There's a lot of snobbery about Wetherspoon's pubs, but I have to say that people should check out the one in Chorlton before turning their noses up at it. Yes, its low prices tend to attract a small contingent of the barfly 'eccentrics' you'd expect where the prices are less than £2 a pint, but to be fair, I've seen those types just about everywhere, including the über-trendy bars. Actually what always surprises me is the big mix of social types who frequent the Sedge. In addition to the harmless (and often entertaining) old soak characters who seem part of the fabric of the building, there's a wide cross-section of society, from twenty-something students, through young to middle-aged professionals, to the CAMRA members, taking advantage of the massive and ever-changing selection of guest ales and ciders. Personally I love finding a place which sells proper Herefordshire and West Country still cider, as I'm so fed up of that cheap girly imitation which most other places flog in place of the real thing. Cider should NOT be fizzy, and you NEVER put ice in it!
Another draw of the Sedge is its history and architecture. A beautiful example of an Art Deco billiards hall, it's steeped in the atmosphere of a more elegant bygone era, when even the most utilitarian of buildings were designed to look beautiful. In converting the premises, Wetherspoons have tried to faithfully recreate the look and feel of the old hall, and large sepia prints of Victorian and Edwardian Chorlton scenes, hung on the walls, add to the sense of nostalgia throughout. Admittedly, many of the current features are reproductions, but they are tastefully rendered, with the stained glass windows being my favourite. I also love the old clock above the bar. I don't know whether that's original or not.
The food in The Sedge Lynn is standard Wetherspoons pub fayre: OK, non-fancy meals, for ridiculously low prices. There are also quite a number of 'healthy' and vegetarian options on offer, it's not all just fry-ups. I think it's fair to say that there's nothing innovative or impressive for the gourmet, but if you're hungry for a pleasant enough beer and a burger, or re-heated curry, this place will do just fine.
Another draw of the Sedge is the fact that there's no background music, live entertainment or big screen sports. Don't get me wrong, I love live music, and go to a lot of gigs, but when I go out specifically to socialise with friends, I like to be able to actually hear conversations with them, rather than being compelled to just sit and nod pleasantly across a table at my companions because I have no idea what they're saying. That's not to say that the Sedge is quiet it's always packed, and resounds to its cavern-like, wood beamed, arched roof with the voices and laughter of people enjoying a pint and a good talk, but you can hear and be heard above the banter, which can't be said of many bars on a Saturday night.
There's a surprisingly good range of wines and spirits on offer, which isn't what you'd expect from what is arguably a no-frills chain. There are lots of familiar, good quality wines for example, such as Fetzer, Hardy's and Jacob's Creek, and, as previously mentioned, the range of real ales and ciders is impressive. The staff are sometimes to be seen making up pitchers of vivid-coloured cocktails too, but these seem to be largely for the occasional consumption of what look like hen night or office party groups.
In terms of surroundings and atmosphere, you're more likely to see a backgammon board or game of dominoes on the tables than the latest smart phones. It may not appeal to a trendier crowd. There's no eclectic décor, not a trace of quirky artwork, and there's no pounding disco to attract the 'yoof' either, so the appeal of the Sedge is more to a quieter, more mature crowd, who like their ale real, their bar tab refreshingly miniscule, and their pretension left at the pretty portico doorway. read more