Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
New pub visits 2024 with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon), Ilkeston
Ilkeston
DE7 5QA
Pub Type
J D WetherspoonReviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
A modern glass fronted building with the counter down the left side usual 6+6 handpumps topped and tailed with T-bars and solos, the unholy trinity are at the far end plus the Ruddles repeated on the nearer set, all festival beers otherwise as it’s that time of year. Trainman’s twin brother passed me with a tray of halves of all of the festival beers. Floored with slabs around bar and a leafy carpet elsewhere. All on one level apart from extra seating on the upstairs floor, even the toilets are downstairs at the back, there is also an outdoor drinking area to the right. Very busy on a Friday lunchtime, it isn’t that big for a spoons. Some local history and other panels plus a couple of walls of space inspired pictures as décor and of course there are the usual screens and machines. Fairly standard although the staff were very much on the ball
On 9th March 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3275 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Pub SignMan left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
I thought this pub was a bit of an eyesore on approach, thanks to its massive glass facade, but once inside it turns out to be quite a nice example of a modern Wetherspoons. The servery runs down the left-hand wall of a partly carpeted, partly tile stone floored room, and has a simple counter and bar back enhanced by some nice brass pot shelves. High tables and stools fill the open area to the front, standard tables and chairs emerge further back and banquettes trace the right-hand wall, broken only by a doorway leading out to a depressing looking side patio garden. TV screens could be seen dotted throughout the pub but they were all turned off during my mid-morning visit, so none of the usual rolling 24 hour news channels to be seen. Walls are generally painted in plain colours with a few old photos and local history boards to break up the monotony. Perhaps the pub’s most striking feature is a huge telescope sculpture standing high up at one end of the bar, in honour of John Flamstead - a local man who became the first Astronomer Royal at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Stairs lead up to a first floor level which I didn’t explore, but presumably has overspill seating and some good views out over the market square and church.
I was here early in the day for a bit of breakfast and swerved the ales, but noted the usual three ‘Spoons regulars supplemented by four guest ales. My breakfast was the usual heat-it-up affair, but tasted fine and arrived nice and promptly courtesy of one of the friendly members of staff who were notably working hard to keep the pub clean and tidy.
I didn’t have very high expectations for this place, but came away thinking it was a pretty good modern ‘Spoons with a bright, airy interior, very friendly staff and a few interesting ales to sample. A good start to my time in Ilkeston and I’d be happy to call again to give the beer a try.
On 5th September 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
As noted, this is a fairly ugly looking place. Inside isn't much better with a small (for a Wethers) single long room. There is an upstairs bit that I never visited. The toilets being on the ground floor and not up the stairs was a surprise. 2 banks of 6 handpulls. The round porthole-like windows at the side gave it the look of a bar on a ship.
On 2nd February 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
Horrible looking place but as I drink inside that didn't put me off much. Standard type Spoons with the bar to the left. Usual selection of ales and a plus point - the toilets are on the ground floor.
On 21st January 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
I don't normally bother with a 'Spoons, but after the disappointment of the Market Inn, I thought we might as well give it a try. There are two banks of six hand pumps, with the usual JDW regulars plus three guests. Unfortunately, my half of local Littleover Panther Oatmeal Stout, which started with an overwhelming taste of coffee grounds, finished with a sour tang that told me it had gone off. It was changed for another beer rapidly enough, but of course with this being a 'Spoons the pump clip was not turned around, which is annoying from a customer service standpoint. I can't remember if I've ever really enjoyed having a drink in one of these establishments - the best moment here was when a local man stopped us as we left, having correctly deduced that we were on a pub crawl and said we really must go to the Burnt Pig - that's funny, we said, that's the next pub on our list.
On 3rd July 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3748 recommendations about 3484 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
Externally the Observatory is an ugly modern black glass and steel box. It was previously a supermarket. Inside it's an open plan rectangular room with the bar on the left and fairly typical fixtures and fittings. There is an upstairs area that I didn't investigate. On my Saturday early afternoon visit it was doing a roaring trade.
The bar has two sets of six hand pumps which had the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled up, one unused, Wild Weather Go Man Go, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Titanic Plum Porter, Exmoor Gold and Magpie Four For A Boy. I went for the Plum Porter which was excellent. The reasonable beer choice made up for the dull building and the staff being under pressure.
On 31st May 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
A very fitting name to this Spoons, with its large glass façade, hence a lot of people trying to get the front tables to look across the square. Got a microbrewery ale from Funfair, which is just outside Newark. The ale was called Twister, which was very appropriate considering the weather on our visit.
The service was poor on this visit and the pub wasn't that busy.
On 5th February 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
The uncompromisingly modern glass frontage of this 'spoons looks somewhat out of place in Ilkeston's Lower Market, but is probably better than some half-baked attempt at architectural pastiche. The curvy walkway and metal columns give the interior alittle bit of interest, but otherwise it is the usual furniture and decor. Also has a mezzanine at the front (not visited). Reasonable choice of beer from the two banks of handpumps, with my pint of Coach House Ostlers Summer Pale Ale (£1.99) being in good condition.
On 8th July 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Observatory (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a typical Wetherspoons that is close to a lot of other pubs on the market place.
Once inside this pub goes back a long way and the bar is on the left there is the usuall decent choice od real ales on the bar but as usuall there always seems to be a long wait in here to get a drink which puts me off going in here.
On 18th January 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]