Great pub. Got no pretentions or intentions but to serve a drink to those in need. And not in such desperate need as those at the Bricklayers down the street.

When it comes to night-time, there are not many places that are more alive than the area of Shoreditch. Umpteen bars and music venues line its broken glassed streets, but what about those old traditional pubs, you know the one’s, where fine ale is still served and the structure is made of wooden beams, a bit of style.

The Barley Mow is a tiny little pub, right in the middle of the heaving mayhem, small in size, but large in soul with two rooms on seperate floors. The bar area is narrow, with about five tables to sit at, don’t expect to get a seat, although you might get lucky. Should you require to rest your weary legs, then there is an upstairs too with a further six tables.

The upstairs looks down over Curtain road and is a little oasis of calm away from the drunken tomfoolery of the outside world. The beers are good and the atmosphere is friendly, even if you do step on everyone’s shoes trying to get by…