The Gateway (JD Wetherspoon), Manchester

The Gateway is a large Wetherspoons that is encircled by picnic tables that have excellent views of the A34 / B5095 junction. Access is via a footbridge across this major junction. Inside the pub there is a central L-shaped bar with seating areas all the way around 360 degrees. I counted eight hand pumps that were drawing Ruddles and Abbot ale alongside some more interesting brews. Standard and premium keg were also available along with the JDW food menu. I was going to eat here, but the tables that weren’t being used were full of empty glasses. This was early on a Tuesday evening! Not a fan of this place I’m afraid.

A JDW that has been converted from a...... pub! A huge 1930 roadside pub, that pedestrians can access via a handy bridge and stairway. Excellent real ales on for £2.10. Couldn't fault my Moorhouse Sraw Dog. Super efficient service for the standard spoons food.

This is an original pub being a fairly typical large main road suburban pub. This means that unusually for a Spoons it has a car park. Inside it consists of various areas set around a central bar. It seemed almost gentrified compared to most town centre JDWs but the service seemed rather shambolic. The bar only has eight hand pumps which had two unused, Ruddles, Conwy Clogwyn Gold & Beachcomber, a house Gateway from Brightside, Ticketybrew Jasmine Green Tea and Beartwon Bear Faced. I went for the Clogwyn Gold (£2.49) which wasn't too clear and didn't taste great. Despite being a posher Spoons than normal I thought it was poor.

A good looking JDW that was originally a pub before being taken over. This means that it has several areas that obviously used to be different rooms. There are models of tightrope walkers over the bar which is unusual. Sadly the staff were useless and couldn't serve in order even though I told them what the order was. Breakfast menus still on the tables at 15:15 on a Friday. Lots of dirty tables with plates etc on them. My pint of Roosters Fort Smith was in good order though. A good looking pub let down by laziness.

Proper inter-war roadhouse pub on the A34, erected before the surrounding area became built up but now conveniently located from the East Didsbury entertainment complex. Given the usual Wetherspoon treatment inside, but the various seating / dining areas around the central bar retain a reasonable sense of what an imposing place this must have originally been. Reasonable selection from a row of eight handpumps, with Naylor's North proving a decent accompaniment to a meal.

A large Wethers. 8 handpumps on the bar and the interior is as you would expect open plan. It does however have lots of areas to sit. Usual Wethers fixtures and fittings and the toilets being on the ground floor was a bonus.