Known for its old-school charm and a loyal following that included celebrities such as the Gallagher brothers, much-loved Soho landmark The Shaston Arms returned to prominence in the autumn of 2025, after a bold renovation.
The revival of the Soho pub has been led by Joe Grossman, the founder of Patty & Bun and the current landlord of The Waterman’s Arms in Barnes. The Shaston Arms is his second pub project, following The Waterman’s Arms, further developing his vision of London pub atmosphere with a fresh, modern dining experience.
Focused, seasonal, and unpretentious, the menu offers refined but approachable dishes, complementing the pub’s traditional sensibilities. Dishes at the time of writing include a merguez sausage baguette with frites, red mullet with squid and black rice, duck ragu with pappardelle, and pistachio treacle tart.
The busy bar remains at the heart of The Shaston, with the space having undergone careful refurbishment. The pub’s iconic Soho character of dark wood panelling and snug corners remains, but with thoughtful updates that make the old boozer feel a little more modern and comfortable. There’s a slick new 35-cover dining room, for example, which provides a space for diners away from the buzz of the bar.
Music and social events are a big part of life at The Shaston Arms, making the pub feel as much like a local, down-to-earth pub, as well as something more modern - somewhere equally suited to a weekday pint, a weekend lunch, or a lively evening with friends.
As the Soho dining scene continues to evolve, the revamping of pubs like The Shaston feels both nostalgic and optimistic for the future of Soho’s pub scene.