The Mechanical Elephant (Lloyds No 1), Margate

Average sort of Spoon's in what was once a prime location close to Dreamland and facing the beach. The interior seemed surprisingly small compared to the frontage but there is also an upstairs area and balcony. The beer range included a couple of guests alongside the usuals and condition seemed ok. Tolerable if you find yourself in the vicinity but not worth seeking out.

The Mechanical Elephant is a Lloyds but I could see no evidence of the Lloyds Disaster Area where it becomes a weekend night club so assume that it must be in the upstairs area which was closed off on my winter weekday visit. The downstairs area is a fairly average sort of JDW set up with a long room that has mostly tall tables and chairs along the bar area and a smallish room on the right with just low seating. The bar has ten hand pumps but the choice was poor with two available soon, the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled up, Lymestone Stone Cold and Westerham East India Pale Ale. I went for the Stone Cold (£2.45) which quite honestly was pretty rank. The place redeemed itself slightly when I returned to eat and had an Abbot (£2.45) which was alright and a Devils Backbone as the "free" drink with the Steak Club. Despite that I thought it was a poor Spoons to visit for a beer.

Service and prices were good. By 7pm the regulars had started talking to themselves so time to move on

Smallish but typical Wetherspoons, the building looks like a former arcade or the like. Open plan L-shaped room, standard seating. Overlooks the seafront across the main road. Service seemed above avaerage for the chain and were helpful. 8 real ales but mainly large standards such as Ruddles, Abbott & Pride.