Rock Garden, Torquay

Formerly a Yates, this is a new, modern bar situated down an alley and not obvious to the casual passer-by. A cavernous two-level nightclubby interior - all purple neon, striking wallpaper and modern fixtures but done to quite a high and tasteful standard I thought. Some stacked barrels topped with rigid Perspex makes up a stage to the right hand side. Two pumps on the large bar, Bay Topsail (decidedly pedestrian) and Bays cider. We settled in the rather massive, secluded (and astroturfed) beer garden which is overlooked by the hewn rockface which gives the pub its name. All really rather pleasant. With a bit more effort on the beer front this could be quite a decent venue. If the Slug & Lettuce in Leicester can do it…