The Joseph Bramah (Lloyds No1), Barnsley

A strange 'T' shaped interior, this is a Lloyds No1. The entrance off Market Hill is very basic with standard chairs & tables you have to walk past to get to the bar & this area was quite popular, though to me I don't know why. Its more comfortable after the bar, up the step but gets darker. There is also a 'stone' area with tables to the wall. The seating areas all appear to be pushed to the walls to allow alot of open space & I presume it gets busy with people standing in the evening. Beer was ok, 6 real ales. Overall I prefer the Silkstone down the road

Long, narrow and very dark Lloyds No1 (AKA Wetherspoons with music) with two entrances at either end (head to the raised area by the main entrance which has a bit more light) which has much dark wood panelling throughout, not exactly helping the lack of vitamin D. Interior appeared fairly clean and tidy; mute TV's on the wall plus a garden area for the smokers through a pair of loudly-banging patio doors. There was a decent ale selection when I visited (4 of 5 on). My initial pint was poor but was exchanged without fuss for much better one and the second was in good form also. My food was good and the service was friendly. Downside was that they serve inebriates here, which puts me off - the guy next to me at the bar could barely stand. Interestingly the beer that wasn't on when I went in at midday (Thornbridge Jaipur) was still not on at 5 when I popped in for a last half before train back - laziness or lack of skill I wonder? Overall, it's worth a quick visit if you're in town due in no small part to a lack of real competition on the beer front in the town centre.

Official page of The Joseph Bramah - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Joseph Bramah - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk