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To praise Wetherspoons

254 replies

itsnotmeitsu · 28/11/2023 22:00

And no, I've not been to one tonight. I've spent the day on my own, at home. But when I visit it's always the same one, which is in a lovely listed building. As a caveat, I only go there on a Sunday lunchtime, so can't account for what it's like on a Friday/Saturday night.

The pub chain seems to have a bad reputation, but from what I've seen it can be a place for those, who would otherwise feel very isolated, to find a bit of life and get outside of their home, whilst being able to afford the drink and food prices. I would feel comfortable to spend time in the couple of Wetherspoons I know of as a woman on my own, or an elderly person just wanting to be in a social atmosphere, reading a book and having a cheap drink, or topping up my endless cups of coffee or tea, and not be sitting at home feeling like I was the only person in the world.

OP posts:
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Danikm151 · 28/11/2023 23:50

I like that that it says everyone is welcome even if you just want to be in the warm waiting for the bus or quickly need the loo.
the kids meals are great as well when you don’t want your child to have fast food. It may be fast but at least there’s veggies 😂

MrsQTip · 28/11/2023 23:48

TheONLYcarbsIEatAreChocolateCrispsandCrumpets · 28/11/2023 23:20

This is my fav so far on my travels . . .

Where is that ? Stunning glass

MrsQTip · 28/11/2023 23:45

GladioliandSweetPeas · 28/11/2023 23:05

I'm also a fan but I haven't been in years & years as I have no friends. Literally none ☹️

😢where are you based ? It’s okay I’ve been a lot on my own, they have free WiFi ……💐

Stomacharmeleon · 28/11/2023 23:44

My DS is a manager for one and loves it. He is autistic and they have been fantastic with him.

ThreeTreeHill · 28/11/2023 23:44

I think some people on this thread need to go to a few more spoons

The floors are sticky, they have that beery/sicky smell, they are often cold. The food is okay for the price but its definitely fast food style. After about 5pm they are full of groups of lads being knobs. The sausages on the breakfast are shite. The staff are most definitely not always friendly and the owner is a twat

You know what your getting, the buildings can be lovely but it's not a great experience going to spoons.

easylikeasundaymorn · 28/11/2023 23:35

agree the app is so good for when you're alone and want to order without either carting all your stuff to the bar or worry about leaving it. They were one of the first businesses to start using one, way before Covid. I always used to go to a spoons for an evening meal and then breakfast when I had to travel for work - as you say because it's family friendly it feels safer than your average pub, warm, cheap, free internet....ideal.

While most of the food is just reheated that's the same for much more expensive pub chains/restaurants too, and the pizzas are freshly cooked and lovely!

Agree there's a huge difference between the 'nice' ones and the not so nice ones though!

TheONLYcarbsIEatAreChocolateCrispsandCrumpets · 28/11/2023 23:34

That one is in Exeter @sparepantsandtoothbrush

7catsisnotenough · 28/11/2023 23:30

Not a fan of what they did during lockdown but there are some lovely "Spoons" around that aren't full of day time drinkers and drama. We have one locally that we go to for brunch on Sundays and really enjoy it (not sure what it's like on a Saturday night but...!)

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/11/2023 23:29

TheONLYcarbsIEatAreChocolateCrispsandCrumpets · 28/11/2023 23:20

This is my fav so far on my travels . . .

Where is this? Some of them are amazing. The one in a prison sounds cool too

Sturnidae · 28/11/2023 23:26

I spent a lot of my youth in this one, am old theatre, such a cool building! (Colchester, Essex).
Edit to add that those are cardboard cut outs up top!

To praise Wetherspoons
BitOutOfPractice · 28/11/2023 23:25

I agree that some are lovely @JustFrustrated but the sweeping statement that they all are is just wrong. I give you my daughter’s local Wetherspoons in Manchester.

