Yates, Ipswich

This large Lloyd's No 1 bar next to the bus station, takes its name from a local industrialist who established an iron works in 1789, close to the present site of the pub. Formerly a nightclub and Yates's Wine Lodge, this is a sizable two story Wetherspoons that opened over ten years after the town's other two 'Spoons pubs, but already looks a little worn and faded. The ground floor has been mostly carpeted and has an irregular shaped servery in the rear corner. The bar has a dark wood counter and bar back with large light shades suspended from above. Standard tables and chairs are available through most of the room, with a few padded banquettes available down the right hand wall. Décor is in the form of modern wallpaper and pastel shaded paintwork, neither of which really seems to work from an aesthetic point of view. To the rear is something resembling a church pulpit, although upon closer inspection it seems to be somewhere for a DJ to perform. Several screens throughout the room and upstairs were showing muted Sky Sports News and there are quite a few interesting black and white photos of the town dotted around. A nice curved staircase leads up to a smarter upper bar with the servery along the left hand wall and mixed seating options filling out the carpeted area. There are a few slightly more private recesses and nooks up here which is ideal if you want a bit of peace. The ale range was pretty limited, as tends to be the case with Lloyd's bars. Six ales, split equally between regulars and guests, offered limited choice, so I ended up with a pint of Nethergate Suffolk Best Bitter which was average at best. I also had a quick bite to eat and the food was perfectly passable and served in no time, as per usual. I couldn't muster up a lot of enthusiasm for this place and thought it was in need of a bit of TLC to try and freshen it up. It has a handy location and does all the 'Spoons basics well enough, but I was generally unimpressed and felt this let down an otherwise excellent crawl around town.

Adjacent to Tower Ramparts bus station, and opposite the Cricketers another 'spoons, this one started life as a car show room and later became a Lloyds No1. Spread over two floors, there is a single large room with bar counter on each floor, the space being broken up by stub walls, different floor levels and balustrades. The upper floor closes early during the week, sadly this where the toilets are. Tastefully decorated in the better JDW style, the hole in the ceiling holds disco lights and a mirror ball. Handpumps on both floors, six downstairs and five up, both serve the usual mix of JDW standards and local ales, normal kegs and keg wine. Although it was quiet on my visit the staff were first rate and the beer in good condition.