The Myrtle Grove (JD Wetherspoon), Bingley

Re-visited on a weekday late afternoon towards the end of November. This is a smaller than average Spoons and it definitely feels like they have crammed as many tables as they can get away with into the available space. Busy, as on my previous visit a few years ago. Two banks of hand pulls at the bar for real ale. Nothing to get too excited about, but it's a pretty safe bet if you want a real ale.

Called in today at around 1:30pm so still busy with the lunch trade. The place was absolutely packed out. There are two banks of five hand pumps offering, at the time of my visit, Saltaire Pacifica IPA (the one I went for, at £1.15 for a half), Wobbly Bob, Gravitas (did not note the brewery), Saltaire Citra Pale Ale (was initially unclipped but came on later), Ilkley Mary Jane, Abbot Ale, Theakston Old Peculiar, Thornbridge Jaipur, Ruddles and Doom Bar. A pretty decent selection on the real ale front, especially considering this is a smaller Spoons. The French doors were open at the time of my visit, which was very pleasant especially as I managed to get a table near them. The benefits of the fresh air without having to sit on one of the handful of tables on the street outside. The guy serving seemed a bit strange, couldn't quite put my finger on it, nothing unpleasant but I wouldn't want to be his only customer. There is only one floor so the bogs are downstairs, eliminating the usual climb to return what you have just consumed. So much busier than the other pubs in Bingley this lunch time, but I guess that is the benefit of having a recognisable brand for people to flock to.

Apparently the Myrtle Cinema closed in the late sixties. You have to wonder wht happened to it after that as apart from the high ceiling this one is not an obvious cinema conversion. It's not one of the larger Spoons either and consists of a single open plan room. Despite that the bar has ten hand pumps which had no Available Soon or doubling up. Beers were the JDW Trio Of Doom, a cider, Acorn Epic IPA, Springfield Surrender & Left Lion, Saltaire New World Red, Kelham Island One Step Beyond and Stancill Stainless. I went for the Acorn Epic IPA (£2.50) which was in good nick. While the building is uninspiring I found this to be a good well run Spoons.

This pleasant 'spoons looks fairly modern both inside and out, but apparently it is the converted Myrtle cinema dating from the 1920s. The front has an airy feel due to a high ceiling and a row of large windows. More closed-in at the back, with the bar to one side and a row of booths on the other. Ten handpumps on the counter, with a reasonable selection including Moorhouse's Cold Spell (£2.20).