Mardi Gras, Trafford Centre

A JD Wetherspoons pub set in "The Orient" area of the giant Trafford Centre complex which houses a food court and numerous restaurants, mostly from national chains. The pub is on the upper level of the Orient in a New Orleans themed area, hence the name.

Inside the pub, the New Orleans theme is continued with the walls decorated with numerous Mardi Gras masks and a mixture of paintings of masked characters. Unusually for a Wetherspoons but in keeping with the other surrounding restaurants, you will be asked on the door if you are dining - however drinkers are welcome.

The pub is not particularly large by the standards of the chain. You enter the pub into an open plan area with a relatively low ceiling from which hang three spectacular 'crystal' chandaliers. As would expect of a a Wetherspoon which focus' heavily on dining, there is plentiful tables. The main bar runs along the wall to your left. Six handpulls offer two standard Wetherspoon house beers with three dedicated to guest beers (with liklihood of at least one "Coming Soon")

Two staircases, one to the right of the entrance and one hidden away in an alcove near end of the bar lead to the upstairs balcony where there is more seating and a small second bar with three handpumps (two regular and one guest beer).

There is a small number of additional tables in a fenced off area in front of the pub (bearing in mind the whole pub is located in an indoor mall), with more on a small balcony on the first floor. The whole of the Trafford Centre is non-smoking, so smokers must go to a smoking area outside of the main entrance to The Orient.