The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon), Ilkeston

Externally the Observatory is an ugly modern black glass and steel box. It was previously a supermarket. Inside it's an open plan rectangular room with the bar on the left and fairly typical fixtures and fittings. There is an upstairs area that I didn't investigate. On my Saturday early afternoon visit it was doing a roaring trade. The bar has two sets of six hand pumps which had the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled up, one unused, Wild Weather Go Man Go, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Titanic Plum Porter, Exmoor Gold and Magpie Four For A Boy. I went for the Plum Porter which was excellent. The reasonable beer choice made up for the dull building and the staff being under pressure.

This is a typical Wetherspoons that is close to a lot of other pubs on the market place. Once inside this pub goes back a long way and the bar is on the left there is the usuall decent choice od real ales on the bar but as usuall there always seems to be a long wait in here to get a drink which puts me off going in here.

Official page of The Observatory - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Observatory - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk