Newcastle’s Wetherspoon pubs ranked according to TripAdvisor reviews

The city has a thriving hospitality scene and, whilst many are fantastic independent watering holes, there are a number of chains that have made the city their own.

JD Wetherspoon, the National Pub and Bar Brand of the year 2021, is certainly one of them.

The chain, headed up by the ever polarising Tim Martin, now boasts 925 pubs and a handful are in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

If you’re in search of a no-frills, cheap pint, then the chain may be your best option.

However, you do sometimes get what you pay for, and some reviews of Newcastle’s Wetherspoons can vary in quality.

Newcastle World casts an eye over the Wetherspoons around and in the city to see which comes out on top.

1. The High Main, Byker

3 ½ stars from 164 reviews

4 ½ stars for atmosphere, 4 stars for value with 3 ½ stars for food and service

The High Main in Byker is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to Wetherspoons reviews.

The Byker pub excels on its atmosphere, which tends to be the lowest marked aspect of the chain’s pubs on TripAdvisor.

The pub’s name harkens back to the area’s coal mine history.

2. The Tilley Stone, Gateshead

3 ½ stars from 102 reviews

4 ½ stars for value, 4 stars for food and service with 3 ½ stars for atmosphere

The Tilley Stone’s name is another one that references the area’s coal mining past.

Despite its 3 ½ star average, recent reviews have been positive for the pub.

Whilst none have been left since October 2020, the last three include two five star reviews.

3. The Wouldhave, South Shields

3 ½ stars from 143 reviews

4 ½ stars for value, 4 stars for food and service with 3 stars for atmosphere

South Shields’ The Wouldhave is named after 18th-century boat-builder William Wouldhave who invented the self-righting lifeboat.

The pub has had a mixed bag of reviews over the summer.

Some diners have praised the staff and outdoor area, whilst others have been critical of “terrible service” and claimed to have an hour wait to be served.

4. The Quayside, City Centre

3 ½ stars from 610 reviews

4 ½ stars for value and 3 ½ stars for food with 3 stars for service and atmosphere.

A seat at the Quayside’s Wetherspoon in the summer can be hard to get.

The pub sits right on the Tyne and offers stunning views over the water.

Inside, it’s exactly what you’d expect from the chain, averaging the usual 3 ½ stars.

5. The Five Swans, City Centre

3.5 stars from 395 reviews

4 stars for value and 3 ½ stars for food, service and atmosphere

It’s not long since The Five Swans was revamped to include a new-look upstairs seating area.

The pub is named after the statue opposite its entrance, which pays homage to the five Scandinavian countries and Newcastle’s links with them.

Similar to many other of the chain’s pubs, reviews are polarising with plenty four and five stars and plenty one stars.

6. The Ritz, Wallsend

3 ½ stars from 289 reviews

4 stars for atmosphere and value with 3 ½ stars for food and service

The Ritz may not offer the five-star service of its namesake but does perform to the usual Wetherspoon standard.

The pub was designed by cinema specialist Percy L Browne and first opened with a screening of The Gangster’s Boy in 1939.

Now, it’s your classic pub and recent reviews have been decidedly average.

7. The Harry Clasper, Whickham

3 ½ stars from 259 reviews

4 stars for value and 3 ½ stars for food, service and atmosphere

The Harry Clasper is another Wetherspoons housed in a building that has its own history.

This used to be former council offices before becoming a pub and is named after local boat-builder and oarsman Harry Clasper.

Recent reviews haven’t been great, with seven of the last eight reviews coming in at one or two stars.

8. The Job Bulman, Gosforth

3 ½ stars from 215 reviews

4 stars for value, 3 ½ stars for food, service and atmosphere

The Job Bulman in Gosforth was once a post office for more than 50 years.

Now a pub, it was named after a respected doctor who played a big role in the early development of Gosforth.

Again, it seems a matter of luck what experience you have - the last three TripAdvisor reviews have been five stars, two stars and one star.

9. The Keel Row, City Centre

3 ½ stars from 188 reviews

4 stars for service and value with 3 ½ stars for food and atmosphere.

The Keel Row is positioned right in the hubbub of the city centre at the bottom of The Gate.

The name plays on the importance of the waterways to Newcastle and there’s even a stylised boat near the entrance.

Five of the last eight TripAdvisor reviews have been one star, but there is the occasional five star thrown in.

10. The Fire Station, Whitley Bay

3 ½ stars from 451 reviews

4 stars for value, 3 ½ stars for food and service with 3 stars for atmosphere

The Fire Station in Whitley Bay is in the building that was once home to the Whitley Bay and Monkseaton Fire Brigade.

At the time, it accommodated five firemen and their family, although it is now home to a lot of beer.

Reviews this summer tend to agree that the pub is “decent”, with one asking, “it’s a Spoons… what you expecting?”.

11. The Mile Castle, City Centre

3 ½ stars from 417 reviews

4 stars for atmosphere and value with 3 ½ stars for food and service

The Mile Castle was once Newcastle’s Savings Bank before becoming a Wetherspoon.

In the past, the pub has been known to host silent disco parties.

Apart from that quirk, The Mile Castle is just like any other Wetherspoon in the region with a 3 ½ star rating.

12. Metrocentre, Gateshead

3 ½ stars from 359 reviews

3 ½ stars for food, service and value and 3 stars for atmosphere

The Metrocentre pub doesn’t have such a spectacular name, simply called Wetherspoons.

It’s positioned in the shopping centre and is a fuelling spot for those enjoying some retail therapy.

The last four reviews include two five stars and two one stars, so who knows what to expect.