The Barley Mow

Very lively pub, foreigner-friendly, crowded but yet still has space to snug in and sip your bevvie. We had: a Mainstream London lager (tasty), mulled wine (the very last of the batch! And tasty) and an Elderberry Gin Fizz (also very tasty). Loud but not crazy, prices average, around £5 for draughts, and mixed drinks from £6-8. Nice list of draughts (photo attached) and a very nice Elderberry Gin Fizz. Recommended!

Shoreditch's answer to the darling Golden Heart nearer Spitalfields Market, The Barley Mow is a diminutive but charming little boozer which is one of an ever dwindling number of Shoreditch pubs that has not fallen prey to the curse of gentrification.

Yes, it's small and I rue the day the local council banned the tables and chairs outside that once made this the perfect Summer pub. Regardless, the Barley Mow retains an authentic charm and an unpretentiousness that should serve to remind its patrons of what this area was once like.

The Barley Mow is a refreshing change from most bars in this area. Whereas the majority are increasingly opting for style over substance, this charming little number focuses on what a true pub should be about: a good pint, good company and a friendly atmosphere. This place generally attracts locals who've been coming for years and a smattering of youngsters eager to escape the pretension of the rest of Shoreditch.

The staff are friendly and chatty and offer a decent if not great range of lagers, spirits and wines. Prices here are also generally cheaper than most coming in at around £3 a pint.

The one big downfall of this place is the size (admittedly not really the fault of anyone) which means that during the summer, and especially on the weekends during the day, the place can get full to bursting meaning its not always the relaxing experience it really should be. This aside, a great little pub.

I finally had a visit from a Canadian friend, albeit a brief one. With the plethora of drinking establishments in Shoreditch I could have taken her anywhere, but I opted for The Barley Mow because of the 'traditional pub' label it's been given on here.

It's small and narrow. The walls are dark. Everything smells of fresh beer and wood. It's absolutely wonderful and exactly the type of place to go if you want to get a more traditional feel in the midst of the trendiness and styled kitsch of Shoreditch. The bar staff are friendly and make great recommendations, and are always offering to let you have a taste of what's on tap before grabbing a full pint. I can't say much about the selection itself as I don't drink beer, but there seemed to be a wide variety including the usual London Pride, in addition to a couple more crafty brews.

Wow turned up had a few drinks in here. They had a quiz night on which we joined in on the first round. At first we didn't know they did food as its not really advertised that well but when we did we had a hamburger each and wow. They were so tasty def a 10 out of 10.
Would def revisit.

Recently moved to London from California, and found this gem within a week of moving in. I now stop off there at least once a week. Great place to hang out when the hipster Shoreditch bar scene is overwhelming you. I recommend going to their quiz nights (19:30 Tuesdays and entry is FREE).
They have hands down the best Thai food in the area.

Great bar with cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. A must go.

Small, intimate and cosy, the Barley Mow is a great, traditional pub, with a good selection of beers, ales and wine. It can get busy, being on the corner of Curtain rd, but if you go at the right time and manage to get a table, it can be a refreshing change from some of the more pretentious bars in the area.

In the summer people spill out onto the pavement, it always makes me laugh when I buy a drink from an expensive bar and stand out on the street corner. But when it's so hot and busy inside you don't have much choice, unless you go onto another bar with a beer garden!

I remember when my mum used to come here after an art opening and i would be allowed to curl up in the corner and sleep for a bit. It was just as popular then as it is now and it really hasnt lost any of its proper east end/artsy mix of people and decor. and now that i go there to drink occasionally its interesting to see its spanning the generations of my family.
I havnt had the opportunity to go there as much as i'd have liked, but i would really recommend it.

I wonder sometimes if Nathan Barley was named after this place.


Ace location, better than average ale selection. The best name for a pub ever. Best in the Summer time, when the corner overflows with drinkers.

Best pub in London. The staff are great and on a Friday, having a pint on street outside is a beautiful thing.