28/05/26 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl - Stage 5

The End, Again

The plan - testing AI to see the nearest pub to a West Midlands Metro stop, alighting at every third station. For the second time, I have reached the end of the line. 

Plenty (too much) variety, as I attack some of the stops in central Birmingham. Things learned? Broad Street doesn't open until the evening. And neither does St Chads.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
18	St Chads	The Gun Makers Arms	The Gun Makers Arms

The Gun Makers Arms had been closed for a short while. Unsurprising, really. There were never any punters in there during my previous visits. Even with the Good Beer Guide recommendation, keen pricing and being a brewpub. Looking at Google now - it is labelled Mason Newman's Gun Makers Arms. Which seems a mouthful. Hidden in the small print is the fact that it doesn't open until 4pm. I'll have to wait for a weekend to determine what Mason has done with the gaff.

So the next obvious choice is the Old Contemptibles. A Nicholson pub that really could do with the patronage of a resident artist.

Tommy on the right has too much on his spoon

This is a much improved pub, beer-wise. The last couple of years it's quite rightly been endorsed in the Good Beer Guide. The beer selection is also rotating and you are never sure what to find. Keeping a perfect pint of Bass in this heatwave is something that should be heralded.

One of Birmingham's Best

There is no point catching the tram to The Town Hall. It's quicker to walk up Colmore Row.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
19	Town Hall	The Victoria	Pure Craft Bar and Kitchen

I'm unsure which Victoria AI is suggesting, but if it's the theatre pub next to the Alex, then that is an awful long way away. There are a few contenders for the closest pub to the Town Hall. Across the road from Pure Craft is a Pieminster, with "Pie and Mash" emblazoned on the door. This might be a good idea, when the heatwave breaks.

Handsome

I've never really got on with the inside of the tap room for Purity Brewing. It's cavernous, all exposed ducting and completely soulless. Yet in the sunshine, it's a fine spot to people watch. I particularly like counting the number of people drinking who should be at work. And jealously wondering if they are on expenses. The one thing I miss during retirement is asking for receipts. I can do it in four languages.

A fine (expensive) Purity Helles.

Onwards to Five Ways - the far end of Broad Street. 

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
20	Five Ways	The Distillery	Barbara's Bier Haus

I don't know who Barbara is, but looking at Google Maps Street View, she used to be called Heidi. I don't suppose I will ever find out. A Germanic themed fun pub that opens at 4pm. I wasn't against a visit. They sell Lowenbrau by the stein.

Instead, I have a little backstreet pub called the Vine saved in my "Google Want to Go" list. With no description on why I want to go. 

Protect Ladywood

And everything about it is weird. It looks like a traditional Victorian corner pub - which has had a new build added to the top of it. The architecture is at odds with the rest of the street - which looks like a 1960s housing estate. I can't tell whether the area is commercial or residential. It would certainly be handy for Birmingham's nightlife and could save someone a fortune in Uber.

Inside, it's very traditional. Wood panelling, sports TVs and a pool table, being put through its paces by the bar staff.

The outside A-frame promotes Real Ale but I wasn't forced to make a choice. Both pumps off.... not that I would have trusted it in > 30 degree heat.

Sshh... please don't tell anyone

Next leg? Back to Wolverhampton.

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Pubs - 3

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 20

01/05/26 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl - Stage 5

It's Later Than You Think

Back on the trail of the closest pubs to West Midlands Tram Stops.

Spawned out of necessity, after I saw a classic CAMRA Heritage Interior Pub was about to close down. This time next week, it will be impossible to visit the Black Eagle again.

Picking up where I left off at West Bromwich Central. AI gets it right.... The Billiard Hall is technically closer, but has already been ticked when I alighted at Dartmouth Street.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
15	West Bromwich Central	The Billiard Hall	The Billiard Hall

The Sandwell is a Craft Union place which took refugees in from the Billiard Room, after it's short hiatus when Wetherspoons pulled out. Undergoing a refit of its own, its not looking the best externally.

Baggies!

