The Looking Glass, Warrington

Visited just after 5pm yesterday (Tuesday) and the place was quite busy. A mixed crowd in, also seems popular with students. Unfortunately I did have to squeeze my way in past the smokers who were hogging the doorway - I have no idea why they feel the need to do this. At the bar are two banks of five hand pulls, one with the Spoons usual suspects plus Moorhouse's Witchfinder, and the other bank had a cider and the other guest ales. I went for International Orange by Roosters which was pleasant, though the head was a little on the generous side and there was a lipstick mark on my glass. I'm not sure how much the beer set me back, on reflection I don't think I was actually told the price, the lass behind the bar just took my note and gave me my change. In any event it was £1 or under for half a pint, so excellent value. Jabberwocky by Coach House is apparently brewed for this pub and has a regular place on the bar. I had it on my previous visit to this pub and wasn't that taken by it. There is a small bar upstairs and this has three hand pulls offering the Spoons usuals (no guests).

This is a former Yates but there seems to be no reference as to what the building was before that. It's not that large for a JDW although there is another area upstairs that I didn't look into. I arrive here on the afternoon of the Thursday before Easter and it was very busy. The ten hand pumps were all in use with no available soon, doubling up or spurious ciders. The beers were the JDW Trio Of Doom, Kelham Island Imperial Stout, Thornbridge Seaforth, a beer from the not so recent festival, Peerless Bunny Hop, Coach House Rabbits Punch, Old Peculier and a house Jaberwocky by the Coach House brewery. I went for the Kelham Island Stout which I forgot to write the price of but was reasonable and in excellent condition. I thought this was a top Spoons and is deservedly GBG 2017 listed.

Large, nicely laid out Wetherspoons, a large bar with tables overlooking the street. There is a grand upstairs balcony area with its own bar, again with views over the street. Some standard Wetherspoons fittings but overall a good place. Real ales on my visit, the usual plus two Rudgate & two Coach House of ok quality.

A modern, possibly new and purpose built pub on the edge of a pedestrianized shopping centre. The name comes via association with the former local children's author Lewis Carroll from nearby Daresbury, there are the usual potted histories around including a framed set of drawings of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Additionally, and unusually, high above the bar are a couple of paintings of the local area out of town, one including a set of rather fetching cooling towers. A nice interior with nooks and crannies plus a mezzanine which was a more civilised and pleasant spot on Friday evening, the JDW festival was in full swing and all pumps were clipped with no "coming soons" which may be a first for me. I did have to have a bit of a moan initially when three staff were working the same third of bar but my gentle art of persuasion got someone down the end I was at pdq. Plenty of bar blockers drinking lager in front of the handpumps too but in fairness, Friday night and the place rammed. Our food came quickly and was fine although the missing and reprompted tartare sauce arrived solo, long after the fish was consumed, never mind, I probably owe them from the days they did sachets of sauces. There is another 'spoons in town not far away, I'm yet to visit but the consensus locally is this is the nicer pub. Not arguing, as decent a general run of the mill one of the brand I've been in.

For a modern building, it has an unusual amount of architectural features and detailing on the exterior. The interior decor is more routine, with various seating areas and a sizeable mezzanine offering a quieter space to sit. Reasonable selection from ten handpumps, including Triple fff's Jabberwocky splendidly priced at £1.70.