The Willow Grove

Typical wetherspoons pub, totally lacking soul & full of drunk old men drinking cheap beer!!!
On our visit to lovely Southport we came across this place (it looked ok from the outside). Instead inside it was absolutely chocker with drunk old men.
Place is pretty big inside with large bar at far end, but not enough staff.
Staff we’re friendly even though they were under pressure and did a great job getting through the masses.
The bar it’s self was clean enough although you had go upstairs for the toilets we’re there was more seats.
Nice to sit outside on the tables.
Will probably go back though so better review at a later date.

The willow Grove is a wetherspoons. I think we all know what that means! We only had a drink but the staff were very friendly. The layout is good and the pub is spacious. If you need to duck in somewhere just off the promenade, this should do you fine

the atmosphere was good, the pub was clean, staff were polite, although the portion size is good value for money the tennessee burger was soggy and tasteless the onion rings were overcooked.

Most pubs in the Wetherspoons chain are pretty similar (unless they’re in a converted building) and the Willow Grove is just your standard outlet.
But I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. As someone that drinks what my friends would call ‘posh’ beers Wetherspoons has come on leaps and bounds.
On this visit the real ale festival was on so there was plenty of choice (about 10 hand pumps — not all of them on) and across the chain they’ve also starting stocking more world and craft beer — my beloved Erdinger included!
As it’s Lloyds rather than Wetherspoons it does get quite lively at night with a DJ and groups but it’s huge (set over two floors) so it never feels too chaotic.
One negative aspect however of the size– toilets upstairs and miles away!
I’ve never eaten at this one but I imagine it’s the same as others ones I’ve been too — alright for the price.
Overall, it’s familiar. Same drinks and food as across the chain and fairly decent prices.

I always call in here If I’m in town, great offers, quick service and good atmos.

The Willow Grove, contrary to what its name might suggest, is not a lovely, organic place filled with pleasant trees and nature that surrounds all that are there.
It is instead a popular pub/​bar on Southport’s busy Lord Street that is part of the Wetherspoons/Lloyd’s Bar franchise.
As you’d expect with such bars, their prices aren’t the cheapest when it comes to drinks during the weekend but during the week there are some decent deals on and the beers and spirits they do have can be quite interesting and unusual sometimes.
Despite their prices, The Willow Grove is still a place that my friends and I frequent regularly when we go out of a Thursday night in Southport as the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed in there and it is usually fairly busy with a youthful crowd. We only ever go there for a drink or two before moving elsewhere and I wouldn’t spend a whole night there, but The Willow Grove does its job of being a place for us all to meet up and begin the night’s festivities.
The food there is decent enough as you’d expect and it’s a nice place for a daytime drink but I would avoid it on Friday and Saturday nights as it gets rather too busy for me then.

During my recent visit to Southport, The Willow Grove was a random port of call for my breakfast as it happened to be on the road which leads directly up to the Pier. It is also located approximately half way up Southport’s main shopping Boulevard making it a welcome restbite.
Being another one of Wetherspoons branches, I was not expecting much different to the usual for breakfast. The obvious difference was that the breakfast was a little cheaper than in Liverpool city centre’s branches. As for the service, it was fine and my plate was served within minutes of ordering. Food was hot and well-​cooked with no burnt parts (usually my nightmare) so this was a relief!
The décor was average and the lighting was dim, giving it a cosy feel. The atmopshere wasn’t anything special but not a big issue for me. More importantly, the food and service was above satisfactory.
If you’re not one for breakfast, there is also a small variety of exotic meals, such as sweet chilli noodles and Morrocan meatballs which may take your fancy. Not to forget, they also serve up traditional English dishes such as pies and roasts which come at affordable prices.
All in all, this is a decent gastropub and there’s no reason why I wouldn’t recommend it to others.