142 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London,
WC2H 8HJ
0872 148 4057
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
The Marquis of Granby is a busy, social pub in the heart of the West End.
The Venue
Situated opposite the Palace Theatre, up the road from Leicester Square, the Marquis of Granby is in the heart of tourist country. Having undergone a refurbishment, the pub is still looking fairly fresh. It's a little hotchpotch but seems to work.
The vintage styled wallpaper somehow complements the almost medieval stone floor around the bar and the high tables covering one side of the bar make watching the TVs almost like being in a sports pub. The surroundings are, however, really far from actually being like a sports bar, but with TVs in the corners and many a neck craned upward you could be forgiven for feeling that way. Above the TVs is a glossy red ceiling - and a glorious red it is. There is an area of low tables for groups to congregate on, plus more on the first floor.
The Atmosphere
This is a very good pub for sports. Saturdays and Sundays are frequently packed out during game hours, whether it is football or rugby, and it's a good alternative to the vast Montague Pike on Charing Cross road. Marquis of Granby gets noisy and boisterous at times but with the place governed well it never gets out of hand and it’s rarely less than friendly. It can also be quite a good place to pop in for a pint when it's quiet - there are big windows overlooking Cambridge Circus.
The Drink
The sports coverage and location of Marquis of Granby seem to reel people in, rather than the choice of booze on sale. When you step up to the Red bumper-covered bar there won't be too many surprises in front of you. Kronenbourg, Fosters and San Miguel are all on tap along with Strongbow and Guinness. Wine is served at a reasonable price by the bottle or the glass and the spirit shelves are stocked with the usual JDs and Smirnoffs.
The Last Word
Marquis of Granby will appeal to sports lovers looking to complement whatever else they might be lured to the West End for on a Saturday afternoon. For the rest of the week, the pub is a pleasant, unassuming port of call for a quiet drink.
Marquis of Granby has been reviewed by 7 users