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Detail Pages
The Green Ginger (JD Wetherspoon), Torquay
Torquay
TQ2 5DZ
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.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Green Ginger (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a large branch of the Wetherspoons chain, located inside an unusual circular shaped building that forms part of the adjacent shopping centre. You enter into the large circular room which is fully open plan, with the servery along the rear part of the room and an ocean of high tables and stools in the expansive bare boarded space opposite. Comfier seating options can be found around the curved perimeter, with lots of tables and chairs in a carpeted area to the front and some decent padded bench booths along the front wall, each with a small frosted glass partitioning screen between them. The bar has a nice dark wood panel counter in front of the bar back which is dominated by a huge mirror. There are some nice matching light fittings hanging from the undressed ceiling which has plenty of utilities on view, whilst elsewhere, dark wood wall panelling has been used to good effect, looking better than the neutral paint job the rest of the pub has been given. The room extends a long way past the bar, through an additional split-level seating area that felt a bit dark and gloomy on a bright afternoon, although I could see some people sat out on a balcony near this area, which may or may not be accessible from this part of the pub. There are a few TV screens dotted around the pub, all showing muted rolling news, and there was a good lunchtime crowd which helped make the place feel a bit less vast and cavernous than it might have done were it only half full. Unusually for a Wetherspoons, signs around the room alerted customers to the fact that they host a weekly pub quiz.
On the bar, I counted three guest ales alongside the three usual ‘Spoons cask options, although one of these was taken off when I attempted to order it, so I tried a Windsor and Eton Father Thames which was in decent condition and served to me by a friendly barmaid who formed part of a hard working team that managed to replace the beer that went off by the time I left. I also had a bite to eat here and found the service prompt and polite, whilst the food was the usual cheap and cheerful fayre.
This is an unusual ‘Spoons that doesn’t sound all that promising on paper, but turned out to be a pretty decent place to spend a bit of time, offering some decent seating options, well kept beer and friendly, efficient service. Torquay isn’t exactly noted for its great pub scene, so it’s good to have a reliable ‘Spoons to fall back on.
On 24th March 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Green Ginger (JD Wetherspoon)
Modern 'spoons (mostly) housed in a distinctive rotunda at first-floor level above a Revolution bar, with a side extension and patio terrace connecting with the footbridge over the main seafront road. Rather gloomy inside away from the peripheral windows, and nothing much of interest in any part. The usual trio of Ruddles, Doom Bar and Abbot were available on both of the counters, but there are another four handpumps on the main bar offering Wild Blonde from South Hams (£2.15) as the only local cask ale plus three other less-usual beers from the likes of Banks & Taylor, Mauldon's and Coach House.
On 8th June 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Green Ginger (Lloyds No 1)
This is an enormous JDW set in the thick of it on the Torquay seafront.
Having sold the London Inn to Stonegate it appears that this is no longer a Lloyds. I saw no Lloyds branding, the pub picture on the JDW web site shows Wetherspoon branding and there was no sign of any light rig, glitter ball or idiot booth inside.
It's been well described below but the interior has all the Lloyds trademarks, a modern interior plus an unfinished looking ceiling with exposed aircon stuff. It was doing a roaring trade on a sunny May Saturday afternoon.
The main bar has seven hand pumps and the smaller rear one three which were just duplicates. Beers available were the JDW Trio Of Doom, Black Tor Down Draught, Hanlon's Yellow Hammer & Port Stout and Bays Crocodale. I went for the Port Stout which was excellent.
Neither this place nor Torquay really appeals to me but it seemed OK.
On 22nd May 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Green Ginger (Lloyds No 1)
A cavernous Lloyds No 1 branded JDW in a circular building with an attractive curved dome (underneath is a small shopping arcade). On a sweltering hot day the aircon in here was up to max, nice and cool and a blessed relief. Enter to the main bar area with another separate bar to the rear and elevated side patio which is quite tidy and affords a decent view of proceedings on the street. Modern interior as you’d expect, quite plush and nicely done. The large amount of glass means that it doesn’t suffer unduly from the usual JDW curse of Hobbit darkness. Point of note was an unusual inlaid glass case by the entrance lobby containing some spirit bottle miniatures and another further in containing some posh crockery. Good amount of ales at the bar, my Bay Rhino was in good shape though service was decidedly dopey. As a venue I preferred this to the other Spoons over the way but I guess it’s more a nightclub here after 8pm. Previously one of the defunct Bar Med chain.
On 27th July 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Green Ginger (Lloyds No 1)
Busy Wetherspoons but service not bad. No problem with Everards Gallantry and Robinsons Enigma on Friday. When we left we noticed there was a balcony from an upstairs room with plenty of customers sitting out enjoying the sunshine.
On 1st April 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ale Monster left this review about The Green Ginger (Lloyds No 1)
This is a large Lloyds No 1 (Wetherspoon’s) situated above a small shopping centre at the end of the high street, the interior is modern, open plan and on three levels. The main entrance is up a few steps from the high street and leads into a large circular room with the bar counter on the right, various size booths, shelves with vases and sculptures, a couple of flat screen TV’s and local history on the walls including information about the legendary comedian Peter Cook. On the right of the main room is a raised area that leads to a further L shaped room which is on the third level, here there is a second small bar counter, several tables, a couple of large flat screen TV’s and a door in the back left corner which leads out on to a small balcony and pedestrian bridge over the main road.
Regular ales are Green King Abbot Ale and Ruddles County with four changing guest beers which on this visit were Bays Gold, Bays Topsail, Teignworthy Harveys Best and Wychwood Hobgoblin. The Topsail and Harveys Best were good enough (Cask Marque).
Fairly standard Wetherspoon’s bar located in an interesting round building with lots of large windows and a domed roof, good selection of local ales and the food is reasonably priced as usual. I noticed ramps and mini lifts for wheel chair users. I like the previous reviewers comparison with a hotel lobby, bit too modern for my taste but not a bad place for a decent cheap drink and a meal.
On 3rd November 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 199 recommendations about 199 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Green Ginger (Lloyds No 1)
This a typically large Wetherspoon's split across two levels with a bar in each. The overall appearance reminds me of a hotel lobby rather than a pub, although the dance floor obviously looks out of place. During the afternoon it's mostly populated with shopper's, but morphs in to something quite different in the evening with loud music, flashing lights, bouncers on the door, and serving until 3:00am.
Beers on this occasion were Ruddle's Best, Abbott Ale, Firefly, Ballot Box Beer, Stormstay and Bays Breaker. Ciders were Strongbow and the quite pleasant Marcle Hill.
On 10th May 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]