Glass Works, London

NOTE - This pub (lease) was put up for sale by Wetherspoons, as the pub closed in August 2016, we must assume the disposal did not proceed.

Brand new Wetherspoon 'Lloyds No 1 Bar' opened late July 2002 on first floor of new 'Ni Centre', a leisure and shopping complex which also includes cinemas and a relocated Marquee Club. It is reached from a balcony accessed by stairs or lift from the ground floor/foyer. A grey steel entrance porch flanked by bouncers leads into a rather uninviting large bar area with blue neon lighting, black ceiling and mock steel furniture offset by sofas, a mock stone fireplace, red/blue fussy carpets and brown panelled walls. Loud, thumping 'music and plasma video screens permeate every corner, discouraging conversation. No smoking/eating area to side where children (hopefully with earplugs) accompanied by adults can sit, provided they eat, up to 6pm. A history panel indicates that the bar takes its name from one of the trades carried out on the site of the Ni centre in the nineteenth century. Disabled WC. Food (including 2 for 1 offers). Opens 9am (for breakfast) -2am Mon-Sat, 12-12 midnight Sun. Clearly aimed specifically at younger drinkers, it is almost indistinguishable from the plethora of other 'circuit' bars and has a slightly menacing edge (at least in the evenings) generally absent from other Wetherspoons pubs. Thankfully real ale is on offer, unlike many bars of its type, and is good value, but why oh why has Wetherspoon gone down this path when its unique formula of catering to a broad section of the community in a music-free environment has proved so successful?