At last - Wetherspoons

Conversation regarding Hastings attractions and events taking place in the area.
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seahermit
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby seahermit » Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:20 pm

Tim Martin was for a while vociferous about wanting to re-open the pubs a.s.a.p. and complaining about the government's restrictions - gone quiet lately, good, because I got fed up with his moaning! We all hate the lockdown, it has reduced everyone's profits etc .. but toughen up, it has to be endured because the alternatives are worse.

I won't be rushing back to the Hastings branch anyway - it never was a particularly nice pub, just central and convenient, and (judging from the last time it was open) some of the staff are still unfriendly, offhand and seem fed-up. They take ages to acknowledge you and come over to serve you.

In Yates, I was greeted instantly with a smile and served in two minutes. And the whole pub was spotless and comfortable.

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Richard
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby Richard » Fri Mar 26, 2021 8:20 pm

You could go up to the bar in Hastings's Wetherspoons and place your order and be given a numbered wooden spoon.
But if you tried that in Bexhill, the Ritzy Cinema conversion, you would be asked to wait at your table to be attended by a bright young boy or girl, most willing and keen to help you.
I am not sure why they operated food and drinks ordering differently.
That is all I have witnessed.
Hastings Wetherspoons always seemed full but Yates was often deserted, so I avoided it like the plague!

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seahermit
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby seahermit » Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:55 pm

The Hastings Wetherspoon pub was over-subscribed from the beginning - because it is cheap! And conveniently located.

The Yates pub has had problems with its identity in recent years - went from being an old-fashioned Victorian interior (with a lovely, wide staircase and wooden balustrade) to being very modernised, "trendied up" and spoiled with numerous attractive fittings removed. Amongst several revamps of the interior, the walls were (for a mercifully brief time) painted a combination of pink and lurid mauve! The old and comfortable sofa-like seats went long ago, the modern seats are no more than OK.

I think the various changes may have confused the punters. At times, it is still busy but at other times it is indeed quite empty .. but peaceful for reading your book in a corner, which is why I sometimes go in there.

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number9
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby number9 » Sat Mar 27, 2021 12:02 am

Richard wrote:Hastings Wetherspoons always seemed full but Yates was often deserted


Yes it does look like Yates popularity gone downhill, shame really don't know what they are doing wrong.
I used to go to Wetherspoons once a week with 3/4 others to have a meal and drink
Despite a number of people saying it was a terrible pub, I liked to be in a pub that was lively and had a buzz of conversation within. Yes the food wasn't world class but we were not expecting fine dining at those prices and it was Ok. Yes there are a few odd people who go there but that can be expected in any popular place. Wetherspoons is popular because you don't have to spend a fortune when buying a drink or a meal.

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Richard
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby Richard » Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:03 am

But for a small amount more you could enjoy relaxed and secluded dining at the White Rock hotel.
Why skimp a few coins for food and drink when better and more convivial ambience is available, 'far from the madding crowd'?
I do not understand the attraction of cheap stuff in a poor atmosphere.
Quality is surely preferable to quantity, on the cheap.

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seahermit
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby seahermit » Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:21 am

Before the lockdown, I decided to treat myself one evening at the White Rock Hotel.

An utterly different experience from any Hastings pub! It cost me almost double (about £14) but I had a delicious duck casserole, beautifully cooked, with a glass of good wine and the service was faultless and in spotless surroundings. I ended up being there for a couple of hours, got talking to some really nice people and bumped into an old publisher friend!

I would definitely go there again sometimes, or somewhere similar. You remember the nicer experiences, not the "grab a bite, then move on" ones at Weatherspoons.

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number9
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby number9 » Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:38 am

Richard wrote:But for a small amount more you could enjoy relaxed and secluded dining at the White Rock hotel.

Agreed ! but my companions preferred to stay in the town centre because on leaving we all went in different directions and Wetherspoons for them was more convenient. They preferred not to go to Yates or other venues.

On another note, what is happening with Walkers cocktail bar in Robertson Street ?
When you go on their website the domain is up for sale.
That seems to indicate they may not be reopening

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Richard
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby Richard » Mon Mar 29, 2021 12:31 am

Bancey's cocktail bar in Robertson street has been shut down for ages.
The others were not my cup of tea at all.
I am not sure if any will survive.

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seahermit
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby seahermit » Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:03 am

Walkers in Robertson Street always seemed to me like sitting in a shop window whilst drinking, very open and light, no secluded private corners.

Tintins was always a bit odd, tiny and cramped, I'm not sure what its special attraction might have been. Younger and somewhat scruffy clientele!

The Havelock seems to still have a faithful following of regular, hard drinkers. Had problems in the past with troublemakers, even lost its licence for a while and had several changes of ownership. Seems a bit drafty and dark to me with few really comfortable seats.

The Clarence is at times extremely rowdy and again a bit small for the number of people who crowd in there.

I am not that keen on any of the drinking holes in Hastings! A good guide is to look for men wearing a smart jacket or a woman in a dress - you'll see one or two in the White Rock and in Weatherspoons!

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seahermit
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Re: At last - Wetherspoons

Postby seahermit » Fri May 28, 2021 12:37 am

Wetherspoons in Hastings is of course open again but .. a very different atmosphere. Okay if you want to sit in a corner with your drink or share a table with some friends, but the tables are far apart and separated by screens, not much close socialising and it all seems unfriendly and often half-empty. Table service is slow.

I went into the "100 Postcards" bar in Queens Road the other week and it was really nice - no barriers, very friendly, I bumped into a friend there and got talking to others. And a huge range of interesting gins.

What used to be "On the Rocks" in Robertson Street (had several identities before that) looks pretty awful - dark with a lot of black paint, a huge sign on the back-wall proclaiming its name (which I have forgotten!) - mainly for the very young.

The old "Pig in Paradise" is dark too with more black paint - always almost empty.

So, it's hard to find really decent places to drink in the centre. St Leonards is slightly better - the "St Leonard" pub looks more cosy, very dark still but atleast no thumping pop music. The Piper seems to have given up, good location in Norman Road but for some reason it didn't reopen.

The only promising one is the Nag's Head in Gensing Road - used to be a right old local tavern and a bit scruffy but has reopened with very smart decor and comfortable-looking seats - worth a try shortly.


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