Barley Mow is a down to earth, proper pub in the heart of trilby-wearing country.

The Venue
Barley Mow is a small, unassuming pub – this is, quite simply, a drinking joint in a great location on Shoreditch’s bustling Curtain Road. Don't come if you're expecting glamour and glitz though; this is really a place for after-work pints with friends or a night of unadulterated pub drinking to the sounds of the jukebox. A small bar is made up for by the friendly and astonishingly fast-serving bar staff, although the toilets leave little to be desired.

The Atmosphere
Friendly sums up Barley Mow thanks to the sprinkling of regulars reading the paper, old men and their dogs and trendy media types. The jukebox has good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll and indie tracks - if you can get to it, it's tucked away in a corner and the size of the place means it's often a bit of a squash. However, everyone - old and young - gets on, peacefully united in their love of booze.

The Drink
A small bar makes for a simple collection of drinks: the usual lagers, a small selection of wine and basic spirits. Prices are fairly reasonable; a large wine is about £4.50 and a pint is around the £3 mark.

The Last Word
Small, simple and friendly, if you're not in the mood for the skinny jeans brigade, Barley Mow is the perfect low-key watering hole.

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