The Duke — Restaurant in London

This pub, with its timeless charm and irresistible pints of Young’s Winter Warmer, offers a scene straight out of a murder mystery. Case in point: the four intriguing individuals at the bar. Each man brought a distinct air to the group, as if they’d just stepped out of the pages of a gripping whodunit.

The First Man (far left): A picture of either agony or regret, his head buried in his hand as though shielding himself from prying eyes—or perhaps the consequences of his actions. Was he lamenting a misstep, or simply trying to block out the chatter of his companions? His hunched posture and downcast expression suggested a man with a secret weighing heavily on his mind.

The Second Man (second from left): The most cheerful of the bunch, his face lit up with a wide grin, as if he’d just cracked the punchline of a joke no one else quite understood. But was his smile genuine, or a mask for something deeper? His puffer jacket and relaxed stance suggested someone who plays it cool—but every group needs a charmer, and charmers often have the sharpest edges.

The Third Man (second from right): Dressed in a plaid shirt, he exuded a certain quiet confidence. His piercing gaze and slight smirk hinted at someone who observes everything, speaks selectively, and knows more than he lets on. If there was a mastermind in this group, he was the one pulling the strings, keeping his pint close yet barely touched.

The Fourth Man (far right): Standing slightly apart in his denim jacket, he looked every bit the reluctant participant. His eyes were fixed on something—or someone—outside the frame, and his uneasy posture suggested he’d rather be elsewhere. Was he the one with a guilty conscience, or simply the wildcard of the group, privy to details the others hadn’t pieced together yet?

Together, the four of them painted a picture that could only be described as “suspiciously convivial.” Their pints of Young’s Winter Warmer sat like props, untouched for just long enough to make one wonder if the beer was secondary to their true purpose here.

The pub itself, however, is the real star of the story—a beacon of warmth and hospitality on a cold winter’s day. The patterned tiles, soft lighting, and friendly staff create an atmosphere where anyone can feel at home, even while harbouring secrets. The Winter Warmer lives up to its name, with rich malty notes that linger long after the last sip—perfect for fuelling both conversations and conspiracies.

If you’re looking for a pub with fantastic beer, a welcoming vibe, and perhaps a cast of characters to inspire your own mystery,...

This review is based on one individual’s nasty and bullying behaviour, a lady working the bar who made rude unsolicited remarks at my calm and polite friends and kept disappearing for 15-20 minutes at a time. The younger staff are alright, and if it weren’t for this one lady whose behaviour is inconsistent with that of other staff at other visits, this little gem of an Art Deco pub would’ve deserved a full five stars instead of one.

Annoyingly, it seems they have taken to invalidating legitimate critiques of their goods and services by replying to all reviews featuring less than 4 stars with some corporate lingo about “subjectivity” and “inconsistency”. Thanks, just the kind of patronising top-down approach you’d like to see after being told “you’re starting to piss me...

Disappointing visit.

Firstly let me predict they will reply "this is inconsistent with other reviews". Well it's not, there are at least three so far that look to be similar experiences.

So to start with the positives: Attractive pub, nice beer served by a friendly barman.

Now the negative: A really quite rude lady who snaps at you if you dare walk into the back room "for food only!!" Even though its empty. Very unfriendly. Very unfortunate. Consistent with other reviews.

EDIT SINCE REPLY: Predictably the Duke management totally missed the point of my review. I do not want to "do what I like" in your pub. I simply want to be treated like a paying customer and not subject to...