The Water House in County Durham

Went for a drink with friends. Good atmosphere, good music.

Used to be spoons, its still the same but more manky, awful place, young barmaid was sooo miserable no hi or hello didn't crack a smile total misery, never again

Great live music and cheap beer 🍺

Plenty of bar staff, but it took ages to get served, as they were just serving anyone, and not the ones who had been waiting longest. Music was overly loud, and you couldn't have a conversation unless you were shouting at each other. It wasn't great as a Wetherspoons, before it closed, and it's gone down hill since.

Doesn't do food anymore. Really friendly staff. Cheap enough prices. Dj on Saturday nights. Quiz nights woth interesting questions on Thursdays. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Got blamed for something I didn't do off the doorman had to move away from mates so I wouldn't go here

It must be the dirtiest pub in County Durham. Beer was flat .tables needed cleaning. And the barstaff need to learnhow to smile

This pub has recently changed hands so it has a new owner and new staff which were only to happy to please the beer was excellent and the barmaid was bright and cheerful who could ask for more

Pubs OK but it stinks of pish at the back near the bar 🤢glad to get out in the fresh air 😵

Toilets absolutely stink ov urine .staff seem grumpy and some ov the locals are so loud i got a bad head ..pint was ok but thats about it .this pub lets amber taverns down massively

Toilets were absolutely disgusting. The smell emanating from the gents' was vile. This place needs cleaning and updating. It was empty until around 10.30 when a load of irritating yahoo students arrived. Whilst the drinks were cheap and the staff did try to deal with customers quickly I doubt I'll be popping in any time soon.

Good selection of beers and ales

Have a policy of disposable plastic cups only for young people

old timey bar for adults only no crying kids no food and they have dominos and no woke aloud. bear was cheep as well, ill defo be back wish i was a local.

Cheap afternoon drink don't do food a snack would have been nice

Best place to drop into for a drink while waiting for the late bus home.

Went in and my partner wanted to use the toilet first. I immediately got approached by a rude woman within seconds questioning what I was doing I said I’m waiting for my partner and she had a sense of hostility toward me saying ‘right, ok’ as if she wasn’t understanding what I just said then goes to the bar gets a piece of paper starts scribbling TOILETS FOR CUSTOMERS ONLY’ whilst bitching to her colleague and sticks it on the door before my partner had even finished with the toilet I immediately walked out because how rude? Silly woman could’ve said something to me, there’s ways and means of saying things and her customer service was just not good whatsoever. It’s a human right to use a toilet also, mrs. entitled. It didn’t affect you my partner going to the toilet, maybe if you were warm and welcoming we’d have thought about coming back but I wouldn’t feel welcome, thanks for your lovely service.

BASICALLY A STUDENTS PUB & TOILETS ABSOLUTELY MINGING WORSE THAN WHEN IT WAS WEATHERSPOONS 🤢

Not an inclusive place. There was a big woman on the door without an SIA licence who told me I wasn't dressed well enough to be allowed in. I'm a former model and was dressed much better than her and this was 5pm on a Saturday afternoon. She sure showed the bouncer stood next to her who was boss. The clothes I had on cost over £500. She seemed to be waring a primark skirt, tights and blowse with slippers on her feet. I'm suprised I was refused entry as last time I was in there I was having a meeting with the boss of a well known venue in Durham city center and was treat like a VIP. I guess she didn't recognise me without my suit on. If you go to this place be prepared to be judged and embarrassed at the staffs descretion.

A cafe would have been nice while waiting for your bus

Didn't have food , Guinness was v good as was the price . I'll visit again .

Busy early evening. Food not quite up to scratch at that time. Free water on the bar. £ This is now an Amber Taverns pub and no longer a wetherspoons. Haven't been in since the changeover so previous comments do not apply. The website says its good for sports fans.

Feels like the wetherspoons that was here prior, lovely atmosphere and cheap drinks, always sports on the TVs.

Pleasant atmosphere, quick service, decent Guinness.

It's a wetherspoons so you know what you're getting. Thoroughly heaving on the weekend but a good noisy atmosphere if you like that. Fast drinks delivery from ordering.

