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Wetherspoons

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    I go to Wetherspoons in Derry all the time and find the food fine, it's not pretentious, there's lots of it, and it's cheap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,717 ✭✭✭✭ben.schlomo


    biko wrote: »
    I go to Wetherspoons in Derry all the time and find the food fine, it's not pretentious, there's lots of it, and it's cheap.
    Cheap and lots of it, hallmarks of quality alright.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,590 ✭✭✭theteal


    Cheap and lots of it, hallmarks of quality alright.

    When you're looking cure a hunger on the cheap, it's a decent option. I'd not be bringing the missus on a night out or anything but that's not what they're trying to sell.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    ongarboy wrote: »
    Wetherspoon's drink choice and prices are good. Their food is very mediocre the few times I've had meals in the Dublin pubs over the last few years but it will attract people for the food because they feel they are getting value for money (especially with the cheap soft drink/alcoholic drink add on).

    Yeah to be fair, the food at Wetherspoons is not exactly 5-Star gourmet quality although; they never claimed so either. It's easily on a par (if not better) than Burgerking, Abrakebabra etc; It's a basic food offering at a reasonable price in a comfortable setting where alcohol is also on sale but you can buy Tea or Coffee and they offer FREE Tea/Coffee Refills. It just brings something different to the table in terms of meal deals and cheaper alcohol prices in a bar. If you do not opt for a meal you are still able to avail of Wetherspoon's more competitive drink prices in a city centre venue in a safe comfortable setting. It's a no-brainer for someone who enjoys socialising but may have little income after paying their bills, rent/mortgage etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    biko wrote: »
    I go to Wetherspoons in Derry all the time and find the food fine, it's not pretentious, there's lots of it, and it's cheap.

    Exactly, the grub is alright and fills a gap nothing more. The meal menu has a reasonable selection of options too which is convenient while ticking budget/economy box. When you look at how expensive food can cost from pizza outlets, cinemas this is not bad value.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    ongarboy wrote: »
    That's a very good point. A night club is only open for 4 hours a couple of nights a week and is dead street frontage for the remainder of the week. This will bring life to the street from 8am to midnight or so 7 days a week.

    Yeah, I always felt that a large section of that street was asleep most of the day which cannot have been attractive for neighbouring retail outlets. This could benefit other venues on the street based on increased footfall alone once Wetherspoons opens from early morning to late evening. I think it could be a win, win for all concerned.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,623 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    Cheap and lots of it, hallmarks of quality alright.
    We *are* the land of the wretched pub carvery in fairness.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    Robbo wrote: »
    We *are* the land of the wretched pub carvery in fairness.

    10 out of 10 - Indeed we are - Pub carvery meals can be of high quality in many places but yes the reason most pubs stay in business tends to rely on it's food offering especially to boost daytime trade.

    Other factors that have probably led to a decline in alcohol sales in Pubs may be down to:
    Gulf between price of Alcohol on sale in Bars/Pubs V's Off-Licences, Supermarkets, Garage forecourt shops etc;
    Smoking Ban in the Workplace which included Public Houses some of which may not have adequate smoking areas for all weather use causing some punters to change habit.
    Stricter drink driving legislation and random breath testing was introduced including next morning spot-checks.

    Wetherspoons know exactly what they are doing and have probably been anxious to gain a foothold in Galway for quite a while I suspect. I hope it leads to further competition in the sector as it has become quite expensive to go out in Ireland leading to the on-trade being less busy at times that would have been a lot busier some years ago. Given that we are almost at full employment, there is clearly something wrong in the pubs sector if many are still struggling.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,299 ✭✭✭gordongekko


    Robbo wrote: »
    We *are* the land of the wretched pub carvery in fairness.

    Where in the town does a carvery anymore


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,642 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Where in the town does a carvery anymore

    Imperial.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,499 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    I find it difficult enough to find a good, cheap carvery in Galway, it's either overpriced or non-existant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,299 ✭✭✭gordongekko


    One spot hardly make us the land of the carvery!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    One spot hardly make us the land of the carvery!!

    Wetherspoons, once it opens in Galway is unlikely to serve a carvery
    Following venues are options that come to mind last time I was in Galway City:
    The Skeff Bar in Eyre Square until 3:00pm
    The Imperial Hotel until 4:00pm
    The Quays Bar until 5:00pm
    GBC used do a daily "Lunch Special" similar to carvery
    Finnegan's also do reasonably priced grub all day

    You'd miss Lynch's next to and above Zhivago's music store


  • Posts: 24,774 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I’ve only been there a handful of times but the one in Cork is actually a nice enough pub and the food is pretty good. It’s certainly a lot nicer than most/all the ones I’ve been to in the UK and they appear to have pitched it higher than the UK ones from a decor etc point of view.

