Yates's, Croydon

Yates is a big long pub with a bar that runs along the left hand wall whilst supporting standard draught fonts and three hand pumps. Two of these were unclipped and the other had a reversed Greene King IPA badge. Around the bar area are some high tables and chairs and a standard selection of seating can be found throughout the rest of the pub. Opposite the bar is a small DJ booth that I imagine is used Thurs/Fri/Sat when a toilet troll can be found in the gents. There was some background music playing during my visit early on Wednesday afternoon and Sky Sports News was muted on the plasma screens that are located throughout. Out the back is a paved beer garden mainly for the use of smokers. This isn’t somewhere I plan to revisit anytime soon.

Yates's Croydon - www.weareyates.co.uk

One of the least inspiring Yates's (and that's saying something...), but one of the three handpumps was on when I looked in recently so I ventured inside for a quick pint of Greene King IPA (£2.65, but served in a polycarbonate 'glass'). Reversed pump clips for Doom Bar and Bombardier were also visible. The interior is a dark barn of no character whatsoever, but there is a modest patio beer garden / smoking area to the rear. Several large sports TV screens.

Yates's Croydon - www.weareyates.co.uk

Popped in after they recently reopened following a refurb, which seems to have involved adding a pole to the dancefloor and pinching the leftover wallpaper from the nearby 'Vinatge' bar. It's still a predictably dull Yates's experience, but I have to admit that this is one of the better efforts from that particular chain.