Shelly B, you've got a hold on me... well a grasp, nay a touch, heck let's just call the whole thing off!
With work being situated on the same block as the Bourne Shellpremacy it's amazing I'm not seen here more regularly. Or maybe it isn't. For one, it's not exactly cheap. Considering that I am happy to pay top end prices at small bars, I kind've expect a pub to do it a bit cheaper (they have poker machines after all, so why stick me for $10 for a beer?).
The food here's pretty good. I've had the schnitty, and it's satisfactory by pub standards. They also have a condiment alley so you can pray to the Masterfood gods of Ketchup and American Mustard.
The indoor seating is hit and miss. They have this massive vacant area in front of the bar by the stairwell, that feels... well... awkward. You can't really stand there without feeling like a total muppet, and there ain't no seats, so you waddle over to where everyone is jammed in adjacent to the bar instead and try obtaining a seat there. The bench tables are sturdy, long and strong, and if you and your crew happen to nab one of these, good for you. If you don't then your going to be crowded around one of those tall circular spinning tops where every slight bump could see that $10 schooey hit the deck.
There's a niche alcove around the other side of the bar, for that intimate setting if you happen to have a date or something, and upstairs caters for functions. Naturally the best place to be at the Shellbourne is out the front in the beer garden. This is where the magic happens. The cool conversations, the people watching, and the breath of fresh air (let me clarify the usage of "fresh" here. It's oxygen mixed with carbon monoxide expelled from lungs and belched out of car exhausts - but hey it's still better than inside).
All in all the Shelbz is an ok place to mingle, meet for a few after work, or have a quick bite. However, if you are wanting a longer stay somewhere this place probably isn't where you want to be. The atmosphere is suited to suits. read more