Wetherspoons is a British pub institution.
And whether you love them or loathe them, most of us in Greater Manchester are never far away from one.
The cheap food and drinks, distinctive plates, decorative carpets and lack of music are universal across all of the chain's branches. But each Wetherspoons pub has its own character.
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According to the search tool on the chain's website, there are 35 branches across our region.
There are nine in Manchester, six in Trafford, two in Salford, three in Rochdale, two in Stockport, two in Tameside, two in Oldham, two in Bury, two in Bolton and five in Wigan.
The majority of them are currently rated at 3.5 out of five on Tripadvisor, with some rated lower at three, and others rated higher at four.
Everyone has their favourites - and their least favourites - so to help you sort through them, here's Greater Manchester's best and worst, according to TripAdvisor.
The worst
Eight Wetherspoons pubs in Greater Manchester are rated three out of five on Tripadvisor.
For reference, in those cases where ratings of food, service, atmosphere and value don't average out, its because many reviewers have provided a general rating, rather than leave a review for each category.
The Seven Stars, Dantzic Street, Manchester
Overall rating: Three
Food: 3.5
Service: Four
Value: Four
The Seven Stars is in the Printworks in Manchester city centre.
As of February 24, 169 reviews have been left for the pub in total.
In a review posted last month, Steven P said the food was 'poorly presented and frankly awful'.
"I accept the bar was busy, but floor absolutely filthy with napkins and general litter", he added.
Mancspride said in December: "A disaster from start to finish. Will never go back here again."
However, poster Bobby C had an 'enjoyable time' at this 'typical Spoons' in October, adding: "The 3 girls running the floor were brilliant, non stop working but never anything than unfailingly polite and helpful."
The Eccles Cross, Regent Street, Eccles
Overall rating: Three
Food: Three
Service: 3.5
Value: 3.5
The Eccles Cross has been reviewed by 94 people on Tripadvisor.
Stephen HPN urged people to 'give it a miss' in August last year, while in May a user called L1358SAscottw said he was 'waiting over an hour for drinks'.
Nonetheless, 23Colin23 explained in a 2019 review why he was a repeat visitor.
"We always head for here when we are staying in the area," he wrote. "One of the cheapest Spoons I have been in. Ate and drank, no complaints from any of us and we will certainly pay a return visit next time we are in Eccles."
The Mardi Gras at the Trafford Centre
Overall rating:
Food: Three
Service: 3.5
Value: 3.5
Atmosphere: 3.5
458 people have left a review for this pub inside the Trafford Centre.
The most recent review written on February 22 by AIXJE said: "The food was poor too and overpriced, cutlery, tables were dirty.
"They obviously wanted everyone out as soon as possible, a hoover was turned on and lots of crashing and noise."
This user rated left a one-out-five rating for the Mardi Gras.
Another reviewer - Quinningtons - gave a one rating in December 2021, writing: "Poor food, poor service. Ordered on the app, but still had to go to the bar for drinks where they were sat waiting."
However, the same month, reviewer zoeg406 praised the venue for being 'efficient'.
"Extremely busy but we ordered on the app and our drinks and food were soon with us. Friendly staff, slick service and decent food," she wrote.
In October last year, our reporter Hana Kelly went to The Mardi Gras to see what it was like. You can read her review HERE.
The Tim Bobbin, Flixton Road, Urmston
Overall rating: Three
Food: 3.5
Service: 3.5
Value: Four
On Tripadvisor, 90 reviews have been left for The Tim Bobbin.
A review written by Tourist12554350855 in September 2021 described the pub as 'dirty'.
Nicola K left a two-out-of-five rating in August last year after a 'very disappointing visit'.
However, Robbo1000 left a five star review in December 2020, writing: "This branch stands out due to its excellent customer service. I had nachos, ribs with onion rings and chips with curry sauce.
"The actual quality of the food would only deserve 3 stars but remember you paid only supermarket prices and didn't have to wash up or switch the dishwasher on for an evening! Therefore my 5 star review is purely on value for money."
The Calverts Court, St Petersgate, Stockport
Overall rating: Three
Food: Three
Service: Three
Value: 3.5
Atmosphere: Three
As of February 24, 221 people have left reviews for The Calverts Court on Tripadvisor.
N_2687785 left a two rating in October last year and said: "Got here and the table was dirty and covered in food, we had to clean it off ourselves.
"Usually the food is very nice and we come regularly but today it was anything but that. Very disappointed."
However, another reviewer, Mark T, bucked the trend with a five star review, writing in July: "Called in Saturday whilst we were visiting Stockport. Ordered food and drinks on the app. Drinks were brought quickly and food 10 minutes later. Everything was spot on. The staff were excellent and the decor was good, light and airy. A good wetherspoons pub to visit."
