Pub in Smithfield
Hand & Shears
1 Middle Street, Smithfield, EC1A 7JAClosest station: Barbican, about 2 min walk4.4out of 5 on Google, from 449 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Hand & Shears
Hanging baskets hang in front of this traditional Victorian pub with a selection of ales.
Hidden down a side street but one to seek out, this historic hostelry has, in different forms, served Smithfield since 1123. Its name demonstrates medieval association with the Guild of Merchant Tailors and the cloth trading at Bartholomew Fair nearby. A rare example of a Victorian layout. Several doorways each lead into separate drinking spaces around the central servery, including a Saloon and a cosy Private Bar; note the unusual pair of curved doors at the corner entrance. A sensitive refurb in 1989 resulted in a few changes but retained the overall character of the pub. It was grade 1 listed in 2020 The pub is closed on Bank holidays.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide, with a summary from Google Maps.
Features
- Dog Friendly
- Real Fire
- Games: Darts
- Serves Food
- Real Ale
- Real Cider: Occasionally
- Cask Marque
- Real Heritage Pub
- Function Room
- Events: Meet the brewer,Tasting Events
- WiFi
- Reservable
- Good for Groups
- Separate Bar
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accepts Debit Cards
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thursday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Friday
- 12:00 – 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Independent
- Price
- 2 out of 4 (Google’s price level)
- Phone
- 020 7600 0257
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.4out of 5 on Google, from 449 ratings
4 out of 51956gooneron Google, October 2024
This delightful pub is tucked away on a side street near Smithfield market. They had four cask beers and I opted for a pint of Landlord at £5.90. This is a traditional pub with lots of dark wood panelling. The bar is a rectangular shape with two serving areas. On the ground floor the pub is divided into four smallish areas. There is seating upstairs and a small standing area outside. This pub does host live music. In summary a lovely pub well worth a visit.
5 out of 5Alex Conkletonon Google, February 2024
Hidden gem in forgotten corner of alleyway London. Secluded down the back alleys of Farringdon this old London boozer is a well preserved time capsule. Set on the corner with curved doors, close dimpled glazing prevents the revealing of in and out. Vintage wood panelling everywhere. A spacious, square hall pub interior well divided by panel and glazed partitions and a ĺarge central dark wood O bar joins the space together. There's a fantastic wooden cross beamed centre piece to the architectural heritage that links the partitions in the corners of the room to a cross point at the centre of…
5 out of 5John Fon Google, January 2024
A gem of a pub close to The Barbican, The Hand and Shears is a cosy historic boozer that you could easily spend all day in. It has the downstairs bar area which is split into two, an upstairs area, a fireplace that gave off great warmth on a January evening and music playing in the background but not too loud so at least you can have a conversation. Go and pay it a visit and support traditional local pubs.
5 out of 5Charles Bertolion Google, June 2023
Best service and hospitality in London from our new friend Kyle! One of the oldest pubs in London, this place is not to be missed if you are anywhere near the Barbican area (and worth the journey if you are a bit farther away). Incredibly easy to access from the Barbican/Farringdon tube stops. So much history in this place, can’t recommend highly enough. We were only here for drinks, as they are not historically known for food - however, Kyle is beginning to add handmade sandwiches (and soon to carry proper fish & chips) to the menu as well. Unfortunately, we only had 2.5 days to explore…
5 out of 5Jon Daltonon Google, August 2024
Great traditional pub near to the Barbican tube station. Well worth a visit.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.