Damelio, Wakefield

This is now a wine bar type of place with no real ale just a few overpriced imported lagers on tap that I had never heard of.

The Barristers is a pretty good example of the typically plastic, bland and rather faceless chain pub that serves little purpose in the world of pubs other than to be there. On the face of it the pub is a comfortable enough place, a large single carpeted room with a bit of a loungy feel. A selection of sofas and tub chairs occupy the centre and down both sides are some unusual seating arrangements with high cushioned backs that stretch up most of the wall. The beers are cheapish (Fosters was £2.50) with the standard keg and lager selections availabl;e but no Real ales. There were a couple of TVs either side of the bar showing world Cup football (which was the reason I popped in) but overall there is little character and no particular reason to pay a visit. That said, it was virtually empty on the Saturday evening I called and it was at least a refuge from the orgy of debauchery and screaming sirens that seems to typify a Wakefield weekend. It served its purpose for me at the time and is felt friendly enough but there are thousands of pubs like this all over the country and most of them will have a short shelf life.