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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Wigan Central
Wigan Central is without doubt one of the best pubs in Wigan. It had been 8 years since my last visit here and I've been looking forward to a return for some time.
Situated in a couple of railway arches, it is a railway-themed pub with one room in each arch. The bar itself is in the left-hand side. Toilets are there to the rear also.
The house beer is Bank Top Signal, which I tried. Guests on cask were Gan Yam Yan, Theakston Old Peculier, Rooster's Demoncracy Manifest, Fyne Ales Highlander, Pentrich Hidden Verse, Brewsmith DDH Pale & Wigan Brewhouse Porteresque. Ciders were Ascension Shimmy & Tranquility of Solitude & Weston's Rosie's Pig. Craft beers I could see were Pastore Il Vigneto Mela, Twisted Wheel Last Light, Makemake As The Sun Sets Slowly in the West & Rivington The Guy Was An Interior Decorator.
Departure screens for both North Western and Wallgate stations give you an idea how long left you have to finish your pint. Whilst there is a temptation to leave this place until last before taking a train, I've always ended up with insufficient time here. So, maybe I will start here next time.
Wigan Central is certainly a popular place and I sensed that it's not a completely transitory set of customers here. They seem to have built up regular business with the locals, many of whom appeared to be here for a session on our late Monday afternoon visit. Indeed, it was very busy for a Monday.
On 20th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about Wigan Central
Swift pint before the train. Firing on all cylinders tonight and my Does Nessie Like Haggis by Lees Boilerhouse is in great shape (NBSS 4). Will definitely make sure to get in here again next time, it’s excellent.
March 2023
Railway theme pub under the arches. Lovely carriage-style bar and train compartment style booths. Rail paraphernalia a-plenty on the walls and the left side has a fake ticket office booth. Scree floor with rail tracks and some little signals on the table you can raise for service - the RATs would love it. Inevitably the departure times for both stations are displayed on an electronic screen. A minor let down was the cask; whilst neither of our beers (Bank Top Signal and Clag by Clay Brow) were below-par, they were both a bit standard (2x NBSS 3) despite the swift turnover. maybe we were unlucky. Plenty of cider and bottled offerings in addition, so you could easily stay all day. My visit was fleeting as I’d got lost in time at the Swan, but I saw enough to entice me back in next time. GBG’23 listed. Rated 8.5
On 19th February 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5084 recommendations about 5067 pubs]
Brainy Pool left this review about Wigan Central
I still love the place but the Swan now has the edge in my view. The main change is that pizza can now be brought in from Hideout next door. Staff can seem a bit aloof and on my last visit one pint was well below par. On the whole it’s still a quality pub and Wigan is lucky to have it , but i’m not sure it’s national award winning standard.
On 23rd September 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Wigan Central
Being housed under a couple of railway arches Wigan Central has a rail theme running throughout, from train compartment like booths along the right wall and rail signs on the walls to a carriage shaped bar on the left rear wall and signals on the tables that can be raised for table service. This bar supports seven handpumps that, on a recent Monday afternoon visit, were drawing Bank Top Signal, Deeply Vale Brewery’s Sirrilo, Red Rose Brewery’s Treacle Miners Tipple, Mallinsons Shifting Sands, Wishbone Brewery’s Abyss, Peerless Brewing’s Kaibosh and Ben's Brewery’s Blighty. There are also seven fonts for pouring premium and craft keg. To the right of the bar is a long shelving unit that stocks lots of craft cans and bottles for drink-in or take-away. A screen above this unit displays available beers and adverts for upcoming events, which are held in the second railway arch to the right. A second screen displays Wigan Railway Station’s departures board. The service was polite and there was a good atmosphere. This, added to the proximity to the station means that I’ll certainly be visiting here again at some point in the future.
On 14th September 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Wigan Central
Visited on a recent weekday late afternoon, and Wigan Central was pretty busy. Seven hand pulls at the bar with one off. A mix of styles though the two stouts I had were both a bit liquoricey - one was advertised as such, the other not. They set me back £1.80 and £1.85 for a half. Various keg options too, if the cask doesn't float your boat. Pork pies are sold at the bar, and possibly scotch eggs too.
In the main room there are some booths made to look like train carriages plus standard tables and chairs. The tables have railway style signals fixed to them, that you can apparently raise for table service - though nobody appeared to be using these at the time of my visit and I didn't even realise their purpose until I clocked the sign later on. There is a separate room extending into the unit to the right; this contained additional seating but I did not investigate.
A popular place and well worth a visit when in the area.
On 15th February 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Wigan Central
This is the place to drink real ale in Wigan.Occupying two railway arches,the left side has been fitted out in a strong railway theme,with a booking office to the left,the bar in the shape of a railway carriage and with lots of railways signs and ephemera dotted about.There is a large exterior patio,while high tables run through the central part of the interior,with more conventional seating and booths to one side.The other arch has a small stage at the end and overflow seating if the main room is busy.There is also a large library of bottled beers against a rear wall.
Very well chosen muzak was playing ,it was busy at 4pm on a Tuesday and the clientele seemed devoid of the derilict types in many of the other town centre pubs and bars.
There are 7 handpumps drawing on my visit Tiny Rebel Cwtch,Doghouse Amber,Listers Dark Mild,Brass Castle Misfit,Prospect Totem,Kirkstall Black Band and a very good Brewsmith Mandarina Ultra.Ale quality was top notch,good to see a mix of styles but a little disappointed that there were no high ABV options,an issue common to many real ale outlets in Wigan.
A must visit and the best option when in town,the only reason to hold back from top marks was the ABV issue.
On 10th July 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Wigan Central
Housed in a couple of the arches on the south side of the North Western station, the decorative theme is naturally railway-related and this extends to three train compartment-style booths opposite a reconstructed ticket office façade, and the bar counter is also styled to look like a open-sided carriage. Several small tables can be found out on the pavement, and the next-door arch (The Platform) may be used for events? However, the weekly quiz was in full swing during my Monday-night visit, and live music is advertised for every Sunday afternoon. Although seven real ales in a range of different styles were available from the seven handpumps, I opted for the regular Totem from the owning Prospect Brewery (£2.90).
On 6th July 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
peter ashworth left this review about Wigan Central
Wigan Central has now been extended with the use of arch 2 and is called The Platform which includes more beer barrels and a stage in the left hand corner.Very busy on our Saturday evening visit.
On 25th May 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2318 recommendations about 2275 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Wigan Central
i don't know why it took me so long to try this place, but it was well worth the wait. the interior cosy, modern but still pub-like, the outdoor seating area providing a curiously charming view of the ring road (how very Wigan) and my beer was the best of the day, unbelievably nice. and at a typical Wigan price. hopefully it won't be long before my return.
On 10th July 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Wigan Central
Cracking little place, 7 hand pulls at the bar including Prospect Totem (which I believe to be a regular fixture) plus rotating guest ales. At the time of my visit these were Milvus by Squawk, Catnap by Barngates, Days of Wilde by Wilde Child / Revolutions collab, Hazelnut Porter by North Riding, and 9th Shade of Pale by Lost Industry. An impressive selection and mix of styles and strengths. I had the porter and the stout, both were good and priced at £1.45 for a half pint if I remember rightly.
The interior is done out in the style of a station bar with a ticket office window and recognisable railway colours round the bar. A mix of seating including booths and tables and chairs. Copies of various beer related magazines are available to peruse while enjoying your pint. Dog friendly too (the place, not the magazines).
I will be back!
On 13th June 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]