Man your pumps, Wetherspoons are coming

JayRoc · 22-03-2015 06:10PM

Sure, it basically comes down to paying more for a better product or paying less for a poor one. I genuinely cannot compare any of the staff I encountered yesterday (except maybe the older guy, I'm guessing the manager?) to the guys from my usual haunts.

I'm happy enough to pay more, to a local company without the purchasing power of a corporate entity like Wetherspoons, and get a better experience, personally, but I absolutely understand that I may not be in the majority.

SteM · 22-03-2015 07:29PM

But in wetherspoons case 95% of the time you're paying less for a better product. The beer they sell is better than the slop most pubs sell and it's cheaper that all of them.

magentis · 22-03-2015 07:35PM

I must say i find wetherspoons staff far more welcoming than the bars i used to visit in the same area,and they offer a far better product at a much lower price.
Im delighted with their arrival.
Long may their expansion continue.

Ronan|Raven · 22-03-2015 07:40PM

Was in Wetherspoons up in Belfast over the weekend, was great, everyone knew the system of ordering and service was nice and fast on a Friday night.

listermint · 23-03-2015 06:09PM

JayRoc wrote: »

I've gone there a couple of times for breakfast before, usually because it's the only place near me that opens before nine on Sundays.

I was genuinely trying to give the place a fair shake, some of my mates are always slagging me for refusing to patronise the place when it's so near to the house....referring to what some of us call it was only meant to be in jest, obviously, although I would certainly sooner patronise a locally-owned establishment. I make no bones about that.

For, off the top of my head, two sausages, three hash browns, two bacon, two eggs and beans, seven or eight quid would be good value if the food was half decent; absolutely.
I'd say a similar, if smaller, breakfast, locally would be close to the same price...maybe a tenner max? But at least it'd be freshly made, with far far better service. The place has gotten a name for being good value and I honestly don't think the reputation is deserved when it comes to the food, especially considering the poor quality.

The drinks, though, as I said, were exceptional value. Apart from Beamish they had two other stouts on tap at (I think) 2.45 each per pint, and the Ghost Ship and the other pale ale (Shipyard?) were grand drinking. The 500ml bottle of O'Hara's cost me less than either offie within 100 yards of the place.....you're absolutely correct.

Since you ask, I would recommend The Dark Horse...Irish owned, and you're served by staff who you can get to know. I would probably refer to several of them at this stage as mates.

Conways on the main street, too. Nice spot and they do craft beer promotions every Wednesday, and always working hard to try new stuff whether it's live gigs or pub quizzes or cask beers.

(not sure if you meant breakfast recommendations, sorry. But for me it'd be the Wooden Spoon by the dart station)

Broke my rule and went to the Three Hun Tavern today, as it was the only place in the vicinity (including my house) I could escape the rugby, even partially.

I have no idea why anyone would go 'back' to a bar that they had food in earlier and hated the entire experience from the food to the barstaff.

Why return ? It was awful ..... .... ...

syklops · 23-03-2015 06:17PM

listermint wrote: »

I have no idea why anyone would go 'back' to a bar that they had food in earlier and hated the entire experience from the food to the barstaff.

Why return ? It was awful ..... .... ...

Especialy in Blackrock where there is loads of places one could go to.

Also think his story doesnt add up.

Maynard · 24-03-2015 12:05AM

So to summarise; Bar has excellent variety of beers at the best prices in Ireland...But does an unsatisfactory breakfast? I think I can live with that.

I live very close to Blackrock and go there most weekends. I'd also be very fond of the lads up in the Dark Horse, but despite their broad knowledge and friendliness that establishment is not without its drawbacks also. The selection in comparison too the sibling GBB pubs is extremely poor, and their rotation of taps and new and interesting beers is at an all time low. Lucky to find one new beer a week that I'd try. Plus you're paying a ridiculous price for many of them. When it was first got in Stony Grey was being sold at €6 a glass. I had gotten a pint of it the previous weekend in The Magpie in Dalkey (a place I'm beginning to love) for around €5.70. I believe TDH has since reduced the price of the glass (why can't I buy a pint anymore GBB???) but it's still at a margin that I'm personally not comfortable with.

For what it's worth I find most of the Wetherspoon bashers are simply coming with ulterior motives to the debate, be they political, social, xenophobic or a mix of the above.

How you can berate a purveyor of alcoholic drinks despite admitting that they excel at delivering a wide variety of them at a more than affordable price is simply beyond me.

jsa112 · 24-03-2015 12:33AM

I think if you go to a wetherspoons expecting amazing food, you have to be more realistic with life. I'm sick of being price gouged by a certain Galway franchise, so am more than happy to go to a wetherspoons these days.

syklops · 24-03-2015 12:40AM

The number one reason to go to Weatherspoons is cheap, decent beer. The food they do well is meant to compliment beer so its things like buffalo wings which are very good.

It wouldnt be my first choice for breakfast. Instead I'd go somewhere which specialises in breakfast.

Demonique · 24-03-2015 12:51AM

First I've heard of Wetherspoons being in Ireland.

Anyway, Wetherspoons is OK IMO, like the booze, the food is OK if uninspiring

If you go to the UK be sure to check out The Knights Templar in London, amazing medieval style stone decoration in the bathroom

Chelon · 24-03-2015 01:09AM

BeerNut wrote: »

The Dungarvan beer in the Palace tends to be pretty reliable. Also never had a bad pint of cask beer in JW Sweetman, when it's on. The Bull & Castle and Porterhouse Temple Bar's beers tend to be pretty well-kept too, in my experience.