This is a former Wetherspoons. It's their loss. Pub was busy Friday and Saturday nights and happy helpful staff, big screens showing different sports.

Went in here once waiting for my bus. It's really handy being right next to the main bus station. There was no price list up, bought a shot for over £3, think it was £3.40. Toilets were shocking, only one urinal and one cubical with broken lock, maybe there's another loo elsewhere. Used to be Wetherspoons and was always busy. It seems to be picking up now (October '23). Lots of big screens playing sports. Pool tables, lots of space. Would consider going back briefly as part of a pub crawl but not to stay.

The Waterhouse in Durham. It was my first time in the pub and I was well impressed with the atmosphere. I would recommend anyone who is out for a good night out in Durham to go their. I'm adding two photos to my review so you all can find the place. Unfortunately this pub is now closed.

Excellent range of beers on draft, plenty of staff do not much queueing and they all very friendly. Well done to all the team!

Great place and friendly staff and great prices 😎⚫⚪⚫⚪

No longer the water house Don't do food

Far better experience and atmosphere than when it was a Wetherspoons. Very clean.

Not worth visiting, not particularly friendly. Staff ignore you and prefer to serve their mates, manageress can't be bothered and spends most time farting about with her mates.

*Review from 2016, edited to add photos bc this is still the greatest place I ate in all the UK* I ended up here by chance because I wandered over to William Hedley down the street, and they quit serving food at 5pm lol what ? So I came out looking discouraged, and a random local guy came up to me and said follow me, I know a place with similar food that is amazing, and he walked me to Waterhouse. It was a Sunday and I had something that's a special on Sunday called "Lentil Roast" - basically a vegetarian meatloaf and it was literally the best thing I have ever eaten. I have to say my opinion of the food in the UK was not that high (Americans, right ? Lol) but this lentil roast.. it blew me away. we have nothing like that in the US (I can't even find someone who has heard of it) and I have been trying to recreate the recipe for months! I found it pretty cheap and the staff was absolutely wonderful. you cant get service like this in the US!! Being an American I left a huge tip, and they ran after me saying I wasn't allowed to tip them.( I don't understand this at all lol) I really wanted to! I don't know if they still serve it, but the meal was called "Lentil Roast Sunday Club Meal" with red pepper/carrot/mushroom/Pumpkin Seeds. It had cheese on top, but you could probably omit that if vegan. They were VERY accomodating. The actual CHEF (not a waiter) even ran out and told me I couldnt have the specific dressing I asked for on my salad because it had fish in it and I had said I was vegetarian! I was very grateful for that! Again, that kind of service and level of caring is so rare!!

Doesn't serve food anymore but it is a great place to go to relax and have a calm but fun atmosphere with lovely chatty staff

Enjoy the new Waterhouse, updated renovations, games room, cleaner looking atmosphere and best of all, friendly staff, 3 stars, just awaiting on the place to serve food,ì even new types of drinks would make for an excellent venue, whether with friends or solo. As for 3 stars, they need to show prices, £2.70 for a pint of Carling, downside was having to ask the staff for prices, not exactly the best for service, that's not how to run an honest business, most times when not marking up the prices, customers can easily refuse service and can be quite costly for the business, as the customer refuses a price for the drink being poured, it's going to end up wasted. Just some helpful tips for any staff members or anyone else reading this review!

Lovely pub, good food and cheap 🍺, plus its next to the bus stops.

Nice place if you want to chat and have cheap drinks

We loved this bar but it has closed and going to reopen 4 months time and it will be a Amber Taverns

Cheap drinks ideal if you want to chat

while this weatherspoon's pub is now closed so it really seems wrong to comment but it always Need it a good brighten up and refurb.

It's a spoons. What more can you say.

Some of the nicest staff you'd get in a spoons. Genuinely nice people.

Its a Spoons, you know what you get. Good food good service

Cheap breakfast cooked here and their capuccino is the best nationwide and comes with free refills. There is top WiFi and plugs to charge your phone. Ales are well kept.

The place to start in Durham, good choice at nice prices

Nice place to have a drink, good atmosphere

Incredibly good value for money and the cheap beer was very good.

