The Shakespeare, Durham

17/09/2026

"But the strong base and building of my loveIs as the very centre of the earth, Drawing all things to it." - Troilus and Cressida

Work is well underway giving Durhams oldest and most haunted pub a facelift but that doesn’t make any difference inside, it’s still the most welcoming pub in Durhams city centre serving amazing ales and whatever else tickles your fancy!

17/09/2026

For anyone heading in to the Durham Folk Festival this weekend!

14/09/2026

We have a few weeks left with our current cask line up, what's your tipple of choice?

We will be refreshing our cask ales with a couple of different options soon!

11/09/2026

Although we don’t quite have an ‘upstairs gin bar’ anymore (but keep your eyes peeled for what is coming soon up there), it’s lovely to be included in this list of the best pubs for students in Durham!

The city is home to the world’s oldest student bar 🍻

10/09/2026

If you’re heading up to Durham Cathedral tonight for The Candlelight Company’s performance of ‘The Music Of Luther Vandross’, why not make a stop off at Durhams oldest pub on the way up? We’ll be staying open after the performance aswell for anyone who develops a thirst during the show!!

08/09/2026

“There’s small choice in rotten apples.” - The Taming Of The Shrew

Not a fan of apple c***r? Fear not, Old Mout C***r have you covered in our fridges, pick between Pineapple & Raspberry, Mango & Passionfruit or the flagship Berries & Cherries. We also stock the Berries & Cherries Alcohol Free for whoever prefers that option!

06/09/2026

"Remember thee? Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe." - Hamlet

Something eerie this way comes! Our back room has always been believed to be the most haunted room in Durham, and this upcoming spooky season we have a special guest manifesting on our cask ale line up!!

Keep an eye out 👀👻

05/09/2026

Due to some negative feedback on our Google Review page I felt the need just to clarify a few things.

Under 18’s are welcome at The Shakespeare from when we open at 11:30am up until 5pm, this time is not dictated by our staff, manager or owner, this is dictated to us by Durham County Council with their licensing restrictions. The licensing also specifies that, whilst they are welcome until 5pm, under 18’s must be sat in the rear rooms of the pub and not in the room where the bar is. Again, this is determined by Durham County Council and not ourselves.

I can appreciate that if you come in with a 16/17 year old relative after 5pm and are told they are not allowed on the premises this may be frustrating but it is no fault of anyone working at The Shakespeare and they are simply adhering to the laws that ensure we operate within Durham County Councils rules.

Unfortunately negative reviews can, and will continue to, be able to be posted about any business but I will not condone any customers being rude to the staff about this, or any other issue in the pub (The customer that left the review was not rude to staff, this is merely an additional point being made).

Our licensing is displayed on the wall next to the bar so anyone is welcome to come and read it to understand this issue further.

- Stephen, Bar Manager

05/09/2026

“I must obey; his art is of such power, It would control my dam’s god, Setebos, And make a vassal of him.” - The Tempest

This wonderful picture by JG Miller has just been dropped off for display in our pub by the man himself after we’ve had the Christmas card version displayed for some time. A wonderful capture of the bustling city and in the backdrop, the warm and welcoming lighting of Durhams oldest pub!

04/09/2026

"God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another." - Hamlet

New face, same old Landlord! We can assure you that nothing has changed with the taste, although he seems to have had a trip to Turkey to sort his hairline out!