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Yates, Ipswich
Ipswich
IP1 3BE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Yates
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.
On 27th February 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Robert Ransome
bought by Stonegate
On 25th August 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Robert Ransome (Lloyds No 1 Bar)
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.
On 13th November 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Robert Ransome (Lloyds No 1 Bar)
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.
On 25th January 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Robert Ransome (JD Wetherspoon)
This large Lloyd's No 1 bar next to the bus station, takes its name from a local industrialist who established an iron works in 1789, close to the present site of the pub. Formerly a nightclub and Yates's Wine Lodge, this is a sizable two story Wetherspoons that opened over ten years after the town's other two 'Spoons pubs, but already looks a little worn and faded. The ground floor has been mostly carpeted and has an irregular shaped servery in the rear corner. The bar has a dark wood counter and bar back with large light shades suspended from above. Standard tables and chairs are available through most of the room, with a few padded banquettes available down the right hand wall. Décor is in the form of modern wallpaper and pastel shaded paintwork, neither of which really seems to work from an aesthetic point of view. To the rear is something resembling a church pulpit, although upon closer inspection it seems to be somewhere for a DJ to perform. Several screens throughout the room and upstairs were showing muted Sky Sports News and there are quite a few interesting black and white photos of the town dotted around. A nice curved staircase leads up to a smarter upper bar with the servery along the left hand wall and mixed seating options filling out the carpeted area. There are a few slightly more private recesses and nooks up here which is ideal if you want a bit of peace.
The ale range was pretty limited, as tends to be the case with Lloyd's bars. Six ales, split equally between regulars and guests, offered limited choice, so I ended up with a pint of Nethergate Suffolk Best Bitter which was average at best. I also had a quick bite to eat and the food was perfectly passable and served in no time, as per usual.
I couldn't muster up a lot of enthusiasm for this place and thought it was in need of a bit of TLC to try and freshen it up. It has a handy location and does all the 'Spoons basics well enough, but I was generally unimpressed and felt this let down an otherwise excellent crawl around town.
On 20th June 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Robert Ransome (JD Wetherspoon)
Adjacent to Tower Ramparts bus station, and opposite the Cricketers another 'spoons, this one started life as a car show room and later became a Lloyds No1. Spread over two floors, there is a single large room with bar counter on each floor, the space being broken up by stub walls, different floor levels and balustrades. The upper floor closes early during the week, sadly this where the toilets are. Tastefully decorated in the better JDW style, the hole in the ceiling holds disco lights and a mirror ball. Handpumps on both floors, six downstairs and five up, both serve the usual mix of JDW standards and local ales, normal kegs and keg wine. Although it was quiet on my visit the staff were first rate and the beer in good condition.
On 24th March 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Robert Ransome (JD Wetherspoon)
This is a fairly comfortable Lloyds No 1 bar which is on 2 levels.Had a good range of guest beers on my visit.
On 21st July 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]