The Wallaw Reviews Summary

Decor and Ambiance

Pros:

• "Very nice decor and very nice staff."
• "This pub now sells pizza which is well worth the money. It is a lovely old cinema which has been converted."
• "Love the way they have repurposed an old cinema, drinks and food very very reasonable."
• "The converted cinema building is spectacular and has been stylishly appointed throughout."
• "I love this place! They have tastefully converted an Art Deco cinema into a nice bar and restaurant and preserved the look and feel of that 1920s grandeur."
• "The building is surprisingly beautiful and they have managed to keep the feel of an old cinema whilst modernising it!"
• "Beautiful place with the huge mirrors above the bar, great place to go for drinks or coffee and to also go for a meal and the prices are cheaper than Newcastle."

Cons:

• "The decor is faded, the upholstery on some of the seats is dirty and worn, and the carpets need cleaning."
• "Nice food and drinks selection.. Was a nice idea to keep a cinema theme to the pub, but the general decor has not been refurbished in a number of years; some of the seating is worn with dirty stains."
• "It's looking a bit rundown at the moment."
• "The building is nice as it's an old cinema but it is quite dark inside."
• "It needs a good refurbishment more security on doors."
• "The place is clean."
• "Nicely presented impressive old cinema conversion, lots of space and sympathetic to the original building."

Food and Drink

Pros:

• "Food is usually ok here and not badly priced."
• "Prices are really reasonable for drinks and food."
• "Good beer and wine at very reasonable prices."
• "The food was nice, made and served relatively quickly."
• "Wetherspoons food is OK but excellent value."
• "Food is always nice, served in record time, never wait more than 20min for food, can't beat the prices."
• "Had a most splendid 14oz steak meal here before heading to the football match. Cooked to perfection and superb value at £7.99 (specials board)."

Cons:

• "Got the lasagne this time though and the portion size was pathetic."
• "Food is typical Spoons fare, unremarkable but adequate and inexpensive."
• "Very disappointing meals. Ordered curry meals. Both were cold."
• "Another rubbish meal. Food is either raw then reheated in the microwave or burned to within an inch of its life."
• "The burger we ate was very 'poor,' comparing the same product in different JD W locations."
• "Food has been going down hill for the last year or so. So much so that value has now gone to a point where food isn’t worth what we’re paying."
• "Steak undercooked sent back not one but twice."

Service and Staff

Pros:

• "Very nice decor and very nice staff."
• "We both ventured here whilst on a break in the area, we found the staff were to be accommodating and pleasant."
• "The staff are very helpful and friendly."
• "All staff work together and constantly check adequate seating is there for you when available."
• "The meals were served quickly with very friendly staff."
• "The staff were knowledgeable about the building, and friendly with it."
• "Great service from lovely staff."

Cons:

• "Glad some of the miserable staff have gone! from about two years ago."
• "Staff in the kitchen not washing their hands."
• "Cold food, no spoons or stirrers for coffee, very very poor service, no checkback on good, plates not cleared, lift not working despite following instructions. DO NOT VISIT!"
• "Whilst we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the building we were not so much with the staff and service."
• "Not all staff are pleasant, ladies were good but a young ginger haired kid was total misery."
• "Staff are not unhelpful but not very friendly either probably because they are busy."
• "Customer service is disgraceful. Partner went to order but the woman was more interested in having a conversation with the regulars."

Atmosphere and Experience

Pros:

• "Great food, great place to meet & chat because you can hear the conversation, no music but does not detract from a great atmosphere."
• "This is fast becoming my office. Lovely place to take clients for coffee. Food is lovely and the atmosphere is calming."
• "Very good value for money will definitely be back."
• "What a building worth a visit just to see how they have maintained to keep this showcase building and managed to turn it into and bar restaurant it is also a very popular spot."
• "Would definitely recommend for visitors and residents alike looking for a quick escape from the pressures of the day."
• "Cheap and cheerful, always busy with a good atmosphere."
• "Fantastic place to go and sit and have a coffee, Especially with the free refills."

Cons:

• "As per usual its freezing in here tonight and its not because of the weather, it's an ongoing problem."
• "No music equals no atmosphere. You can spend millions on revamping a big empty space but it's wasted if there's no atmosphere."
• "Being stuck outside with no heating is NOT GOOD."
• "Visited last night it was so cold it was actually warmer outside."
• "Where this place let's itself down is in atmosphere. There's no atmosphere, or background music."
• "Evening spoiled somewhat by staff rearranging tables around us and not being able to read their own plan resulting in them moving, moving again and then doing it all over again repeatedly - very frustrating."
• "Very big and rather draughty."