please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Has to be the best Spoon in the UK. Cavernous inside with 2 bars, decent selection of beers and decent (cheap) food.
Lots of famous 'Georges' on the wall (Orwell, Best, etc) but no picture of Peppa Pig's younger brother who shares the same name. Yet.
Look busy, here comes the Crow!
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Opened up the boneyard here in the upstairs bog, fella selling after shav downstairs.
Yeah, missus fanny got OWNED that night. Careful, or ill bone your bird an all.
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Personally I find the ceiling a bit low in the gents, causing me to bend double when I (was) entered. However I'm six foot six. But enough boasting. Does a nice fosters. And that's not boasting.
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Always a great boozer to meet at when you've just been released from Chokey. I always sink me first Tizer in here after I've done bird and plan my next 'blag' with Big O, Lobotomy Jim, Drugs Kev or whoever else in the local crew happen to be about.
An unrivalled book collection lines the walls of the main bar. And I've often taken inspiration for my criminal enterprises from the pages of such classics as 'Directory of British Chartered Accountants 1957'. Some cynic suggested they bought these books by the yard, but I dispute such an eclectic collection could be assembled by such means.
Must dash, Weird Pete has just returned with my Creme De Menthe, along with the plans of the Allied Irish bank vault in the High St......
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Nice pub. Was well crowded last time I was in there. Cheap as well
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As Spoonies go, this has to be one of the best. I visit here often, always a good selection of well-kept ales, food always good value for money and never any trouble. Recommended.
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Not a bad Spoons. Right next to Wanstead tube station. Good pint of Nethergate Old Growler kept me occupied and satisfied for 40 minutes.
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Great pub friendly atmosphere, beer well kept had a fantastic night will be back soon!
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This is one of the best Wetherspoons I have visited around the country. I think one of the main reasons I liked it was because it does not have the same replica interior as most other Wetherspoons pubs. Apparently, unlike most Wetherspoons, this was originally a pub as opposed to a shop. From the outside, you wouldn't necessarily notice that it was a Wetherspoons. Many of the features you notice inside are also unusual for Wetherspoons, including the engraved windows and a rather large black chair in the middle of it all, which looked like something out of a horror ride at the fairground. This is a fairly popular place. But there is plenty of seating, including outdoor areas at the front and rear and an upstairs area. In keeping with other Wetherspoons pubs, it has the usual good ale range. My visit coincided with Theakston Old Peculier, Ruddles Best, Ringwood Forty Niner and Old Thumper, Lymestone Ein Stein, Nethergate Mary's Ruby Mild, Cairngorm Wild Cat, Marstons Empire IPA, Greene King Back of the Net and Abbot Ale. Cider was Westons Old Rosie. A Wetherspoons that impressed for once.
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I use this great pub whenever I visit Wanstead from Birmingham.
Imposing building with a welcoming and comfortable interior.
Professional, efficient and courteous staff.
Excellent selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Good food.
Wish we'd got a pub like this up here in Brum.
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I visited here on a tuesday night and found a nice pub, and some very good Old Peculier.
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It should be made illegal to lambast the George. There are lots of things not perfect about it but:
1) its THE George - all others accross the country pale into insignificance (especially the one on Botley Road in Oxford),
2) YOU were once one of those annoying kids too many years ago, maybe even from Forest too, I certainly was. I remember the days before the last big referb when they knocked the holes in the ceiling (and subsequently filled one in again) moved the bar, opened up the reception room uptairs and removed the sofa near the toliet with all the stuffing picked out of it (that took me hours). Many of these "questionably aged people" may or may not be of the legal age but as long as they stay near the bar area, and we only pass them while getting a drink and on the way to the toliets, hide a snigger at one heaving in the cubicle, and side step the fights, who cares? No one's been stabbed yet here have they?
3) The staff are forced to sell cheap booze, which is why many people go there, and they'll have battered people to deal with. Unfortunately, its Wanstead and the clientele forced upon them are not the most savoury so why should they look happy? I'm sure its not in their contract and they certainly don't get paid enough for what they have to deal with. Bless them, some certainly try. Some can't speak English either but, hey, you can't have everything.
4) The food is acceptable, its not a restaurant, its not a quaint middle of nowhere culinary oasis and did you see Gordon Ramsey walk in? No. So don't complain. The Thai and Indian places next door are great, go there.
I'm sorry to say that however many changes to management over the years there hasn't been that much change from the casual drinkers' side who come once every couple of months. But I don't want it to change, it's great. If you walk in and don't like it turn around again and go to some of the lesser pubs in Wanstead I'm sure you'll be able to complain about the chavs at Russell's or the Cockfield too.
