The Crown and Shuttle

They don’t build pubs like they used to, which means it’s just as well that people are still finding old ruins to make hip for the East London crowd. History, friends, that’s what’s really cool. Far be it from us to diss the rest, we just think it’s better this way. Located on Shoreditch High Street, The Crown and Shuttle was just such a wreck, a wreck that got the full makeover from beast to beauty.

Phrases like ‘original features’ and ‘restored glory’ are bandied about rather willy nilly these days, but in the case of The Crown and Shuttle, they are correct. Located on Shoreditch High Street, the pub is a testament to what can be done when you have a grand Victorian building as your starting point. Originally opened in the late 1900s and shutdown over a decade ago, the pub re-launches with as much of its original aesthetic intact as possible. Which means authentic exposed brickwork and warm wooden features in a spacious, attractive pub. The gappy walls and visible beer kegs are another plus. Clearly some serious thought went into the design here.

No doubt The Crown and Shuttle will become a mainstay for City drinkers and perhaps the ultra long bar was added in view of that. Running from one end of the pub to the other, it is as impressive as it is practical. On taps behind this incredibly long bar you’ll, find the majority of the range offered by Meantime brewery, along with some unusual additions. The unfiltered, unpasteurized Meantime Lager was a welcome touch and the large barrel’s presence on the bar is one of those pleasing little touches that you’ll notice from time to time at The Crown and Shuttle. The fridges have a varied array of craft beers and there are obviously alternative wines and spirits available. There is a food van in the garden (the very large garden filled with plenty of mismatched furniture) along with ping-pong and fussball tables.

The Crown and Shuttle has all the potential it needs to establish itself as one of the area’s finest pubs. If it can achieve a fine balance between the bankers, locals and scenesters (like its sister pub The Waterpoet just around the corner) then there is nothing but good things to report about this fine restoration job.