To praise Wetherspoons
Sturnidae · 28/11/2023 23:24

I have been in some awesome weatherspoons, ones in really cool buildings that have a lot of interesting history, but I wouldn't go near my local as it's awful and I believe was in the news in the past six months as one of the worst in the country 🤣

HighlandCowSaysBooNotMoo · 28/11/2023 23:23

The Harrogate one is beautiful and a few in London are gorgeous

TheONLYcarbsIEatAreChocolateCrispsandCrumpets · 28/11/2023 23:20

This is my fav so far on my travels . . .

To praise Wetherspoons
vandertable · 28/11/2023 23:19

Wetherspoons are great, however much of a prat the owner is. I often treat myself to breakfast there when working from home and fancying a change of scenery. Free refills on coffee and reasonably priced breakfast rolls and muffins, can't beat it.

I also sing to myself on the way to the tune of Breakfast at Tiffanys "and I said, what about, Breakfast at Wetherspoons...", but I probably shouldn't tell you that.

cerisepanther73 · 28/11/2023 23:18

Oops typo mistake,
i ment to say weatherspoons preserves Uk olde worlde well cherished pubs heritage ect , may it continues cheers to that.

Tilllly · 28/11/2023 23:18

The one in Harrogate is like the titanic ballroom!!

They are really strict about underage drinking in my experience

JustFrustrated · 28/11/2023 23:15

BitOutOfPractice · 28/11/2023 23:13

beautiful Old buildings? 😂my local Wetherspoons! 🙄

Ah you should see the one in Keswick. That's beautiful.

It's an old jail, including the cells if I recall correctly.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/11/2023 23:15

The owner treated his staff appallingly during Covid

Ah there we go. No he didn't. He told his staff there were plenty of jobs at Tesco if they wanted to take them but that their jobs would still be there for them after if they wanted them. And that was said before the government announced the furlough scheme and nobody knew what was happening

JustFrustrated · 28/11/2023 23:14

Wonderwoman333 · 28/11/2023 22:49

Couldn't have said it better myself

The drinks are trash?

They're bog standard drinks that all pubs do

Lagers - from Fosters to Morretti
Ale - Brewdog and up
Gins - Tanqueray, Bombay, Gordon's and Sipsmith

....etc etc.

Slag it off all you want, but not the drink selection because it's comparable to every other pub. Independent or otherwise.

The "cocktails" are wank, sure. But if you're ordering a "cocktail" in a 'Spoons you've gone to the wrong place. And I've had just as bad "cocktails" in so called cocktail bars.

I'll never drink another one tbf.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/11/2023 23:13

beautiful Old buildings? 😂my local Wetherspoons! 🙄

To praise Wetherspoons
WaxhamSeals · 28/11/2023 23:13

I’d only go into Wetherspoons to use the toilet, and I’d have to be desperate. I’d rather go without food than give that Brexit supporting bastard any of my money

TheONLYcarbsIEatAreChocolateCrispsandCrumpets · 28/11/2023 23:05

Great food, beautiful old buildings instead of the nasty new builds of Beefeater etc. Food is served in minutes and always good nowadays.
They even have Linghams as a condiment which is tops!
I always go there now if need a quick meal with children when out and about all over the country. Other pubs are way too random with quality, very slow and and very pricey.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/11/2023 23:05

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/11/2023 22:19

...waiting for the posters to come on to say they sacked a load of employees during covid 😂 That didn't happen but posters say it every time spoons are mentioned

Shall I be the one to say that they failed to pay a lot of their small suppliers during Covid, despite already having sold their beer and pocketing The money?

I also hate having the owners’ politics shoved down my throat.

the one in the small city I live in is filthy, surrounded by a fug or cigarette smoke, and frequented by drunks by 10am. Not the welcoming atmosphere described in the op.

I have dozens and dozens Of lovely independent pubs within a ten minute walk. I’d rather support them.

the quality of the food is awful. Really awful.

so it’s massive no from me.

GladioliandSweetPeas · 28/11/2023 23:05

I'm also a fan but I haven't been in years & years as I have no friends. Literally none ☹️

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