please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Typical Nicholson's pub (and that's not really a good thing). Four real ales on, but the Cains Bitter was passed its best (as seems to be the way for any beer offered in most outlets run by this chain).
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Avoid.
The contributor "Steven Martin", who comments below, is clearly employed by this shamefully bad pub, where customers are kept waiting by hopeless staff, given short measures and denied their lawful 20 minute drink-up time.
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Mixed opinions but I like this pub always good selection of ales good food fair price. Staff have changed over the past couple of months are a nice crew
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Home to the rudest barman on the planet.
Having asked for two 'pints' (pints being a crucial word here) of bitter the barman serves up two halves in pint glasses of some brown sludge.
When we asked for them to be topped up, you know like to somewhere nearer the top - I’ve got a thing about the weights and measures act, the charming barman, tutted, snarled and mumbled something in another language, took the glasses away and filled them up and slammed them back in front us.
Actually, on reflection perhaps he was trying to do us a favour. The beer was far from good, however not wanting to see what our host's party piece would be if we asked to change them, we drank up and left.
We will not be returning.
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Despite the comments below I think it's just possible that this pub may be one of the best in Britain.
Just a stones thrown from my workplace, the atmosphere is lively and I very excited about going with my co-workers this evening.
In a nutshell "Stellar"
10/10
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Visited for the first [and last] time yesterday. A pub where the miserable staff condescend to serve you if you wait long enough.
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I know the reviews policy says you shouldn't post gratutious abuse about pubs, but with this place it really is impossible not to.
Unfortunately, I work opposite the Grotbury (as it is unaffectionaly known) and so often get dragged to this establishment, principally because you can drink on the side street in the summer.
My latest experience summed it up. I couldn't get more than a few sips into my pint because it tasted so foul, so I went to the bar to order a glass of wine (I didn't bother taking the pint back because the bar staff would probably have just grunted at me). It took more than ten minutes to get my wine, during which time the staff served several people who had been in the queue for all of 15 seconds.
When I did get the wine, it was lukewarm. This really is a pub with no redeemable features whatsoever.
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i ask 2 things of a pub:
fairly well kept beer and service within 10 mins.
this place fails on both counts. oh, and the staff are rude too.
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I can only imagine that these reviews have been posted by staff or people who have never actually been to this pub. The staff are rude, they seem genuinely surprised that they have customers on a Friday night, and it is not uncommon to wait 10 mins for a drink. The food is dreadful. The interior is dark, dingy and only marginally improved with the smoking ban. The only redeeming feature is the people that drink there (or more accurately, outside, since they cannot bear to go inside)
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Visited this pub as part of the "Dick Whittington Ale Trail" - Westminister To Piccadilly. You get a Frre T Shirt after visiting 5 different Pubs - There a Six different Trails to do, all run by the Brewerey. This pub offered God Food a Beer at very competitive prices - Good selection of real ales and Lagers - Well worth a Visit
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You got served by the governor good on you joking aside I like this pub happy friendly place
anonymous - 1 Apr 2007 16:51 |
Generally this is a decent pub, esp at lunchtimes, and maybe for a pint after work, but is probably dead after 7pm. Reasonably priced for the area, bar staff usually good, some tv's for sports (though you often have to ask for them to be turned on and they're not keen on having the sound up). A bit on the small side though, which makes Friday lunchtimes too packed. And watch out if you get served by the landlord - which doesn't happen often - as he's a bit tight on the measures!
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great pub for real ales,brilliant bar staff,food excellent
anonymous - 24 Feb 2007 00:59 |
Full of office workers nether the less good pint and well looked after in restaurant
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Great ground floor bar traditional style 4 real ales good pub food. Upstairs restaurant with table service I prefer the main bar more like real boozer
anonymous - 20 Feb 2007 22:30 |
yes full of defraites
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This pub had a couple of guest ales last time I visited it. They were kept in good condition and were very enjoyable. I also sampled the food. Quite standard pub grub, but not too expemsive. I have to be honest it's a bit lacking in atmosphere - lots of midddle aged guys in suits (from whitehall presumably). The sort of pub to go to for a quiet after work drink.
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worth a pint, but a bit characterless for longer. upstairs room can be hired and is reasonable venue for parties/leaving dos
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The pits - not the pub the customers. Full of no nothing Defraites.
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Ah, how i will miss the Marquis. Not everyone's cup of tea, but i always enjoyed coming here.
