William Shakespeare Pub

William Shakespeare Pub does what British pubs abroad always do: it creates a bubble of familiarity in an unfamiliar city. For expats living in Baku, it's a lifeline. For tourists, it's a comfortable pit stop. For Azerbaijani regulars, it's an adopted cultural experience. All three groups coexist happily.

The beer selection is the pub's strongest asset beyond the atmosphere. Around 12 taps pour a mix of British ales, European lagers, and local options. Imported bottles fill the gaps. The rotating guest tap is worth asking about, as it occasionally features something interesting. Pint prices at AZN 6-12 ($3.55-7.05) are moderate for a venue that imports most of its stock.

The pub food is reliable if unspectacular. Fish and chips are competently fried, burgers arrive with proper buns, and the shepherd's pie hits the comfort-food mark. It's not culinary innovation, but it's exactly what you want with a pint during a football match.

Sports broadcasts are central to the pub's identity. Premier League weekends fill the ground floor with fans in jerseys, creating a genuine matchday atmosphere. Champions League nights are similarly busy. If you're not interested in sports, visit on a non-match evening for a quieter experience.

The expat community anchors the social scene. Regular faces appear weekly, conversations flow between tables, and newcomers are welcomed with the casual friendliness that pub culture encourages. The bartenders know the regulars by name and extend the same warmth to first-time visitors.

The upper floor provides a calmer alternative to the main bar. Table service, a full food menu, and reduced noise from the sports screens make it suitable for dinner or conversation. The stairs create a natural separation between the two atmospheres.

The pub's limitation is its specificity. If you came to Baku to experience Azerbaijani culture, drinking imported beer in a British pub is not the way to do it. But if you need a night off from cultural exploration, or if you simply want a proper pint and a football match, Shakespeare delivers.