The Moon & Stars (JD Wetherspoon), Romford

This is a typical early example of a High Street Wetherspoons, situated in a mid-size premises, close to the station. The pub is essentially split into two halves by a series of support pillars and sections of wall through the centre, running from front to back, with some nice branded etched glass panes and dark wood panelling around each. The servery is down the right-hand wall, with high tables and stools opposite and between the partitions. The bar has a classic dark wood counter front with a polished stone top, matching bar back and some nice decorative mirrors. The left side of the room has two rows of mixed seating, including some nice bench booths down the end wall. Again, lots of dark wood can be found here, typical of early ‘Spoons interior design. To the rear is a raised carpeted seating area with loads of standard tables and chairs under more panels and branded glasswork. Stairs to the left lead up to a spectacularly expensive roof terrace area (£1.1 million according to the local rag), which looked great for sunny days. A large unicorn head next to the entrance is perhaps the pub’s main point of difference from other such branches from this era, although all of the ‘Spoons info boards and local black and white photos can still be found throughout - the history behind the unicorn’s head is still unclear and suggestions are welcomed. There was a decent line up on the bar by post-pandemic ‘Spoons standards, with three regular ales supplemented by and three guests. I I tried the Great Newsome Holderness Dark, which was in good nick, but maybe lacking a little in depth of flavour. A good crowd made for a bit of atmosphere on a mid-week evening and the staff seemed industrious, if a little curt in serving. Despite there not being anything particularly remarkable about this place, except perhaps for the roof terrace, I warmed to it quite quickly and was more than happy to sit here enjoying my pint. There are definitely plenty of plus points with this one and it had an indefinable quality that made it feel a notch up from a lot of its contemporaries - worth checking out if you’re in the area.

The Moon & Stars is a Wetherspoons that is next door but one to another Wetherspoons. This one looks like it it housed in a 30s built building but i may be wrong. Once inside there is an oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the bar is on the right side,there is seating on the left side which is divided by pillars,the rear area is up some steps,the seating is normal tables and chairs and the room is carpeted. There was a bank of pumps to the front which had waiting to condition signs on them.so i walked further down to room to find two more banks of pumps one with guest beers and the other with Spoons regulars,i had a drink of Caledonian Golden XPA which went down well,the other beers noted were Harvistoun Schiehallion,Hogs Back TEA,Cotleigh Osprey,there were others i failed to note. I quite liked this Wetherspoons,though it was almost empty on my pre 11am Thursday morning visit. Pub visited 30/6/2016