The Regal (Lloyds No 1 Bar), Cambridge

Formerly the Regal cinema, originally built in 1937 in Art Deco style and described at the time by attending film going audiences as a veritable palace, it later became an ABC Cinema until Wetherspoons turned it into a pub in 1999. So from veritable palace to large soleless, characterless barn some 60 years later. I’m not sure how much of the original Cinema features were available when Tim’s Empire took it over, but only a decent looking frontage and some period glass in the bog doors is all that remains now and you get the impression that a great opportunity was missed when considering some of the other Picture and Theatre Houses where Wetherspoons have kept, and in some cases, brought back to life the period features. As others have mentioned it is absolutely huge and on two levels. The ground floor is quite dark but a good feature is the outside drinking area out the back, again on two stories, which catches the afternoon sun. But you do have to share this with all the smokers and the view is drab offices and flats. And like every other large ‘spoons its all here. All forms of human life can be seen throughout the day, with additional stag and hen parties on a Friday and Saturday evening, dodgy service levels (I found the upstairs bar a better bet for prompt service), standard Wetherspoons food fare, and a decent ale choice. I utilised it a couple of times during the day over the weekend in Cambridge, and found it reliable for a pint and some promptly served ‘spoons scoff ,before moving on. And for anyone over 30 move on before 9.00PM you should. As it is situated on the main Cambridge Party street, Doorman start working from 6.00PM checking ID’s and it stays open till gone 1.00AM on a weekend and when we went past around midnight the queue of youth (some who must have had fake ID’s IMHO)waiting to be ID checked, stretched a good 30 metres down the street.

A lovely (and cavernous) art deco building, formerly a cinema, which oozes style and is claimed to be the largest pub in the UK. Situated over two levels, it can get a bit dark in places. The quality of the beer was very good and the range was enormous. However my enjoyment was completely ruined by my fish supper which was still frozen in the middle - appalling! Worth stopping for a pint and look at the architecture but I won't forgive them for the frozen fish - who do they think I am, Captain feckin' Birdseye?!?!?

Massive Wetherspoon's on 2 levels selling a very good range of real ales which were all in good condition on my visit.