please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Farage drinks there from time to time. Avoid
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Nice little find in the quiet backstreets of Westminster.
Came in, got a seat at the bar and ordered a decent pint of Doom Bar.
Then the place went mental as a huge group of young professionals came in at around 10pm.
Nice to see a place overspilling with people.
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Popped in for a pint Friday evening, not overly busy yet the service was still very slow, seating area packed away outside at 8 pm, "landlady" is nothing short of rude. If she spent less time smoking and more time serving I think I'd have given a 1 instead of the generous 0!
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Used to be a work local in the 90's. Revisited after more than a decade to find improved beers, yet whilst downstairs was overcrowded they wouldn't let us drink in the upstairs empty dining room.
Upstairs had of course been in separate bar in my day. Chuffing stupid.
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Godd ale, both in respect of selection and condition, but ridiculously busy post work.
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Godd ale, both in respect of selection and condition, but ridiculously busy post work.
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Great selection of different ales (and even some now straight from the barrels behind the bar) but as i said in my previous review from last year - they keep running out too quickly! very well kept though and very friendly staff - and now with table service!
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Bar staff are thieves - add extras to your card if you leave it behind the bar.
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Usually a good selection of guest ales but they keep running out! They clearly only order small quantities of each coz every time I attempt to have a second or third pint, it's inevitably "off". Frustrating, but I suppose it does mean i get the chance to try the others!
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Historic pub with good selection of bitters on most evenings and in summer a good suntrap round the side. However completely let down by chronic understaffing at the bar, wait times for a pint becoming a complete joke. On the plus side you often get to see MPs who are popping in for an expenses-paid-for pint getting slated by the other customers. Not worth travelling for but OK if you are in the area.
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A truly awful experience. After waiting at the bar watching people being served in front of me for over half an hour I gave up. Friends who were with me persevered and found that there was no bitter (despite advertisement to the contrary) and several of the beers that were indicated as being on tap were not available. Bar staff were rude, unbelievably slow and left the bar for long periods of time without serving people. Avoid if you can.
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Unbelievable! The staff use people's tabs to buy themselves drinks!! Be warned! (they seem to think it's funny when questioned about it too).
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Full of smug Burberry types. With giant handbags that anyone within a 10 metre radius can't help but walk into.
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full of smug defra types
baz66 - 20 Apr 2010 13:51 |
I have been in Marquise several times over the last month and often they are simply understaffed. But, the pub is so nice, especially upstairs. Nice place to go out. The barman seems far too slow and he does ignore customers, though some seem to like him, but the rest of the staff is very nice.
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Another pub which doesn�t know how to serve people, clue� the person at the bar first gets served first! The guy I was standing next to mentioned to the bar man he served 2 people who had just arrived at the bar before him; the barman just smiled and then ignored him... I also had the same thing happen to me and just walked out! On top of that the bar girl working here is as miserable as hell! Small pub, nothing special and with bar staff as rude they have, no reason to bother popping in.
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Nice pint of London Pride. When I ordered I was asked if I would like it is a Straight Glass or Mug (a nice touch these days). usual selection of Nicholsons Ales including Hobgoblin and Morrisy Fox. Upper dining room. Worth a visit. I visited during the day so not sure about evenings
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Along with the Royal Oak about the nearest competitor to the Speaker in Westminter. Approaching down Romney St there were dozens of people drinking outside on both sides of the street - not sure what the local residents think of this.
Inside is a dark wood traditional interior with a mix of high and low tables and a good selection of ales - even Brains SA ("Skull Attack"). Patrons were mostly office workers and the buzz of conversation was not drowned by either loud music or sport on TV (despite it being a Champions League night).
If I worked in the area I'd happily come for a pint in here.
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Went in this pub and when closing time came staff starting taking drinks out of customers hands so that they could pack up.
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Improving on me. It's just so cheap (for the Pride)
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Popped in yesterday and some of the guest ale's advertised were not available. All they had on were Green King IPA (which should be prosecuted under the trades descriptions act) and Brains SA both of which are cooking beers. Should have known better than to have the Brains at �2.90. Revolting swill. This pub is okay but not worth a repeat visit, the music was too loud and got even louder when one of the staff's favourites came on, which was a Michael Jackson track. I ask you of all the music to play it had to be him! Well I don't want to sit inside a juke box so won't bother going back.
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Typical Nicholson�s boozer. Olde worldy type interior in the downstairs bar. Dining room upstairs.
Not a bad place to pop in for the odd pint, Pride is only �2.50 and I�ve always found it in decent nick. There are 3 other rotating guest beers as per Nich�s policy, which I suspect is too many for a pub of this type and why reviewers below have found their pints sub standard.
Personal experience of the bar staff has always been fine.
I have also eaten a couple of times upstairs and the fish and chips has been absolutely top notch in terms of quality, with the changing fish of the day clearly cooked in fresh batter rather than the frozen knock off fish n� chips you get in most central London pubs.
