North Western, Liverpoolback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Didn't rush back but it is such a difference going to the large high ceilinged room that is on the corner rather than the gloomy corporate interior part. They're like two different pubs (and indeed they do have separate bars). had a Spitting feathers brew which was quite drinkable but the name of the brew was in indecipherable tiny letters.
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Absolute goldmine I'd think; apparently it's one of the 2 or 3 most profitable Spoons in the UK and can well believe it. You know what you are getting here, always very busy. Bit more modern looking decor than most Spoons and bit better/faster service than most as well.
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gave it a try but the poorly lit interior gives it a gloomy feel. They could do so much more with the main body of the building. Ale was ok and cheap - as per what you would expect from Wetherspoons . Won't be rushing back.
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Was in here this morning prior to catching a train. With many different rooms and drinking areas, this Wetherspoon's always feels busy. At 10am this morning, there were tables available. But it can often be so crowded to be uncomfortable. If you're after real ales, be sure to check the offerings on both bars. There are generally some additional ones on the neighbouring bar. Today's selection was Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best, Sharp's Doom Bar, Big Bog Morast, Caledonian Edinburgh Castle, Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew, Peerless Curve Ball Blonde, Coach House Cheshire Gold & Burton Bridge Stairway To Heaven. There were no ciders today. But there can sometimes be a box lurking away in a fridge. It goes without saying that the North Western is a decent option for one last drink before catching a train.
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Very big place with three(ish- one is a small place by part of the bar) rooms. One of the rooms has an upstairs bit as well so I would surprised if anyone struggles for a seat in here. Ales on- Doom bar, Ruddles best, Westwood old dog, Moorhouses black cat, Coach house innkeepers, Phoenix Black Bee- 2.49, okay beer. On the walls there are pictures dedicated to trains, including posters of local train journeys. The toilets seemed fine when I was in (although I only used the urinals). I would probably it's between here and The Lime Kiln for best spoons, I would say the Lime Kiln edges it as the prices are class. Good pub for a station (Although not as good as spoons in Leeds station).
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I was here after the match on Sunday. I'd just been to the Richard John Blackler. So this was my 5th Wetherspoons of the day. I don't normally do that many in a month. As Wirraldrinker says, this is a big improvement on the former Head of Steam that was really struggling in its later years. The major drawback with this place now is its popularity. Whilst there is plenty of seating in multiple areas, access to the bar is limited and it always seems to be a fight to get served. The toilets were a disgrace. One cubicle had no lock and another had no toilet paper. The one with no paper was flooded and one of the hand driers was out of service. For a fairly new Wetherspoons establishment, this place certainly needs looking at again. You'll get a far better experience trying one of the other city centre 'spoons - the Richard John Blackler, The Lime Kiln, The Fall Well or the Welkin. For the record, the ales were Phoenix Big Bang, Coach House Innkeepers Special Reserve & Blunderbus Old Porter, Orkney Clootie Dumpling, Beartown Brown Bear, Greene King Abbot, Woods Wonderful & JW Lees Christmas Plum Pudding.
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Friday night was my first visit since this Wetherspoons opened. I must say it's a vast improvement on the dying Head of Steam. It was packed with customers and it took a long time to get served. I wasn't impressed with the choice of 4 ales but chose Hanlon's 'Yellowhammer', a nice light-coloured summer ale. I then wandered round a corner into another room to find another bar complete with another 5 completely different ales! Take my advice and have a walk through this big pub before choosing your drink. I liked the railway-themed photos and maps on the walls.
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Just another Wetherspoons - why bother with it when there are SO many better alternatives nearby.
anonymous - 7 Dec 2015 01:22 |
Opinion on this one is going to be divided I’m sure. Between those who remember the Head of Steam as it used to be (magnificent building and a huge array of real ales on tap), who will think this is nowhere near as good, and those who remember the Head of Steam just before it xlosed (very dowdy, with no real ales available), who will think this an improvement. Not sure where I stand on this. The quality of surroundings and choice of beer is definitely better, but for me they’ve ruined the building but inserting a mezzanine floor with extra seating. The bar has been moved into the middle of the premises, and now occupies both sides of a wall that used to separate two rooms. That means it’s by no means obvious there’s another bar (serving different beers !) on the other side of the wall. Staff are also pretty clueless when it comes to working out who to serve next.
At least the beer is good (Stonehenge Old Smokey) and the food (standard Spoons fare) arrived quickly.
5/10 – nothing special
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The North Western is a newly-opened Wetherspoons at Lime Street station. It replaces the former Head of Steam. Whilst the Head of Steam did actually have the feel of a Wetherspoons, the interior has been completely gutted and the pub now makes much better use of the available space and feels a much nicer space with the windows replaced and bar now occupying a central position. It was packed after the football yesterday and getting served can be a challenge. Ales were Ruddles Best, Titanic White Star & Three B's Pinch Noggin. The real cider was Fynbury Medium. Well worth a visit if you're waiting for a train. I suspect this will take custom away from the Crown and Ma Egerton's. But they're also worth a visit.
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