The Keel Row (JD Wetherspoon), Newcastle Upon Tyne

This is a small Lloyds set in the Gate shopping centre. Why are three of the five city Newcastle JDWs Lloyds? With the Union Rooms due for closure that will become three out of four. It's pretty grim inside being a single gloomy room with the bar on the right and the Lloyds paraphernalia on the left. It has the usual furnishings and was quiet on my Thursday morning visit. The bar has a pathetic three hand pumps which had Doom Bore, Allendale Adder Lager and Big Lamp Keelman Brown. If you want a low ABV beer here it looks like you're stuck with Doom Bore. I went for the Keelman Brown which was in good nick and I assume is an attewmpt to recreate the Newcastle Brown of old. This and the other Locale option saved this from getting a shameful one out of ten.

Modern bar inside The Gate centre. Very little furniture - presumably very quick to clear when the DJ booth opposite the bar is in operation. A few patio tables in the covered mall passageway out front. Door staff mid-Sunday afternoon when (almost) quiet? A few real ales on, including the 5.7% Keelman Brown (sold at £1.85, but probably should have been £2.15, which almost made up for the polycarbonate 'glass').

This is effectively a shop that sells beer. Slow service, no guest ales on, only GK IPA and Pedigree. Why do people go here when there's loads of great pubs within a 5 minute walk. Can't recommend it unless you're totally devoid of imagination.