The Duke of Wellington, Marylebone, W1

A modernised not-quite-on-a-corner-but-feels-like-it pub with a pastel colour scheme and various arty prints round the walls, possibly appealing to a clientele once described as "cosmopolitan" in some circles. Three handpumps offered a tolerable TT Boltmaker and something else in the process of being changed, with line cleaning mandated - always a good sign.

Visited the Duke of Wellington on a recent Friday afternoon when all of the picnic tables on the path outside were being used, but I was the only customer inside this small rectangular pub. The bar counter is on the rear wall and banquette seating runs along the front and right. The bar supports three handpumps, but only Pedigree was available alongside a premium keg selection. To the right of the bar is a sideboard with cutlery etc., although I didn’t see any food advertised. The floor is wooden, the music is oldie and the décor is bland. This pub is almost as boring as the barman was bored. Saying that, he was actually very friendly. Meh.

Built in 1812 as the Marquis of Wellington, only to be upgraded to the current name six years later. Rex sums it up rather well, in that this is now really a restaurant masquerading as a pub. There’s white wood linenfold-style panelling to around two thirds height, then burgundy paint up to a modern field panelled ceiling of the same colour. The floor’s bare boarded, the bar is curved field panelled with a new-looking wood and mirrored bar back, the top utterly cluttered with used glasses. Furniture is moderately normal, with cloth upholstered banquettes to the perimeter. Lighting is minimal, coming from wide, shallow shaded lamps with reflective surfaces, filament bulbs barely aglow. Décor – in as much as you can see it for the gloom – are rather pretentious arty framed prints. The barman was friendly, with one pump reversed, then Pedigree and Mad Goose at a very reasonable £4.70 and good. Customers were very mixed in age and almost certainly local. This is more a bar/restaurant, rather than traditional pub, but it gains an extra mark for having the imagination to not serve either Doom or Pride and at realistic prices too.

Official site of The Duke of Wellington - thedukew1h.co.uk

Official site of The Duke of Wellington - thedukew1h.co.uk