The Eastgate, Northampton

I spent an hour or so in the Eastgate on Sunday morning whilst taking advantage of their much needed breakfast that is well worth trying as it was good value and certainly hit the spot. I only spotted four hand pumps, which isn’t many for a Wetherspoons, and these were drawing Abbot, Ruddles, Marstons Christmas Pudding Spiced Ale and Tetleys Northern Cracker. A standard draught range is also available and the Guinness was very good at the usual cheap prices for the Spoons chain. There are two floors in this pub with an island bar downstairs and a smaller bar upstairs. Each floor has its own plasma screen that was showing muted rolling news. Upstairs was empty during my visit, but there were few characters in the main bar area that seemed to be locals as the staff knew them. There was no obvious outside seating on the high street out the front, but I did spot a sign mentioning a balcony upstairs, but I did not spot it on my nose around. I thought that this was a decent Spoons and I’d pop back in if passing.

Changed name to the Eastgate

Crisp modern decor in a pub with multiple drinking areas, maybe the best pub in a town that has some pretty awful specimens. Landlord is particularly keen on promoting real ale and advertises tasters. In addition to three pulls serving well kept beers there is a fairly standard range of kegs, with three lagers, two ciders and a smooth plus Guinness. TV at both ends of the room, pool table, biggish garden and food complete a well rounded package. Friendly natives and on the ball staff, just a shade far from the centre of town but well worth the walk.

Pub renamed The EastGate (JD Wetherpoon) from Lloyds No1 Bar. [edit: actioned 19/10/09]