The William Stead - JD Wetherspoon Pub in Darlington

8 Crown St, Darlington DL1 1LU

About This Pub

Ah, The William Stead is one of those reliable Wetherspoon spots that always pops up when you're after a no-fuss pint without breaking the bank. From what I've gathered from chats with others, it's spot on for affordable drinks – imagine getting a decent ale for less than you'd pay elsewhere, which really makes it a winner for a casual catch-up. The atmosphere is another highlight; it's got this bright, welcoming feel with stylish touches like mirrors and bookshelves that make it more inviting than your average pub. Staff often get a thumbs-up for being friendly and on the ball, which can turn a simple visit into a proper enjoyable evening. On the downside, though, it's not perfect – some have mentioned hassles with service, like having to traipse downstairs to order because no one's about, or dealing with a packed bar that slows things down. And let's not sugarcoat the food; a few stories of underwhelming meals, such as wraps that are more bread than filling, suggest it's best to keep expectations in check there. All in all, if you're up for good value and a relaxed spot to chat over a drink, it's definitely worth popping in, but maybe plan around the busier times to avoid any frustrations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The drinks are an absolute bargain, like snagging a pint for under £2, which is brilliant for keeping the night affordable.
Staff are often friendly and attentive, making you feel right at home with their helpful manner and quick service.
The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with a bright interior, stylish lighting, and fun features like bookshelves that add a nice touch.

Cons

Service can be a bit patchy at times, such as when there's no one around to help upstairs or the bar gets too crowded.
Food might not always hit the mark, with some meals turning out skimpy or overcooked, leaving you a tad disappointed.
It can feel inconsistent overall, where one visit might be buzzing and the next a bit of a struggle with waits or availability.

Contact Information

8 Crown St, Darlington DL1 1LU

+441325341440

Pub

Closed

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 00:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 00:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 00:00
Thursday (Today)	08:00 - 00:00
Friday	08:00 - 01:00
Saturday	08:00 - 01:00
Sunday	08:00 - 00:00

Location

Recent Reviews

Not too bad for a Wetherspoon pub. Quiet for a Saturday night and ale was £1.99 a pint. Weird because the Spoons 5 minutes away was £2.78 but full of people. I may return if I'm ever in the area again.

Chris Thornton

What can you say about this Witherspoon. Great atmosphere, very friendly people. Beers variety is not bad. Good and quick service and very pleasant staff who always ready to help. Food was good too. We friends ordered veggie, roasted chicken, curry and steak. Made some friends and memories. Thanks Daarlington

win task

Called in for a pre theatre meal on a Wednesday evening. Went upstairs and sat at a table to be told that there was no one serving behind the bar and I would have to order at the bar downstairs. Went downstairs to order at the bar to find only one person serving a very full bar area. Gave up in the end and went elsewhere. Its all well and good refurbishing this place but if there is no staff to serve you what's the point?

Plain John Smith

This was a fantastic pub for drinking, with a bright interior incorporating stylish lighting and mirrors! The bookshelves on the walls are a good feature, counter is well-presented too while staff were friendly and attentive. I had a fresh pint of Kopparberg, sitting comfortable at circular seating!

K. Peake

I decided to take the family for a light lunch as a regular customer, however today’s experience wasn’t great. We decided to go for the 10 inch wrap option which turned out to be a disaster. The contents within the wrap were non existent, over done chips and hardly any chicken or dressing. Staff require better training, one particular individual vanished when challenged about the quality of the food and service. I did get a refund for the food only, but never got offered a replacement or a full refund for all the meals due to the quality of service. Observe the pictures and judge for yourself. 🤔😕 This needs to improve in my opinion as the town is now becoming a hotspot for dining and has a buzz. Merry Christmas Wetherspoons 🌲🎅🍺

William