The Marlborough, Mayfair, W1

Visited 03/12/25. Visited previously as the Marlborough Head 06/10/19 Cask amounted to Doom Bar with the clip on the other hand pump turned round. Keg amounted to several Guinness taps, which were being poured continuously plus Madri, Pravha, Camden Hells, Hepcat, something called Monte Carlo Beer, Neck Oil, Aspall, Modelo, Stella. Recently reopened and in common ownership or collab with the Devonshire. This is an insanely busy corner venue. Bare boarded venue with bar counter on a chessboard tiled skirt and some tall stool seating at the bar that was an annoyance on such a busy early December evening. The front of the venue was mainly some standing space with ledges along the windows to deposit glasses on. There is a carpeted area to the back of what is generally a long narrow venue with some fitted green leather studded banquettes around the perimeter serving regular tables with a single tall table and tall stools in the middle of the space. I think there was some dining space rather than further drinking space downstairs as entry was check-in only so might investigate that when things are quieter in early 2026.

A late 19th century rebuild has resulted in this quite commanding corner pub, just off Oxford Street. This is a Greene King joint, so surprises aren’t expected: it just looks pretty much like every one of their other places, the only difference here is that there’s a choice of ales which aren’t GK. Generally, there’s a ‘Victorian’ interior, provenance unknown, with some rather extravagant crystal chandeliers. It’s split level, with normal low furniture to the rear, tall more modern furniture to the front, with lovely laminated menus and sauce bottles on tables by way of décor; TVs showed the footie , which no one was watching, sound down so as not to interfere with the banal mood music. Customers, as Rex has already written, have probably stumbled in here, thinking it’s a traditional London pub; more fool them. Ales on offer included the usual GK contributions, but also Landlord, Old Golden Hen and Tribute at a steep £2.70 a half but nice. This place is ok for a swift pint and some fish ‘n’ chips after a shopping spree, but otherwise it’s a bit of a dud.