The John Logie Baird (JD Wetherspoon), Hastings

Pub SignMan left this review about The John Logie Baird (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a relatively small High Street branch of the Wetherspoons chain, handily located for the seafront and station. The pub comprises a very basic, single rectangular room laid out across a couple of levels. You enter into the main seating area, with the usual 'Spoons carpeting, loads of tables and chairs in the front section under large windows, and the servery down the right-hand wall with a few high tables and stools opposite. The bar has a very basic tongue and groove panelled counter with a polished stone top and a mirrored bar back of the sort that you can find in countless other 'Spoons up and down the country. To the left is a pleasant, raised seating area with tongue and groove panels screening it from the main bar area. It's full of tables and chairs and has a simple fireplace on the end wall which acts as a focal point of sorts. Further back, a small seating area hidden behind a structural support post can be found to the left and some steps lead down to a compact, lower-level space with a few more seats at the rear. The walls are painted in a neutral, two-tone colour scheme and have been decorated with the usual local history boards and a few bits of modern art.
The ale ratio here was pretty good, with the three regulars supplemented by seven guests, mostly Christmas themed beers. I avoided these and tried the Goffs White Knight instead, which was in good shape. Sadly, the staff did the bare minimum in terms of friendliness and struggled to keep tables clear during the peak Saturday lunch period in which I visited. It was admittedly a packed house, and I found it very hard to find a free table.
I think the wider ale range, seemingly maintained in good order, was the high point of this visit, as I found the pub itself to be pretty unremarkable and the service to be rather off-putting. I might’ve benefitted from attending at a slightly less busy time, as it wasn’t ideal having to deal with such a packed pub, but whilst it’s a reliable option, I can’t say I’d be inclined to visit again given the town’s many superior pubs.

Date of visit - 21st December 2024

On 28^th March 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]