banquettes and studded leatherette armchairs and otherwise traditional furniture with tea lights on tables. Music is muted, the floor is bare boarded and there was a TV, off. There are also two pianos, one upright, the other a baby grand. Lavs are downstairs and are surprisingly modern. There's a mixed crowd and the owners seem to be Italian which may be borne out by the presence of Italian food on the menu.
Ales: Sharp's Doom Bar, Fuller's London Pride and Portobello Star which was a bit warm and not in good nick; it also cost £2.40 for a half which is a bit of an insult, especially given the nature and location of this venue.
This is an above average estate pub, but that's what it is and given the beer quality and price, availability of superior substitutes, I won't be coming here again.

On 13th July 2016 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2337 recommendations about 2279 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Quinno _ left this review about The Shakespeare

At the base of part of the visionary/dire Barbican development. Looks like an unlikely contender from outside though a better effort lurks within - an island bar in a room that, due to numerous supporting walls, has a number of seating areas and a relatively intimate feel. Decor is red painted lincrusta wallpaper with a wall dado (for wont of a better term) separating the cream upper. A number of Elizabethan era repro portraits hang along the walls. There’s little natural light gets in and the internal lighting is deliberately subdued to the point of needing night vision goggles…on a gloomy wet afternoon it did not help the ambience. Upright piano spotted, plus newspaper rack. Three ales on; Pride, Doom Bar and Adnams Mosaic which was hazy and not as good as I know it to be (unclean lines?) and I was relieved of £2.30 for the privilege. Not particularly worth a visit beyond mild curiosity value. 4.5

On 5th July 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 6166 recommendations about 6146 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Alan Winfield left this review about The Shakespeare

The Shakespear is a modern pub that is under a small block of flats on the north side of the barbican.
The pub was smartish and comfortable enough inside and there was only one real ale on here this was GK IPA which was ok but nothing special.

Pub visited 21/8/2008

On 21st August 2008 - rating: 6
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]