King Of Wessex

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Venue Image
5-10 James St West,
BATH,
BA1 2BX

01225 303380

The ViewBath Review

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Review byTacita Vero'04/08/2008
This fairly new Wetherspoon’s is not as large as many other pubs belonging to this chain, but the cheap deals on food and drinks are still a big attraction. Add the fact that it is central and you will know why it's popular.

The Venue
Housed in the same building as the Odeon cinema, this Wetherpoon’s doesn't differ much from the other modern pubs in the chain. It has every piece of furniture you can imagine on its split-levels, from large round booths to couches, tall stools and many regular tables. The ceiling is lit with purple neons and the back wall has a nice modern wood panelling. It would work well as a function room, however, it's a loud and crowded pub, so it looks like a furnished box full of strangers. Like most Wetherspoons.

The People
Thanks to the central location and to the cinema, Wetherspoon’s is always busy, especially in the evenings. Those coming out of a screening can either stop here or at the opposite Nando’s. The punters all tend to be rather young and the average age is around 25. There are a few older faces here and there, looking rather out of place. The pub is loud but no one seems to care, and they just shout louder. But for those who prefer their drinking a bit more refined it might be a bit too bustly/rowdy.

The Food
Wetherspoon’s menus are known to be a bit of a marathon read and it seems they try to serve absolutely every typical pub dish, plus a few international favourites. Curry, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, grills, salads, burgers… you get the picture. The common factor to everything they serve is the cheap price. Two of their most popular dishes are the burger deal (here priced at £4.60) including a burger of your choice with a pint, and the very cheap fish and chips (£3.10).

The Drink
Cheap beer and drinks are the two reasons behind Wetherspoon’s national success. And the selection is rather good, too. They serve all the common beers plus many imports starting from a very low £1.90 a pint. For this amount you can get a bottle of Turkish Efes, Marston Pedigree, Abbot Ale and a few more. The selection of world beers include San Miguel, Zywiec, Tyskie, Kozel, Lech, Koppaberg Summer Fruits cider and others and the prices are very low for each one.

They are not often served, but cocktails do appear on the menu (£3 or £6 for a pitcher). They are not elaborate concoctions prepared by an experience mixologist, but rather simpler versions of classics like Cosmo, Mojito, Woo Woo, Blue Lagoon. Their (controversial) wine is on tap and shooters and many spirits (starting from £1.80 for a single) make up the rest of the drink menu.

The Last Word
Wethespoon’s looks quite nice but it lacks personality. Does it really matter? Their goal – fully achieved - is to provide cheap food and drinks and most people don't mind sacrificing a bit of character and save a few quid to buy another pint.
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Content updated: 08/02/2012 14:58

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