The Cross Keys (JD Wetherspoon), Peterhead

Unremarkable 'spoons with an airy but gloomy bar and another slightly raised seating / area under a lower ceiling at the back that seems even less inviting. Standard dark-wood furniture, leaving the various information panels as being the only things of much note. Just Doom Bar, Abbot, Arundel Brewhouse Best Bitter and Maxim Raspberry Porter from the two banks of four handpumps, but these four also comprise the entire range of real ales available in whole town centre so I suppose one must be grateful for small mercies.

There seems to be no reference as to what this building was so one must assume it was a shop. Inside it's a long rectangular room with the bar on the left at the front. Fixtures and fittings are fairly typical and their is a semi covered patio at the rear right. It wasn't too busy on a Wednesday afternoon and getting served was easy enough. The bar has just two sets of four hand pumps which were doubled up so the choice was Deuchars IPA, Doom Bore, Long Man Wild Man and Greene King Bonkers Conkers. I went for the Wild Man (£2.05) which was served in a stupid dimple jug before I noticed but was in good condition. Despite the limited beer choice I thought this was OK.

Official site of The Cross Keys (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Cross Keys (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

My first impressions of Peterhead’s pubs were not too impressive so many people may wish to treat this bog standard Wetherspoons as their fall back option. The interior is quite large but nothing particularly special. The main bar has a dated, almost art deco feel to it and the 5 chandeliers attempt to add a touch of class to the general mediocrity. The spacious rear section has the now pre-requisite bookcases and sofa areas that ‘Spoons seem to incorporate as part of their interior template but it feels a bit dingy with the low ceilings and lack of windows. There is a partly hidden section to the right as you enter which is a bit brighter tucked away and also a small patio to one side at the rear of the pub. There are planty of old pictures of the town centering on the harbour and local industries that may be of interest to visitors. Of the ales, there were 5 guests although 3 of them were either off or “coming soon.” They did have their own Cross Keys Ale which was brewed (or maybe rebadged) by Isle Of Skye Brewery. Custmoer base seemed typically ‘Spoonsish however I wasn’t here at peak times and looking at some of the locals meandering around town and hanging outside the doorways of other pubs, I’m not sure what it would be like in here on a busy Saturday night. For the most part, it’s very much a know what to expect and work around it sort of ‘Spoons that may just be one of the better options in town.