The Sir John Moore (JD Wetherspoon), Glasgow

One of two Wetherspoons pubs within easy striking distance of Central Station, this is an ideal place for a quick pint before boarding a train. A pavement drinking area with folding front doors looked a little redundant on a freezing cold Winter night but it showed the way into a sturdy bare boarded bar area with the servery along the rear wall. Raised carpeted seating areas can be found to the front and along the right side of the room, with high tables and stools predominating but some regular tables and chairs also available. There was also a notably large open space directly in front of the bar which suggests the place may well get insanely busy at peak times. Some nice lattice woodwork screens help to partition one area from another, breaking this large room up much more effectively than in the nearby Crystal Palace. To the far left, there is another raised seating space with some great looking banquettes down the end wall. The pub has a lot of glass brick features dotted around the place, which I thought looked a bit naff, but I guess it helps give the pub a bit of an identity in a city that is full of ‘Spoons pubs. There were an impressive six guest ales on when I arrived, plus four ‘Spoons regulars. I forgot to note what beer I tried, but I do recall that it was a nice malty brew and surprisingly cheap for such a prominent ‘Spoons location. The staff were nice enough, but perhaps not the most switched-on bunch you’re likely to encounter. This was a reasonable ‘Spoons experience which was a decent enough way to round out a successful evening exploring the city’s pub scene. The pub’s primary point of interest is, rather sadly, it’s proximity to the station, but beyond that, it does at least offer a good selection of guest ales. Not the city’s best ‘Spoons, but not all that bad either and perhaps worth a quick look in passing.

The Sir John Moore is a JDW run pub on the ground floor of a large office block. Either side of the entrance on the wide pavement out front is some seating, which is aimed at smokers as it isn’t the most interesting spot for al fresco drinking. In between the bar centred on the rear wall and the entrance are some high tables and a few fruit machines. The bar is bookended by seating and raised areas to the left and right. On each side wall are plasma screens that were airing muted rolling news. I counted eight hand pumps in amongst the standard keg range and the usual cheap Spoons food is available. This pub opens at 07:00 and closes at midnight. There are better pubs in the area so I doubt I would return if in the area again.

I came here after giving up on trying to get served in the Crystal Palace. This was packed as well but they seemed to have more staff. As noted below it's a rectangular open plan room with the bar at the back. There are two sets of four hand pumps but the only beers I noted were Strathaven Clydesdale Red and Oakham Green Devil IPA. I went for the Oakham beer (£2.75) which was in excellent nick but for some reason served in a stupid dimple mug. I thought this was a pretty average JDW but made bearable by the Green Devil.

Its a spoons either good or bad and this is a bad one

A large rectangular shaped spoons with quite a bland modern styled interior. Usual spoons deals and selection.

Named after the local Army officer whose statue was the first to be unveiled in St Georges Square, this is a fairly unremarkable Wetherspoons built into the ground floor of a modern office block opposite Central Station. As one would expect, it doesn’t score highly on the charm factor but it is spacious and functional and ticks all the requirements you expect from the chain. The modern interior is one large rectangular open plan room with a couple of low walls and raised sections to break up the monotony. Outside is a narrow strip of seating from where you can observe the traffic swerving around the corner or trains pulling into the station. There were a couple of large flat screens at each end of the pub for more traditional viewing entertainment. The lengthy bar sports 6 hand pumps but not too much of interest to the Glaswegian ale drinker with the ‘Spoons regular suspects joined by a couple of local ales that were easily found elsewhere. Neverthe less it was a handy base for a few breakfast beers being 2 minutes walk from my weekend bolthole so it wasn’t without its uses.