The Hand and Shears cheerily sits on the corner of Cloth Fair and Middle Street, minutes away from the Barbican. Fire-engine red with hanging baskets, lanterns and handwritten signs make it appear better suited to a position near a plodding country train station than on the fringes of the be-suited City.

The Venue
Like many of the pubs around the narrow alleyways of the old City of London, Hand and Shears can claim a genuine and quite romantic history. Originally a Twelfth Century alehouse, by Tudor times it had become an unofficial court house for rogue cloth merchants. There’s definitely a feeling of being somewhere that’s witnessed a few sights and fights - the walls have ears type of thing. However, besides a sort of vaguely ye olde worlde vibe, it’s quite nondescript.

The pub is small and dark with matchboard walls and various snugs and nooks served from an island bar. Faded brocade curtains and the bland art on the walls say it hasn’t been pimped up in a long time, but that’s okay, it’s still quite agreeable. There are some quite interesting old photos about though, that capture a bit of Smithfield and the surrounding area’s distinguished history.

The Atmosphere
No pretentions, Hand and Shears is the kind of place where the sport of serious drinking takes place. The staff are obliging, quietly helpful and older - reflecting the clientele, and it’s nice to be served by someone without moody hair and deliberately saggy jeans. There’s no music, and you feel compelled to whisper a bit, as if you’re in a library. Aging suits and locals prop up the bar, and there’s a very unhurried air about the place. Its family friendly too, so again you’re a bit taken aback that you’re in trendy Farringdon when you leave.

The Food
A hearty Northern menu: sausage and chips, ham, egg and chips, steak and chips. They like chips. There are also jacket potatoes, baguettes and cottage pie - cheap and cheerful at about £7 a dish.

The Drink
There isn’t a wine list, Hand and Shears is definitely more about the pints and shorts. The house choices are a French Merlot, a French Sauvignon or a Chilean Chardonnay. A small and large glass cost £3 and £4.60 respectively, and a bottle is £12.

Lager on tap include Fosters, Kronenbourg, Stella, Guinness, John Smith and Strongbow, with ales including Courage Best, Courage Directors, Adnams and Wadsworth. For bottles you can choose from Budweiser, Budvar, Becks, Pilsner, Bulmers or Courage Light ale.

The Last Word
Genial if a bit uninspiring – Hand and Shears is a nice place for a pint and a bag of pork scratchings. No major lasting impressions but certainly a pleasant enough spot to wile away a few hours with a mate you haven’t seen in a while.

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