It's a cavernous, Cruzcampo "fun pub" inside but most of the entertainment is provided when police and ambulance services are summonsed to the al fresco, afternoon gentlemen sleeper whom I noticed on arrival. A rush to the windows, much conjecture about the reason for blue light activity, until a fly is spotted that needs swatting. Teamwork in action, but the fly survived.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
16	The Hawthorns	The Vine	The Blue Posts

  

My most used tram stop. Revisiting the Vine would not have been a hardship but its not technically the closest. This is a tie - The Royal Oak, my post match go-to pub or the Blue Gates are closer. 

Only one has a blue plaque celebrating the 1965 visit of Malcolm X.

It's a Fee Ouse

Again cavernous but no fly swatting championships. The only entertainment in a sparsely decorated pub are the two pool tables. Apart from that, it's spartan. The only thing of note is the gentlemen who tells me that "I will never forget by first visit to the Blue Gates toilets". My eyes had already started watering. My laugh is met with "They are Grade II listed and nothing can be done".

Drain unblocker may have helped. Or mandatory wellies.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
17	Soho Benson Road	The Soho Tavern	The Soho Tavern

AI gets it correct by about 10m but in the interests of never being able to visit again, I hit the Black Eagle. Another one lost to the CAMRA Real Heritage Pubs book;

Victorian Terrace

Built in 1895, this pub retains much of its original multi-roomed layout along with some attractive old features.

Of the five small rooms here, four are clustered round a central servery. The bar front left has its original counter (incorporating a row of Minton tiles) and bar back and which also serves the tap room on the right. The lounge front right has absorbed the former off-sales; the counter is original but some tiles were damaged and the rest re-used on the rear smoke room counter. The former entrance to this room is blocked up and the fixed seating in front is modern, the rest being original. In the rear smoke room, the counter has been enlarged to the right. The bar back fitting actually consists of what were the exterior windows, removed to create the doorway to the rear dining room (which has no old fittings). On the right are a 1920s fireplace and inter-war fixed seating.

Ever wondered what it would be like drinking in the bar of the Titanic? Conversation runs from the stoic "Everything Changes" to the more morose "I haven't been this upset since Silver Blades closed".

I was asked on Twitter if the closure was permanent?

Sadly, if I was a betting man, I would say "Yes".

Offers have been made on Social Media for the fixtures and fittings

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Pubs - 3

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 17

28/03/26 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl - Stage 4

Back to the Beginning

The quest to find the nearest pubs to the West Midlands Metro stops reaches stage 4. I'm back in Wolverhampton. The brief was to see if AI had plotted correctly and to move on three stops at a time. Having got to Birmingham, I reset from The Royal.

 

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
11	The Royal	The Royal London	The Harp

All I can say is that if you think Wolverhampton is rough, wait till you reach the outskirts. AI getting it hopelessly wrong. There is a pub called the Royal London, but it's much further from a tram stop in the middle of a dual carriageway than the Harp.

Hard to know if the Harp is open.... or a pub

The last review on pubsgalore is from 2012....

A traditional pub for the discerning drinker who likes good company of a refined nature

Which shows that irony has never been out of fashion.

If I was truly down with the kids and abandoned Twitter for TikTok, I would have known that this place is famous for its authentic Jamaican cuisine. Indeed, all the action was in the room on the opposite side of the bar where a jolly man with a plastic apron, gloves and hat was keeping customers entertained.

This left the bar side for me - still a traditional drinking area and Guinness at £3.50 adding to the time-warp vibes. Horse racing on a TV, which could not be heard over the humming of a drinks chiller. Loud enough that it must be breaking health and safety rules.

For lunch, Jamaican, rather than Black Country, would have been a better choice

 

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
12	Bilston Central	The Trumpet	The Horse and Jockey

Interesting. The Horse and Jockey was visited when I alighted at The Crescent. I hadn't realised it was next door to Bilston Tram Station and I only hope I didn't walk all the way back last time out.

