The Story
La Grande Marque occupied the ground floor of one of Ludgate Hill's most remarkable buildings — a late-Victorian Flemish Renaissance pile in red and cream terracotta, with stepped gables and elaborate chimney stacks, St Paul's dome visible behind it down the hill. The bar itself was notably gentlemanly and understated: elegant, sophisticated decor, strictly for lovers of wine and champagne. The wine list, supplied by Lay & Wheeler of Colchester, ran to more than a hundred varieties and 22 different champagnes from £20.95. The 1999 Evening Standard guide noted service could be a bit lacklustre, but concluded it an excellent bar overall. One draught beer: Bitburger. Open Monday to Friday, 11.30 to 21.30 only. The building still stands; the ground floor is now a restaurant.
Ghost Hunter mode reveals 500+ closed and demolished pubs on the PINtPOINT radar — each one a room that once poured pints on that exact street corner.