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Child Item

Wetherspoons - The Great Wood

AlanG

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/agribusiness-and-food/jd-wetherspoon-to-open-pub-in-blanchardstown-1.2003900

I know this is mentioned in the Light Nightclub thread but it really deserves a thread of it's own.

Cheap food and drink. Good selection of craft beers. Possibly no music or TVs. Here is a selection of the likely deals:
http://www.jdwetherspoon.ie/flash/flipping-book/#/16/

Biggest issue will be what type of crowd they get but i could see this taking a lot of food business in the center during the day. How they manage the night crowd will make or break the place.

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Larbre34

ongarboy wrote: »

I would think younger folk would find Wetherspoons with it's lack of music and many dining around them a rather boring place to hang out for serious sessions/piss ups.

The dynamic might prove to be different in Blanch, but in Dun Laoghaire Spoons at the weekend the place is crammed with younger people in the evenings, the lack of music and telly doesnt seem to bother them, plenty of craic and plenty of security so its all kept in good order.

dodzy

ongarboy wrote: »

....... bar at the Crowne Plaza hotel..... they always have a bouncer which probably keeps the undesirables out.

Been there many times, late afternoon, early evening. Never once seen a bouncer. Love their F & Chips.

ThisRegard

py2006 wrote: »

The undesirables may also keep the families away in late evenings etc. remains to be seen.

The evenings will keep families away.

Zaph

OK, we get it. X will keep Y away, Y will keep X away, Z will keep everyone away and there'd better be 15 trained ninjas on the door, just in case. Seeing as it's only barely open and we just don't know what sort of crowd it will attract yet or how Wetherspoons will manage the clientele, surely it's better to wait and see what happens instead of everyone trying to second guess everyone else?

Larbre34

Zaph wrote: »

instead of everyone trying to second guess everyone else?

Sure there wouldn't be a Boards otherwise.

I don't see anything wrong with an on-topic discussion in the dedicated thread.

Zaph

Larbre34 wrote: »

Sure there wouldn't be a Boards otherwise.

I don't see anything wrong with an on-topic discussion in the dedicated thread.

Absolutely, that's what Boards is for. The point I was making is that the pub is only just open so nobody knows what sort of crowd it'll get or how it'll be managed. Therefore it's a bit unfair to suggest it'll attract a rough crowd or that it will need good security to cope with undesirables when nobody knows who's going to go there yet. They deserve a chance to get themselves up and running first imo.

py2006

There now, good crowd. Outdoor area busy. Bottle of Sol and glass of wine €7.50. Not bad I guess.

py2006

Watching lots of people getting food, all looks very dry and over cooked.

Bassboxxx

py2006 wrote: »

Watching lots of people getting food, all looks very dry and over cooked.

Ate there the last two days..had a fish n' chips today. You're bang on it was bit dry and defo overcooked.

But in it's defense it was ok. On a par with everything else on offer around the centre, and cheaper. That centre is bad for food..:mad:

py2006

Bassboxxx wrote: »

Ate there the last two days..had a fish n' chips today. You're bang on it was bit dry and defo overcooked.

But in it's defense it was ok. On a par with everything else on offer around the centre, and cheaper. That centre is bad for food..:mad:

You get what you pay for but def below standard of pub grub

Beta Canis Majoris

Zaph wrote: »

OK, we get it. X will keep Y away, Y will keep X away, Z will keep everyone away and there'd better be 15 trained ninjas on the door, just in case. Seeing as it's only barely open and we just don't know what sort of crowd it will attract yet or how Wetherspoons will manage the clientele, surely it's better to wait and see what happens instead of everyone trying to second guess everyone else?

But I want to predict it will be full of local thugs from Whitestown, wearing their reebok and adidas tracksuits and with regular fights/stabbings every weekend..

No.. it will be full of young professionals from Castleknock wearing chinos and polo shirts, driving up in their range rovers and mercs.

No! again. It will be full of.. Agghhhh YOU GOT ME!

Let's just wait and see..

Gaspode

I had been managing to ignore the typo in the thread title for ages, but finally capitulated. Thread title edited.

Looking forward to getting a chance to go to this place, but wont be venturing there during the day at the weekend. A pub full of kids is not what I am looking for.

Shemale

Staplor wrote: »

I thought I saw spirits were €3.95 with a free mixer - that's cheap

Wonder if its an English measure

Shemale

I have worked part time in pubs in Dublin City, one pub held about 350/400, in four years (about 300 nights) working there only twice I had to escort people out. Once was Paddys day, an English guy after 8 hours was starting fights with people, the other time was a man in his 50s who started annoying customer and calling me a prick for refusing to serve him because he had too much drink.

The other pub was double the size, 100 metres away. Any night I worked there at least one person was taken off the premises.

Given the proximity of the pubs, same side of the road there had to be a reason for the number of people being taken out of the bigger pub, there was, the music.

The first place had piped music, Air, Beck, Saint Germain, Paul Weller, nice easy listening music, the other place had a dj loud dance music.

I have been saying it for years, scumbags dont go to pubs unless there is at least dance and most likely a dj. Best way to control a crowd without having 10 doormen swarming around

jeffk

Might be nice to go to a pub and actually talk to the people you go with, not shouting over too loud badly equalised music.

Yes I do like loud music and go to clubs to see djs, but would be nice to be able to talk for a change

ThisRegard

It's a sign we're getting old Jeff, I love going out into the city centre, but much prefer the oul lad pubs because I can actually talk to the people who make the effort to meet up.

