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William IV, N1

7 Shepherdess Walk
N1
N1 7QE

Phone: 02074903283

Correct details

Served areas

Old Street, Hoxton

Reviews of William IV (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Rex Rattus left this review about William IV

The door on the left and the large vestibule on the right testify to its former multi-room layout. There's a dining room upstairs, but I didn't investigate it.

Furnishings inside are mainly hard wooden benches and those small former church or school chairs that you see all over the place, plus recycled dining room tables as well as a few small stools and of course tall stools at the bar counter. The floor's bare-boarded of course, there's no soft furnishings and I didn't see a TV - if there was one tucked away somewhere it certainlly wasn't switched on. All quite Spartan in fact.

Two pumps had London Pride and Dark Star Hophead clips, but I wasn't able try them. The menu was typical for London these days - Caeser salad £17; sausage, mash, leeks and gravy £18, and roasted hispi cappage, buck wheat cream and pipperade (sorry, no English translation) £19.50.

I have walked past this pub many times en route to the Wenlock Arms, and thought it was about time I dropped in. It's OK if you like minimalist pubs, but I guess in future I'll keep walking.

On 7^th August 2025 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2608 recommendations about 2522 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Moby Duck left this review about William IV

Surprisingly I'd never been in here before despite multiple visits to the nearby Wenlock Arms. It's basically a square room with a central three sided bar. The three handpumps had London Pride, Dark Star Hophead and Burning Sky Plateau on, a mix of craft and lager on keg. Music was playing on a low setting whilst the chatter was loud. Not a bad place but would only merit an occasional visit.

On 17^th March 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2215 recommendations about 2181 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Bucking Fastard left this review about William IV

This pub has had a chequered past with several periods of closure.However things are looking up,this street corner pub has a decent exterior but has been stripped out inside to a large square room with the bar along the far wall and extending into the body of the building.Wooden floor,large picture windows all round so few wall covering nor features,the large modern mirrored bar back is the highlight,although there is some faint traces of wood panelling.
The funiture is trad but standard,while there is a first floor restaurant,keeping the ground floor for drinking.The target audience are the under 30's,hence the stupid loud muzak which makes it difficult to think. However I spotted three handpumps lurking down the short side of the bar which on my trip were drawing the ubiquitous Fullers London Pride and Hophead along with ,to my surprise,a very decent Cloudwater Fuzzy (£6,NBSS 4).
This pub will never outcompete the nearby Wenlock ,but if they can maintain interesting ales in good nick and turn down the volume,a higher mark would be appropriate.Friendly and helpful bar staff too.

On 22^nd December 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3014 recommendations about 3014 pubs]

View more reviews of William IV (8)

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