please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is currently closed. Situated not too far from the excellent Criterion, the local CAMRA magazine hints that there may be good news ahead for the pub. Hopefully it will have re-opened in time for my next visit to Leicester.
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I echo what others have said. It is as if the 1970s were back, only with 1990s prices.
Acorn Barnsley Bitter very pleasant (if a little cool) and at just over £2 who can argue, in an area where £3 is more the norm.
Yes, it is an old geezer's pub, but well worth stopping in for one.
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Unusual etention of the sixties entrance with a circular theme leading to bar with pool table on left and what would have been the lounge to the left. Staff and clientelle were frindly and the barnsley ales drinkable and still cheap for a city centre pub.
anonymous - 21 Sep 2012 18:04 |
Whilst it certainly wouldn't win any architectural awards or any for trendy decor, everything that's important is great! Fast, polite service and a lovely pint of Oakwell Dark Mild for just �1.80.
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Cheapest & Best Mild in Leicester, OK sometimes it�s served a little cold for my liking so I order two and let the second warm up on the bar. Great jukebox as well. Whenever I am in Leicester this is always one of the two pubs I go to. Some of the regulars are an eclectic mix but it just adds to the charm of the place. It�s like stepping back into the 80�s with the prices, so much so that I expect to see DCI Gene Hunt on the next table. Go and set the best value pint of beer in the Minlands!
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I worked in Leicester years ago, and had never been back until tonight! The Shakespeares Head is unbelievably unchanged! In the mid-80s I think a guy called Mick (?) ran it, and from time to time put on food including black pudding sandwiches. But tonight I met a barmaid called Candi, and wished I was 20 (30?) years younger. Futile, as she is marrying the lucky Richard in September. Candi is a total star - she pulls a pint perfectly, is knowledgeable about beer and engages entertainingly with the motley crew of early-doors drinkers, all of whom clearly respect her and know their limits. All the Oakwell beers were in fine form, and easier on the system than the Shippos of yesteryear. Candi - if you read this and want to reconsider inviting me to the party.......? lol :))
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Went through the door and nearly fell over the pub cat,chewing on a chicken bone. This place has probebly never been decorated since it was opened. The pint of mild i had was very good and at a price that was a giveaway. OK if you dont mind sitting in somewhere thats a bit dour.
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Agree with previous reviewer, the Barnsley was ridiculously cold. I went for the Old Tom just before leaving - a sensational beer, that I will drink next time. You almost feel embarrassed when buying a round in here, such are the low prices.
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Interesting place. Frequented by bus drivers that have finished work. Well, I hope they've finished work and are not going back to their buses after drinking! Sometimes has scary rough-looking types in there due to the cheap prices I expect. The Barnsley Bitter can be a bit too cold, but once it's warmed up a bit it's rather splendid.
Slake - 28 Sep 2009 20:55 |
Something of a throwback to the '70s, almost expected electric pumps! Don't worry, the Barnsley Bitter & Old Tom Mild were on handpump and in good condition at amazing prices, as mentioned below. I didn't plan it, honest, but it happened to be my round - 5 pints, �7.55, come on! Fits neatly between the Globe & Criterion if crawling the area.
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agree with other comments beer reasonable,pub cheap and cheerful, i have been in quite a few times and always found the place empty, but the staff always seem pleased maybe thats due to them drinking while serving. only thing i found lacking was the landlady, who i never saw and somemore clients and atmosphere,saying that if all you want is a quick alright pint then this is the place to go, but not a place to stop lng in
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Strange looking pub from the outside but pleasant enough inside and welcoming staff. Two ales on from the Oakwell Brewery. Barnsley Bitter at �1.55 a pint and their mild at �1.45 a pint. Good quality beer at a very affordable price.
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Lovely, untouched 60s pub. Very close to the main shopping area. Cheap, well kept beer. Friendly staff and regulars. Also has a pub cat. Have a few in here and pop down the road to the Criterium.
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Easy to spot this interesting establishment. Agree with all previous comments, this pub was refurbished in 2004 but still retains its 60's charm. Enterting the pub you would not realise it is in fact 2008. Was fairly quiet when I sneaked in for a quick pint - 6 older gents watched me like hawks as I ordered the Barnsley Bitter, which was in remarkable condition, a lovely pint which I quaffed in 15 minutes, before I sadly had to leave to meet some aquaintances. Worth seeking out.
Sharp - 13 Nov 2008 22:45 |
Not a particularly inviting-looking pub from the outside but we found it in The Good Pub Guide so we ventured in. They were offering a very lovely pint of Old Tom for �1.40. That's an incredible price for beer these days.
Like stepping back in time inside, it's completely unchanged since new. Well maintained, clean and friendly. We were staying at The Holiday Inn over the road and this pub was a great find for the real ale drinker.
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Top class beer in a friendly pub at a more than reasonable price. It wouldn't work in Islington and neither would I.
The interior of the bar should photographed and recorded before this style of boozer is just a short memory.
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Discovered by accident whilst walking from Richard III to Out of the Vaults I was happy to find a spacious pub selling Old Tom Mild. I had only had an Oakwell beer once before in the Foresters Inn, Nottingham so was pleased to find it here. At under �1.50 a pint the beer is cheap and cheerful, nothing wrong with that.
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A gem of a pub by the ring road. Probably dates from the late fifties or early sixties, and it doesn�t appear to have been mucked about with architecturally. It was busy on the Saturday early evening session a couple of weeks back and not surprising, given the friendly atmosphere, interesting clientele and welcoming staff. Oh, and a pint of well-kept ale could be had for the princely sum of �1.45. How do they do it?
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Lovely cheap trad ales, pool table and dart board, friendly staff told us that theres a Sunday Lunch to be had
I quite like the building, it looks like the Globe Theatre in London..
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Barnsley brewery pub, so a few ales to be had, housed in a 'unique' 1960's building that infests this part of town.
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Excellent beer (including Old Tom), but a bit old man and the inside desperately needs a refurb.
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