Hmm definitely not the best spoons. No pancakes. Cold poached eggs. And just generally a cold breakfast.

went in dis pub for food and I got a burger with chips and a Pepsi max cherry with ice and a straw an

I went to this pub for a drink during a visit to Durham. It is table service only at present. There was a good selection of drinks at reasonable prices, recommended.

It’s a pleasant pub with a bit of character. Standard Wetherspoons concept with good prices. The pub is well managed - you can’t get in without registering for Test & Trace, tables are kept clean and staff are very attentive.

Nice pub and lovely meal. Can't fault wetherspoons for good meals. Served by friendly cheerful staff.

Was here for my friends Hen do for a few in January. Was busy but wasn't waiting too long none the less. Toilets could have done with some attention from staff but everyone that worked there was run off their feet so I could understand why it hadnt been done. Would return next time I'm over from Northern Ireland

Called in today for lunch. First impressions not that great a pile of rubbish bags and empty wine bottles left in front of the building along with a pavement covered in discarded cigarette butts.Once inside not too bad service at the bar was swift. Food delivered in roughly 10 minutes burger was over cooked and chips tasted reheated.Table was sticky with discarded chewing gum stuck underneath. Toilets missing an internal door and mould growing on the grout underneath the hand dryers.

My partner & I stopped for a late breakfast. In front of the bar was a group of middle aged men talking, & swearing at the top of their voices.I complained to the barmaid and she said that she had told them & also the manager but it didn't seem much difference. I thought that Wetherspoons were stopping all that.

Went to the Waterhouse for a drink and decided to eat.Drinks were great value and the food tasty and well priced,

Straight opposite the bus station so it always ends up being the first port of call/meeting place.Standard Spoons beers and prices, didn't eat on this occasion but have previously. Would have scored higher had it not been for the gents toilets as they stank of urine and are in desperate need of a deep clean.Will we return, yes next time we visit Durham.

Cheap beer, always busy but the clientele is normally a little worse for wear, getting up the stairs into the entrance is like challenge Aneka to avoid the cigarette smoke, ok for a quick drink whilst waiting for a lift but wouldn’t spend too much time there or order food!

Typical Wetherspoons pub, very spacious and well staffed an managed. Not much else to say but it is a canny pub with.

My wife and I called in for a lunchtime snack of loaded chips which we shared over a pint of real ale. The beer was very good and the chips were very hot and very tasty. All in all it was a very nice visit!

Went to the bar and bar staff saw I was waiting to be served, eventually a bar staff approached me and stated that I should stand near the tills if I wanted to be served, I asked him why and he replied that that bar staff don’t walk to the side of tills, you have to walk to the centre of the bar and catch their attention!! So I asked if he would serve me, he said ok but next time come to the centre of the bar. Won’t be coming here again parting with my hard earned cash, I also asked that gin they had I was told ‘too many to mention and then he walked away’ I realised the duty manager was to the side I spoke to him but he was on his phone texting. No good!!

I’ve been here few times, tended to avoid on evening weekends as have heard can have rough crowd. I usually go for drink or two or something eat as food, for what you get, is one best prices around town. I ordered some lunch and coffee went to order an item I missed off meal leaving my coffee on table. Came back 2 mins later to find a group of 5 had took chairs from table and crowded round one opposite. Clearly someone just left this full cup of coffee. Couldn’t be bothered with fuss so grabbed chair and sat on opposite side of table as had food ordered to that table. A few mins later guy starts shouting and arguing and slaps his gf. Everyone around told him to be quiet or get out. Then, massive respect to the bar server who dealt with it, she came down told them they had to leave and took jug of drink off them. He tried to get it back but she refused. Totally professional and dealt with it before it escalated and got them out Pub so well done to her. Overall ok pub, has decent different ales on each month and cheap prices and ordering on app for food or drinks they’re quick as anything. So overall I rate 5 stars as only thing let’s it down is some of punters it gets but that’s not really bar staff or managements fault so all in all an excellent low cost Spoons pub close to bus station and train station for people waiting to travel somewhere and from what I’ve seen, great staff.

