The Chequers Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Stourbridge

The entrance of the Chequers Inn opens onto an island bar counter that supports standard and premium keg as well as two banks of five duplicated hand pumps. During a recent very late Friday night visit four were in use drawing Salopian’s Oracle, Titanic’s Iceberg and Steerage as well as Oakham’s Citra. The pub has a grand feel to it with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, panelling, bookshelves and old framed pictures. Stairs at the rear lead up to the toilets where there’s a balcony that overlooks this impressive pub, but alas this area also stinks of old cooking fat which reminded me that I was in a Spoons. I’m being picky, this is an above average JDW that was a welcome last pub after an all dayer.

A rather impressive upmarket Spoons. The star is the lovely island bar, which is set-off nicely by chandeliers, gilt framed mirrors and photos. The morning after the night before meant I couldn’t bring myself to try a token half, but I certainly enjoyed the surrounds whilst I had my breakfast. Unfortunately my order was misplaced (seemingly a local speciality as I had the same happen in Halesowen) but it got sorted quickly after I raised a staff member.

Called in while doing a couple of local pubs and the other Wetherspoon we had used before is now a renamed sport bar from the look of it. This was a decent pub with good central bar and we chose the Hawkshead Windermere Pale which was a decent ale.