The Powder Monkey (JD Wetherspoon), Exmouth

Fairly average Wetherspoon's, with a rather plain large main bar lacking much character. Reasonable drinking area outside with smokers kept to one side (in theory at least). Range of beers was quite good though with a couple of interesting local ones on offer and condition was fine.

Exmouth’s Spoons, two minutes from the station. A bit of exterior character, enter through a courtyard patio past a ‘powder monkey’ cannon. Cavernous interior, decorated in what I can best describe ‘seaside seafront’ colours, quite decent for a JDW I thought. A fair ale selection, though the Dartmoor Jail Ale was not available and no sign/turned clip; sloppy, a mark off there from the JDW mystery shopper. Tried a couple, a Cotleigh ale and a local from Hunters which both came out well. Staff seemed a bit ‘so what?’ in attitude. Unusually quiet for a Friday evening, in sharp contrast to the Grapevine. Toilets were a hike even by the usual Spoons standards. Overall, a pleasant Wetherspoons, if perhaps not quite as good as it could be. With a bit of tightening-up…

Terraced on one side, with an alley on the other, this white Georgian styled house with dormer windows has a beer patio at the front. The interior is open plan, with blue and white walls and panel. There are, as in many Spoons, lots of old local photos on the walls to give some interest. There are also skylights in the ceiling. Service is the usual Spoons, too few dealing with too many, even though there wasnt that many in. Beer; usual tap tosh, with Pedigree, Abbots, Ruddles Country and Best, Exmoor Stag and Blackawton Head Strong on handpull. The Blackawton was ok. Didnt know it was a Spoons until i walked in, but you could guess. It was so-so, I have seen worse certainly.

Official page of The Powder Monkey - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Powder Monkey - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk