Wibbas Down Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Wimbledon, SW19

Very Large 2 bar 2 entrance wetherspoons. The entrance i used was opposite the new wimbledon theatre.

Standard JDW joint - big, spacious, entertaining some 'characters' and cheap ale. Not much to say about this really, had a pint of Sharp's Nadelik which was adequate, although it took ages to get served on New Years Day with one member of staff behind the massive bar. Not very smart if you ask me, or other disgruntled punters.

A deceptively large Wetherspoons named after the ancient name for Wimbledon with entrances in 2 streets and almost a bus journey between them. For the most part it is a pretty formulaic ‘Spoons although with 18 hand pumps the capacity for ales is well above the norm. I may have been spoilt on my visit as there was a LocAle Festival going on doubled with a “meet the brewer” session so the extraordinary number of ales available may have been somewhat inflated from the normal stock. There are separate bars at both ends of the pub but with a couple of sharp turns you cannot see all the way through to the other end. The central area is a bit on the dark and claustrophobic side thanks to the low ceilings and lack of natural light. Even when it is at its busiest it would be hard not to find a table such is the size of the place and, taking advantage of the curry club, I was surprised that the food arrived so quickly given that it was presumably busier than normal due to the festival events. I didn’t encounter any of the usual unsavoury clientele (that is not to say it doesn’t attract any) and, as ‘Spoons go it was certainly above average although I would like to see what is on offer on a nomal day.

This is just about the most strangely shaped pub I have known – a bit like a couple of dog legs bolted together. Anyway, there is little I need to add to Maldenman’s review, except to say that on one of the corners between two of this pub’s drinking areas there is a ceiling high metallic tree-like entity – possibly modelled on the Ent called Treebeard. Its other claim to fame is that it is where I quaffed my favourite ale of the recent beer festival, the most excellent Moorhouse Ambler Rambler.

A large Wetherspoons in a former Tesco I believe, which can be entered from either end off different streets. The interior dog-legs around the two seperate bars. Lots of wood panelling, mixed seating types. Eighteen handpumps in three banks, two on one bar with the other on the front (Broadway end) bar. This can however cause logistical complications if the round you are buying includes beers from the different bars! There were 16 festival ales on last Tuesday night, with a couple changing over, none of that "Coming Soon" nonsence. It was good to see the new beers being properly pulled through on changing. Much improved from my earlier visits I would say.

This has to be just about the most bland Weatherspoons pub I've ever been in. The beers are okay, but nothing out of the ordinary, whilst the grudging, unsmiling service is perhaps the only thing that sets this apart from other pubs in their chain.

Official page of Wibbas Down Inn - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of Wibbas Down Inn - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk