The Commercial Rooms (JD Wetherspoon), Bristol

I've been to a number of 'spoons over the years, and would have to say that this is probably the most magnificent of the lot. It certainly doesn't look much like a pub as you approach the main entrance with its massive stone columns giving all the appearance of a Greek temple. Apparently it was originally a private club, and evidence of this remains inside, including wooden boards listing past presidents, secretaries etc. There are also enormous portraits of various luminaries, alumni possibly, most notably that of IK Brunel, plus a magnificently decorated dome that lets in some welcome natural light. The furnishings are the same as all other 'spoons, and a bit unusually this one has a central island bar with drinking areas wrapped around it. There were two banks of handpumps - one on the counter facing you as you enter, and another around to the left, with total of ten or so ales available. The traditional breakfast was the same as all other 'spoons of course, and washed down with a pint of decent ale made a good start to the day following the PuG crawl. As 'spoons go, this is a good one.