Overall I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here, but in terms of a local work boozer it�s not bad.
mrse1 - 25 Mar 2009 13:49 |
In a nutshell... average pub, terrible service. The bar staff seem totally unable, or unwilling, to note roughly in what order people come to the bar and will happily serve first whoever has appeared in front of them that very second. I waited 10 minutes while others (usually pretty girls!) wandered up and were served first, even with a bit of a nod and an attempt at eye contact. After someone finally bothered to take my order, and I started to walk away, I noted that the bloke next to me, who had arrived immediately after me, was himself being ignored.
The beer was fine, although I drink lager and as we all know, it all tastes the same! ;)
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Well poor experiences below I see - I call in here for 1 or 2 only every so often, a busy bustly pub, mostly home to many civil servants and other office bods, but others as well dotted about and therefore quite noisy - everyone having their fill before of to places north, south, east and west. Food on the go, but I have never botheres. The London Pride was good, and only �2.50 - hey its central London, it's good - and if not an exciting stop, then this is at least a traditional type place where its easy come easy go. My barman was sound by the way - they are kept busy of an evening.
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Typical Nicholson's pub (and that's not really a good thing). Four real ales on, but the Cains Bitter was passed its best (as seems to be the way for any beer offered in most outlets run by this chain).
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Avoid.
The contributor "Steven Martin", who comments below, is clearly employed by this shamefully bad pub, where customers are kept waiting by hopeless staff, given short measures and denied their lawful 20 minute drink-up time.
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Mixed opinions but I like this pub always good selection of ales good food fair price. Staff have changed over the past couple of months are a nice crew
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Home to the rudest barman on the planet.
Having asked for two 'pints' (pints being a crucial word here) of bitter the barman serves up two halves in pint glasses of some brown sludge.
When we asked for them to be topped up, you know like to somewhere nearer the top - I�ve got a thing about the weights and measures act, the charming barman, tutted, snarled and mumbled something in another language, took the glasses away and filled them up and slammed them back in front us.
Actually, on reflection perhaps he was trying to do us a favour. The beer was far from good, however not wanting to see what our host's party piece would be if we asked to change them, we drank up and left.
We will not be returning.
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Despite the comments below I think it's just possible that this pub may be one of the best in Britain.
Just a stones thrown from my workplace, the atmosphere is lively and I very excited about going with my co-workers this evening.
In a nutshell "Stellar"
10/10
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Visited for the first [and last] time yesterday. A pub where the miserable staff condescend to serve you if you wait long enough.
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I know the reviews policy says you shouldn't post gratutious abuse about pubs, but with this place it really is impossible not to.
Unfortunately, I work opposite the Grotbury (as it is unaffectionaly known) and so often get dragged to this establishment, principally because you can drink on the side street in the summer.
My latest experience summed it up. I couldn't get more than a few sips into my pint because it tasted so foul, so I went to the bar to order a glass of wine (I didn't bother taking the pint back because the bar staff would probably have just grunted at me). It took more than ten minutes to get my wine, during which time the staff served several people who had been in the queue for all of 15 seconds.
When I did get the wine, it was lukewarm. This really is a pub with no redeemable features whatsoever.
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i ask 2 things of a pub:
fairly well kept beer and service within 10 mins.
this place fails on both counts. oh, and the staff are rude too.
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I can only imagine that these reviews have been posted by staff or people who have never actually been to this pub. The staff are rude, they seem genuinely surprised that they have customers on a Friday night, and it is not uncommon to wait 10 mins for a drink. The food is dreadful. The interior is dark, dingy and only marginally improved with the smoking ban. The only redeeming feature is the people that drink there (or more accurately, outside, since they cannot bear to go inside)
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Visited this pub as part of the "Dick Whittington Ale Trail" - Westminister To Piccadilly. You get a Frre T Shirt after visiting 5 different Pubs - There a Six different Trails to do, all run by the Brewerey. This pub offered God Food a Beer at very competitive prices - Good selection of real ales and Lagers - Well worth a Visit
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You got served by the governor good on you joking aside I like this pub happy friendly place
anonymous - 1 Apr 2007 16:51 |
Generally this is a decent pub, esp at lunchtimes, and maybe for a pint after work, but is probably dead after 7pm. Reasonably priced for the area, bar staff usually good, some tv's for sports (though you often have to ask for them to be turned on and they're not keen on having the sound up). A bit on the small side though, which makes Friday lunchtimes too packed. And watch out if you get served by the landlord - which doesn't happen often - as he's a bit tight on the measures!
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great pub for real ales,brilliant bar staff,food excellent
anonymous - 24 Feb 2007 00:59 |
Full of office workers nether the less good pint and well looked after in restaurant
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Great ground floor bar traditional style 4 real ales good pub food. Upstairs restaurant with table service I prefer the main bar more like real boozer
anonymous - 20 Feb 2007 22:30 |
yes full of defraites
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This pub had a couple of guest ales last time I visited it. They were kept in good condition and were very enjoyable. I also sampled the food. Quite standard pub grub, but not too expemsive. I have to be honest it's a bit lacking in atmosphere - lots of midddle aged guys in suits (from whitehall presumably). The sort of pub to go to for a quiet after work drink.
