Recreating the Energy of an English Pub in New York City? It's Harder Than You'd Think

Cofounders Jess Shadbolt and Annie Shi worked with designer Jason Chen to bring the interiors of their buzzy new English pub-inspired joint Dean's in SoHo to life.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a wooden bar stool in bright neon colors, repeated in a grid pattern to create a modern, abstract interpretation of a classic pub item.The vibrant, pop art-inspired design of Dean's interiors aims to capture the lively, convivial atmosphere of a traditional English pub.NYC Today

When chef Jess Shadbolt and beverage director Annie Shi opened their upscale dining restaurant King in 2016, they established a reputation for creating an effortless, convivial atmosphere. Now, with their new English pub-inspired spot Dean's in SoHo, they've tapped interior designer Billy Cotton to help capture that same sense of easy camaraderie in the space's design.

Why it matters

Recreating the cozy, communal vibe of a traditional English pub is a challenge, especially in the fast-paced, high-energy environment of New York City. Shadbolt and Shi's success in doing so at Dean's speaks to their keen understanding of hospitality and their ability to transport diners to another time and place through thoughtful design.

The details

Despite only being open for eight nights, Dean's in SoHo has already made a splash, with diners packing the 38-seat space and sharing photos of the Stargazy Pie, a savory Cornish seafood pastry, on Instagram. Shadbolt and Shi, who are known for their upscale dining concept King, worked with interior designer Billy Cotton to capture the convivial energy of an English pub in the new space, from the candlelit tables to the mahogany and pine bar.

  • Dean's opened to the public just eight nights ago.
  • Shadbolt and Shi opened their restaurant King in 2016.

The players

Jess Shadbolt

Chef and co-founder of Dean's and King.

Annie Shi

Beverage director and co-founder of Dean's and King.

Billy Cotton

Interior designer who worked on the design of Dean's.

Jason Chen

Designer who worked on the interiors of Dean's.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Shadbolt and Shi's ability to recreate the convivial atmosphere of an English pub in their new SoHo restaurant Dean's, despite the challenges of the fast-paced New York City dining scene, demonstrates their deep understanding of hospitality and their talent for transporting diners to another time and place through thoughtful design.