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Londonderry

Europe

United Kingdom

Nestled in the historic streets behind St. Paul's Cathedral, Shaws Booksellers offers a charming blend of British pub tradition and a cozy, inviting atmosphere. This pub is a hidden gem that combines a rustic, vintage decor with a lively, welcoming vibe, making it a perfect spot for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic London experience. The pub's warm wooden fixtures and airy space create a perfect setting for unwinding after a day of sightseeing or enjoying a casual evening with friends.

Shaws Booksellers is more than just a pub; it's a place with a story. Originally mistaken for a bookshop, this pub has retained its quirky charm and offers a distinctive experience away from the typical city pubs. Its location near iconic landmarks like St. Paul's makes it a convenient stop for culture seekers. The pub's interior features vintage fixtures and a rustic decor that exudes character, making it a favorite among those who appreciate a touch of history with their drink.

The pub is renowned for its hearty British gastro pub cuisine, with dishes that are both comforting and beautifully presented. Standout offerings include Scottish eggs with mustard, bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked, and classic fish and chips that are crispy, tender, and served with a tangy tartar sauce. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, with friendly bartenders and a well-curated selection of local ales and wines. The pub's interior combines vintage fixtures with a welcoming, neighborhood feel, making it an ideal spot for a casual meal or a lively evening out.

What is Shaws Booksellers known for? It is celebrated for its authentic British pub experience, hearty gastro pub dishes, and its charming, vintage decor that offers a cozy yet lively atmosphere.

Why visit Shaws Booksellers? It offers a unique blend of history, character, and excellent British cuisine, all in a conveniently located spot near St. Paul's Cathedral, perfect for a relaxing drink after sightseeing.

Whether you're seeking a quiet corner to enjoy a traditional British ale, a lively spot to meet friends, or a cozy place to unwind after exploring nearby landmarks, Shaws Booksellers offers an authentic London pub experience. Its welcoming ambiance, excellent food, and rich history make it a must-visit for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in local culture. Don't miss the chance to enjoy their well-stocked bar, friendly service, and the stories that each corner of this unique pub holds.

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Went in here and waited for about 10 minutes. No one showed up to take an order for food or drinks. Got up and left.

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After our visit at St. Paul's Cathedral and that terrifying climb to the top, I needed a drink. :) We wanted to find something off the beaten path so we started to wander. I'll admit this was not our first choice. We walked into a pub right down the street, but would not serve us because we had a minor. That was their right, but I'll get to that later. 

So we found Shaws Booksellers. It's a large, bright pub with very friendly bartenders. We ordered our drinks and found a place to sit. We also found an outlet to charge our phones, so that was lovely. It was the end of the day so it started to get busy and thought it wise to move and tuck ourselves away in a corner so that people could enjoy their pints after a long day of work. 

We had a couple drinks and really enjoy the conversation with the bartenders. It truly was a cute place to grab a drink. We had a large lunch so we didn't order any food, but the menu looking great and the food i saw come out looked fabulous. 

On our way out we walked by other pub and it was dead. No one is in there. Shaws Booksellers was packed and people were out on the sidewalk enjoying their beverage. So yeah, that felt good. :)

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Like many before I was confused to discover that Shaws Booksellers is in fact a pub. As I walked towards the sign for this place, I had hoped to find a dusty independent book shop where I could spend an hour or so wandering between the shelves and searching out hidden gems. Not one to be out done by a change of plan however, I instead spent an hour or so knocking back a few alcoholic drinks and listening to the city boys bicker. 

Shaws Booksellers is a very handy place to know about because of its location just round the corner from St Pauls. If you ever find yourself having a day of culture it's quite nice to know that at the end of it all there is a decent pub that you can reward/undermine all of your hard work in. Like I said before though, this is a very popular haunt for the city boys so expect a bit of competition for your table. Bar prices also reflect this clientele and a glass of wine will easily set you back a fiver. Unfortunately, like so many other places in 'The City' this pub is closed at the weekend so for many people a visit will be quite difficult to fit in. Nonetheless it's rare to find a pub in this area with a bit of character and if I'm ever back at St Paul's I'll definitely return.