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Oh dear. Calling all chavs, your kind seem to gather here and drink piss-water (or 'Beer' as it is labelled on the girly bottles). As long as we can round them up in one place, they won't spread. If we all group together here people, we can fight this horrible disease that is misusing the sacred institution of the proper British Pub and cull the lot of them. They seem to gather here, so avoid and either go further into the East End or out to Essex. Nowhere in-between is acceptable.
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Fan of the George - like most Wetherspoons what you see is what you get. However, popped in the other Friday about 6.30 and found there to be a queue at the bar already. 3 staff had called in sick by all accounts. Why does the place continually suffer with lack of reliable staff and indeed enough staff? Apart from staffing issues, its a solid pub. Great value beers and food, and enough room to not be bumping into people all night. Wish they'd remove those big screens that have the sound off though - they don't really serve much of a purpose.
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freindly welcoming pub with a large choice of drinks, nice dining area upstairs, does get a young crowd in the evening but the atmosphere is great.
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Been in here 4 times now. Beer great quality but the place is let down by the essentials. As usual with these places, when they first started opening, the service was excellent and the places were clean and tidy. Now they are full of alcoholics as soon as they open at around 10 every morning. This particular place is like that, wino types early on. I have ordered the all day breakfast, and you wait all day to get it.
In the evening the place fills up with loud mouthed teenagers who throw 'shots' down their neck as chasers. When I have left it is hard to tell whether the vomit pools outside originate from the excess of the binge drinkers or some of the vile restaurants and takeaways nearby.
Big pub without character or soul.
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What a fab pub this is!!! they are under new management(a young couple who actually seem to know wat they are doing) and what a great job they are doing!!!i hope to be visiting quite often it is obvious that the place is loved!!!i am sure it will continue to be a huge asset to jd wethersoons!!!
anonymous - 30 Oct 2007 17:28 |
i must say that this pub has changed alot since the new year what a pub everyone knows everyone and it just makes it a great atmophyer. they have a top bar which is for over 21s and dinners only which is fantastic. i think all round that this is a superb pub well do mr tim
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fantastic traditional pub with good range of beers, large food menu and friendly staff well worth a visit!
anonymous - 11 Sep 2007 15:53 |
The last time that I went to this pub the (very) young barman served me a pint of warm frothing Guinness from a pump that was being cleaned. Despite his colleague telling him not to use that particular tap and to use the other pump, the young pup insisted that he new better. He told me that the pint might be a "bit funky" but would otherwise be ok! I pointed out that serving a pint of Guinness known to be contaminated with cleaning fluid was blatently negligent. After a few minutes of disagreement I was finally given a safe pint though with a unwelcome side helping of attitude! At the best of times the state of The George is tragic! What was once a decent honest pub three years ago is now a pit of squalor. The only thing that can help this pub now is a bulldozer!
anonymous - 3 Sep 2007 14:38 |
Horrible. Full of clique type kids who all think they're better than everyone else. It has the atmosphere of a school dining hall. If you're over the age of 21, you'll hate it here. Oh and expect to wait an eternity at the bar. There are far better pubs for grown ups in Wanstead.
anonymous - 24 Aug 2007 11:38 |
the quality of real ale has greatly improved since my last visit 5 months ago not only that but the barman actually knew what he was talking about when it came to real ale (didnt know wetherspoons staff had brains)pub was clean and tables were being cleared this pub has really changed for the better will be back soon
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This place is not nice at all. The service is appalling, the place is dirty and poorly kept and the atmopshere is horrible. It is full of kids, most of whom seem to want to fight someone. What a shame.
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full of drunk 15 year olds or drunk pensioners. except when I'm in there with the lads, and then there are a few drunk 30+ year olds.
Ok pub, be better without the kids, mind.
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Was always a nice Pub.We were in there the other night.it was a quite night not like friday/Saturdays.
The only comment we would make is that whetherspoon's staff should be more attentive to what's going on in here.
We watched as 2 customers WALKED OUT with TWO tall stools, and openly walked down the street with them.
Wetherspoon's staff (over 6), some drinking at the Bar obviously could not care a toss.
Shame really, perhaps this is something to do with their pay or/and that Wetherspoon's have put the prices up to pay for the loss.
Oh, and by the way, from our experience of wetherspoon's SENIOR staff (generally) they do nothing, and as for the Head office, well don't bother. They are only interested in the profits.
anonymous - 13 Mar 2007 19:36 |
I worked at this pub whilst at uni (2001-2004) The management would not put the correct amount of staff on rota as it ruined their bonus system! We were forced to clean sick off the walls, serve 10 customers at once and make sure every table was tidy. The majority of us tried our hardest but it was quite imposible to keep you all pleased. If only the staff/ customer ratio was relative and coherent then we could have made it a better customer experience.