Not a bad bar, all the good points of a Wetherspoons, ie choice of food and drinks and value for money.

Seemed a bit cramped and poorly lit. Also the hard surfaces made the hen party at the next table sound really loud which didn’t help my friend with his hearing aids.

There are two Wetherspoons in Durham. In my opinion this is the better of the two. The other one (the Bishops Mill) was a little too lively for us. The Water House was a very cosy pleasant place, peaceful until a group of student from a nearby "end of exams" event decided to drop in. Food and drink was fine, as expected from a Wetherspoons

Wetherspoons with standard food and cheap drinks, but close to Bus Station and interior getting a bit faded. Handy for City-goers and students. Go for tables further back inside

The pub is big as with all Wetherspoons very corporately decorated. They try to get an authentic feel of the locale but miss by a mile.

Pleasant enough visit to the Water House typical and standard JDW fayre and beer selection. Pleasant staff quick service. Would return again.

We called in for breakfast this morning but had to leave straight away as the whole place stinks of sewage. There's a note on the bar apologising for the smell due to an 'ongoing issue'. You should be closed till the problems fixed! Not serving food & drinks with in the air . Disgusting.

Another Wetherspoons outlet offering great choice and value for money. Significantly better than nearby establishments.

Met some friends here at lunchtime for a quick pint. Never been in before and was pleasantly surprised. It used to be the waterboard offices and then it was a building society. I went in once and it was the usual small room with a counter. I had no idea how big it was. It's pretty big with a downstairs and upstairs. The building society could have opened a decent sized city centre hotel.

Ate here on a Sat lunchtime. Busy, and yet service and food were very good. Would definitely return if again staying in Durham

Wetherspoons is a classic pub chain but the Water House is not one of its finest examples by some stretch.

Nice friendly pub with plenty of staff but in need of some tlc, table & chairs are marked & stained & the ladies have seen better days with damage & graffiti to doors, still a reasonably priced pub being a Wetherspoons, it’s a haunt for many of the older generation or seasoned drinkers that gather in the window seats, but do think twice before eating here!

Three years ago said I would not eat here again, next visit today, what a difference, two mixed grills cooked to perfection, cannot compliment enough, 10/10 congratulations

An older Wetherspoons located in Durham. We visited Durham and popped for a drink.

We regularly visit Durham City and often call in here for a late breakfast / early lunch.

My son had cause to visit.Durham for a hospital appointment, and on our return to the city centre we had intended to enjoy a meal in Yates' as we had .done a week earlier. To our dismay we foundvthebestablishmentbclosed, and guttedbinnreadinessvforbrefurbishment, but that caused us no,problem, because The Water House was just a few yards away, and handily placed for the bus station.

I popped in for a breakfast, pancake with bacon and syrup. The bacon dry and lifeless, syrup too sticky. Not as good as other pubs in the same chain in my opinion. Tables none too clean either.

Me and my friend had recently visited this pub, usually don’t drink at this side of the town, but we decided to pop in for a drink. We were stood at the bar and management seen that we were stood there and then served another two people before us who turned up after us. I’ve worked in bars all my life and I know this is sometimes hard to see who is next, but as there was only me and my friend and another man who was stood drinking at the bar this shouldn’t be happening. Finally we got severed by a young blonde girl, who was miserable, rude and totally unprofessional. As I received my drink there was a fly in the head, clearly from the pump, but she looked at it and still continued to serve me my pint. I took the fly out myself and walked away as I didn’t want to be around the miserable and rude girl. Totally out of order, new staff needed!!

I've been into this Wetherspoons several times, the best you can say is that it is a pretty standard example of the chain, not the best or worst I've experienced.

Average, but swift, service and reasonable prices. Food was pretty decent, and well priced, drinks were ok - just not too exotic or special. What else do you want from a Weatherspoons!?

Ok so it offers great choice of local real ales - and it’s quite possible one of only two or three pubs to do so in the city, but this was a dire experience.

The bar service was sooo slow when ordering, the food wasn't the quickest coming out either. Not really what you want when there's not many people at the bar. Food was ok though.

