Salisbury

One of London's Victorian pub gems, Grade II listed and included in CAMRA’s National Inventory. The pub sign shows the Marquess of Salisbury, Prime Minister three times in the late nineteenth century; his family once owned the pub's freehold.

The interior is quite spectacular with an island bar, cut and etched glass, large mirrors, and splendid Art Nouveau light fittings. One can discern some of the original divisions into smaller rooms, for example where the bar top changes from marble to hardwood. Surviving is one such partition forming a small snug at one end of the bar. At the other end, beyond the ornate staircase, is the Dining Room. There is disabled access to the pub but not to its toilets.

Formerly a Nicholson's, the pub has retained a good selection of cask ales and offers a tempting menu. Service is generally efficient, even just before curtain-up at the several nearby theatres when the place can be quite crowded.

Featured in the 1961 film “Victim”. From the same era, look out for the famous photograph of Marianne Faithful draped over one of the semicircular banquettes next to one of the almost as beautiful Nouveau lamps.