Yates, Ipswich

A vast barn of a place in typical Yates style with a mixture of high and low tables, odd bits of brickwork and the occasional neon sign. If the downstairs isn't big enough for you, there is an upstairs as well. The DJ booth is a clue that the place is probably best avoided on a busy night, but it is pleasant enough during the day. A slight feeling of heart sinking on seeing the Doom Bar pump, not helped by the adjacent GK IPA, but restored by finding Adnams Ghost Ship in fair condition, also Old Rosie for the cidermen.

Official site of Yates - www.weareyates.co.uk

Official site of Yates - www.weareyates.co.uk

We visited this pub just before 9 o'clock and there were bouncers on the door already. Nevertheless we were served very quickly and the Kelham Island Pale Rider was in good condition. I wouldn't want to stay any later and the Cricketers over the road was better, but I would imagine in the afternoon this place is quite decent.

Someone at JDW must have read the previous review as there were some blokes painting the exterior on my visit. I didn't notice if the interior had been done up but it all seemed OK to me. I didn't venture upstairs. The downstairs bar is not that large for a Spoons and was doing a fair trade on my Thursday lunchtime visit. The bar now has seven hand pumps which on my visit had the JDW trio of doom, a cider, the Belhaven Burns Night beer, Nethergate Old Growler and Titanic Stout. I went for the Titanic Stout (£2.29) which was in good nick. It still has the Lloyds branding so I assume is a nightmare on Friday & Saturday night. Other than that is seemed like a reasonable place but the one across the road is better.