I do make an exception for P. Macs because the music they play is always excellent, and what a great beer selection. Plus prosecco on draught for my wife, as well as being thrown the odd packet of old skool crisps and sweets during the night, and the exceptional Super Miss Sue across the road for sublime fish&chips afterwards.

amdublin

On the opening weekend it actually felt like more of a restaurant than a typical pub to me.

oblivious

amdublin wrote: »

On the opening weekend it actually felt like more of a restaurant than a typical pub to me.

It doesn't look like the class Spooon, carpet 'en all. I suspect that are aiming more for the Cafe-bar feel with a big push on food

Polar101

Shemale wrote: »

I have been saying it for years, scumbags dont go to pubs unless there is at least dance and most likely a dj. Best way to control a crowd without having 10 doormen swarming around

I guess in this case we also have 'cheap' booze and a location where the previous establishments weren't necessarily the nicest possible.

Anyway, can't wait to visit - I like the sound of everything so far.

Geuze

Shemale wrote: »

Wonder if its an English measure

No, it's 35.5 ml.

Please read the notes at the bottom of the menu:

http://www.jdwetherspoon.ie/pdf/irish_menu.pdf

NB: this menu isn't current.

Finglas Incubus

I went down for food and drinks with the other half last night. My observations:

The Venue:

I think they've done a great job on the place in terms of the interior, nice touch using references to Blanch Brass band. The open ceiling upstairs makes its look a too open but I guess this was the intention. Toilets clean and well finished.
I like the way they doubled up with Gaeilge on the signs but could be a little overdone?
No smoking in the beer garden which is a little unorthodox, they shift people out onto the path opposite Next, no ashtrays which is a nuisance in terms of litter. As an ex-smoker, I'm not sure where I stand on this one
I think it could do with some background music to fill the void
Distinct lack of managerial staff on view. Staff were polite and helpful, perhaps slightly self-conscious and overwhelmed about the newness of it all. Not an issue per se but this will sort itself out organically.
Very different atmosphere to your average Irish boozer - less rough and ready, more clinical, focus is more on food than drink. Feels a bit like a sports bar without the sport!
They should have called it 'The Scaldwood'!

The Food:

Had to wait over an hour for food. They're still finessing their processes so this is understandable. I would expect this to sorted in a week or so.
No napkins. Staff had to get me some 'blue paper' from the kitchen
Food is very reasonably priced. We liked the chicken and the burger. Reasonably standard fare, no complaints.

The Drink:

The lack of Guinness is going to put some of the less flexible drinkers off.
Pretty good choice of draft beer, nice IPA and hopped lager on draft.
3 out of the 4 pints that we ordered were flat and had to be changed for another brand. Theres no excuse for this - get your lines and your gas setup and working correctly right from the start. Staff didn't know how to fix it.
Cheap as chips. Good deal on mixers with shorts (does not include Coke and energy drink mixers). Cheap drink = wide appeal but particularly for younger punters.

The Clientèle:

Very mixed bunch of punters which is to be expected - everyone checking the place out for the first time.
The demographic was overwhelmingly young, male 18 - 23. Everyone well behaved. This is not a party spot or a sport venue, the focus being on a meal and a pint. It will be interesting to see how things settle in terms of the crowd in the coming months.

In Summary:

I think the venue is a great addition to the area. It will put it up to TGIs and Captain Americas, welcome competition. Food and drink are good quality and very reasonably priced. They've some teething problems in terms of service and delivery but one would expect such issues to be ironed out in coming weeks. Mixed crowd as you would expect at this point, will be interesting to see how it pans out in this regard.

Get down there and grab a meal and a pint, recommended.

ThisRegard

Finglas Incubus wrote: »

3 out of the 4 pints that we ordered were flat and had to be changed for another brand.

What drinks ?

Finglas Incubus

ThisRegard wrote: »

What drinks ?

Their draft IPA and hopped larger, I don't recall the brand names but they only sell one of each. Also flat Fosters, changed for Carlsberg which was fine.

ThisRegard

Cheers, was just wondering as you'd set some things that wouldn't be gassy anyway by design.

Shemale

Polar101 wrote: »

I guess in this case we also have 'cheap' booze and a location where the previous establishments weren't necessarily the nicest possible.

Anyway, can't wait to visit - I like the sound of everything so far.

Buddah and West/ Lite/ Heaven, all had DJs and loud music and that definitely wouldnt help.

Shemale

Geuze wrote: »

No, it's 35.5 ml.

Please read the notes at the bottom of the menu:

http://www.jdwetherspoon.ie/pdf/irish_menu.pdf

NB: this menu isn't current.

Cheers, was only joking about the measure btw

dvdman1

ALL the prices are increased both food and drink

only exception is the cask ales still 2.50, hopefully this will wake people up to stop drinking that other rubbish.

for the rest of the drink some prices are hitting near 5, its blanchardstown for fecks sake,
SO DISAPPOINTING I wont be back, hopefully swords branch wont be this way

ThisRegard

Most likely they all will be the same, I'd be surprise they'd have different prices for different locations. And if you live in Blanch, what good is the one in Swords considering the travel expense to get there ?

jeffk

Decided to fire this off via their online contact

This is about the Great Wood Branch

As you will see in the following link

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057328427

a number of people are very dissapointed (including myself) in the changes in food and drink prices

I am wondering is there any particular reason for these sudden price increases? Some items are up 33%

Yours,
Jeff

dvdman1

ThisRegard wrote: »

Most likely they all will be the same, I'd be surprise they'd have different prices for different locations. And if you live in Blanch, what good is the one in Swords considering the travel expense to get there ?

Both Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire have lower prices food+drink