Following the sale of their tenanted pubs the Marquess is now part of Punch Taverns. A local resident has sent us the following, "The establishment is now a pub once again rather than a restaurant,which it has been for the past few years. The staff are very welcoming and friendly and I would recommend a visit if you live locally or are in the area." On a visit in early June 2022 just the 2 cask beers as listed.
Built c.1854 along with the area, named after the Marquess of Northampton and acquired by Young's in 1979. A fine example of the architecture of the time and a Grade II listed building. The interior, however, has been much altered and opened out in the intervening years. The most recent refurbishment has created a fairly subdued atmosphere in the main bar area with the inevitable soft sofas dominating. The real fire has been maintained. A small patio area on the street is available for outside drinking.
Note on bank holiday Mondays it opens 12-10. The Islington Architects Virtual Darts team meets at the pub on Wednesdays.
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> http://wombat.keeper.co.uk/virtualdarts.html
Historic Interest
English Heritage Grade II listing:- Public house. c.1854. Developed by James Wagstaffe. Yellow brick, stucco, roof obscured by parapets. Three storeys, three window-range to each street front; the plan exploits the corner site with the main front to Canonbury Street flat, and the sides, to Douglas Road and Arran Walk, are each angled in plan to give two convex facets. Ground floor decorated with stucco and chamfered rustication; round-arched openings, the first in Douglas Road blank, the middle one in Canonbury Street the entrance, and the middle one in Arran Walk blank. Upper storeys have giant order of Corinthian pilasters. First-floor windows have moulded stucco architraves and alternating triangular and segmental pediments; second-floor windows have moulded stucco architraves; the first and second-floor windows to Douglas Road, and to the first two bays in Arran Walk, are blank. Entablature with 'MARQUESS TAVERN' in sunk lettering to the frieze on each of the three sides; modillion cornice, parapet with blank balustrade. Single-storey wing to the rear in Douglas Road with blank arcading and stucco scored as ashlar to north-west side, cornice and blocking course. The interior preserves a horseshoe bar counter and deal panelling to the dado, both of the second half of the C19 if not original; also, in the rear wing, Corinthian pilasters and entablature, moulded ribs to covered roof and lantern (the lantern now obscured), and mirrors with elaborate architraves to all four walls: these features all probably of late C19 date. (Information from Robert Thorne; Historians' file, English Heritage London Division).
This Pub serves no changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Marquess Tavern, London