click to hide Street View

Volunteer, Marylebone  rated3 pints - click for an explanation of our ratingsCask Marque pub - click for an explanation of the Cask Marque scheme

location:

Marylebone

address:

247 Baker Street, NW1 6XE

phone:

0871 258 5086*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Baker Street London Underground station
(160m) - zone 1

Marylebone Railway stationLondon Underground station
(330m) - zone 1

Edgware Road London Underground station
(770m) - zone 1

Regent's Park London Underground station
(830m) - zone 1

Great Portland Street London Underground station
(1Km) - zone 1

how to find it:

Turn right out of Baker Street tube and walk in the direction of Regents Park, it's on the left hand side, a couple of minutes walk.

click here for a larger map

nearby attraction(s):

Madame Tussauds (250m)

The Regent's Park (740m)

Wallace Collection (770m)

picture of Volunteer
Just a few doors down from 221b, you'd expect The Volunteer to be a pub in honour of Conan Doyle's detective. It's not (you have to go to Charing Cross for that). A few years back when we first reviewed this one, we had it pigeon holed as 'a seemingly nondescript pub' and though it still has an unassuming exterior, the inside has been altered to something rather more extravagant. All leather settles and beaded curtains, this pub is one of the growing number owned by the Mitchells and Butlers group that opts for a loungey décor and a drink selection heavy on the Belgian beers. The changes suggest a growing market for the high-powered brews of the Low Countries. But the more we visit places like the Volunteer, with their ever-so slightly contrived feel (M&B also own the All Bar One, O'Neill's and Scream chains), the more we're sensing some clever branding and marketing at work. We've not got a problem with the quality food and drink it's just the thought of a massive warehouse filled with beaded curtains and leather pouffes (à la the O'Neill's sheds ready to dispatch potato sacks and road signs to bars from Buenos Aires to Beijing) that gives us the fear. But if you can put such thoughts out of your mind you'll have a fine time at this one.

reviewed:
3/7/2008
reviewed by jack

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

function room for hire - click for explanationprivate bar for hire
beer garden or outdoor seating available - click for explanationoutdoor seating
Hungry? click here to find and book a table around Marylebone
free booking at pubs and restaurants powered by

second opinion: (don't just take our word for it)

have your say - comment on this pubHave your say - click to comment on this pub and read what others think about it.