Shepherds Tavern, W1

Having a Christmas meet arranged in the nearby Ye Grapes I thought I would get to Shepherds Market a bit early and take a look at a couple of the other pubs in the market that I could not remember visiting before. Now the last week before Christmas never gives a true representation of what the normal pub visiting experience is like, but the Shepherds Tavern seemed to be suffering more than its nearby counterparts with the festive crowds in that when making it through the throng to reach the bar I was greeted with three reverse clipped pumps and a solitary GK IPA ale still on. Didn’t matter how thirsty I was by this point I wasn’t staying for that so turned and left therefore no rating submitted. And to confirm with the review below this formerly Taylor Walker outlet is now owned and run by Greene King as is also now the nearby Kings Arms.

Shepherds Tavern page on the Taylor Walker website - www.taylor-walker.co.uk

Shepherds Tavern page on the Taylor Walker website - www.taylor-walker.co.uk

Woodforde Wherry, Timothy Taylor Landlord, London Pride, and Young’s London Gold were all on handpump. This is not the most exciting of ale choices, but it’s a decent enough selection nonetheless. This is a small one-room pub, and being Taylor Walker branded the usual pub grub menu was available. Furnishings were mainly standard issue tables and chairs, but with a couple of tall tables/stools on the left by the window. Just like any other Taylor Walker pub then. There was a TV on (muted) showing a news channel. The pub has some nice latticed bay windows, but otherwise I didn’t spot anything of note. This pub was desperately busy on a desperately hot day in late May. In fact Shepherd Market pubs always seem to be very busy, and this one’s no exception. It’s OKfor a swift pint, but to be honest there’s nothing about this pub that would entice me to make a special effort to return.