Hickory's Smokehouse, Wigan

typical family friendly Hungry Horse next to a Premier Inn and the M6, but close enough to Standish and the Moor to have plenty of local clientele too. There were a cast of regulars gathered in the more pub-like raised area to the left of the bar. Now dated 90s style inside, it’s a somewhat depressing place and I would imagine it’s due for a refurb pretty soon. The well of IPA ran dry as the worldweary barmaid pulled my pint, switched to Abbot which was actually a decent pint. The mind numbing selection of 80s pop hits combined with the start of a smartphone pub quiz was my cue to head for the Foresters down the road, which couldn’t be more different to this place.