The Waterhouse (JD Wetherspoon), Manchester

Reasonable JDW, unusual for its multi-room layout, but typical for its standard of service, hampered as others have pointed out by the inaccessibility of the bar. There are a few seats outside making it a good spot for people watching on a nice day, but if you just want a pub there are two far superior options close at hand.

This is a Wetherspoons pub, so the food available is exactly what you would expect, and of course there is a decent ale choice at reasonable prices. The guest ales were £2.25 a pint, which is the same as what I pay in Raynes Park, but a lot less than Central London. The food was at a decent standard as well. Apparently this pub was converted from two or more houses, and thus it has numerous rooms leading off a central hallway. The tables that I saw were all clean and tidy, and I would say that this one is above average by ‘spoons’ standards.

I thought this is one of the better ‘spoons conversions and was fit for purpose when we needed to find somewhere comfortable for Sunday lunch and a decent pint. It wasn’t overly busy, so had no problem getting served. But I do take the point from previous reviewers that the bar area and design could cause problems at busy times. In fact I did not realise at first that the bar was in two parts in separate rooms and was under the impression that there were only five beers on offer. Fortunately Thornbridge Chiron and Jailpur IPA were on in the right hand bar and both these were well kept pints to complement the usual paint by numbers ‘spoons Sunday roast. I also thought the multi room layout worked well and gave several areas of differing character, where you could sit and have a civilised conversation without shouting, which is the norm in most of the Wetherspoon drinking barns. And the upstairs toilets were some of the best I have come across for this chain. So all in all, one of the better ‘spoons experiences for me...

Sitting in the shadow of the Town Hall that Albert Waterhouse designed,this Wetherspoons outlet is strangely laid out with numerous small rooms,possibly because of it's previous occupants which were solicitors.For a change got served fairly sharp and tried the Phoenix Brewery's Porter (5.0abv)which was a decent pint.