The Shakespeare

As an ex barman, I feel sorry for the staff here. They have the odds stacked against them — New Street Station surely must be the most charmless train station of it’s size in the country and most of the customers that come in must be only there because of long waits due to delayed services so it can’t be an easy job, especially when you factor in the lack of natural light, decidedly average selection and mundane décor.
It’s not as bad as it could of been. There were a few signs of hope when I pursued the bar menu, a few flickers that suggested someone with at least a modicum of taste had chosen it. The prices, though not cheap, were at least not as expensive as I’d been expecting. And those staff were unbelievably cheery considering their unfortunate employment situation.
So in conclusion an honest slogan for this pub would be «the Shakespeare — marginally better than you’d expect it to be».

These days, if your train has been delayed the reaction is to sit yourself down on a seat on the platform and catch up on emails, or pick up your phone to browse at just about anything you fancy. There was a time when you’d go to the nearest pub for a sharpener.
If you are of the old mind-​set then you don’t have far to walk if you are delayed at Birmingham New Street. Just walk up the stairs and before the ticket gate is this pub. There never seem to be many or even any people in here, and when there are they are among the weariest faces seen by man. The beers on offer are standard fare at standard prices. If you have a big wait though, you’re better off making the short walk to The Victoria on nearby John Bright Street.

If I can help it I usually try to avoid pubs in train stations. Normally they are overpriced and have a poor atmosphere almost as though people are so disheartened at the thought of rail travel that they cannot bring themselves to spark up a conversation. However, due to a particularly long wait at New Street one day I decided to venture into the Shakespeare. It was pretty much as I had expected; the pub itself was comfortable and warm but the atmosphere was nonexistent and the prices were pretty high. The staff were pleasant and I have to commend them for doing their utmost to improve each customers drinking experience. I think the main problem is that train stations are not fun places to be at the best of times, they are simply unavoidable parts of cross country travelling and as such pubs suffer. The Shakespeare is not the world’s worst pub, far from it, but it is also a long way from being the best.