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Detail Pages
The Sheaf, SE1
SE1
SE1 1TY
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 Sheaf
Housed in the basement of the former Hop Exchange (1867), this had been known as a bar called The Dive since 1949, taken over by William and Rebecca Willeter around 1954, later to become the legendary Becky’s Dive Bar, an early proponent of real ale from around the 1960s, forcibly closed down in 1975 due to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. This had been known in later years as the Wheatsheaf, but the name was abbreviated in 2013, so as not to cause confusion with the neighbouring pub of the same name.
Down a short flight of steps and you enter a large open space with a very low, white brick barrel vaulted ceiling and bare brick walls. The floor is covered with pale grey vinyl, which gives it something of an institutional feel; the bar is off in a corner. The walls are covered with dozens of black and white framed photos of customers from the bar’s former venue; further décor comprises ugly exposed aircon units. Lighting comes in the form of overly bright spotlights shining in the face and wire framed sconces; the ceiling is swathed with white fairy lights, which gives the feel of drinking in a planetarium, but with a load of TVs showing the footie, whilst dull mood music played at a low volume. Off to the side, there's an alcove with two dartboards, used by very enthusiastic players. Furniture comprises studded oxblood banquettes to the walls, with bench tables and normal stools. Furniture in the centre is all tall, stools with tubular steel legs. Customers were all blokes, many effing and jeffing with abundance.
Those who sang the praises of this establishment’s ale range will now be sorely disappointed, with four pumps all unused, then a reversed Young’s London Original clip and Hophead at a reasonable £4.95 a pint and a bit tired, though I may have lucked out, as just the one real ale is listed on the bar’s website, served by a rather fed-up barmaid; can’t say I blame her.
I only really came here out of curiosity due to its mid-20th century history, but aside from parallel darts, as BF says, this is now just good for televised sport but little else, being dull, characterless and with a feeble beer selection.
On 19th January 2022
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Sheaf
ORIGINAL REVIEW Dec 2010.
Little to add to Roger B's accurate review,I enjoyed my visit to this pub which still retains the feel of it's previous incarnation as a "Ball's Brothers".Seven real ales available with Youngs Bitter and Nethergate Redcar Best as regulars and a changing array of guests,my Dark Star American IPA was on good form.Will definately use this place again as it does appear much less hectic than The Market Porter,but still provides a good range of ales.Food served including a Pie of the Day if you plan an extended stay.
UPDATE
Now has just three handpumped ales and both my Dark Star Hophead and Castle Rock Harvest Pale were in poor condition and quite tasteless.I couldn't be bothered to try the house Redcar Bitter.Dominted by flat screens ,this is good for televised sport but little else.
On 30th September 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Sheaf
Housed under the former Hop Exchange building, this is brighter and more open than most basement bars, benefitting from a fairly restrained used of dark timber when compared with the likes of Davy's, etc. Tends to be busy, but not crowded, except at the height of the early evening rush. As always, a fine selection from the ten handpumps, including the tasty Shefford Plum Mild (£4.30) on this visit.
On 15th April 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Sheaf
Basement bar with a characterful barrel vaulted interior. 10 real ales and "craft keg" served. 2 dartboards and live sport shown.
On 26th October 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Sheaf
I was a little dubious when we initially arrived in here. There were 10 handpumps and one customer in this large cellar pub. I requested their house beer, called Red Car, Summer ale. The beer had just finished, so I was ready to make another choice, when the barmaid said the cellar man was already putting a new one. The Red Car is brewed by Fullers and have to say it was very good. The owner is from Redcar, so hence the name.
After a while, another couple of alers arrived, so we were all having a good old chat. Mrs Ale went for the Bude Brewery Neet, which was also in great shape.
On 20th July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Sheaf
The Sheaf has a fairly narrow frontage but once inside and down the stairs,the place is quite large.
The room is L shaped with the bar facing,there is comfy bench seating to the left and front right and long tall tables and low backed stools in the middle area and to the rear left.
There is a good choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Milestone Will Scarlett which went down very well,the other beers i noted were Wentworth WPA,Youngs Bitter,Gadds No 7,London Pride,plus one from Brentwood Brewery and an house beer called Red Car bitter.
There were TVs showing cycle racing and quiet background music was playing.
I was quite happy have a drink in this pub.
Pub visited 26/5/2015
On 26th May 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Jim Brittin left this review about The Wheatsheaf
There has been much confusion between the 'old' Wheatsheaf [Stoney Street] and the 'new' Wheatsheaf [Southwark Street]. This has now been resolved as the latter has been re-named 'The Sheaf'. Staff now wear new design blue T-shirts.
On 30th August 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Wheatsheaf
Light and airy cellar bar well described by previous reviewers which we tend to use as the last point on a crawl of Borough. And that’s the reason why I haven’t reviewed previously as my drunken scribbling have been illegible the following day.
Visited again last Thursday late evening. It was busy but no problems getting served. And as my employer has now deemed to trust me with one of those smart phoneymajigs, I have photographic evidence to be able to report that alongside the Pride and Youngs Bitter, Brentwood Best, Box Steam Brewery Tunnel Vision, Brewshed Best from the Brewshed Microbrewery, Fullers Brit Hop, Batemans Yella Belly Gold, and Warwickshire Beer Co. Shakespears County and Bottoms up were being dispensed.
And I remember trying the two Warwickshire beer company brews and they were well kept, as is my usual experience of the Ales here.
On 20th June 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2109 recommendations about 1991 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Wheatsheaf
Updated 15th April 2013
This is the first time we have been in here since the original Wheatsheaf in Stoney Lane reopened.
oK it was a Monday night but got the feeling its not what it used to be.
First off it took some time to get served despite we were the only other waiting to be served he other barman was doing a booking but after sorting that he still didn't serve us. Next was the price at £3.90 a pint that was under 4,0% is dearer than pubs further into the Market. To op tat it was not at its bet but not quite off enough to take back to the bar.
To to all this off there was a cyclist in there that seamed to be a regular that swore at my other half when she tried to get close enough o see what half she had got. I didn't realise that he swore at her ill we left.
Not impressed and we won't be back. They even had a check o put a gin p o say 'don't accept any imitations'. Now the opened Wheatsheaf may be quit a bit different o what it was hut you don't get this rot of treatment in there.
What a difference there is between the old Wheatsheaf in Stoney Street and this new one round the corner in Southwark Street!
Low vaulted ceilings and some small rooms to the back. There is a good slelection of ales kept in good condition. Also has free Wif Fi.
On 15th April 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Wheatsheaf
Cellar bar under the Hop Exchange building, The arches in the roof provide a fine feature and there are various seating ares. All a bit basic but with great charm. There are various photographic portriats on the walls.
Very busy with suited professions on my visit, there are 6 real ales & plenty of wine. A fine characterful place.
On 25th September 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]