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GREATER LONDON (CENTRAL) - London WC1, Bloomsbury, Duke of York National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part One 7 Roger Street, London, WC1N 2PB Tel: 020 7242 7230 Public Transport: Underground: Russell Sq. Listed Status: Not listed View this pub on a local map
An Art Deco treasure dating from 1938. This corner pub, now with a major focus on good food, is part of an offices and flat development and, like the rest of the block, has characteristic 1930s detailing and metal windows. The architect was D.E. Harrington ARIBA.
The pub isn’t big but has two unequally sized rooms which, incredibly, have retained their original work almost completely, and shows what many an inter-war pub looked like before modern changes. Decoration is pared down to a minimum and the fittings are sleek and undemonstrative. The counters have plain vertical surfaces and the bar-backs are simple and functional. Perhaps the most surprising survival is the original lino flooring with red, black and buff blocky patterns in both rooms. Even the corridor and steps down to the gents’ have the original red lino.
In the smaller rear room is an original brick fire surround and several Art Deco mirrors. The most prominent feature is a series of small open drinking booths with timber and reeded glass partitions between them. The similar seating in the larger bar, however, looks like a later addition, perhaps from around 1960 when the Double Diamond window glass must have gone in. Don’t miss the loos which are also amazingly intact.
The Duke of York is primarily aimed at diners although part of the larger bar welcomes drinkers too. The music played here is a suitable match for the surroundings.
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