The Spon Gate (Lloyds No. 1), Coventry

Dating from Summer 2010 this place looks absolutely hideous from the outside but isn't that bad inside with a good use of different lighting and a comfortable modern interior. It wasn't that busy on my Thursday lunchtime visit but the whole complex in which it is situated seemed fairly dead. Of course this is a Lloyds so no doubt does most of it's business later in the day with a younger crowd (according to the JDW web site it's open until 03:00 on Friday and Saturday). Although the bar has ten hand pumps there wasn't that much available as the two GK beers and Doom Bore were doubled up and two were available soon. This left Lionheart Dark Ruby and North Cotswold Shagweaver which at least were local brews. I went for the Dark Ruby (£2.40) but had to send it back as it was sour. It was replaced with good grace and change by the Shagweaver (£2.05) which was in reasonable condition. I get the impression that this one is struggling as a daytime venue being set in a complex away from the City Centre, the Harvester next door I suspect is in the same boat. I have to mark it down for the sour beer and poor choice which is a shame as if you're in the area in the day it's not that bad a place for a drink or bite to eat.

I found this to be a very well kept and a well run Spoons. The service was excellent, the manager was chatty and helpful directing us to our next pub. This large one room pub was very stylish in deco and the clientele were quite upmarket. I went for the Backyard Brewery Fiesta, which was good. We visited here after the Windmill and to find this Spoons, you take a left out of the Windmill, you then come to a passage way on your left. This Spoons is thorough the passageway and just past the cinema.

Unremarkable 'spoons comprising one big bar with a raised area at the back. Ten handpumps, offering the ususal suspects plus a number of festival ales (although the first two of these went off during the pull before I got a reasonable pint of Otter Bright - very good value at £2.10). (NB - Review dates from October 2011.)