A fight once broke out and I (18 years old at the time) was lambasted by the regulars for not jumping in between many druken bums to protect the safety of all the
customers.
Since working for that company my respect and patience for bar staff has greatly increased
anonymous - 4 Feb 2007 23:09 |
This pub used to be 120 paces from my sofa to the bar, so was convenient if I couldnt be bothered to walk to the other pubs in Wanstead. I am amused by the managers comments, and whilst I admire his loyalty to the George the issues raised by reviewers are true and issues that shouldnt have to be pointed out to the management.
Typical of any spoons pub the beer is cheap, and rarely do you get a decent pint, the food is terrible in presentatation and taste and I have regularly complained which was often met with indifference. The staff work hard and probably put up with a lot of abuse so are often surly, They also have the strictest and most agressive drinking up policy I have ever come across and always got my back up.
during the week service isnt so bad although they arent to keen on clearing/cleaning the tables, come the weekend however the place gets rammed with the questionably young and is often 3 deep at the bar.
It is a beautiful building and I wish I could have seen it during its hayday, regretfully the original interior walls and fittings have been ripped out to turn it into a cavernous indentikit boozer.
there is very little to say posative about it other than its cheap, its close to Wanstead Tube.
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Anonymous,
I resent the comment:
"then full of irritating kids (many from Forest School) at night."
Why do we have less of a right to use the pub than you? Its near our school what do you expect?! What's so irritating about us in general?
anonymous - 23 Dec 2006 01:29 |
WEDERSPON!
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I am gald that a member of staff posted his/her views on this site. I worked at this pub a few years back and the clients can be very rude. The majority are a good bunch but the staff have to deal with a lot horrid people. if the pub is a bit grubby and the staff do not smile 24 hours a day it is no big deal. although the toilets are a death trap, ouch
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Mr/Ms Anonymous - with regards to your comment that your staff have the right to ID whoever they want as many times as they want - this is indeed true, but it also shows a lack of respect and due attention when I get ID'd several times in one night by the same person. Also, funny that I never got ID'd at 16 yet I do so repeatedly at 21. I feel no need to write to head office with a letter of complaint. I merely take my custom to the Walnut Tree where the friendly and polite staff seem to appreciate my custom.
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Cheap, excellent beer and sky sports (thought this was banned from Wetherspoons pubs). Better than average.
drbee - 24 Aug 2006 10:55 |
Well, after reading the comments I must break the mould and say it was probably one of the best Wetherspoons I have ever been too. Though that isn't saying much, they are usually pretty bland.
Service was good, even though busy. Garden is quite pleasant and the interior just feels a bit more roomy than usual.
Maybe I was there on a good day? Maybe I drank too many Kozels - who knows....
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Hello Mr/Ms Anonymous. Since you picked up on one of my comments, OK, mega-decibels a slight exageration but nevertheless very loud if you're at table 55 and there's nowhere to move to. As stated, on that occasion there was no indentifiable management to be found, and the litter and broken glass was outside by the steps so I wouldn't expect your cleaners to deal with it. Didn't look too good to the casual passer-by though. Overall I would agree that the place has indeed improved apart from the usual Wetherspoon thing of having insufficient staff manning the bar most of the time.
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Often overrun by too many youngsters but the booze is cheap cos it's a Spoons. it has still retained a lot of the nice old decor, including the massive monster chair. Gets very busy in the evenings.
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Not too bad today servicewise. Amazingly, the radiators in the gents were on full blast although it was 20�+ outside, it appears that they have to be on to get hot water [allegedly]
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Always pathetically bad service but on last vist waited half an hour for service and when raised an objection was sworn at and insulted by two staff members. When I was served (10 minutes later) they had run out of Fosters and served a JD and coke with no ice in a glass that was still actually hot from the washer. Indescribably poor pub - is it run by children? These people haven't got the faintest inkling of a clue.
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cheap and bound to know people there. not enough bar staff but close to o'neills so does well for a pre-party drink! near mcdonalds too, always necessary.
anonymous - 30 Mar 2006 14:28 |
Downgrading for 6 to 4. Really depressing. Looks a bit dirty. One of the managers is very unpleasent. TV screens everywhere are hideous. My first regular pub, now longer worth visiting.
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Going downhill fast, visited today, last night's litter and junk everywhere outside, including the front steps. Front door that doesn't close properly still unrepaired from earlier in the week, children running and crawling around the non-family area endagering customers, TV showing rugby with sound turned up to mega-decibels, unwilling to serve one of our number with tea owing to lack of clean cups, and the final insult, a scallie attempting to sell spirits round the tables no doubt newly stolen from a local outlet. No sign of any management anywhere, place a total craphole. Shame, even makes the Walnut Tree seem good.
