The Shakespeare sat on its corner on Devonshire Street like an old friend, even though I'd never been there. I walked past a lot of times, but usually on the way back home, or on the way to town. I started going there recently. It's a curious little pub. Across the road is nifty fish restaurant Mohr Fish - which has a constant queue for tables. As a result of this, the overflow usually makes for the Shakespeare where they mingle with the locals while waiting for a seat. Ask the guys at Mohr nicely and they'll call you when there's a table free. In the evenings the overspill often ends up out on the street corner where the buzz of conversation continues unabated. You'd be lucky to get a table on a Thursday or Friday evening
The TAB in the corner usually does a brisk trade, as does the bar. The Shakespeare, decor-wise, is pretty threadbare, but it seems to work. The locals seem to occassionally resent the interlopers in their midst, especially when one does something out-of-place (on a recent visit, one guy fell off his chair in the middle of the bar, eliciting much muttering and head shaking), but there never seem to be harsh words exchanged.
review by: Jason