As to be expected of an upscale London neighbourhood, Marylebone is furnished with a good choice of watering holes, including several pubs and bars.
(Photo: The Golden Eagle)
Located in Central London on the fringes of the city’s vibrant West End district, the well-heeled residential neighbourhood has on the one hand a distinctly village-ey character and on the other the bustling confidence of a major visitor hub. This is evidenced by the smattering of indie boutiques and family-run eateries that line the main high street, alongside a handful of notable museums that ensure a bustling tourist footfall. If it’s somewhere to grab a drink you’re after, here are 5 of the best bars and pubs that the area has to offer.
The Golden Eagle
Situated on Marylebone Lane and housed in an 18th-century building, this cherished family-run pub is one of the oldest ‘locals’ in the neighbourhood and a rare survivor of the capital’s traditional pub culture. Established over 30 years ago, it remains a cornerstone of the community – even amid the area’s gentrification – and it’s easy to see why. The pub is pure old-school charm, with a Victorian-era décor including original red banquette seating and a mahogany bar. There’s a good selection of real ales and the warm, good-natured atmosphere is amplified by regular piano sing-alongs.
59 Marylebone Lane
The BoTree Bar
(Photo: The BoTree Bar)
Perched on the corner of Henrietta Place and Marylebone Lane, The BoTree Bar is one of the newer additions to the neighbourhood’s entertainment scene – and instantly become one of its hottest spots. Set within a luxury hotel of the same name, the venue combines refined elegance with a relaxed, contemporary buzz. The centrepiece feature is a curving teal-marble bar that anchors the room, surrounded by golden bottle-lined walls and a ceiling dotted with shifting, simulated light, while custom furniture and terrazzo floors add to the eye-catching aesthetics. The menu more than matches the setting’s ambition too, with exotic cocktails served alongside elevated bar dishes such as oysters and a decadent caviar bun.
30 Marylebone Lane
The Prince Regent
Occupying a prominent corner in Marylebone, The Prince Regent is about as far removed from your spit and sawdust public house that you’re likely to find. Richly adorned with chandeliers, gold-framed mirrors and art-lined booths, this hugely popular pub is a masterclass in understated grandeur. Yet despite these ostentatious flourishes and gastropub polish, it’s still an old boozer at heart, with a dedicated crowd of regular patrons found propping up the bar. There’s an outdoor terrace too, along with private dining rooms for special occasions – though many would argue every occasion is special here.
71 Marylebone High Street
El Bar de Cavita
(Photo: El Bar de Cavita)
Tucked beneath Cavita Restaurant on Wigmore Street, El Bar de Cavita is a sultry subterranean mezcalería tailor made for first dates. Candlelight flickers against exposed brick and the distinctly Latin scent of lime and spice add to the sensory drama. Accessible via its own entrance, this hidden cocktail den revolves around chef-owner Adriana Cavita’s great passions: margaritas, mezcal and Mexican street food. The bar’s signature Watermelon Margarita sets the tone, while inventive creations like the Oaxacan Sour and Corn Old Fashioned are also a perpetual hit. With its intimate booths and colourful décor, that date might not be the last.
60 Wigmore Street
The Grazing Goat
This stylish gastropub and boutique hotel strikes a fine balance between country charm and Marylebone polish. Spread across two floors of a handsome Georgian townhouse, it pairs rustic timber interiors with soft lighting and a convivial buzz. Downstairs, the bar pours classic cocktails, craft beers and well-chosen wines to a mix of locals and visitors, while upstairs the dining room serves modern British fare built around seasonal ingredients. Whether for a relaxed pint, Sunday roast, or dinner, it’s an inviting slice of countryside calm in central London.
6 New Quebec Street