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Detail Pages
The Shakespeare, Totterdown, Bristol
Totterdown
Bristol
BS3 4UD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Shakespeare
A popular street corner pub in the back streets of Totterdown, it’s not likely to be somewhere you stumble across by accident, but there was nonetheless a decent crowd in, as well as on the picnic benches outside, on our recent Sunday afternoon visit. It has perhaps lost some of it’s atmosphere since “Mad Ernie” was running the place decades ago, he generally spent more time spinning discs in the DJ booth than behind the bar, but it still seems a decent enough local’s boozer.
Internally the DJ booth has long gone and the space that was occupied by this is now just a regular part of the pub. Décor wise it has a shabby chic sort of feel to it with sanded wooden boards on the floor at the front, slate style tiles at the rear and several shades of paintwork on the walls including lime green and pink. Dark blue wood panelling was around the lower part of the walls, and there were a number of rather unusual urban/graffiti style pieces of artwork on the walls, many of which were for sale. A disused brick fireplace was in one corner, with a pile of board games stacked up next to it, and there was also a larger fireplace with some Victorian style tiling and a wood surround. A small TV was up in the corner, but this was not in use on our visit. A large blackboard menu offered a decent looking selection of dishes, mostly from the barbecue or low’n’slow style by the looks of things, with options such as jerk chicken, curried goat, slow cooked bbq ribs or a west African peanut stew.
Beers on tap were Butcombe Original and Wiper & True’s Kaleidoscope, whilst a third pump appeared to have run out. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher Gold, Thatcher’s Haze, Stan’s Bigg Apple and a box of Lilley’s on the end of the bar.
On 19th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1949 recommendations about 1862 pubs]
E TA left this review about The Shakespeare
As described by others, below, this is a Victorian back-street local, lively and welcoming, being a decent local and not too up itself. It’s colourful and robust, just like the new furniture and the slightly Gothic foreign barmaid. Two ales on draft, Butcombe’s Rare Breed and Original, both in good condition. Stan’s Big Apple was also on handpump. On keg were Hopical Storm, Offshore Pilsner, Amstel, Moretti, Neck Oil, Guinness and Thatcher’s Gold. Not a tragedy, and I’d include in a crawl.
On 3rd November 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Shakespeare
Has had some cash thrown at it and now fancies itself as a cross between a boho bar and eatery. Three rooms knocked together to create a staple shaped interior. Chocolate and cream colour scheme. Somehow there was no ale on over the three taps and half the kegs were also off (‘late delivery’ quoth the lady behind the bar…hmm), so a half of Stowford Press had to do. Perhaps inevitably, the pub newspaper of choice was the Guardian. 5.5
May 2008
A rather good backstreet corner boozer in the fast-gentrifying area of Totterdown, though the regulars are quite often the old-skool 'downers that I remember from my childhood. Popped in on the strength of its GBG entry and spotted four ales (Bass, Deuchars, Sharps Cornish Coaster and another one I forgot to note) along with a couple of ciders. My Coaster was nice, as was the Deuchars my friend tried. Fairly busy for an early Saturday afternoon as well, though most people seemed to be drinking Magners??? Live music events were advertised. The rear area is apparently quite good but I failed to venture out that far, preferring to sit n the benches out front. Apparently the landlady is a bit of a strange one but I don’t think I had the pleasure on my visit as the service was fine! Recommended, especially as it's quite simple to walk to from Temple Meads if you’re feeling fit. Rated 7
On 15th December 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Shakespeare
The Shakespeare is a nice looking corner that is set in the back streets of Totterdown.
Once inside there is an L shaped room which has part tiled and bare boarded floor,there are normal tables and chairs to the front,the bar is down one step on the left side,there are more normal tables and chairs in this area.
There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Wye Valley HPA,which went down very well,the other real ales were Bristol Beer Factory Fortitude,Butcombe Bitter and Prescott Hill Climb.
Background music was playing.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 29/7/2017
On 28th October 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brian McCulloch left this review about The Shakespeare
Super local pub tucked away in the back streets of 'Lower' Totterdown. Friendly mix of locals in small comfortable bar. Music often features with guests playing records in the smallish bar. Pool table in the back of the main bar. Outside drinking area and seating on the street.
On 10th August 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 33 recommendations about 33 pubs]