Shakespeare Pub & Grille

The Vibe

Shakespeare Pub and Grille has been a fixture on India Street in Mission Hills since 1990, established by British expats who wanted to build an authentic piece of home in San Diego. The Old World English Tudor-style interior -- dark wood, low lighting, and pub memorabilia -- creates an atmosphere that feels genuinely transported from England rather than merely inspired by it. Large picture windows let natural light into the main room, while a wraparound patio deck gives the pub a distinctly Southern California outdoor dimension that no actual English pub could offer.

The Setup

Multiple screens are positioned throughout the interior and patio for match viewing. Shakespeare opens early for Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup matches, and the sound goes to the biggest game of the day. The pub also shows rugby, NFL, MLB, and NBA, but soccer is the clear priority and the reason most regulars walk through the door. First Touch magazine named Shakespeare one of the best soccer bars in the USA.

Match Day Experience

Saturday and Sunday mornings transform the pub into a proper football viewing experience. The crowd is a mix of British expats who have been coming since the 1990s and American fans who grew up watching the Premier League. The atmosphere is more pub than sports bar -- conversation and banter flow naturally, and the communal feeling is genuine. During World Cup tournaments and major European finals, the pub fills to capacity and the energy rivals anything in San Diego's sports bar scene.

Food and Drink

The fish and chips are the signature dish, and they have earned it: Shakespeare won Best Fish and Chips in the U.S. in 2017, and the dish has been a local favorite for over three decades. The menu extends to other British classics: bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, and a full English breakfast. The beer list features popular brands from Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe, and the U.S., with proper English ales given pride of place.

Who Goes There

British expats who consider Shakespeare their local, Premier League die-hards, San Diego soccer community regulars, and visitors who come for the award-winning fish and chips and stay for the football. The Mission Hills location draws from the surrounding neighborhoods -- Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park -- and the pub has a loyal following that spans generations. Weekend brunch brings non-soccer fans too, but the morning crowd is firmly football-first.

Insider Tips

The fish and chips are as good as advertised -- order them. The patio is the best spot on mild San Diego mornings, but it fills first for big matches. Parking on India Street can be competitive on weekends, so check the side streets. If Shakespeare is too packed, Princess Pub in Little Italy and Bluefoot in North Park are solid alternatives within a short drive.