The Bishop Blaize in Stretford has been named the third best-rated Wetherspoons in the UK for a third consecutive year, according to a study of 1,956,362 Google reviews by mobile bar hire company Spin and Shake.
The pub on Chester Road, close to Manchester United's ground at Old Trafford, averages 4.39 stars from 2,890 Google reviews. Of its 300 most recent Google reviews, and of the 118 five-star reviews that left a comment, 35 (30%) praised the staff and 28 (24%) the prices.
Top-rated pubs across the UK
Taking the top spot this year was Walham Green in Fulham, London, with 4.60 stars from 474 reviews. Opened in July 2025 in the old ticket hall of Fulham Broadway Tube station, it has been praised as "one of the best London spoons in terms of atmosphere".
In second place was another London boozer, The Sir Alexander Fleming in Paddington, with 4.44 stars from 481 reviews. One reviewer wrote: "This is a significant step up from your standard Wetherspoons."
Greater Manchester rankings
Greater Manchester has 32 Wetherspoons in the ranking this year, averaging 4.03 stars against a UK average of 4.04. The lowest-rated in Greater Manchester is also in Trafford, with The Mardi Gras in the Trafford Centre averaging 3.75 from 2,914 reviews, although it sits outside the UK's 10 lowest-rated.
Last year, The Bishop Blaize was revealed to be the most popular Wetherspoons venue in the country, with two-thirds of customers hailing it as excellent. It fared better than The Caley Picture House in Edinburgh and The Greenwood Hotel in London. Similarly, in 2024 the pub beat the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Kent and the Golden Beam in Leeds to be named the most popular of all the chain's venues based on Google Reviews, with a 60.34% score of excellent reviews.
Match-day atmosphere and history
Operated by JD Wetherspoon, it is the closest pub to Old Trafford and is well known as a gathering place for Manchester United supporters. Always very busy on match days, the watering hole underwent a refresh in 2025 with a new floor and carpet, and is known for a wide range of community events including darts tournaments.
According to the Wetherspoons' website, the first Bishop Blaize inn, named after the patron saint of woolcombers, was recorded there in the mid 15th century. Demolished in 1863, its name lives on in this Wetherspoon pub. After it was demolished, the Bishop Blaize inn was replaced by the Talbot Hotel.
The walls are decked out with subtle yet obvious nods to the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney through memorabilia and artwork, whilst many customers wear their United best and tourists are often in possession of bags of merchandise from the stadium shop.
One customer, who reviewed the pub before one of the matches, wrote: "Visited on a match day. Beers was nice and priced well and atmosphere was great. Shame united were terrible that day but I can't blame the pub for it." Another wrote: "Everything you expect from a Spoons with cask Boddingtons pretty much a permanent fixture. The bar staff are excellent for such a busy place - do call in if you’re at the cricket or football."
And a third wrote recently: "We went for the MU match with Mcity. I had read about the atmosphere on match days and it was truly the best I have ever experienced. All well-dressed, gentlemen, sang for their team for 4 hours with plenty of beers, an atmosphere of English football with a level, education and truly an unforgettable experience."