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worth a pint, but a bit characterless for longer. upstairs room can be hired and is reasonable venue for parties/leaving dos
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The pits - not the pub the customers. Full of no nothing Defraites.
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Ah, how i will miss the Marquis. Not everyone's cup of tea, but i always enjoyed coming here.
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Whilst this isn't the place I would go for a big night out, it is a decent place to go for a few beers at lunch or after work. I found the bar staff friendly and efficient and the beer reasonable. The main downside is the limited size so it can pack up fairly quickly - but if you can get a seat it is an enjoyable venue.
anonymous - 30 Jun 2006 14:01 |
The bar staff are so slow i thought they might be dead, the atmosphere is crappy although that could be because of all the Defra weirdos that seem to live in there. If you need to speak to someone from Defra about bird flu call this pub.
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I'm never sure if I like this place or not - there is nothing to rave about, but equally, for a 'normal' pub nothing really to complain about either...
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"Progress" should be banned in pub interiors. Should be called "The Defra Arms". While Britain's farmers are out growing barley, Defra staff are in the Marquis drinking the end result!
gumpy - 30 Oct 2005 17:46 |
Nice comfortable interior. My Adnams Flagship tasted a bit off. Locals not overly welcoming but not dismissive or rude either. Pub seemed to fit the neighborhood. Would definitely go back.
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If the Marquis is the best pub in the world then I'm a monkeys uncle. Oo oo.
It's canny to fall into if you're DEFRA or work for a well known IT company... But not worth the effort of getting there if you're not in the area.
And to be fair it's not THAT hard to keep Stella and Fosters
And. Smirnoff Ice. Dear oh dear oh dear.
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I broadly agree with Liz. While I wouldn't go so far as to say the Marquis is the best pub in the world (the Nell Gwynne in Covent Garden is better) it is a damn good pub. Go there on a Friday evening
ight for instance and it will be packed out. Go there for a late beer after a leaving do on a Thursday night and it will be empty - but chilled out. IMHO I think the very recent refurb has opened up the pub. Though it's a shame that the booths have been replaced. I guess thats whats called progress!
Can't comment on the Smirnoff Ice situation, as it's not something I would drink, but the lager is normally very well kept.
It is very much a DEFRA pub. As most are around this part of the world; The Puzzle, Barley Mow, White Horse and I belive the Westminster Tavern (formally Pages Bar). I can't really speak for them as I work for a well known IT company...........
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The best pub in the world. Staff are a delight. Only problem is they've stopped serving smirnoff ice, please bring it back guys.
Ps. Defra staff are great. Don't avoid us, we love strangers.
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Had a slight refurb. Diabled toilet has been removed as have the island tables, which opens up more florr space. Still okay though.
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very hard to get served at five thirty on a thursday evening; the only time i have ever visited. nice cold stella and what seemed to be fairly nice polite staff(considering how busy they were) yes when in westminster i would probably visit again.
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This is a pretty "old school" pub, if you are NOT a civil servant best give this as miss, as Defra staff are wary of strangers, and also not fussy about the lack of good beers! they have also got rid of the EXCELLENT quiz machine, and replaced it with a disabled toilet.
anonymous - 9 Dec 2004 15:39 |
Visited June 2004.
Food was ok, some chips were cooked others weren't, from the same food order. The 'Bowl of mayonnaise' with chips turned out to be two sachets that you had to ask for.
Beer choice was good with excellent Timmy Taylors Landlord.
Plasma screens were showing Wimbledon but with no sound. The Fosters was off.
Little atmosphere and the colour scheme of red and blue was pretty offensive.
The Staff seemed to be in a coma.
Max - 30 Jun 2004 16:57 |
Yes too many suits from DEFRA - thats why I avoid! Very expensive as well & hard to get served. And they say civil servants dont earn much!
PJ - 19 Feb 2004 13:11 |
Full of spies? Not likely - they all drink in the Youngs pub up the road!
It's full of suits from DEFRA though!!!
Rob - 29 Jan 2004 16:31 |
Overpriced. TV miles too loud. Full of spies.
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Ok for that part of London (ie not much competition) but does seem to be populated by Civil Servants who dont know when their lunch break should finish!
Baz - 4 Sep 2003 17:10 |
overrated politico tat. expensive and boring. go somewhere else.
stoichkov - 29 Jul 2003 13:55 |
Not bad, had sooooooo many drunken nights in there! Beer's good to.
Normally go there before heading off somewhere else.
Rob - 22 Jul 2003 15:32 |
Great at luchtimes
Big Kev - 18 Jul 2003 14:19 |
Good Guinnesss
Dan - 16 Jul 2003 16:45 |
I think the buds good and stonking party vibe on a friday nite
Antonio - 2 Jul 2003 17:34 |
If your names Gary & you drink bottled beer you'll love it - very over-rated crowded - better pubs down HorseFerry Rd
PAZ - 1 Jul 2003 13:54 |
I dont full of Civil Servants in suits
BB - 29 May 2003 16:13 |
good, I like it
Katja - 23 Mar 2003 22:47 |
