The Marquis of Wellington is a little gem on London Road. With their fab garden huts and recently re-launched menu, it’s a perfect spot for a weekend afternoon and evening. This weekend they’re holding a big Bank Holiday event and we caught up with them to find out more.
The Marquis is holding a big bank holiday event this weekend, what do you have planned?
A mixture of bands and solo artists over the whole weekend dotted in the pub and out in the garden. Loads of lovely food including our favourite burritos. There’ll be a Fever-Tree gin bar, a large selection of craft beers, 20 different ales, and 6 different ciders.
You’ll also be supporting Rainbows over the weekend. How will you be doing this and how can people contribute?
We are selling festival glasses and beer guides for £1 and all the money from those goes directly to Rainbows Hospice. We will also have a Rainbow Burger on our menus for the next year and 50p from every one of these sold will go to Rainbows.
What made you choose Rainbows?
We asked our staff across our different pubs to suggest a local charity for us to support. Rainbows was put forwards, so we went to meet them at the Hospice last week to see how we could help them with their amazing work.
What other developments have their been at the Marquis recently?
We’ve got loads of great customers that tell us they love the pub as it is, so we’ve tried not to change it too much over the years. Recently we’ve spruced up our garden ready for summer, our Monday Quiz night is going from strength to strength, and our gin menu is going down a treat.
How do you think the pub and bar scene has changed in Leicester over recent years?
Leicester really has come a long way with loads of great independent bars and pubs opening up, especially around the St Martin’s and Lanes areas. Places like the Gadabout, Tonne, Bottle Garden, Cank Street, all make you proud to be part of Leicester. It is tough times for the industry right now so it’s really important to support local business if we want to keep all the great places we have.
Which are some of your other favourite venues?
Our sister pub The Globe (definitely not biased), St Martins Coffee shop & Mrs Bridges tea rooms are great in the daytime, and then Babalas and Bar Dos Hermanos both on queens road are awesome.
What do you think are the most unique aspects of the Marquis as a pub in Leicester?
The amazing customers and the great team we have working here! We’re really lucky that we get such a cool mix of people in. There’s everyone from your working lunches, locals in for a catch up with their friends, students finishing exams, post-grads and lecturers fed up of marking students exams, people off to watch Leicester Tigers or see a show at De Montfort Hall, and just generally people out with family and friends.
Do you have any other events coming up?
Our next big focus is helping students and their families celebrate their graduation ceremonies. Then we will have some live music across the summer and probably an August bank holiday party!
How can people keep up to date with what you have on?
We’re in the process of building a new website, so it’s best to follow us on Facebook and check out the pretty pics on Instagram.
The Marquis of Wellington’s Bank Holiday festival takes place from Thursday 23 – Monday 27 May. Join the Facebook event for the latest.