    That being said I’d still just prefer many other pubs and the lack of Guinness is also a pain but ita certainly no harm to have it as an option in Galway especially if you are in a big crowd etc looking for a few pints and some food.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,447 ✭✭✭✭Geuze



    That being said I’d still just prefer many other pubs and the lack of Guinness is also a pain

    They sell Beamish.


  • Posts: 24,774 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Geuze wrote: »
    They sell Beamish.

    Better than Murphys but still muck compared to Guinness imo. I’d stick to some sort of IPA if in a wetherspoons but they aren’t ideal for a heavy nights drinking.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,447 ✭✭✭✭Geuze


    I must have an unsophisticated palate, as I can't taste any
    large difference between Guinness and Beamish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 782 ✭✭✭topcat77


    Murphys Bar does all three.

    Myself and some colleagues did a blind tasting during a night out about 6 months ago .

    Beamish and Murphys were level on 4 and nobody picked Guinness.


  • Posts: 24,774 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    topcat77 wrote: »
    Murphys Bar does all three.

    Myself and some colleagues did a blind tasting during a night out about 6 months ago .

    Beamish and Murphys were level on 4 and nobody picked Guinness.

    Having spent time in Cork where both are popular and tried both on many different occasions (usually forced due to no Guinness for whatever reason) they are both far inferior to Guinness taste wise IMO. I would know instantly which one was which and have brought back pints after one sip on a number of occasions when I was given Murphy's or Bemish by mistake rather than Guinness.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    Having spent time in Cork where both are popular and tried both on many different occasions (usually forced due to no Guinness for whatever reason) they are both far inferior to Guinness taste wise IMO. I would know instantly which one was which and have brought back pints after one sip on a number of occasions when I was given Murphy's or Beamish by mistake rather than Guinness.

    I think it's really a matter of personal taste. Guinness has without question been a national and international brand for many years and has stood the test of time. St. James's Gate Brewery is a brewery founded in 1759 in Dublin, Ireland, by Arthur Guinness. The company is now a part of Diageo, a British company formed from the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan in 1997.

    The reason Murphy's Irish Stout (established in 1856) and Beamish Genuine Irish Stout (established in 1792) are so popular in Cork is down to the fact that both have been brewed in Cork City for a very long time and there would always be a certain rivalry between Dublin as capital city with Cork as the second largest city in the state since Irish independence.

    According to Murphy's Irish Stout marketing it's described as follows:
    Murphy's is classified as an Irish Dry Stout, is dark in colour and medium-bodied. It is silky smooth with toffee & coffee undertones, almost no bitterness, and a irresistible creamy finish. ABV 4.0%

    According to Beamish Genuine Irish Stout marketing it's described as follows:
    Beamish has a rich roasted flavour with coffee and dark chocolate undertones, making it a genuine Irish stout. ABV 4.1%

    Murphy is brewed at Lady's Well Brewery which eventually became the Heineken Ireland Brewery and is situated north of the River Lee whereas; Beamish was for most of it's existence brewed at the Beamish & Crawford brewery situated at a different site located south of the River Lee.

    In times past, most Public Houses were owned by the various breweries (which favoured & stocked their own products) so; some Pubs were Beamish controlled, others were Murphy's and other's would have been Guinness houses.

    Both Murphy's Irish Stout and Beamish Irish Stout are now brewed at the Heineken Ireland Brewery at Leitrim Street in Cork City along with other products such as Heineken lager for instance. The former Beamish & Crawford brewery site off South Main Street in Cork City is earmarked for the long awaited Cork Event Centre which has yet to be finalised & built although; there is other construction of student apartments ongoing in another part of the site.

    I'm not sure if Wetherspoons will stock Guinness, Murphy's Irish Stout or Beamish Genuine Irish Stout at it's new Galway bar when it eventually opens so it will be interesting to see what's on sale.

    Sources:
    https://brewcrew.ie/products/guinness-stout-4-2-abv-20l-keg-35-pints
    https://brewcrew.ie/products/beamish-irish-stout-4-1-abv-30l-keg-53-pints
    https://brewcrew.ie/products/murphys-irish-stout-4-0-50l-keg-88-pints


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,447 ✭✭✭✭Geuze



    I'm not sure if Wetherspoons will stock Guinness, Murphy's Irish Stout or Beamish Genuine Irish Stout at it's new Galway bar when it eventually opens so it will be interesting to see what's on sale.

