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The Isaac Wilson, Middlesbrough

61 Wilson Street
Middlesbrough
TS1 1SF

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Pub Type

J D Wetherspoon

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about The Isaac Wilson

As we left the station we were joined by some local football fans, who, seeing our Luton Town colours, asked if we were looking for a pub selling cheap beer. When prompted, they mentioned the Isaac Wilson - we said we were already going there! This former Wetherspoons has had little done to it - same carpet, same colour scheme, same pub sign (with black paint covering the name of the previous owner). A major difference was the beer range, which was much better than most Wetherspoons, with Camerons Strongarm, Naylors Black & Tan and two or three other local-ish beers that I failed to make a note of. It was busy, but with a good atmosphere. Police football liaison officers passed through from time to time having a quiet word, which is preferable to hitting people over the head, I always think. I had a half of each of the two beers named, and couldn't fault their condition or the price: £2.30 a pint. It also helps that none of my money went into Tim Martin's pocket.

On 17th February 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3699 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


hondo . left this review about The Isaac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

now owned by Tees Inns

On 14th November 2017 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


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custodian 42 left this review about The Isaac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

Despite there being quite a lot of people in on Saturday night, this Spoons is up for sale. It's a large place with the bar to the left hand side with the usual suspects on sale ale wise. I'm sure Tim knows what he is doing, but I quite liked this place and fear for its future.

On 16th July 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about The Isaac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

Isaac Wilson was a boss of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and later the MP and Mayor of Middlesborough. The pub named after him is set in an old Law Court building. I arrived here towards the end of the lunchtime food trade and they seemed to be hopelessly short of staff. Inside it's a rectangular room with the bar on one side in the centre making the ends of it somewhat wider. The toilets are upstairs where there is quite a substantial empty space on one side of which is a dart board and a solitary tall table with chairs, most odd for a Spoons.
The standard guest ale price here is £1.89 and the food prices generally on the cheaper side.
Although the bar has twelve hand pumps the choice was poor with one available soon, the two GK beers, Rooster's Cream, Saltaire Pride and Lancaster Black all doubled. I went for the Saltaire Pride which was on special offer at £1.49 but it was poor.
I was surprised to find this is GBG 2017 listed as I thought the Swatters Carr was much better.

On 13th February 2017 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about The Isaac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

Set in a rather grand looking red brick building which was previously used as the town's law courts, this is one of three Wetherspoons in the town centre, with this branch being the most convenient for the train station. The pub can be entered from both Wilson Street and Bolckow Street, but it is the Wilson Street side that has the fine facade that is well worth checking out. Entering from this side, you pass through a small front seating area with standard tables and chairs under the front windows which each bear the Wetherspoons logo. The servery is down the left hand wall and has a chunky curved dark wood counter and matching bar back. A few high tables and stools run in the narrow space opposite, but for the most part this area has been left empty for vertical drinkers and queuing at the bar, which was a welcome move when I visited on a busy match day. Skylights help brighten up this central section of the pub before you move into the rear half of the room, which has large windows to the rear and lots of standard tables and chairs filling the bulk of the space, with a few banquettes down the right hand wall and padded bench booths to the left. There are a lot of interesting old photos of the town dotted around the pub, focused in particular on the town's industrial heritage, but these have been complimented with a selection of contemporary art pieces. As with most 'Spoons venues, TV screens throughout the pub were tuned to a rolling news channel with the sound turned down.
I counted four 'Spoons regulars and five guest ales plus one 'Coming Soon' clip across the ten handpulls. I decided to try a pint of the Daleside Stout, which set me back a mere £1.89 and it was a great pint to boot. The staff were particularly efficient on a match day, ensuring queues at the bar were kept to a minimum, but when I returned the following day the service was so slow that I nearly missed my train home after waiting to be served and then waiting again for my food to arrive.
I thought this was a solid Wetherspoons with some good value, well kept beer marking it out as arguably the pick of the three in town. This pub must have been just about the only place to get a decent pint prior to the town's micro pub revolution and to my mind, it still represents a worthy addition to any Middlesbrough pub crawl.

On 30th November 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Issac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

Rather inconspicuously housed in a substantial brick building in the shadow of the A66 flyover and close to the station. Small windows and a low ceiling, so quite dark inside. Various seating areas and entrances at both ends. Ten of 12 handpumps in operation, with a fair choice including Elgoods Plum Porter (just £1.75). Let down by a lack of staff, and those there were hardly observant.

On 5th May 2014 - rating: 5
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john mcgraw left this review about The Issac Wilson (JD Wetherspoon)

Large Wetherspoon's with an entrance at both sides.Not too much of a guest ale selection.Handy for the railway station.

On 8th November 2011 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]