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Loved this place.  We were on vacation from California and wanted to find a proper English pub that wasn't corporate.  THIS was a fantastic find.  We took a little walk after visiting St. Paul's trying to find the smallest streets possible.  This little part of town is off the beaten tourist track and has a very neighborhood feel.  Everyone loved our food, the place was beautiful, service was great too.  Even visiting the toilet was a treat.  I had the scottish eggs with mustard and a glass of wine.  They were yummy.  My husband had the fish and chips which he loved as well.

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This pub has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first proper pubs I came to in London out of the central hub. It's also one of the best.


 Somehow, it still manages to stay pretty quiet. There's the usual city type hubbub at lunchtime, but all of the other pubs in the area (there's a lot of them) will be packed, here you can usually just walk right up to the bar. Brilliant. They have lots of ale.


 The pub is gorgeous. Old fixtures and prettyness. It's a very open space which is nice, but you still like you have privacy. I'm a fan of the staff here. They're fun and helpful and tell me what kind of things are in my wine to explain why it's so yummy. They're cute too.


 The food is the main reason for coming here. It's a gastro pub so expect wholesome british food arranged prettily on a plate. But the thing I like about a good gastro pub is that most of the time it's just normal food, but a million times nicer than your typical pub. Bangers and mash will always taste yummier in a gastro pub. There's usually a great choice, and if memory serves it's mostly local produce which I'm always a fan of.


 If you've been wondering around Tate Modern, pop in here on your way back and relax to their jazz music tinkling in the background. Last time I did that I didn't leave until late into the evening.

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This is just one of those quintessentially British pubs hidden around the corner. Quite literally in this case as one of my good friends lived right next to this pub for about a year but each time we went out in search of a place to drink we turned right towards St. Paul's instead of left to go around the empty looking corner to see Shaws Booksellers.

To be clear, this is a pub not a bookshop cum anything. The food menu is sparse to say the least with no real options other than the burger if you want a proper meal. They have a fairly decent wine selection and even the house red is quite tasty but be prepared to part with at least a fiver per glass. 

The decor is quite rustic with the full on wooden tables and chairs carefully arranged to look haphazard without blocking the easy routes for the bar staff to get around to you in as little time as possible. That being said, I don't think they have table service beyond delivering your food to the table.

Overall, it's a good hidden pub in St. Paul's but nothing that I really cared for. It is likely to be better on the weekends as on a Tuesday it was completely dead and quite boring to be honest.

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I like this pub a lot.  It's a little eccentric, a little City, but a magical find really, it's the sort of place that All-Bar-One try to make and fail.  Good beer and a great location. If you're near, pop in for a beer.

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I went on Friday night for an engagement party.  I'm not sure if we were the reason but it was PACKED.  If you want low key on the weekend,  this isn't the place but if you want bustling and lively with a great selection of beer, this might just be the place for you ;)!

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Cool place.  Nice staff.  Tasty Burger.  Interesting wine selection.  Plenty of brews on tap.  You had me at the Magnum P.I. book!

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Love this quirky little pub hidden away in the back streets behind St Paul's Cathedral and Fleet Street. It manages to feel cosy and yet elegantly airy and open at the same time. The food is delicious gastro pub grub and the clientele (whilst mostly suits) manages to avoid forming the sort of oppressive crowd you find pouring out the doors of less charming pubs in the same area. Great spot for an after work drink or a cosy dinner with friends.

Shaws Booksellers: Authentic London Pub Near St. Paul's Cathedral

explore the charming pub and restaurant scene at shaws booksellers

A cozy spot for drinks and gastro pub delights

Discover a hidden gem with a local neighborhood feel

Enjoy a variety of classic and contemporary British dishes

A perfect place for after-work drinks and weekend gatherings

Enjoy a rich selection of drinks from local ales to fine wines

Enjoy a cozy atmosphere and a welcoming vibe

Step into a lively pub culture with a touch of London charm

Experience the best of British pub cuisine and a lively social scene

Discover Shaws Booksellers in London, a charming bookstore haven in Londonderry. Dive into literary treasures and enjoy a unique shopping experience—visit today!

Shaws Booksellers: Authentic London Pub Near St. Paul's Cathedral

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