    The Galway pub will not sell Guinness, unless Diageo have a change of heart and cut their keg selling prices.

    That is unlikely to happen.


  • Posts: 5,250 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    In times past, most Public Houses were owned by the various breweries (which favoured & stocked their own products) so; some Pubs were Beamish controlled, others were Murphy's and other's would have been Guinness houses.
    That isn't the Irish experience though?
    Pubs were owned by the person whose name was over the door. What they sold depended on who your supplier was and what was available. Guinness et al are old but they weren't national - they were in Dublin and some other urban areas. Rural and small town Ireland drank whiskey - the big switch to stout happened 130 years ago or so.

    The UK experience was different - pubs in the rapidly urbanising country were opened and owned by breweries and rented to local landlords as tied agents.
    Thatcher's government broke them up but there are still huge groups.

    Wetherspoons was different starting independently of the breweries, owning and operating the pubs themselves and offering whatever best deal he could get.

    We have never seen the scale of a chain like Weatherspoons in this country before - which is why it is such a novelty and so different to what we are used to.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭AwaitYourReply


    That isn't the Irish experience though?
    Pubs were owned by the person whose name was over the door. What they sold depended on who your supplier was and what was available. Guinness et al are old but they weren't national - they were in Dublin and some other urban areas. Rural and small town Ireland drank whiskey - the big switch to stout happened 130 years ago or so.

    The UK experience was different - pubs in the rapidly urbanising country were opened and owned by breweries and rented to local landlords as tied agents.
    Thatcher's government broke them up but there are still huge groups.

    Wetherspoons was different starting independently of the breweries, owning and operating the pubs themselves and offering whatever best deal he could get.

    We have never seen the scale of a chain like Weatherspoons in this country before - which is why it is such a novelty and so different to what we are used to.

    Apparently, a lot of the pubs in my native Cork City were once tied to the big breweries and any pub that was not was very much the exception to the rule but this is going back many years. I think things had begun to change by the 1970's. The name of the brewery/it's main product was usually referenced on the outside signage.

    The Oval bar on South Main Street was once a Beamish house and was right opposite the Beamish & Crawford Brewery and the South County pub in Douglas Village was once both owned and tied to Beamish & Crawford brewery until the mid 1970's. Meanwhile Mok's bar at Phair's Cross was tied to Murphy's brewery too for many years.

    It will be very interesting if large chains like Wetherspoons (and any other big chains that may subsequently follow) keep expanding but avoid stocking the likes of Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish. It may prompt the owners of these products to return to the tied-house model that was once commonplace in cities like Cork many years ago in order to protect market share in the on-trade.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/cork-pub-sells-pints-for-less-than-10-cent-to-mark-centenary-1.3735858

    http://www.thesouthcounty.com/history

    https://www.thesun.ie/fabulous/3151218/brewery-modern-version-success-tiedhouse/

    http://publin.ie/2016/this-1970s-murphys-advert-shows-old-dublin-pubs-in-their-heyday/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,773 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    Is there a provsional opening date on the Galway spoons? Would imagine the second half of 2020 at a guess, its a big job they are undertaking.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,609 ✭✭✭Laviski


    with planning permissions id say 2021 at the earliest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭Buddy74


    So when I was walking past yesterday I heard some work going on inside.
    May have been some other reason for the works or the current people controlling the site stripping it.

    From frequenting a number of their places in the UK I would say they'd fit it out quickly especially as it was already a bar with a kitchen.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,642 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    I noticed it had been secured and all the Carbon signage gone during the week.


    Buddy74 wrote: »
    ... it was already a bar with a kitchen.

    Did it definitely have a kitchen? I've heard a few different opinions, none were totally sure.

    But if it did, then I'd guess it won't need planning, since it's not a change of use.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,609 ✭✭✭Laviski


    I noticed it had been secured and all the Carbon signage gone during the week.





    Did it definitely have a kitchen? I've heard a few different opinions, none were totally sure.

    But if it did, then I'd guess it won't need planning, since it's not a change of use.

    there was - think it was called studio - only open for short time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,499 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    Any updates?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,642 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    JCX BXC wrote: »
    Any updates?

    No: there's been a small amount done on the building, but it doesn't look like the fit out gas started ( unless they're very good at hiding it!)


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