The Angel - JD Wetherspoon

Apr 26th, 2023

Apr 25th, 2023

Apr 25th, 2023

Never disapoints
Apr 22nd, 2023

The Angel, Basingstoke (formerly Lloyds No.1), is the larger of two Wetherspoon's pubs in the town, being a new-build in the restaurant sector of Festival Place, opposite the Vue cinema. Handy for shoppers, it would seem to have everything in its favour for those wishing to partake of low-cost drinks and basic good-value pub food. The drinks range is wide with a good selection of (mostly) well-kept traditional draught beers and a larger selection of other beers, spirits and wines than any other Basingstoke hostelry. The Angel is a one-bar outlet and is often very busy. Therein lies a problem: it is, by-and-large, not a pub to choose for a quiet drink - the ambient noise level can get quite high. For a bit of quiet relief, there are paved outside drinking areas, but the larger east-facing part is uncovered and in inclement weather is only a viable option for smokers or those who don't mind getting wet! An on-going problem, in my opinion, is that the pub suffers from 'Unruly Child Syndrome' which is a feature of an increasing number of pubs nowadays and, sadly, Wetherspoon's is right up there at the top. It only takes one 'little angel' to cause mayhem and intense annoyance by tearing around the place, screaming at high volume, and bumping into customers and staff who may be carrying drinks or food. Wetherspoon's should enforce a policy that children should be under parental control at all times. Too many parents treat the pub as a crche allowing their offspring to behave in a way they probably would not tolerate were they at home.
Apr 22nd, 2023