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The Marksman, Haggerston, E2
E2
E2 7SJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Marksman
Located on the main Hackney Road, a few minutes’ walk from Hoxton station, this is a traditional looking pub that now operates more like a formal restaurant that offers limited seating for those just wanting a drink. This was immediately evident when I turned up on a Friday evening and was met at the door by a greeter, who said I could either sit on a stool at the bar, or on a single, small table directly opposite the counter. Inside, the place has a simple layout, occupying a compact room with some basic seating to the front under the large windows, cramped stools through the centre in the space opposite the bar, and more chairs to the rear across a split-level dining space. The servery is along the left-hand wall, midway into the room, and has a chunky, dark wood counter and a nice, mirrored bar back with a beautifully woodworked centrepiece, the pub’s name in a strip across the top and some model ships, earthenware vessels and the like dotted around. There’s full height wood panelling on the walls throughout, which helps the place retain a pub feel despite the dependence on food, and these have been decorated with old black and white photos and a few helpful blackboards. A staircase leads down to the cellar bar, whilst another takes you up to a separate dining room, although I didn’t manage to explore either. A jazz soundtrack tooted away in the background and there were quite a lot of people in on my visit, which helped me feel like less of a lemon sat there on my own with my pint.
I was surprised to find a cask ale on the bar, and an unusual one at that – Mackintosh Ales Best Bitter. The friendly barman explained that he’d only tapped it a short while ago, so I was looking forward to a nice, fresh pint, but it already felt like it was on the turn and I can’t say I enjoyed it at all. There’s also a pretty good craft keg range, which included plenty of less-frequently seen beers which might be a better bet than the dodgy cask.
On approach, this place looks like a typical East End, street corner boozer, but once inside, it’s anything but. I never really feel relaxed when I’m drinking somewhere that required someone to choose my seat for me, so this wasn’t a great experience, and combining this with my poor-quality pint, I’m struggling to make a case for the place. It has retained a good pub feel and the staff all seemed very nice, so at least there’s a comfy environment if you’re coming here to eat.
Date of visit – 17th November 2023
On 8th January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Marksman
The exterior has a lot of pleasing features with good glazed tiling and a small roof terrace above the street frontage.Small pavement tables run down the quieter side of the pub,which is graffiti free unlike most of the neighbourhood.
In through the apex door,there is a wooden floor and much full height dark wood panelling ,some with inlaid mirrors.It feels authentic,the furniture is traditional and there are green upholstered bench seating around a lot of the periphery.There is a small raised seating area to the right which has an old juke box and in turn leads to a staircase to the first floor resuaurant.
It's a known gastro pub but only a few tables on the ground floor were set for diners,with lots of space and some bar stools for folk who just want to drink.There was a good soundtrack,it's hip and chic and will attract well heeled hipsters and their parents if visiting their creative offspring.
Although there were 3 handpumps ,none were serving so I've marked it NBSS 0.There were 12 keg tap but a limited range due to a late delivery (poor form on a Friday afternoon) leaving just a sparkling cider,Five Points Pale and Siren Soudwave IPA ,decent but shocking at £7.50.I looked at the lunchtime menu but the pricing meant that I didn't assess the quality.Starters around £9,a median main £17,dessert £9 and a £12 cheese board.God knows how much the evening service will cost ?
With no real ale and expensive keg,this is no place for a session.The restaurant pricing has at least preserved the pub and it's fine interior for which marks have been awarded,but I won't be rushing back.
On 21st August 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Marksman
Our third Tower Hamlets’ pub of the night, this 1865 hostelry on the corner of Hackney Road. This would no longer appear to be the locals’ pub of yore, appealing to the more professional types who’ve recently moved to this area.
You enter via the corner, pushing aside a curtain in the process. The interior is a mix of what is probably Victorian with some additions that may stem from the 1950s. The pub is dark full-height wood panelled, with some mirror panelling to the rear where there’s a raised area, rough bare boards, a moderately ornate wood and mirror bar back with some more recent touches and green leatherette banquettes with conventional furniture. There are some period glass fluted sconce lights to the walls, dated but at least authentic. Above, there’s a patterned ceiling as well as an interesting octagonal lantern over the main bar area. Muted music played over the gramophone and there are no TVs which is good but what’s not so good is the rather unattractive aircon unit which is probably unnecessary. Overall there’s a slightly clubby feel to the place – you get the impression that 60-odd years ago this was probably considered quite an upmarket pub for the area.
This is 2017’s Michelin Pub of the Year with main courses that can exceed £20 in cost, and although this is probably the most gastro of gastropubs in the borough, you can eat informally at table or opt for the dining room upstairs – pie and mash this place isn’t.
Ales: Five Points Railway Porter and Thornbridge’s Lord Marples at a very steep £2.50 a half and nice.
This is an interesting pub and it’s good to see a successful food venture. I’d return if in the area but the ale price is really a bit steep though the seven-day late licence is a good selling point.
On 8th February 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Marksman
A corner pub on the Hackney road. Inside is one long room with a raised area to the rear, the decor is rather plain modern wood paneling. It is very food orientated and all the tables were full of diners, there did however in juxtaposition seem to be a hardcore of drinkers sat all around the long bar. Service was strained but they were working hard.Three handpumps with Thornbridge Lord Marples, Five Points Railway Porter and an Olivers Cider. The Porter was sublime but at £5.00 for a 4.8% cask beer is a step too far even for London.
On 17th December 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]