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Whilst this isn't the place I would go for a big night out, it is a decent place to go for a few beers at lunch or after work. I found the bar staff friendly and efficient and the beer reasonable. The main downside is the limited size so it can pack up fairly quickly - but if you can get a seat it is an enjoyable venue.
anonymous - 30 Jun 2006 14:01 |
The bar staff are so slow i thought they might be dead, the atmosphere is crappy although that could be because of all the Defra weirdos that seem to live in there. If you need to speak to someone from Defra about bird flu call this pub.
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I'm never sure if I like this place or not - there is nothing to rave about, but equally, for a 'normal' pub nothing really to complain about either...
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"Progress" should be banned in pub interiors. Should be called "The Defra Arms". While Britain's farmers are out growing barley, Defra staff are in the Marquis drinking the end result!
gumpy - 30 Oct 2005 17:46 |
Nice comfortable interior. My Adnams Flagship tasted a bit off. Locals not overly welcoming but not dismissive or rude either. Pub seemed to fit the neighborhood. Would definitely go back.
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If the Marquis is the best pub in the world then I'm a monkeys uncle. Oo oo.
It's canny to fall into if you're DEFRA or work for a well known IT company... But not worth the effort of getting there if you're not in the area.
And to be fair it's not THAT hard to keep Stella and Fosters
And. Smirnoff Ice. Dear oh dear oh dear.
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I broadly agree with Liz. While I wouldn't go so far as to say the Marquis is the best pub in the world (the Nell Gwynne in Covent Garden is better) it is a damn good pub. Go there on a Friday evening
ight for instance and it will be packed out. Go there for a late beer after a leaving do on a Thursday night and it will be empty - but chilled out. IMHO I think the very recent refurb has opened up the pub. Though it's a shame that the booths have been replaced. I guess thats whats called progress!
Can't comment on the Smirnoff Ice situation, as it's not something I would drink, but the lager is normally very well kept.
It is very much a DEFRA pub. As most are around this part of the world; The Puzzle, Barley Mow, White Horse and I belive the Westminster Tavern (formally Pages Bar). I can't really speak for them as I work for a well known IT company...........
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The best pub in the world. Staff are a delight. Only problem is they've stopped serving smirnoff ice, please bring it back guys.
Ps. Defra staff are great. Don't avoid us, we love strangers.
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Had a slight refurb. Diabled toilet has been removed as have the island tables, which opens up more florr space. Still okay though.
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very hard to get served at five thirty on a thursday evening; the only time i have ever visited. nice cold stella and what seemed to be fairly nice polite staff(considering how busy they were) yes when in westminster i would probably visit again.
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This is a pretty "old school" pub, if you are NOT a civil servant best give this as miss, as Defra staff are wary of strangers, and also not fussy about the lack of good beers! they have also got rid of the EXCELLENT quiz machine, and replaced it with a disabled toilet.
anonymous - 9 Dec 2004 15:39 |
Visited June 2004.
Food was ok, some chips were cooked others weren't, from the same food order. The 'Bowl of mayonnaise' with chips turned out to be two sachets that you had to ask for.
Beer choice was good with excellent Timmy Taylors Landlord.
Plasma screens were showing Wimbledon but with no sound. The Fosters was off.
Little atmosphere and the colour scheme of red and blue was pretty offensive.
The Staff seemed to be in a coma.
Max - 30 Jun 2004 16:57 |
Yes too many suits from DEFRA - thats why I avoid! Very expensive as well & hard to get served. And they say civil servants dont earn much!
PJ - 19 Feb 2004 13:11 |
Full of spies? Not likely - they all drink in the Youngs pub up the road!
It's full of suits from DEFRA though!!!
Rob - 29 Jan 2004 16:31 |
Overpriced. TV miles too loud. Full of spies.
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Ok for that part of London (ie not much competition) but does seem to be populated by Civil Servants who dont know when their lunch break should finish!
Baz - 4 Sep 2003 17:10 |
overrated politico tat. expensive and boring. go somewhere else.
stoichkov - 29 Jul 2003 13:55 |
Not bad, had sooooooo many drunken nights in there! Beer's good to.
Normally go there before heading off somewhere else.
Rob - 22 Jul 2003 15:32 |
Great at luchtimes
Big Kev - 18 Jul 2003 14:19 |
Good Guinnesss
Dan - 16 Jul 2003 16:45 |
I think the buds good and stonking party vibe on a friday nite
Antonio - 2 Jul 2003 17:34 |
If your names Gary & you drink bottled beer you'll love it - very over-rated crowded - better pubs down HorseFerry Rd
PAZ - 1 Jul 2003 13:54 |
I dont full of Civil Servants in suits
BB - 29 May 2003 16:13 |
good, I like it
Katja - 23 Mar 2003 22:47 |
