please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Paid another visit a couple of weeks ago. 2 banks of 5 pumps, all were big nationals except two. I had a pint of Seraphim by Sonnet 43 at £2.05 - a lovely ale. The other interesting one was, I think, Wold by Allendale Brewery.
No issue finding a seat.
|
My first ever visit to Richmond and with time to visit just one pub I choose this extremely large 'spoons on the outskirts of the Market Place.
It’s early Monday afternoon and the place was just over a quarter full with most of the punters in the large dining / family room to the rear.
On the bar are 10 hand pumps which were offering 5 ales, 3 national brands, Rudgate Battle Axe and my choice which was Partners Brewery Evolution @ 4.0%.
There was a roaring fire in the family area with a large Christmas tree next to it.
A nice enough pub, unsure how long it’s been open but it still has a new feel to it.
Visited and ticked.
|
Pretty much as realalerob said - friendly staff and a good Ruddles (always a good measure of Beer quality in Spoons). A lot of children running around. I like to see children in pubs, but this was at Crown Carvery levels and potentially dangerous if they ran into serving staff.
|
Called in here for a quick pint at around 5pm a few nights ago. As others have pointed out, this is a big pub with plenty of seating. There was a varied selection of real ales on offer and I opted for the Northallerton Dark, which was very enjoyable and nice clean pint. Bar service was friendly. It wasn't too crowded but didn't feel empty either. No problem finding a seat, which was nice and comfortable to relax in with my pint. I would definitely pay another visit if I get the chance.
|
Quite a large spoons which used to be a General Post Office. Has nice beer garden, and lots of local ales on offer which were ok. Staff welcoming and helpfull, On 3 levels but has mini lifts so no problem for wheelchairs ect. Been open about 10 yrs so not the modern spoons design inside, but seemed clean and tidy and is much cheaper than some of the touristy pubs in the town. Well worth a visit
|
One of the better i've come across...and local Ales too...well done
|
This Spoons runs monthly festivals featuring local and regional breweries or types of beer (eg dark beers). The recent one was Walls County Town Brewery which is newly established in Northallerton. All 5 beers were in good condition and the Summer Gold was outstanding. Looking forward to the Salamander festival next weekend.
|
Typical 'Spoons pub where you get what it says on the tin. Impressed to see local ales on sale. In this case it was Richmond Brewery but both ales were not on form, possibly a problem at the brewery rather than the pub. The manager took them both straight off. Respect to him.
|
thank god for this pub! Iv recently visited Richmond and have to say was very disappointed with the Beer on offer in the town.
What a refreshing change to be offered something other than Black sheep. I tried the Happiness ale while there and was very impressed that the landlord had brewed it with a local brewery, not at all a usual tack for Wetherspoons.
We didnt eat in the pub so cant comment on the food but the staff were lovely. The barrel went off half way through my order and i was offered an alternative which was Wenslydale poacher which was lovely.
Well done Spoons for finally getting a great pub with great real ale!! Hope the rest of Richmond follows suit. The only negative i could say was the pub was a little on the cold side but not so bad you couldnt sit down and enjoy the beer.
|
Typical 'spoons, without typical 'spoons customers! Families and visitors, very few of the usual 'regulars' who frequent every other 'spoons we've visited around the country!
Staff were very friendly and efficient and our food ( usual acceptable 'spoons fare) arrived quicker than expected. One of the best 'spoons we have visited!
|
This was a fairly characterless Wetherspoons, but with plenty of staff on for a change. There was little or no atmosphere. Maybe if the snooker on the TVs wasn't being shown on mute, matters might have improved a fraction. However, it is nicely located opposite the Friary Gardens and nearby the Georgian Theatre Royal. As usual the real ale selection was good, but I'm not sure about the quality. Okells Mac Lir, Moorhouses Blond Witch, York Williamette, Allendale The Field & Lycetts, Ruddles Best, High House Farm Pullet Please, Greene King Abbot Ale, Richmond Happiness & Great Newsome Sleck Dust were all on. Westons ciders available were Vintage Organic, Marcle Hill & Old Rosie. Probably the best real ale establishment in Richmond. But I have to agree with the previous reviewer - the George & Dragon at Hudswell (not listed on here) is recommended, if only for the views and the fact you're supporting a real community pub.
|
Spoons are all controversial in my view but love em or hate em we have to accept thst they are in fixture in most towns ans cities. I can only report on my own experiences how and they are frankly terrible. The place is never clean, ever. Not even if you are having an early doors coffee. The real ale on all of my visits has been poor. I have sent more back than I have drunk. The wait to get served , a feature of all Spoons in my view, is interminable and the barstaff not the best. I have had at least one experience of someone else being served before me despite having just walked in and I had been there for 10 mins. I enquired as to why to be told by the young lady behind the bar it was because she "was at college with him"!!!!!
On my last visit three of the beers were unavailable - despite pump clips being on display, the Batemans ( one of my fave brews) was rancid. I complained to be told there was no more.I opted for a real cider from Westons which was lovely. It is the only saving grace of this establishment that they sell these nice proper ciders.
It is beyond belief that my local CAMRA region voted this CAMRA pub of the year.
Spoons have their place for some but this one I can't recommend. If you want a meal try the George and Dragon at Hudswell or if you want an ale try the Blaize, Castle or Holly Hill.
|
The best pub in central Richmond. Could do with more staff cleaning tables as they are always dirty, however they had around 6 cask ales on from North Yorkshire, evidently sourced themselves, not usual Spoons fare, as well as the usual Abbot etc. Guinness was top notch, as was the Hambleton Nightmare which was in 10/10 condition. Also on were York Guzzler, a Wensleydale beer, Richmond SwAle and I forget what else. Beer is second to none in terms of quality and choice. Staff friendly and helpful. Price very reasonable.
|
In a beautiful town, where to my surprise, I found 3 of the pubs in the Market Place closed and some of the remainder pretty grim, The Wetherspoons was a nice surprise. The manageress seemed pretty much on the ball, chatty and welcoming, whilst the Bath Ales Wheat Beer was top notch. It was also topped up without asking. One of JDWs better hostelries - the other pubs appeared to have given up trying to attract customers. A shame in such a North Yorkshire gem of a place.
|
Pub often lacks cleanliness, due to high volume of custom and minimal bar staff. Glasses often taste a bit sour from excess cleaning solution. Good selection of real ales at all times though.
|
Better than average JDW, that has a decent leaning towards local ales and has friendly service.
|
Another cavernous building tuned in to serving an inch of froth on the top of your pint.
The bar service both times I have been in has been appalling.
|
not that keen myself.
|
Decepetively spacious, drinks cheap enough but beer and service a bit erratic. Handily placed for excellent Indian restaurant.
|
Pub is situated in the old post office-so has an unusual name-spoons situated in old pot offices are usualy called the Postal Order-spacious and the last time I was their anyone ordering a childs drink were given a colouring book and a pack of crayons-situated near the Old Georgian Theatre and just off the main square,one good thing about Richmond,you can visit most pubs there in a day (you will probably be drunk at the finish,usual stuff for spoons large single straight bar,did you know their a few of us who try to visit as many spoons as possible (I am up to 49) but the bloke who started it is into the 600s and has a website but as long has he has ben there he only has a pint or a half
|
