Joe Jonas has got fans of Wetherspoons up in arms after revealing he has been to the budget pub chain and didn’t like it one bit.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast on Wednesday, the American singer-songwriter surprised radio hosts Zoe Hardman and Jamie Theakston at first by revealing that he’d even stepped foot inside one of the pub giant’s boozers.
Asked to explain the US chain Waffle Housen to listeners, he then compared it to Wetherspoons or ‘another all-day breakfast restaurant’.
Clearly shocked, Jamie couldn’t believe what he was hearing and said: “I’m going to pull you up there. You’ve never been to a Wetherspoons!” before Zoe asked Joe: “What did you think of it?”
The Jonas Brothers star then pointedly replied: “I have been to Wetherspoons!
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“Um. I liked other places. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be my first go-to.”
The hitmaker had been explaining how, when he and his brothers were first touring, they were too young to go and have a pint after the show so would instead go to a late-night waffle house to talk.
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He said: “For us growing up when we were touring in the States, we were too young to go and have a pint after the show and kick it with our friends.
“So we would go to the only place open late, which was a waffle house, where they serve breakfast items all day and we would sit there and talk.
“It became more of this safe place for us, so there’s other places like that for anyone in the world.”
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It appears that Joe Jonas isn’t the only person who’s off Wetherspoons lately, either, with the boozer recently announcing it was selling up a host of pubs across the UK to cover its losses.
In September last year, the company began listing sites for sale with 32 boozers going up as part of what it described as a “commercial decision”.
This January, it listed even more – with arch-Brexiteer Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin apparently blaming people ‘drinking at home’ for the closures.
After the chain suffered a £30 million pound loss, CEO Tim Martin told PA news agency that people ‘have got into the habit of staying in’ ever since Covid and that that was why sales were down on 2019.
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He also blamed lockdown restrictions brought in to stop the spread of Covid during the height of the pandemic for the pub’s losses.
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He said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have been far more difficult than anyone thought.
“That is the picture for the whole pub and restaurant industry. People thought that after lockdown there would be a boom in people suffering from cabin fever but, instead, it has almost become the opposite situation as people have got into the habit of staying in.”
Featured image – Joe Jonas
Food & Drink
Popular street food market GRUB is back and taking over MediaCity docks this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s award-winning street food market GRUB has returned for a festive takeover with a lineup of tasty vendors.
GRUB, Manchester’s leading independent street food and events collective – which recently said goodbye to its former home over at the Red Bank Project in the Green Quarter – is teaming up with MediaCity to bring a brand-new festive feasting hub to the waterfront this winter.
GRUB On The Docks: Christmas Takeover will transform the On The Docks site into a cosy, seasonal hub for residents, workers, and visitors.
Taking place now across three long weekends from Wednesday to Saturday right up until 13 December, you can expect great food, winter drinks, festive entertainment, a selection of community-led experiences curated in true GRUB style, and even a mini Christmas market.
The MediaCity site is set to ‘come alive’ with a rotating street food lineup, Christmas specials, and festive moments throughout the takeover.
The core trader lineup includes CAFF, Above and Beyond, Baby Mayhem, and Wholesome Junkies.
Baby Mayhem will launch a brand-new dessert exclusive to MediaCity, while Wholesome Junkies bring the award-winning vegan cooking that has been featured on Netflix and on BBC’s Million Pound Menu, alongside plenty of other things to look forward to.
On top of that, the festive GRUB bar will serve a bespoke seasonal drinks menu throughout the full three-week run.
Wholesome JunkiesBaby Mayhem
“Partnering with GRUB is an exciting step as we continue to evolve the experiences on offer at MediaCity,” explained Joshua McAllister, who is the Senior Events Manager at MediaCity.
“With a focus on independent talent, great Manchester food tenants, seasonal drinks and relaxed festive moments, this collaboration reflects our aim to create vibrant, inclusive spaces. We are confident GRUB will bring a warm and enjoyable addition for everyone to discover this winter.”
GRUB’s takeover of the On The Docks site is set to be ‘just the start’ of a developing long-term partnership with MediaCity that will bring even more food, drink, and cultural experiences to the waterfront.
In 2026, GRUB will expand its programme with a refreshed calendar of events and activations, with more details coming soon.
Featured Image – MediaCity (Supplied)
Food & Drink
Inside The Head of Steam as huge new pub opens in Northern Quarter
Daisy Jackson
The Northern Quarter has a brand-new pub, as The Head of Steam moves into the city centre.
The craft beer brand has taken over what was formerly Cottonopolis (and then briefly the Lamb of Tartary), completely transforming the historic Grade II-listed space.
The Head of Steam has added a huge central bar into the building, surrounded by cosy booths and bar tables, plus six screens showing live sports.
There’s augmented reality darts and a photo booth, plus a VAST range of beers behind the bar, all packed into this 2,800 sq ft space in the heart of the city.
Expect 30 lines (24 keg and 6 cask) of beers, including The Head Of Steam’s own British-brewed range and an extensive selection of Belgian favourites.
And on the food menu, you’ll find USA-style smash burgers and a gigantic sharing platter of sides, from Salford street food favourite That Burger Place – previously named among the top burger joints in the UK.
To celebrate its launch – and to kick off its arrival into the city centre in style – The Head of Steam will be giving away 1,995 free pints.
Craft beer fans will have the chance of winning a free pint of the Head of Steam’s own IPA, Lager, or Gold.
That Burger Place platterThe mozzarella slabBeer and wine flight at The Head of SteamThe Head of Steam in the Northern Quarter
If beer’s not your thing, there’s also a cocktail menu, premium spirits range, and wine list – plus the option to order a beer or wine flight for the beer-curious.
The Head of Steam is set to open later this week, its 16th venue nationwide and second in Greater Manchester.
David Scott, Retail Director at The Head of Steam, said: “We’re incredibly proud to confirm our opening date in the Northern Quarter – it’s one of the most vibrant areas in Manchester and the perfect place to bring our craft beer community together.
“With some fantastic West Coast beers on offer, partnering with That Burger Place, a food brand who share that love for bold West Coast flavours, just made perfect sense.”
Ryan McDermott, Co-Owner of That Burger Place, added: “We’ve always loved The Head of Steam brand. I grew up in pubs as my parents ran several sites, so hospitality has always been in my blood.
“When the opportunity came to bring That Burger Place into The Head of Steam, it was a no-brainer. Working with the team feels like a perfect match, and we can’t wait to share our burgers with Manchester city centre for the first time.”
To sign up for a chance to claim a free pint when The Head Of Steam opens in the Northern Quarter on Friday 28 November, head HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
13th April 2023 
