First licensed in 1856 and named after the Elgin family, one of whom was famous for marbles, this Grade II listed and imposing Victorian corner pub was rebuilt in its present form in 1868 at a cost of £3850. The interior is a Notting Hill riot of old and modern design with superb wooden bar fittings, ceramic tiling and etched glasswork and mirrors in carved wooden panels. There is a bar-back of rare richness, embellished with delicate wood carving reminiscent of seventeenth-century detailing, plus gilded mirrors and a frieze of bas-relief apples. On the side wall are coloured tile strips and more gilded mirrors displaying foliage, hops, butterflies and birds in flight. At the back of the pub is a large lounge with fielded dado panelling round the walls and a skylight at the rear. The pub is included in CAMRA's National Inventory.

At one time the pub served as a horse-bus depot with a combined waiting and refreshment room for passengers. In the 1950s it was famous as a Teddy Boy hangout and in the 1970s as a rock venue. Now the live music tends towards New Folk. The building to the east (not Listed) is conjoined and forms the restaurant and music venue. An interesting food menu includes Sunday roasts.

This pub was a wartime favourite of Timothy Evans, later wrongly convicted and hanged for the Rillington Place serial murders. His miscarriage of justice was a main factor leading to the abolition of capital punishment.