Marksman, Shoreditchback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I recently visited this pub for Sunday lunch with two friends having heard several recommendations but ended up being very disappointed. The "discretionary" service charge is apparently far from discretionary. I asked the waitress to remove it from the bill explaining that we wanted to decide on our own tip. At which point she demanded to know why several times. I explained that I wasn't happy with the service and she stormed back then continued remonstrating and raised her voice to the point that she was shouting at me in this busy bar. In the course of her tirade she mentioned that she had been really busy all day, that she had started at 11 that morning, and that we were "lucky" to get a table - I fail to see how this is relevant to the service we received. I asked to speak with the manager and he was at least good enough to refrain from shouting at me but did not apologise or it seems try to calm down his irate staff member. I'm sure not everyone has this experience here but I will certainly not be returning.
I suggest that they either remove the "discretionary" suggestion from their menu or adjust their prices to reflect the actual cost and pass on to their staff accordingly. Certainly they should try to employ people with more realistic understanding of what customer service entails.
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If you want a nice beer, a great scotch egg (yeah, you know - one of those homemade ones where the sausage meat is fresh and the yoke runny), and a relaxed and familiar atmosphere away from the pretension of Shoreditch, come here. My favourite local.
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The managers of this pub think it is a restaurant. You are not allowed to sit at a table unless you are having food. We arrived early to get a seat but after a couple of hours we were told the table is now booked and we have to leave it at 8.30. There was an empty table next to us all night with a reserved sign on it, and some customers came in and said "is it OK if we just have a drink." so they had to stand at the bar. The food is fantastic, but the ale is usually flat. Great restaurant, ridiculous pub!
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otally agree with previous review. Went there Saturday for friends birthday celebration, and was pleasantly surprised, as it appears to be a regular East End pub that hasn't been 'poncified', and yet it is offering first rate food by friendly attentive staff, who cannot do enough for their customers. Its a totally relaxed atmosphere so don't expect silver service, but they obviously have a very talented chef, who knows his stuff. Every dish on our table, without fail, was cooked to perfection. Particularly helpful Irish waitress and antipodean waiter, but all the staff were excellent. The bloody Mary's were spot on and all delivered with a smile. A rare event. Good range of beers on offer. Independent establishments such as this deserve patronage, especially from locals (although it is well worth travelling to for the food) if the 'uniqueness' of London is to be kept. . Highly recommended if you want a casual night out with first rate food from a well thought out and balanced menu.
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friendly local, eclectic mix of customers, Taylors Landlord (pretty average) and a Batemans seasonal ale available
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What has happened to the Marksman?! we dropped in for meal after work - the place is looking fab, owners are obviously doing the building a real service in restoring original features in keeping; the tables are candle lit and the feel is cosy. Most impressed by the range of food , in particular the delicious desserts (try the bread and butter pudding mmmm). The Marksman isn't pretentious - it's still a locals place but can't help thinking the new menu will attract a whole new crowd. We loved it and will be back. Often!
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This is the real deal!
Very friendly mix of people...
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-many renovations are being made at the Marksman. Ask the new owners, Dawn & Gary, to set up 900 free credits on the juke box for you, play a game of pool, have a pint with your friends.
Molly - 10 Apr 2006 12:16 |
A clasic of it's genre, this is a real piece of inner London, with a properly welcoming atmosphere. The layouts a bit quirky (mind your head on the spiral staircase), and it gets snug quite quickly. Current beer selection includes two bitters, and the intention is to increase to at least one guest beer before long.
New signage indicates a real sense of respect for the original design- this won't be getting a cack handed facelift.
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One of those rare pubs in this area that hasn't been 'themed'. Just far enough from Shoreditch to escape I suppose. So, in brief, real pub, cheap beer, nice regs, friendly owners, 10 minutes walk from City.
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The Marksman quite simply pulls it *all* together. Run by a fashionable and extremely friendly Anglo-American couple, the pub continues to surprise me - with its continual set of new additions (fab jukebox, and now free Wi-Fi access!) while keeping the traditions and unpretentious atmosphere I have come to expect from the place.
If you fancy a few pints in a relaxed, classic surrounding (but could use the odd few amenities as well) - this is definitely the place for you.
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Used to rent a flat in London Terrace next door and we found this place quite agreeable for a swift half after work. Some of the regulars look like they've been sitting there for year and they just pull the curtains around them each night. Very local and non-glamourous.
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