From Angel: Turn left out of the station and head toward the lights at the intersection with Pentonville Road. Cross over Pentonville Road and proceed down St. John Street on the right hand side. Turn right into Chadwell Street and then immediately left into Arlington Way. The pub is at the end of the street on your right.
Going by the exterior, it's easy to write this one off as a grim estate pub, but actually crossing the threshold reveals not a fight over the pool table but a friendly boozer. Both in terms of atmosphere and decor, it's pretty much as close to a pub from 30 years ago as you're going find. Situated as it is around the back of the Sadler's Wells Theatre, it isn't surprising to find the interior decorated with signed photos of numerous thespians, while it plays host to the pre and post theatre crowd, numerous stagehands and plenty of locals with ease. There's some decent beers, great service, a sleepy pub cat, friendly punters, (sometimes too friendly) and a pleasant beer garden out the back. Meanwhile, the reasonably priced, traditional pub grub on offer may not be too tempting to the Sadler's Wells dancers, but it caught our eye. The Shakespeare's Head is a singular little place that stands out from the your average modern day pub.
reviewed: 16/01/2009
pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)
posted by cheshirecat - Thursday 15th October, 2009, 10:25am
Inside this pub is stuck in a 70s timewarp. Everything (apart from the fonts) looks as if it has been there for years. Courage Best and Directors on offer - the "Best" wasn't good when I visited on Monday.
click for directions to Shakespeare's Head from wherever you are
real ales
beer garden
jukebox
