The Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, NW5

The pub's new décor and makeover by Youngs has been well described by Tris below. It's now what this sort of London pub should be like: lively, vibrant atmosphere in a building redolent with tradition. It's slightly disappointing that the beers are only from Youngs fairly ordinary range, but that's what goes with the territory. A warning to anyone allergic to dogs: there appears to be a habit of providing doggy treats, which are scattered on the floor in the vicinity of the slobbering hounds. Ugh! Date of visit: 20th May 2015

Young’s are taking over the venue

The distinctive blue facade has gone, replaced by something that may be in better taste but is somewhat lacking in the individuality stakes. Inside everything is much as before, but the beer quality has taken a dive. Only one hand pump was available on my recent visit, so I didn't see an awful lot of point in complaining because there was nothing to replace the just-about-drinkable London Pride. One of the very few other customers was obviously a Madness fan. If the hat wasn't a give-away, the fact that he selected all their greatest hits on the juke box would have provided a clue; or was it the same song over and over? Who can tell.