The West Kirk (JD Wetherspoon), Ayr

Former chapel, conversion to Spoons with some raised area at the far end

Ayr's branch of Wetherspoon's can be found in a lovely old church. As you'd expect, the interior has been kept in a good condition and the church's high ceilings, chandelier, balconies and magnificent pulpit create an atmospheric drinking environment. It was fairly quiet for a 'spoon's on my Tuesday evening visit, but staff were unusually efficient, with one barman pausing from his work polishing the beer engines to serve me. Belhaven 80/- is the regular beer. Guests were Exeter Darkness, Stewart Edinburgh Gold, Salopian Golden Thread & Alechemy Ritual. This is easily the biggest and best real ale selection in Ayr. Ciders were Weston's Old Rosie & Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon. Again, this was the only place where I found cider in Ayr.

One room Spoons with the bar to the right. Reasonable selection of ales and ciders. Pretty full for a Thursday afternoon. Reminded me a lot of the Spoons in Brighouse which is also a church conversion.

The West Kirk is set in an old church which has retained much of the original features as described below. Amusingly on my late October visit a witches hat had been placed on the pulpit. The bar has a set of three hand pumps and one with six. These had one available soon, two ciders, Abbot, Doom Bore, Hanlon's Yellow Hammer, Ayr Rabbies Porter, Black Wolf Florida Black Stout and one festival beer. I went for the Rabbies Porter (£2.29) which was in reasonable condition. It's worth a look for the building but the beer choice could have been better.

Dramatic conversion of a small but thin former church. Retains a pulpit, large stained glass window and upstairs gallery. Nine handpumps on the bar counter, with a fair selection including the Broughton Dark Dunter stout (£2.15). Well worth a visit.

The West Kirk was built in 1845 and was a former Free Church until 1929 and from then onwards till it's closure in 1981 was the Sandgate Church This is an impressive conversion with still quite a few Ecclesiastical features still retained including a large suspended light fitting,stained glass windows and the original pulpit(Which you walk past when visiting the toilet) and the balcony is still intact although not accessible to the public.On entry the bar is to the right and the main drinking area is in the central area. Liked this one and is definitely worth a visit