This is a proper pub with cheap prices! The staff are warm, welcoming and very down to Earth. There’s a small garden at the back which is perfect during the summer months! This is not pretentious like other pubs in the area. A great place to start your night!
What a great pub! Tucked away in a quiet spot near the Sadler's Wells theatre, this is a true gem: a proper boozer, decently priced, a good pint of ale, delicious toasties, a lovely little garden, and decor which includes pictures of many of the stars of stage and screen who've visited. This must also be one of the few family-run pubs left in town. It has been in the hands of the same family for the last 40 years, and has one of the friendliest landlords in London.
Expatriate since 1982. Returned to London last year to visit daughter and family. Highly confused and disappointed by the first dozen pubs I visited… pubs?! Found the Shakespeare’s on Trip Advisor and decided to give it a try. Finally, found a pub with a real local feel, well kept beer and great service. Back here in 2023 and, last week, received a marvellous welcome back by locals I met last year and from the bar staff. If you don’t enjoy the ambience and service here, then you should probably be at one of those dozen ‘pubs’ I visited last year, before finding this beauty! I will be back in 2024. See you then, Jason and team.
Went there for the first time today and I was pleasantly surprised by the cheap drinks. The beer garden at the back and tables outside the front add to the enjoyment.
Clerkenwell still has an undercurrent of old school London if you can avoid the yuppies and hipsters on their hired Lime bikes. This pub is where you should start.
Anyone visiting who wants to experience what working class Islington was like, anything pre 2000s, should go in here.
Family run boozer, chaps at the bar who all know each other and have boozed in here for decades, happy to chat with anyone as long as you can have a laugh and chew the fat.
Made me a bit forlorn walking out of here and onto Upper Street with all the faceless nomarks walking about like being in London for 3 years makes them part of the furniture.
If anyone has an interest in old style working class London culture, go in here on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday and enjoy yourself.
Beautiful old English pub - same owners for 40 years - make a deliberate effort to keep the pints cheap - £5.10 for a very nice Guinness - carpeted and a free jukebox - lively locals - one of the best pubs I’ve been to England
It's like a time warp back to the 80s not 70p a pint but the decor. Staffed by local old timers, a free dukebox, signed photos of all the stars that have performed in the theater next door and a typical pub garden for all the smokers. This place is for old timers so no football, just horses on the telly here. I didn't eat but it looks like they have a kitchen.
Lovely traditional British pub, nice friendly vibe and very welcoming staff! Jason the barman is a credit to the bar, makes time to speak to the customers and makes you feel like a valued customer! Will definitely be going back the next time I'm in the area! 5 star experience.
Nice old school pub! Really enjoyed my time here!
Very friendly traditional pub which has a quaint garden area at the back
Just around the corner from Sadler Wells theatre so you get some of the stars of the shows in there after their performance
Love it here. So old fashion but lovely and crean and the staff and people who go there are so friendly. Wheater it's quiet or busy and man behind bar would give me a free lemon 🍋 😄 xx
The Shakespeare's Head is an old school pub just next to the Sadler's Wells theatre. When I visited it was mainly locals at the bar and tourists in the beer garden. I read some of the reviews for the pub citing it as 'clicky' yes that could be a fair assumption but that doesn't mean the locals at this pub aren't friendly or the landlady serving. The Shakespeare's Head is a rarity in London these days as it hasn't transformed itself into a soulless gastropub or ripped out it's original decor and embraced modernity. Yes it looks like a 60's council estate pub, yes it could be deemed as 'clicky' but pop in for a few pints or more and be thankful you're visiting an old school proper London pub which are sadly closing at an alarming rate.
Top local pub. Great bolthole while the family do the theatre next door :)
Lovely staff, cozy covered beer garden. Definitely recommend!
Super friendly! Cant wait to be back! Jason the owner was so nice :))))
Great atmosphere and friendly service. Went in after a visit to the theatre, very close for pre and post theatre drinks.
Lovely pub. Good to be back. An unspoilt neighbourhood classic. Love a pub with a carpet😄 Came for one, stayed for a few.
Proper old school and I love it. Spot on pint of courage. Just round the corner from Sadler Well’s theatre.
Great family environment , friendly bar staff , great atmosphere .
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