But there’s been one thing that’s been just a bit lacking in the handful of times I’ve been there: ambience. I hate to even mention this because: (a) I like the Shakespeare, and (b) this is a British pub we’re talking about.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Shakespeare, the pub sits on an elevated plot of land on the corner of India and Winder streets. It has a roomy L shaped interior with Tudor style décor, and a patio that looks over the aforementioned streets. The pub is in a great location, at the southern end of quaint and eclectic block of India Street that includes a Vietnamese restaurant and a gelato shop.

As for the atmosphere, there are a few reasons it’s felt a little flat each time I’ve been there; and I don’t necessarily fault the pub. First, from what I could see, none of the groups of people interacted with each other. Nada, nothing. There was zero camaraderie among the patrons.

For a British pub, you want to be able to lean over to the group next to you and tell them what shite their team/food/country is. And just as they’re thinking about taking a swing at you, you want to kick in a hearty cheers and let ‘em know that your team/food/country is even more shite than theirs.

I mean, that’s what a British pub is all about.

Now, I don’t blame the Shakespeare for that not happening. But, management could make the place more conducive to spontaneous conversation by making the bar bigger and adding waist-high lounge tables to the dining area. That way, people could stand, move, roam,…interact.

The second reason the atmosphere fell a little flat was that there was no quality football on the telly. I don’t care if you have to record it, TiVo it, or show it from ten years ago, if you manage a British pub, you’ve got to have good football playing on the telly.

On Saturday night, what did the Shakespeare have? The Seattle Sounders versus the Richmond Kickers. That’s second division U.S. soccer. Talk about banal. These teams aren’t even popular in…Seattle and Richmond.

How about the Premiership? Or the Spanish league? Show the World Cup game where Beckham gets sent off against Argentina, or the one where he scores on a penalty kick against ‘em four years later. That’s drama. That’s good soccer. I think it was Einstein who said that you cannot simultaneously drink Guinness and care about the Seattle Sounders – Richmond Kickers game.

Hey, there’s a lot to like about the pub. I enjoyed the food so much, I ate there twice…in about forty minutes. First, I ordered the Shepherd’s Pie, which was delivered in about five minutes. The pie itself included minced meat (ground beef to us Yanks), diced potatoes, peas, and melted cheese. It came with a side of peas. The meal arrived hot and perfectly prepared. At $11.95, it wasn’t quite as filling as I’d hoped.

So, I called for the Steak and Mushroom Pot Pie. The pie offered cubed steak and mushrooms in a red wine sauce, and had a “puff pastry” on top. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. All tasted well with this one. However, I’m still not sure how you’re supposed to cut the pastry without spilling the stew all over your plate. (Order it—see for yourself.) At $11.95, it was more than filling.

Our server was responsive and organized. She delivered the food and drinks quickly and with a pleasant demeanor. What more could you ask for?

I’ll be at the Shakespeare again. There’s a lot to like about this place. But, as for settling for tame atmosphere and second-rate soccer, I’ll budge not an inch.

Shakespeare Pub & Grille

3701 India St.

San Diego, CA 92103

(619) 299-0230