Pontefract Castle, Marylebone, W1

This is an interesting looking pub with a few decent ales on, including some excellent Sharp's Doom Bar. The ground floor bar has only stools to sit on, so is not particularly comfortable for a relaxing drink. A spiral staircase leads to an upstairs bar with some comfortable seating and which seems to be mainly used as a dining area. I wouldn't rave about this pub, but it's a decent enough watering hole and I would definitely visit again if I was in the area.

Official pages of the Pontefract Castle containing menus and real ale list - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of the Pontefract Castle containing menus and real ale list - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Large Nicholsons pub, wooden floors and a lack of soft furnishings make for a noisy environment when busy as it was with the post work crowd. I sat on a stool at a raised table but it was clear the floors are uneven as the chair wobbled and my pen rolled off the table twice.......my excuse and I'm sticking to it. The spiral stair climbs up to the top bar, then again to a little mezzanine with its own small bar, but only TT Landlord on HP up here. Downstairs there was a good selection, TT Landlord, Sharps Doom Bar, Badger First Gold, Tribute, Pride and Stonehenge Eyeopener.

Pretty good pub, beers still as below, food etc. Can't say I'd make a special journey, but if you are looking for one in the area you could do much worse.

This is a decent enough pub with nice bar staff and there was a decent drinks selection of Doom Bar, Landlord, Tribute, Pride and two guests alongside a range of standard and premium lagers on my visit. The music was a bit loud for my liking, but I would go back here again if passing.

Small bar downstairs with a eating/drinking area upstairs and a cellar bar.A good selection of real ales.