The Earl of Mercia (JD Wetherspoon), Coventry

Two tier comfortable Spoons in a converted bank (2000 opener) which is surprisingly small inside given the look of the place from outside. We sat upstairs which was quite pleasant. My Conwy American Amber was a fairly perfunctory NBSS 3. 6.5

Housed in a converted bank, the Earl of Mercia is a decent example of a Wetherspoons. Rows of standard and high tables run along the front windows faced by the serving counter on the rear wall that is overlooked by seating above. I counted eight hand pumps that were drawing the usual three plus Byatts Brewery’s Phoenix Gold and Phoenix Bullion, Gadd’s the Ramsgate Brewery’s Dark Conspiracy and a cider option which was Thistly Cross Whisky Cask. The carpeted upstairs has seating along the front window and a step up to raised seating along the rear. Iron railings stop customers falling of the balcony onto the bar area below. This is a popular Spoons that is worth a look.

Probably still the best of the 3 branches of Wetherspoon's in Coventry city centre and made for a good starting point for a tour of Coventry yesterday, being not too far from the railway station. It's corner location gives it a slightly different feel from other 'Spoon's, with a long, narrow drinking space and an upstairs balcony. Unusual for the chain, toilets are on the ground floor. Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar are the regular beers. Guests on were Burton Bridge Bitter & Porter, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Byatt's Carpe Cerevisi & Coach House Post Horn. The cider was Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon.