Marquis of Lansdowne Pub

Dalston, London –

When the often frenetic Dalston scene gets too much – or when folks just need a comfortable place to chill – the Marquis of Lansdowne offers a cozy spot for a proper pint, some good conversation, and a little bit of footie on the handful of TVs.

The pub consists of a spacious room filled with wooden chairs, tables, a few comfy leather chairs, and…really, that’s about it. There’s no fancy décor – just high ceilings, big windows, and a thick bar that serves up basic booze that won’t break the bank.

In back, a flat-screen promises most of the big games, but also tunes in to lower league soccer like Peterborough United, while the pool table stays busy with non-competitive groups of friends.

During the week, older neighborhood regulars relax with a frothy round as they peruse the paper, though some of them stick around even after the weekend kicks in and sociable crowds of pre-gamers show up looking for a place where they can hear themselves think.

DJs usually take up on Fridays and Saturdays, though the regular mix of 60s through 80s classics rarely outpaces the din of conversation – and if it does, a smoker’s terrace upstairs provides an easy escape for anyone willing to brave the frigid London summer.

There’s nothing overtly remarkable about the Marquis of Lansdowne, but for many who find themselves on the coattails of a stressful week, unremarkable can be downright marvelous.