please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This was one of the very first Spoons outside London and in the North, probably been open 20 years or so now (and it shows). Otherwise agreed with the last comment, though I wouldn't criticise the quality of beer or most of the staff, it always has a desperate feel to it to me especially for the centre of a place like Chester.
|
Dire even by spoons standards.....
|
This is always my first stop when I come to Chester and is one of the better Wetherspoons. They always have a LocAle such as Peerless or Spitting Feathers and the service is always a lot quicker than other 'Spoons.
However, on my most recent visit last week I waited a while to get served (person before me spent ages ordering food!!). When I eventually got served I asked for a pint of the delicious looking Conwy Brewery Honey Fayre.
"Sorry, it's gone!" was the barmaids reply.
Well turn the bloody pump clip around then. Do Wetherspoons train their staff to NOT turn the clips around if the beer has run out!?
Anyway, I settled for a pint of Conwy Brewery Rampart which I think cost �1.89 so I was happy in the end.
|
This pub has improved a lot over the last few weeks, thanks to the new manager(s). Customer service is noticably better with quicker bar service. Excellent beer quality and choice (usually 6 or 7 guest ales) and customers are encouraged to request their favourite beers. There is currently a 50p per pint discount for card-carrying Camra members. I shall continue to spend my beer allowance at this pub!
|
Usual Spoons pub. Had steak and Chips. The steak was good but the chips were of the instant mash variety, just mush inside.
The first 2 beers i asked for had run out so not a good start there either.
|
Fairly standard Wetherspoons. Narrow with a lowish ceiling & generally good atmosphere. If you are a CAMRA member then show your card for a 10% discount on real ales (correct as of March 2011). I've also noticed from the local CAMRA website that the management are pro-active in engaging with branch members over various issues. It was slightly unfortunate that on my visit the Acorn - Challenger IPA was like a pint of vinegar. Fair play, it was swapped without question, however the barman never asked me what was wrong with my beer or even which pump it had come from.
|
Standard spoons format. Interior felt dark. Usual mix of clients enjoying the early evening. Choice of ale included local offering which was ok.
|
Unfortunately, the recent improvement that this pub has seen has not lasted. Having avoided the place for a number of years after countless poor quality pints, I had begun to frequent the pub again. I was slightly pleased to see that it had been given a refurbishment recently, but like at lot of Wetherspoon pubs it is easy to see that cost cutting measures had been taking resulting in the new panelling already showing signs of wear and tear and even behind the bar falling off. As for the ales, I was almost delighted to bring some of my friends with me over the past few months to show how a little effort and a manager that listens can make a huge difference. Gone were the days of only having Pedigree and Abbot to choose from. In came a good range of ales as the staff even had basic knowledge of them. But, alas, it wasn�t to last as they are back to serving what I can only describe as cloudy vinegar. Oh, a word of advise, never try and take it back to the female manager as when I did I got the old groans and moans and as she walked off a few choice words were just audible from under her breath. My advise go around the corner to the new one. The choice may be limited but I had a fabulous Cheshire Cat their last week and a promise that it will be returning.
|
Very busy when we called when we were staying in the area in April. Sticky tables and a bit of a wait, although that tends to be usual. Not bad choices of beers with Springhead and Moorhouses available.
|
chav central, slow service, 3/10
mps77 - 18 Mar 2009 13:42 |
A large, modern pub with folding doors for open frontage in summer. fairly typical jdw features.
***
Inside, large open plan area, with seating for around 150+.
***
the standard jdw menu was available.
10 pumps for cask ales. all were in use.
I tried the slaters "queen bee" which was commendable.
***
verdict :
modern style building, ale was well-priced, didn't try the food.
manager was knowledgeable on his cask beers.
would call again for beer or food. however would probably avoid at weekends or peak times.
a 7 from me.
|
the correct name for this pub is ..
THE SQUARE BOTTLE
which I have submitted as a separate suggestion.
|
Pretty dire even for a Wetherspoons. Whoever is supposed to clear the tables needs a rocket. Almost every one was dirty and it was only around 7.30. The main cask ale on several handpumps was apparently "coming soon" which is hopeless for a Saturday night. Having said that the one pint I did have was OK.
|
Called in for a meal and enjoyed the Station House ale on offer. Really hectic and had a wait for service.
|
Food good although i agree that you have to queue very long for a drink and this Wetherspoons is very poor compared to the other Wetherspoons. Tables and bar always wet, bring some kitchen roll with you!!!
|
Dirty tables, dirty toilets, slow service. Bad pub.
|
Its a good pub the only thing its lacking is music, but it seems 2 b packed all the time with no music there except 4 a sunday nite.
i go in there on a thursday day time and its busy then, but i was standing at the bar for about 5mins while the bar staff was chatting till the manager came out then the girl served me i did complain and she sed sorry not the point like but better than nowt.
they have really nice meals and at good prices to and the beer is cheap 2, thursdays is cheap they have offers on the bottles, well worth going there
|
Whilst an unashamed Wethers fan, I must agree with the below posters. Very busy on a weekday afternoon, not a lot they can do about that, but perhaps some more staff, a clean cloth for wiping the tables, and a few mental health nurses for all the oddballs in there might help. Ale wasnt bad tho, and the cider was welcome on a hot day!
|
It's a shame,but I agree with everything said above, when you queue? - get jostled - for 10 mins waiting for a pint,with the correct money ready,then it is sloshed up,banged down,fully short measure and the server promptly disappears down the bar it gets you fuming.Why can't this one be like all the other Spoons? Can't blame the staff,they are desperately over-worked.Can only blame the managers who don't seem to want us not-so-young ale drinkers.I still pop in though at quiet times if they manage to get a decent guest beer that isn't over 4.5%
This can and should be a much better pub to visit.
|
I've visited many Wetherspoons and many of them are very good ....... but this one is the pits. Even when there are only a handful of customers in there you have to wait for ages to be served, only to find the guest beer you selected is 'not on', even though the pumpclip is displayed. Always the poorest guest ale choice of any Wetherspoon pub. They know they don't need to try because it's located in a tourist spot, but most locals avoid this place like the plague. Fortunately, for discerning drinker, there are a few Good Beer Guide recommended pubs nearby. For the less discerning drinker there is a cheaper pub nearby.
|
Having been in quite a few Wetherspoons I must admit this is not one of my favourites,staff did not seem to care if they served or not and it seemed a bit on the dirty side,looked more like a resturant than a pub,but I must recomend spoons on the whole,made a complait about 4 branches and someone contacted them,let me know the results and sent me a �5 voucher as a gesture.
|
The usual vertical drinking establishment in the evenings, busy with students and the like due to the good value food nights. Day time busy with hardened drinkers and shoppers due to the 10am opening and reasonable prices. Never the less a great selection of beers well kept and very reasonably priced.
|
Quite simply, the worst pub I've ever been to in my life, and I've been to a few. Absolutely bloody awful.
|