The Society Rooms, Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge
Overall rating: Three
Food: Three
Service: Three
Value: 3.5
Atmosphere: 2.5
159 reviews have been left for The Society Rooms on Tripadvisor.
U8094CPlisan rated the pub a one in August last year after he said he waited too long for drinks when the it was 'exceptionally quiet'.
davidnewton1981 also left a one-out-of-five review in July and said: "We waited for over half an hour to be served. The atmosphere is dead - one to miss."
On the other hand, Joy T was among fans, writing: "This is a Wetherspoons pub and serves good beer and food. The staff are friendly and some are knowledgeable. Lovely garden to sit in when the sun shines. Toilets upstairs which is a bit of a pain but accessible one on the ground floor."
The Moon Under Water, Market Place, Wigan
Overall rating: Three
Food: 3.5
Service: 3.5
Value: Four
Atmosphere: 3.5
The Moon Under Water in Wigan town centre has had 291 reviews.
BlackStar65 left a one-out-of-five review two weeks ago and said: "Every table full of dirty plates and drinks. Queued and queued to get a drink".
Another one rating was left by blueseabob who said they were 'waiting forever at the bar'.
However Eunice38 was full of positive, leaving a five star review.
"We came here for breakfast and it was just as good as we remember it. Staff very friendly which always helps. We ate inside but came another day and ate outside which was good as well. Will certainly come here when in the area."
The Brocket Arms, Mesnes Road, Wigan
Overall rating: Three
Food: Three
Service: Three
Value: Three
Atmosphere: 3.5
180 reviews have been left for this Wigan pub.
mark102016 said when he visited, 'hardly any tables had been wiped' and 'almost every one had a pile of dirty plates on'.
But Matt Rimm couldn't speak more highly of the venue, saying: "FABULOUS EVENING. Lovely food and drinks. The waitress Bethany was lovely, really accommodating and made our evening!! Certainly go to this pub if you want friendly service, good food and drinks. Best experience in a Wetherspoons . Bethany is a credit to your team!"
The best
Four Wetherspoons in our region rated four stars on Tripadvisor - the highest of all of the branches.
So in general, as all of the branches are rated between three and four, there is only a slight difference in how the chain's pubs are rated across Greater Manchester.
The Harbord Harbord, Long Street, Middleton
Overall rating: Four
Food: Four
Service: Four
Value: Four
Atmosphere: Four
The Harbord Harbord has 101 reviews on Tripadvisor.
A five rating was left by savanah1514351 in November last year. She said: "First visit today, I was very surprised how nice it was, I had a lovely breakfast, everything was cooked to perfection.
Lucy C also left a five star rating as she described the pub as 'belting'.
"The Harbord Harbord is a very good pub as it has a great atmosphere, very friendly staff who work extremely hard and are always on their feet making sure everyone has the best experience", she said.
The Paramount, Oxford Street, Manchester
Overall rating: Four
Food: Four
Service: Four
Value: 4.5
Atmosphere: 3.5
540 people have left reviews for this Manchester city centre pub, which sits on busy Oxford Street.
Andrewms14 left a four rating in October and was particularly impressed with the choice of ales.
David n left a five rating and said: "Excellent service and actually excellent beer at an excellent price."
The Bishop Blaize, Chester Road, Stretford
Overall rating: Four
Food: Four
Service: Four
Value: Four
Atmosphere: 3.5
The Bishop Blaize is just around the corner from Old Trafford football ground and cricket ground.
234 people have left reviews for it on Tripadvisor.
In November 2021, 180kaz left a five rating and wrote: "Fantastic pub that we will return to time & time again. Love catching up with the locals."
David William Barnes was also impressed with the pub. He wrote: "The pub was spotlessly clean and the staff were polite and cheerful. There was a very good food menu which we will sample next time."
The Sir Thomas Gerard, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Overall rating: Four
Food: Four
Service: Four
Value: 4.5
Atmosphere: Four
177 people have left reviews for this Ashton-in-Makerfield branch.
Three weeks ago, Michael L described it as a 'great venue' as he left a five rating.
He said: "Very pleased with the choices of beer and the friendliness of the staff. Really nice atmosphere and would definitely return."
P A praised the 'excellent service every time' and wrote: "I enjoy Wetherspoons and this one always delivers great service."
Eddie Gershon, spokesperson for Wetherspoons, said: "In our experience, Google reviews tend to provide a more comprehensive and accurate reflection of the management of a pub given there are a far greater number of customer reviews submitted via Google than Trip Advisor.
"In addition to noting customer reviews, the Company also monitors standards via its own internal quality assessment programme which involves mystery customers attending pubs throughout the country and ranking them against a number of specific criteria including cleanliness, service and delivery times."
The statement added that all Wetherspoons pubs in Manchester have a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5.
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