It was a lovely walk to this place , plenty to look at and very close to the main town centre. It seemed to take a long time to get served at the bar, but when I did get served the bar person was friendly and helpful.

Hi I recently visited the water house with friends. A good selection of real ales were on offer and the pub offers the normal Wetherspoons food .Not the largest of pubs the service is slow and sum of the staff don't seem to know how to pull real ales which makes the bar service even slower. Overall it's not a bad pub and any problems with service could be overcome with more staff still worth a visit for its choice of real ales and reasonable food prices.

Went to bar & ordered food 3 tines to be told they had run out, try to order a curry ran out but they were advertising 3 curries as managers special on the bar, won’t be going again.

Went here on a Hot Sunday afternoon in May, we wanted reasonably priced food and drink, as we had other thing to do that afternoon..

Called in during an afternoon, however it was extremely busy, and seating was at a premium. Eventually found a seat, but the table remained dirty and uncleared from the previous occupants. Very noisy, couldn't attract anyone's attention to clear the table, so had one drink and left.

Called in for a quick drink and a bite while visiting Durham with my wife, usual busy bustling Wetherspoons pub, approx five people waiting to be served by one bar attendant. This sadly is normal for Wetherspoons, what wasn’t normal on this occasion was that two other members of staff were at the end of the bar chatting and playing on there phones, after about a year one of them looked up and saw the queue, put his phone down and sauntered up to begin serving, I was amazed when he finally came to me to see a badge on his shirt that said MANAGER. visit here and see for yourself but only if you have plenty of time.

Rude staff, manageress unapproachable,had no half roast chicken left at 15.45,excuse was freezer was broke but was still advertising promotion,second time this has happenedone, emailed them and still awaiting reply over a week later

The quiet seating area downstairs is a comfortable spot for lunch with friends. The booths are spacious, and you can relax and chat without being overheard.

Ordered 2 Veggie Breakfasts this morning 22/12/2017 and it was horrible. Half of it was cold and the other half was over cooked. Complained and all I got was "We Will pass the comments on to the chief", Will not be eating there again.

On a damp afternoon in Durham I wandered into the Water House as I usually enjoy Wetherspoons. The barman, Jason, was welcoming,, chatty and having banter with a customer as he took my order. I said how good it was to see someone enjoying their job, 'always try to please' he said. My son and I sat down having ordered sausage and mah and a classic hot dog. I always enjoy a pint of Doom Bar and it was at its best, my son had coke and we sat down in a good natured atmosphere, my son fascinated with the North East dialect and the adult's banter (no swearing just quick banter). Our meals were brought by a young man as keen as they come, 'I hope you enjoy your meals' he said 'if you need anything just ask'. Well I loved my tasty sausages and the mash was excellent with a tasty gravy to make this a tasty snack, my son always enjoys his Classic Hot Dog and we enjoyed our hour here greatly. Another Spoons hostelry I would visit again.

The Apple crumble was good the pie and the mash had been over microwaved and the peas were underheated. The standard Weatherspoons menu can be good if properly prepared but it wasn't here. If I ever return it will be for the beer not the food.

Ate here on a very busy Saturday evening to the extent that we had to share a table with another couple, staff were run off their feet but even so didn't have to wait long to get served and order food.

Stopped in last week to get the sandwich and drink deal. I got the grilled chicken and salad. The grilled chicken was so dried out and the end was too cooked to even finish. Then my side salad had no dressing and it took me 20 minutes to get someone to bring me some. We typically go to the other Wetherspoon at Bishops's Mill when we are in town and that location feels much nicer and cleaner.

Although the breakfast wasn't bad the attitude to cleanliness in the restaurant area is off putting. Tables get cleared between customers but are not cleaned. It's a case of finding a table that has the least amount of spillage and checking that the stains on the seats are not still wet. It leads me to wonder what the attitude to cleanliness is in the kitchen. The staff were nice enough and I just found it odd that none of them thought to clean tables between customers. There are other reasonably priced cafés in Durham that serve breakfast. Unless you want alcohol with your food I would suggest using one of those instead.

Every whether spoons offers the same, decent priced food and drinks with a busy atmosphere.