Devonshire Arms, Marylebone, W1

I enjoyed a better experience in this pub than the previous two reviewers, and just goes to show that the same pub can be a completely difference places at different times of the day. I was in fairly early at about 12.30 PM on a Monday; there were a handful of people in there but a fair bit of seating at the back still free; there were no fruit machines or their ilk; there was no music playing and even the TV was switched off. It just goes to show that you don't have to walk very far to find a refuge from the hell that is Oxford Street in the run up to Christmas. The furnishings, etc, are still as described previously. The walls, and the bar counter, all have fielded panelling, and although it looks like a relatively modern embellishment, it does look good quality. The portraits are still on the walls, and if I had to guess I would say that they were of various generations of the Dukes of Devonshire. The ale selection is not particularly inspiring, with London Pride, Doom Bar, Sambrook Wandle (£4 a pint) on, plus a Young's London gold clip reversed on a fourth pump. Mulled wine was also available. They didn't seem to bother with menus here, but little faux chalkboards above the bar counter advertised a few simple things - I had a Cumberland sausage baguette for £4.50. There was even a little covered hotplate on the counter, where I spotted a tray of sausages. I found this to be quiet and comfortable pub in which to enjoy a relaxing pint. But I well realise that at another time it could be much less relaxing.

This is a very basic single room pub, just a short walk north of Bond Street station. The simple layout sees the bar running down the left hand wall of the rectangular, bare boarded room which has wood panelling on all walls. There are drinking ledges and high stools directly opposite the servery, but as the room opens out a bit to the rear, standard tables and chairs take over. There are a few old portraits hung here and there on the walls, but the overwhelming feeling is of blandness and a lack of real character. This probably wasn’t helped by the fact that staff were busy cleaning and seemingly getting ready to close, stacking chairs and sweeping under my feet despite it being 21:30 on a Friday evening. I noticed a plasma screen TV in one corner, which was turned off in favour of loud pop music, which had seemingly driven most customers out to the small front seating area. I visited during the summer heatwave and the pub was struggling to cope with the weather, resulting in several fans having to be turned on to keep staff and punters cool. Four fairly mainstream ales were available – Fullers London Pride, Sambrooks Wandle, Wells Bombardier and Young’s London Gold. I opted for a pint of the Wandle which set me back a full £4.00 and was very ‘tired’, to put it politely. This was a bit of a ‘lucky dip’ on a crawl around the area, but it seems that my luck had run out as there was little to recommend about this place. A short walk took me to plenty of other far better pubs and I’d be very surprised to find myself back here again.

A basic pub just a stone's throw away from Oxford Street, with a single bar. Wood panelling and leaded windows create an initial good first impression, but that is soon spoilt by the inefficient, unprofessional staff who prefer to read their newspaper over providing a service. There was hot food on the counter, but it was cool when served, and there appeared to be no attempt to stop the flies getting to it. There were 3 ales on - I had both Yorks Gold and GK IPA. Both were in poor condition, the former undrinkable (hence my trying the latter as well). In addition, I had to ask for top ups as both were served very short of the mark. I have no desire to return here.

Randomness Guide to London - Devonshire Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Devonshire Arms entry