Was disappointed to visit The Palace recently and be told they had no cask available. In my experience the other pubs mentioned also tend to blow hot and cold re the cask availability and quality.

On the other hand I had a quite lovely pint in the 40 foot the week before and it was just €1.99

For my money JDW is still almost the only show in town for cask ale - even at the recent RDS festival I could only spot 4 on show - the 40 foot I think had more than that and this is in a single pub.

BeerNut · 24-03-2015 09:08AM

The Forty Foot had no cask ale at all on Saturday. Hot and cold...

oblivious · 24-03-2015 12:38PM

Chelon wrote:

For my money JDW is still almost the only show in town for cask ale - even at the recent RDS festival I could only spot 4 on show - the 40 foot I think had more than that and this is in a single pub.

Have you tried mulligan grocer, they have put some serious investment in recent times

anncoates · 24-03-2015 06:46PM

JayRoc wrote: »

Sure, it basically comes down to paying more for a better product or paying less for a poor one. I genuinely cannot compare any of the staff I encountered yesterday (except maybe the older guy, I'm guessing the manager?) to the guys from my usual haunts.

I'm happy enough to pay more, to a local company without the purchasing power of a corporate entity like Wetherspoons, and get a better experience, personally, but I absolutely understand that I may not be in the majority.

I can't comment on spoons in Blackrock because I've never been but your posts almost scream out that you dislike the very idea itself of JDW pubs here so I'm inclined to take your account with a pinch of salt, to be honest.

Chelon · 24-03-2015 06:46PM

oblivious wrote: »

Have you tried mulligan grocer, they have put some serious investment in recent times

I haven't but it is on my list, thanks for the reminder.

BeerNut - did they say why? I thought they had sorted out their earlier supply problems.

BeerNut · 24-03-2015 07:13PM

Chelon wrote: »

BeerNut - did they say why?

Delivery failure.

Simon2015 · 04-04-2015 11:15PM

Anyone know where on Camden St Wetherspoons is going to open ?

Ronan|Raven · 05-04-2015 12:01AM

I would reckon next year.

Simon2015 · 05-04-2015 12:03AM

Ronan|Raven wrote: »

I would reckon next year.

Sorry I asked where not when. Just wondering if they have a spot already picked out ?

jimmii · 05-04-2015 12:13AM

Simon2015 wrote: »

Sorry I asked where not when. Just wondering if they have a spot already picked out ?

They bought Camden Hall Hostel.

http://m.independent.ie/business/irish/wetherspoon-snaps-up-camden-street-hostel-30839214.html

Ronan|Raven · 05-04-2015 12:14AM

Simon2015 wrote: »

Sorry I asked where not when. Just wondering if they have a spot already picked out ?

Oops!

Yes, as mentioned the old Camden Hostel.

Simon2015 · 05-04-2015 12:17AM

jimmii wrote: »

They bought Camden Hall Hostel.

Is that the one just across from the bleeding horse pub ?

jimmii · 05-04-2015 12:18AM

Simon2015 wrote: »

Is that the one just across from the bleeding horse pub ?

Yeah that's the place. Be interesting to see if other pubs notice any changes obviously a lot more competitive are than they have moved into to date.

Simon2015 · 05-04-2015 12:22AM

jimmii wrote: »

Yeah that's the place. Be interesting to see if other pubs notice any changes obviously a lot more competitive are than they have moved into to date.

I'd say they could take away about 50% of the bleeding horses customers.

Blut2 · 05-04-2015 03:44PM

Simon2015 wrote: »

I'd say they could take away about 50% of the bleeding horses customers.

I dunno - I think they may actually add to the Bleeding Horses customers.

If the business of the TTT in Blackrock is any indication the first place in town to open will likely be crazy busy every night. If a lot of people are going there, and getting refused because its full, there'll likely be some spillover to the Bleeding Horse. It'll draw a LOT more people to that specific point in town.

oblivious · 05-04-2015 09:35PM

Blut2 wrote: »

I dunno - I think they may actually add to the Bleeding Horses customers.

If the business of the TTT in Blackrock is any indication the first place in town to open will likely be crazy busy every night. If a lot of people are going there, and getting refused because its full, there'll likely be some spillover to the Bleeding Horse. It'll draw a LOT more people to that specific point in town.

Also the residents will be able to enjoy a pint with their breakfast in true spoons fashion

Simon2015 · 06-04-2015 08:16PM

I'd love to see Wetherspoons open a pub in temple bar that would really shake things up.

I'm sick of paying over 7 euro for a bottle of cider when I go there.

Heroditas · 06-04-2015 08:48PM

Simon2015 wrote: »

I'd love to see Wetherspoons open a pub in temple bar that would really shake things up.

I'm sick of paying over 7 euro for a bottle of cider when I go there.

This is going to seem a stupid question but why go to Temple Bar at all if you are sick of paying €7 for a beer? Why not go elsewhere like Wicklow Street or Georges Street or Camden Street?

BaZmO* · 06-04-2015 09:10PM

Heroditas wrote: »

This is going to seem a stupid question but why go to Temple Bar at all if you are sick of paying €7 for a beer? Why not go elsewhere like Wicklow Street or Georges Street or Camden Street?

Exactly! Why would you even go Temple Bar unless you're a tourist?

jimmii · 06-04-2015 09:16PM

Simon2015 wrote: »

I'd say they could take away about 50% of the bleeding horses customers.

Because of the hotel I would think it will bring a good few extra people to the area and Spoons tends to be an early stop off on a night out not a stay all night type of place so it might mean Bleeding Horse is a little quieter at 7pm but it could well end up being a lot busier after 10pm or so.

Man your pumps, Wetherspoons are coming

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