I’m convinced I remember this being in a derelict state 10 or more years ago- to the degree of expecting it to be bulldozed. Anyway, it’s a distinctive building with a round tower on one corner, which is what we spotted from the canal towpath. Inside, it’s a typical brummie local: not plush, but not too scabby either- less so that the location would have you believe. No ale, just the usual suspects, and friendly enough people on a Saturday lunchtime. It’s a very small pub, and the only food you’ll see is crisps etc.
The Wharf is unusual: it’s a modern pub I like. I’ve drunk in there on and off since it opened. Beer and food are usually OK, and the canalside location is fantastic. It’s usually fairly tosser-free as well, which is a surprise. You can sit outside and ponder how 3 idiots have managed to drive cars into the canal basin.
Right by the side of the canal, hence the name, in Birchills.
We visited the day after it reopened: It had been shut for a few months, and suffered some vandalism and a squatter. It’s not plush- this *is* Birchills, after all, but the staff were brilliant and the beer (just the normal selection at the moment) was decent. Food is apparently on the way, and the canalside beer garden is to be reopened.
A lovely canalside pub near to Park Lime Pits in Rushall. Described by Stu as having the “shortest bar in the world”, this is probably the nicest pub nearby. The others are OK though.
Good food, good beer, nice beer garden, and a nature reserve nearby. This pub also is sometimes claimed to be very old, like the Black Country Arms, but most of it is 18th century, and it did not become a pub until Victorian times. It’s still full of character though.
AKA The Royal Oak, this sits handily alongside the Canal at the north end of Pelsall. It was the Royal Oak for years, until a previous landlord met a nasty end after a robbery. It was refurbished and relaunched as The Fingerpost, at first pitching itself a little high for the locality, but now represents a fairly OK chain pub with Ok food and beer and a great canalside patio for the summer.
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It’s also free from 2010 World Cup Football. That’s worth a few points…
We had high hopes: Canalside and real ale, but in the end this just lacked atmosphere. Nothing actually crappy, it just didn’t hit the spot.
The pub has been extended a lot and seems sprawling outside, but is crowded inside even when half-empty: there’s some weird internal faux roofing and guttering as well. The beer was good though.
We only stopped for a (non-alcoholic) drink as it was still morning (!), but a pleasant canalside pub with a good beer selction, and food. Pleasant staff too.