WEST BROMWICH.

Very much not like the other Wetherspoon's we've been into. The Billiard Hall has come over all IKEA with fake pine flooring and panelling on the walls and every conceivable flat space. There are more leaning spaces here too, reflecting its position on the Saturday night bottle run for local youth. There are not too many bright spaces in West Bromwich for young people to meet and Wetherspoon's has cornered the market so far. Literally converted from a billiard hall, it still has the old tin roof from the outside, though I suspect it was once a dance hall too. Despite it not looking like a Wetherspoon, it has the same ingredients as the others: good value cheap food and real ale at realistic prices. Usually two guests on, though Sundays can see only a single one left. Not more than 500 yards from the metro (West Bromwich Central), which is itself on the ring road, go left out of the station and follow the ring road. No accommodation here and not much near by, though only 15 mins from Birmingham on the tram, 20 mins from Wolverhampton.

A large corner pub (with a Holts sign outside) with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in. An old range sits in one, though not lit. A large mirror sits on top. The seating is benches and chairs plus stools all around dark wood tables. The walls are traditional nicotine fleur-de-leys and fresco and there is a dark air about the whole decor, in keeping with the victorian pictures and pottery on the walls. Beers were Marston's Pedigree and Young's Bitter, both well kept, though ask for them without the sparkler. Food is served at lunchtimes and early evenings and comes from a standard menu - fairly priced. There is a TV and jukebox and plenty crowd round it at the weekends. Two bars are available, though there is no dividing wall and the 'U' shaped bar is to the left on entrance. There are steps all over due to the open plan of knocking through of walls. Toilets are OK, though basic.
[Metro Dudley Street]

Yes it is possible to find a good pub in the West Midlands (which usually gives you M&B!). A very cosy locals pub, busy at lunchtimes with office workers and the like. Seating is green covered benches against the walls with reddish tables and chairs. This is complimented by green wallpaper and the bare floors, though not by the lung cancer yellow ceilings. Two to three alcoves of seating add an intimacy, though all areas can get smokey (smell of dope in the air too and no Mr. Plod I didn't see who). Glass cabinets on the walls contain Victorian miniatures and some of those small infuriating cans of lager. Another has all sorts of beans - can you guess what they all are? Stained glass windows feature prominently surviving the areas redevelopment. Note the old 3-pin circular socket in one alcove window. There is a single wooden bar area which faces you as you enter. It long so you should get served easily. Beers on at the time apart from the obligatory M&B were Wye Valley Resistance and Cottage Our Ken. Both well served without a sparkler and very tasty. Food is served lunch and eves, but none on Sunday. Curries a specialty of the landlord. The toilets are basic and not suitable for the disabled. Fruit machines are prominent as is a TV for sport and soaps at weekends. Heating is supplied by radiators dotted about and a coal effect gas fire. Pictures of India predominate around the place giving away the licensees ability to cook a very good curry. Sorry, no accommodation here, but its only 500 yards from the new Metro (B'ham to Wolverhampton) you don't need to stay (last trams about 11.08pm both ways).
[No food Sun] [Metro Dudley Street]

Lying just off junction one of the M5 the Vine is well known as the pub that thinks it is a balti house. The pub usually features a local guest ale. On the day of our visit, this Black Country free house was serving the excellent Birmingham brewed Beowulf Heroes. The person serving me said this guest ale is very popular. There are two comfortable rooms at the front but most of those eating head for the conservatory at the rear which to my mind resembles a German beer hall. As expected the food is excellent. Most dishes cost £3.50. We opted for the methi chicken masala and tandoori chicken bhuna. Both were delicious. If you like real ale and Asian cuisine the Vine is a must. No food served Sat and Sun lunchtimes. No accommodation here.

On the High Street surrounded by other pubs and a casino. It serves all Holden's beers which is welcome in this part of the West Midlands. It also serves food daily between 11-3pm, which is traditional alongside a couple of local specialities. Sunday lunch is also served 12-4pm and you can get 2 meals for around a £5. The main bar is the front which can get busy at times with local trade from shoppers slipping in to get some respite, but it has a much quieter back bar/lounge where you can sit and relax with a pint of Holden's or one of the two guest beers that are often on. The tram is close by and you need to get off at Dartmouth St. This is also handy for the Old Crown which is another good pub that specialises in Indian food. There is a beer 'garden' for the hot weather, but don't expect grass. Well worth a stop off if you are in the area as the High Street has plenty of good pubs to try and of course there is the Billiard Hall Wetherspoon as well.