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Detail Pages
The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1), Manchester
Manchester
M3 2FN
Pub Type
Lloyds No. 1 (J D Wetherspoon)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
The Deansgate branch of Wetherspoon's seemed like a fairly standard version of this chain's pubs when we first arrived. I'd checked out the app in advance and decided what I'd fancy to drink. However on arrival, my chosen beer was not on any of the handpulls, forcing me to choose an alternative. The selection was Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best, Marston's Wainwright & Brewster's Decadence. It was only when I read the Whatpub description again that I realised that there were two other bars. The bar at the rear had Acorn Raspberry Porter (my original choice) and Brightside Mancunian on.
I then headed upstairs for another wander and couldn't believe the size of the place. The upstairs room also had its own bar and with a really high ceiling, it felt like a ballroom. In fact, the building was a former cinema.
As Quinno says, this used to be Britain's largest pub. From what I can see, that honour now falls to BrewDog's new Waterloo branch. But I was certainly impressed by this one.
On 8th January 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
Jumbo JDW and a former holder of the title “Britain’s largest pub” (says Whatpub, anyway). L shaped at the bottom with a lovely upstairs room and additional mezzanine which has some pretty architectural features and a nice view of the ex-cinema grandeur. Downstairs is a little more plain though not too shabby, classic late 90s Spoons Victoriana decor and a curved ceiling. Three(!) bars, I think – I’m an app-addict these days so I pay less attention than I should. Five guest ales on from Rudgate; Chocolate Stout (NBSS 3.5) and Tom To Tango (3) were picked by me. Mixed bag of staff. Ate here and the Wethergrub was fine. Best of the Manchester city centre Spoons based on flying visits, I’d make sure to do this one again and sit upstairs.
On 16th May 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
worth a visit at a quiet time to take in the grandeur of this pub. it’s vast and majestic though cavernous, a typical city centre Spoons barn but with good traditional decor and real ale. today all the more interesting beers were on the bar at the far side where it took a while for someone to come and serve. the selection as you walk in was pretty dismal in comparison and I didn’t bother to look upstairs. as a pub I just don’t like it, as somewhere to have your first drink and relax it’s fine.
On 6th January 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
Pretty sure this used to be a standard Spoons, but now seems to be operating under their Lloyds No 1 brand, which explains the extremely loud music, DJ and dancefloor towards the rear of the pub. The upstairs seating area with viewing gallery makes this ideal for the discerning gentleman to eye up the ladies on the dancefloor from a safe distance, before deciding whether one of the lucky ladies would make a worthy mate.
I seem to remember a few years ago the upstairs area being less busy than downstairs, but on my recent Saturday night visit a couple of weeks ago, it was just as rammed as downstairs. However in years gone by I also seem to remember it being three deep at the bar, and I am pleased to say it was not quite that bad.
Interestingly the real ale selection on the downstairs bar is different to upstairs, so may be worth checking both out if you have the time and inclination.
As with a lot of Wetherspoon pubs, some interesting history with the building but the place is far too busy to try and take any of it in!
On 16th March 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
This cinema conversion looked more like another shop conversion when I arrived on a Friday afternoon. It's a typical long narrow room which was packed so I didn't get to note all the beers. Further back up some steps is a second bar which was much quieter. I didn't investigate the third bar upstairs. Most of the seating in the lowest bar is tall tables and chairs with some alcoves. The upper bar had a major problem in that nearly all the lagers had gone or were going off and there was nobody who could change them! The rear bar also houses the Lloyds Disaster Area with idiot booth, speakers but no lights or glitter ball that I could see.
I managed to get to see the first set of hand pumps in the main bar and they had the two GK beers, Peerless Langton Spin and Seven Brothers IPA. The rear upper bar had the two GK beers, Upham Gold, an International beer from Caledonian, Oakham Bishops Farewell and Jennings Hop Commotion. I went for the Seven Brothers (£2.75) and Bishops Farewell (£2.89) before moving on to the better value Oakham Green Devil bottles (£2.99).
This is one of the better central Manchester Spoons but that's a very low comparison point. Like most major cities, there are vastly better outlets in the suburbs.
On 24th July 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
A deceptively large Wetherspoons. It has numerous handpumps along the bar which stretches around the back. An upper level is also to be found. Its a good Wetherspoons to be honest.
On 16th October 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
Called in last night for the first time in a while. The service was pretty good last night which has been a major problem in the past which is why we hadn't bothered visiting for a bit. A reasonable range of beer on the bar and my pint of Bateman's Hooker was in good nick. If last night was the norm now then we'll call in again soon.
On 27th March 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
Called in on the 23rd of Feb I agree with Rex i call in them every now and them you love them or hate them but if you all are taking notice the prices are not much cheaper now in a lot of them 3.40 for a pint of Carling i can get it cheaper
On 24th February 2012
- rating: 3
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
Apparently this Wetherspoons is a cinema convertion – and it looks it. It occupies an enormous space. The front area is essentially a drinking barn with the usual ‘spoons’ furnishings, including a row of booths on the left. There’s another seating area right at the back up a few steps, as well as (I’m told) another large area upstairs although I didn’t venture up there. Concealed green light on the the ceiling in the front area gave it an eerie look. The usual ‘spoons’ menu and ale choice are available, at typical prices.
This is a typical ‘spoons’ drinking barn. Fair enough if that’s what you like, but it really doesn’t have any pub character. Having said that, it does what it says on the tin – provide standard pub grub and decent ale at reasonable prices.
On 23rd September 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Moon Under Water (Lloyds No. 1)
This is another Wetherspoons conversion of an old building into a pub, this one being the former Deansgate Picture House. As mentioned below it’s a fairly unimposing frontage, but has the full Tardis effect going on inside.
However you could completely miss this if you were not aware, as the front bar is fairly plain and uninspiring, although it does have some nice booths on the wall opposite the main bar, but the rest of it is a fairly uninteresting space and the hand pumps were only dispensing the usual ‘Spoons house ales.
But take the few steps up to the second bar area , which is better and has another six hand pumps, all with guest ales. And then take the large staircase up to the third bar area which in my opinion was the best of the lot, again with six hand pumps dispensing the same guest beers that were in the second area.
No problem getting a seat in the top room on the early Sunday evening I visited and the Roosters Wild Mule was a well kept pint.
On 12th February 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]