Marylebone Live, Marylebone, W1

Randomness Guide to London - Beehive entry

Randomness Guide to London - Beehive entry

This really seems to be more of a restaurant than a pub, although when I went up to the bar to order a pint, nobody asked me whether I wanted to eat. But there was one real ale on – Everard's Sleighbell, which was expensive at £3.70 a pint. It tasted superb though. There was a Loddon's Brewery van outside, which raised my hopes somewhat. I did have a club sandwich, which cost £6.90 and was OK, but expensive for what it was. I got my change at the bar in a silver dish, which always leads me to question an establishment's entitlement to call itself a pub. The bar back and counter look original, as does the floor tiling surrounding the bar, but nothing else about this place reminds me of a pub. I doubt whether I shall be paying a return visit.

I thought this place a little bland and the tables and chairs in the main front part seemed to be positioned more for diners than drinkers. There are a couple of tables at the back past the bar that had a more authentic pub feel, but at £4 a pint I don’t think that many would stay very long. I think that I counted four ale pumps with one unused and Mean time breweries Helles, London Stout and London Pale Ale being available on the other three. There are some old pump clips adorning the wall that runs down the stairs to the toilets and my Stout was well served so one would assume that they are taking the ale seriously, but I think that they are pricing themselves out of the market for discerning drinkers. The barmaids were both French with a basic understanding of English so there was a language barrier to overcome, but they were both very friendly and I didn’t mind struggling by. There are better pubs in the area so I doubt that I’ll return.

This is a pub for the Serious Drinker, with several top-end British and Continental beers, long wine list etc. However it is Seriously Expensive also. I'll give it the third star for the quality of the booze.