The Bear (JD Wetherspoon), Maidenhead

The original Bear was first recorded in the 1400’s however the current building dates from 1827 when it became a popular stagecoach stopover. It suffered a major fire in 1951 and, until Wethrspoons took it over in early 2010, it was being used as a nightclub and music venue. The exterior is quite impressive with the entrance porch crowned by a large bear and a clock that makes quite an eyecatching landmark. There is some outside seating partly covered by some pull down blinds. Much of the interior layout seems to date back to a major refurbishment in 1998 although it does now have that familiar Wetherspoons stamp all over it albeit with slightly more character than normal. The main bar at the back of the ground floor has 10 hand pumps, some of which are doubled up but guests included a good number of local Rebellion/Loddon beers. The ground floor is quite open but there are a few sections behind low divides to break up what would be a fairly cavernous interior. A spiral staircase just by the main entrance takes you to an upper floor with its own bar (3 pumps but nothing that you can’t get downstairs) and has a slightly more formulaic ‘Spoons feel. At some point the middle section of floor has been removed creating a sort of atrium from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the downstairs goings on. Some of the décor appears a bit gloomy but on the whole this is certainly one of the more appealing and above average ‘Spoons outlets and one of the better ale outlets in town.