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I think you will find there is more than one plasma screen.
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Oh dear, a TV screen has just been installed. One of the joys of visiting the George was the fact there was nothing of this kind here. The Duke of Edinburgh has been ruined by this and it seems the George is going the same way. Sorry, must downgrade my rating.
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Many fond memories of this place, only slightly soured. D�cor is awesome, inside and out - check out the huge dragon protruding from the ceiling. Full of characters during the day. Guinness is good. Kozel the nicest lager (�1.79 500ml) but make sure they've actually chilled it. Avoid the place on friday nights. It was the pub of my youth but Fridays are now even busier and even rowdier than they were back then. Furthermore, the staff are constantly bothering anyone who looks under 45 for ID, which is irritating when it happens three times in a night.
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Having failed to sample any festival ales in Hamilton Hall at Liverpool Street station I tried here. Being a Monday night not too busy, and a reasonable selection of beers available, what I tried was fine. This being the Wetherspoon I normally use I know better than to be here on a weekend evening when it's packed solid with youth. No problem with that, just too many of them! Suffers from the usual JDW 'not enough staff' problem but those they have are friendly and when I've eaten here everything's been quite OK. Definitely the best pub on Wanstead High Street.
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Large, clean and well organised Wetherspoon. The upstairs provides a light and pleasant environment for a cheap and tasty meal. Sometimes understaffed so patience needed at the bar.
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Good pub, although the food and service can be variable. Nice, spacious venue - a good meeting place. Wish they'd throw the kids out, though.
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A Wetherspoon conversion of a former historic hotel. On two floors the interior is as pleasing as the exterior. Typical Wetherspoon, good real ale, ok food, no music, no pool and no Sky! Great.
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We've been in The George a few times and it's OK. Staff are good and the food's fine. We're locals to Wanstead.
John & Fiona - 2 Oct 2004 12:45 |
Good range of Real Ales, if they are on. Bit noisey when the kids are in!
Kernow - 30 Sep 2004 23:50 |
Great place to meet up with anyone and everyone who is 18-25! Good price, good atmosphere, can do with a little background music maybe and more bar staff but great social pub for younger drinkers!
Emily - 10 Sep 2004 16:24 |
it's cheap, it's friendly, it's big and next to a tube station and bus stops, friendly people.great. thumps up
zelie - 13 Jun 2004 20:59 |
Perhaps the beat pub in town. The staff are a great laugh, but the regulars tend to be a tad, well local. Great beer garden.
Ryan Stock-O'Connor - 7 Jun 2004 12:58 |
Just been refurbished. Still a lovely little local with the best quality beer in Wanstead.
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beautiful, big, busy, old boozer with Boddingtons to boot! Just like pubs used to be now. The yanks would love it and so would I if I could ever get served.
Paul Clarke - 12 Feb 2004 17:43 |
A massive pub, cheap as with all Wetherspoons. The bar is very small for that size pub, the one upstairs is rarely open. It's a nice community pub though with all sorts in there. It is where everyone goes so it can't be dismissed, and it is extremely cheap. Staff keep to themselves although they're a nice lot really.
Jaris - 7 Dec 2003 10:15 |
Great pub. Always busy and very cheap beer. It attract all sorts from students to old boys. A real community pub
Paul - 29 Nov 2003 18:37 |
Too big a pub, too small a bar. Don't go in there for a siwft one it won't be, and don't be surprised to find the most miserable staff this side of death row's house bar.
Peter Collins - 27 Aug 2003 16:18 |
This is a nice Whetherspoons pub. Needless to say drinks are cheap and the drunks are cheerful. Good on a Friday or Saturday but can be a refreshing change to visit on Mondays. Ridiculously cheap and you won't leave walking.
Chris Aristides - 8 Aug 2003 01:21 |
This one's at the end of my road so needless to say I'm in there occasionally. One of the best Wetherspoons I know. Drink the Kozel - great beer from beautiful Prague.
Pie Face - 18 Jul 2003 14:17 |
I go quite regulaly cause it's really close to were i live.
Good beer, you never come out of there sober on a friday or saturday night. Good social place to go with a few or lots of friends, especially if you going out after closing it's a good place to start.
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great pub spent the whole evening in here canoodling with my boyfriend and no one caused us any grief a very refreshing change for east london.Good beer and cheap food definetley re visit soon
Jason Butcher - 7 May 2003 13:01 |
A large 2 level weatherspoons which is packed on Friday/saturday night with a good atmosphere and caters for all ages. Also contains beer garden with heaters. Great place to start a night as it's on the central line.
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