Category Archives: Revisits

Burntwood, Revisits, Staffordshire

Revisit: The Drill Inn

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CAMRA/Whatpub

We had been in The Drill once or twice since the last blog entry nine years ago, but it had been a while again: the bus route no longer goes nearby, but not to worry, we were in the car.

A small celebration saw us eating out in the week again.

The Drill really feels like a country pub, tucked down a lane. Plenty of parking, a kids area, outside space. Inside is fairly traditional but with some modern shabby-chic decor. There’s a strong food bias with a pretty decent menu- the food is great and reasonably priced, and the staff friendly

Brownhills, Revisits, Walsall, Walsall Wood

Revisit: The Shire Oak

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My last post about The Shire Oak was almost a decade ago, just after the refurb, and I visited maybe once or twice after that, but it’s been some time since I visited.

We drove up, as it’s too far for us to walk these days. We’d no plans for tea and with one thing and another, hadn’t been out in the evening for some time, and we’d not eaten here this millennium (!)

Now the refurb is 10 years old, it’s looking a bit dated: very red, and reminiscent of a slightly tired Highlands pub with the tartan-ish carpet.

However, things were actually pretty good. Alcohol-free lager on draught, pleasant young chap serving, and decent, reasonably-priced food. Would have preferred the 90s dance music to be quieter or absent, but it wasn’t too bad.

Pelsall, Revisits, Walsall

Revisit: The Railway

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Previous revisit post here

CAMRA Whatpub

Another revisit to The Railway. I’m a regular, but infrequent visitor: it’s not far away but a bit of a pain by bus, and I’m not up to the walk any more.

The Railway had the same landlord, Tom, for *years*. Since I started drinking, pretty much, I think.

It really suffered when he retired, and had a couple of poor temporary custodians, got a terrible reputation, and then closed again. Dark words were uttered about how much money would be needed to make it viable.

Which turned out to be bollocks. It has a new landlady, and while you could argue some spending would tidy it up a bit, it’s clean, the beer is good, the welcome is friendly, and it’s back to being a great, traditional pub looking over Pelsall’s common, and the ill-thought-out Spongebob Squarepants kids events are gone.

Timothy Taylor Landlord in good nick, decent crusty cobs. Outside space. A seperate bar and lounge. A landlady that listens to customers. There’s a lot to like.

Lancashire, Revisits

Revisit: The Royal Hotel Bar and Shaker

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Morecambe.

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The Royal has been refurbished again, and slightly renamed, presumably to reference the cocktails which now are figuring prominently.

Outside has had some paint, inside has seen the raised area by the window removed (much to my better half’s annoyance- you can’t see the view now), and a fuckton of artificial plants and some exposed cable tray (just like an eighties Pizza Hut) fitted. Thankfully, the original tiling survives.

Lovely staff (2 young chaps), decent music (80s revival FTW), beer was fine, but even though it’s smarter, it doesn’t feel right.

Revisits

Revisit: The Royal

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Heysham.

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Not a good experience this time- it’s still pleasantly slightly posh, but when we went to the bar and asked about the possibility of sandwiches, the response, while not actually rude, was terse enough to make me wonder if I’d asked if there were any kittens I could stamp on.

My IPA was vinegary, and the terrace outside had the joy of someone conducting a long, loud, grating video call on speaker.

I left half my (pricey) pint and we left.

Aldridge, Revisits, Walsall

Revisit: The Dilke

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Aldridge:

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Our luck wasn’t good this day, after the abortive visit to The White House, we went to The Dilke. This seemed better: warm, and we got a seat in the sun. More drinks were ordered, we chose from the menu.

Oh, we don’t have hot food, there’s been a gas leak

For the record, they didn’t have any cold food, either.

Fuck me, it might have been nice to mention that, or to take the menus in and take the cutlery off the tables, wouldn’t it?

FFS.

Revisits, Walsall, Walsall Wood

Revisit: The Brickmakers Arms

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Walsall Wood.

Original Post here

Whatpub Link

Like I commented last time, this is a fairly large, open-plan local pub with a conservatory and beer garden out the back. No real ale, but I was drinking bottles anyway :-/ .

This is getting a revisit entry on elapsed time alone: it’s not changed greatly.

Cobs on the bar, decent staff. Music a bit over-loud for early evening, and shocking sound quality from freeview TV.

It’s not a pub we visit that often, but as previously commented, it’s not a bad place at all and certainly fits my needs better than some.

Revisits, Walsall, Willenhall

Revisit: The County

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Willenhall.

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Top local pub chap and rightful mayor of Walsall Mikee Evans went here a few weeks ago. We wanted to visit a friend in Willenhall and had loose plans for The Robin Hood, too.

This didn’t work out, but we did make The County. Recently refurbed, it’s a lot tidier and pleasant, and as Mikee mentioned, it still has seperate bar and lounge.

No cask ale, but tolerable lager, pleasant vibe, even in the bar. Not a destination pub, but one you’d happily drink in, unlike last time we visited.

Glasgow, Revisits, Scotland

Revisit: The Grove

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Glasgow.

Original post here
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Back in Glasgow, back to The Grove, having also repeated Mother India nearby. One old colleague (but not the one that bailed), one new one, and my better half meant we went in.

I’m not sure if that visit back in 2011 means I’ve changed, the pub has changed, it was quieter, or a bit of all three, but I suspect it is me that has changed; the pub was lovely. Busy, but not rammed. Good staff, good seating, music at a sane volume, nice atmosphere. Very traditional inside.