A Selection of Wigan Hostelries...

[standishbluebird]

Evening. I am a Barrow exile living on the edge of Greater Manchester, in the Borough of Wigan (albeit not in the town itself) and I thought some of you fine folk might appreciate a run-down of a few town centre hostelries in which you can refresh yourselves pre and/or post match...

THE SWAN AND RAILWAY
Right opposite Wigan North Western station (if you're coming by train, or even if you're not). It's a CAMRA pub (and in this year's Good Beer Guide I believe) so you'll get a good pint in there. It does Pieminister pies too, which are rather good.

JOHN BULL CHOP HOUSE
About 5 mins walk into town is this 500 year old boozer. Always got good beers on, and has a cracking jukebox. Worth a look in the evening too if anyone's around (good atmosphere and never any bother) and has a green outside, although that's perhaps not so attractive in December.

GRAND CENTRAL
Couple of mins from the station (towards the ground) is this nice bar beneath the railway arches. Has a station theme, good beers on, and the seats out front are always busy (suspect this is somewhere both sets of fans will end up).

WIGAN BREWHOUSE TAPROOM
Never been in here but they do some excellent beers which regularly grace my local. Worth popping in to sample some local produce. Open 1-8pm by the looks of it.

THE RAVEN
Another old pub on the main drag. Worth a look.

NEARER THE GROUND
There aren't many proper pubs down there really (the ones above are probably 25-30 mins walk away). There is a place called 'FEAST AT THE MILLS' which is kind of half way between town and the ground which, apparently (not been in) does decent food and decent beer.

A WORD ON PIES...
Of course, it's a myth that the Wigan pie thing has anything at all to do with everyone's favourite meaty, pastry-clad comestibles (it's all to do with the 1925 Miners' Strike, - we don't need to get into that) but the 'Wigan Kebab' is maybe worth sampling for those who don't mind their cholesterol taking a hit. It's basically a pie in what the locals call a 'barm'. It'll certainly soak the ale up if nowt else!

ONES THE AVOID
There are a few pubs around these others which might be best left. These include 'The George', 'The Dog and Partridge' and 'Harry's Bar'.

Hope you all have a splendid trip down and a top day out, and fingers crossed for the upset and a place in the third round.
Up the Bluebirds.

[AugustusCorpa]

Red Robin? Next to the away supporters car park.

[blumooncrab]

Good man yerself !

[HenneysKnee]

Red Robin? Next to the away supporters car park.

It’s a carvery spot is that

[standishbluebird]

Red Robin? Next to the away supporters car park.

Yeah, the 'Red Robin' is down that way, but it's very much a faceless chain pub (basically like 'The 'Berry', but in Wigan). It's Greene King so decent - and you will get some food in there - but there are much better places doing much better beer for those who fancy seeing a bit more of the town.

[AugustusCorpa]

Red Robin? Next to the away supporters car park.

Yeah, the 'Red Robin' is down that way, but it's very much a faceless chain pub (basically like 'The 'Berry', but in Wigan). It's Greene King so decent - and you will get some food in there - but there are much better places doing much better beer for those who fancy seeing a bit more of the town.

Thanks

[Tallow]

As a regular visitor to Wigan, the ones to avoid on this list/thread are actually decent pubs and craic.
Anyone venture into them today?

[Windy Pete]

Grand Central 10/10 from me

[Bigfathoss]

The club let themselves down on this front. Issuing a great advance notice of The Cowperthwaite Arms and then completely abandoning it. We got there just before 12:30. Two young barlads didn't have any idea of what was supposed to be happening. I think it was one lad's first shift. Nobody knew about a big screen for the footy. Nobody knew about any food being available. I ended up.phoning the club from the room and THEN they sent someone to set up a big screen that seemed to take forever so there was only 25 minutes of the match left by the time they got a picture up and then they played Xmas tunes rather than stick the commentary on.
The receptionist lady I spoke to said there would be hot dogs showing up. Didn't happen.
Very poor from the club.

[DA52]

The Trust buses stopped at Chorley FC, where we were truly entertained with good ale, music run by a DJ, multiple TV’s and some games outside for the kids. This was in their large club room, where they entertain away teams supporters whose Clubs are playing nearby. We were joined by Wrexham supporters who were at Preston. Great atmosphere.
Just made me think what we could have done if we still had the old Bluebird Club. Miss that place.