Shaun of the Dead Characters - Winchester Tavern Characters

The Winchester Tavern plays a prominent role in Shaun of the Dead. In the early stages of the film, it’s the place where the characters (especially Shaun and Ed) gather to enjoy a pint of beer and a bit of company. Later in the movie, it becomes their sanctuary against the zombie hordes which have overrun the city.

There are four primary characters identified with the Winchester. Let’s take a brief look at each.

John (as portrayed by Steve Emerson) - The owner of the Winchester, he also lives above the tavern with his wife, Bernie. John is getting on in years and has white hair and glasses. He also has tattoos on his fingers, with the art spelling out "John" on his left hand.

Ed’s friend Big Al claims that John has mafia ties, which explains why he’s (a.) handy with a knife, (b.) has a gruff demeanor, and (c.) is married to Bernie, his trophy wife (although it should be noted that Bernie looks nothing like a trophy wife). Ed also claims that the Winchester rifle hanging above the bar is loaded, thus proving that John is a made man.Later in the film, when the characters take refuge in the Winchester, John appears as a zombie and attacks them. They fend him off with pool cues to the tune of Queen’s "Don’t Stop Me Now," and Shaun eventually kills John by grabbing him around the neck with the Winchester rifle and driving his head through the jukebox.

Moments later, we learn that the Winchester is indeed loaded, but John’s mafia ties are never confirmed.

Bernie (as portrayed by Phyllis McMahon) - The wife of the Winchester’s owner, John. Bernie is a blonde somewhere in her 50s or 60s. She never has a speaking line, although Ed claims that she’s John’s trophy wife from his days in the mafia. Later in the film, Bernie emerges from the manager’s office and attacks the group as zombies begin to overrun the pub. As Ed grapples with his flatmate, Pete, Bernie comes from behind and bites Ed in the neck. She is not seen again, but it is safe to assume that she is killed by the military shortly thereafter.

The Spinster (as portrayed by Patricia Franklin) - An older woman with glasses who frequents the Winchester every night and always sits at the same booth. In an effort to cheer up Shaun, Ed makes up several facts about her, including (a.) that she’s a "cockacidal maniac", (b.) an ex-porn star, and (c.) that she starred in the world’s first interracial hardcore film. Later in the film, when the group is trying to get into the Winchester, we see the Spinster as a zombie. We see her again later, when Shaun, Ed, and Liz have taken refuge behind the flaming bar. The Spinster is about to attack them, but the flames from the bar ignite a box of bullets. One of the bullets strikes her in the head and kills her.

Snakehips (as portrayed by Stuart Powell) - A slick character who can often be found drinking and smoking at the Winchester Tavern. He has white hair, steel-toed cowboy boots, and is fond of wearing black. In an effort to cheer up Shaun, Ed claims that Snakehips is (a.) always surrounded by women, (b.) actually a bigamist, (c.) strangled his first wife, and (d.) invented the mobile disco. Later in the film, as the group approaches the Winchester on foot, Shaun sees the dead body of Snakehips in a backyard. True to Ed’s story, he is surrounded by women. Unfortunately for him, they happen to be female zombies, who are carefully eating his innards.