So the Trumpet - long saved in my "to go" list and also a Holdens Pub (another ticklist) is on the cards. Even if I have to "cheat" by walking past a terrifying Craft Union pub. The chain that provides a home to those banned from 'spoons.

Jazz - 7 Days a Week

It's places like this that make my travels worthwhile. This inauspicious looking place has become a mecca for live music since a landlord started playing his Jazz records in the 1950s. Slade used to meet there, and it might have been an interview with Noddy, where I found the inspiration to go.

The Slade International Fan Club

It now has a "stage" at the far end and a collection plate to pay towards the artists. Slightly too early for the scheduled act, I wasn't not entertained. A bizarre Saturday afternoon form of karaoke takes place. Punters are encouraged to sing along to Fleetwood Mac, whilst (I assume) the landlord plays along on the bongos and/or the drums.

It's actually much better than I can make it sound.

This, chatty locals, banter and a landlady who came and had a chat with a stranger made for a perfect afternoon. 

I will be back... I missed the GBG Tick the Cafe Metro and the building opposite is surely worthy of blogging and research.

Black Country Bitter

Surprised to find a Medieval Manor House in Bilston - The Greyhound and Punchbowl

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
13	Wednesbury Parkway	The Brunswick	The Lord Nelson

There is a pub called the Brunswick Arms - so AI may have been saving me from myself. The Lord Nelson is much closer - but it's a terrifying walk to get there. First, underpasses need to be negotiated - which are somehow far more sinister when devoid of human life than when the hoodies are congregating. Then a walk past those chop shops that you only see on daytime crime series. All cars with missing front ends and no registration plates.

During my walk, I thought Google Maps was having a moment.

Pub Ahead - You've got to want to go!

The Lord Nelson up close

Does this mean other toilet-based activity is allowed?

I've no idea where the other punters have come from but there was one table occupied under the TV screen with the football scores coming in. 5 customers showing the pub to be a real survivor. Maybe it gets lunchtime trade from the chop shops in the week?

Tick them whilst you can!

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
14	Dudley Street Guns Village	The Horse and Jockey	The Wheatsheaf

AI getting it slightly wrong again. There is a Horse and Jockey in West Brom but you have to walk past both the Hop Pole and the Wheatsheaf. The Hop Pole previously visited, as it was in the Good Beer Guide. The Wheatsheaf an enigma of poor opening hours. When I say hours, I should say days. Although that might have changed. Sources disagree.

Regardless - it's a Holdens and looks handsome from the outside.

Handsome - and open for the first time in 3 visits

The Positives: Best pint of the day today. Not too hard, but the Golden Glow was perfect.

The Negatives: All a bit spartan inside - very brightly lit and furniture that looks stolen from a café. Not really providing the comfy pubby vibes suggested by the exterior.

Dimmer switch required

This never ending pub crawl gets picked up from West Bromwich Central next time. Hopefully, in less than 6 months.

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Pubs - 4

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 14

06/09/25 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl, Stage 3

I hit the city

An afternoon on an organised walking tour of Birmingham - The Crown, Black Sabbath, Digbeth, River Rea - all that sort of stuff. Unsure the guide was right when he said that Budweiser is brewed in Aston. We all agreed that Birmingham would be lovely when it's finally finished. It's frankly all a bit of a mess. Especially Digbeth.

Before this, I have a few hours to complete the next stages on the tram pub crawl. I asked AI to identify the nearest pub to each stop and when on the ground, fire up Google Maps to see if they have it correct. Stopping every three stops, I've made it to the end of the first run.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
8	St Pauls	The Rectory	The Hen and Chickens

At least the Rectory exists.... but there is a pub closer. If I had been able to easily alight the tram stop to the left, it might have been the new Indian Brewery Tap Room. However, on Constitution Hill is a desi pub of greater vintage.

 

Curry for lunch

A Victorian corner pub from 1875. Inside, it's largely unchanged and labyrinthine, with a little snug behind the bar and another separate dining area. Advertised as "Cask and Curry", they do indeed have Theakston Lightfoot on. Once I make my mind up that £29.50 is too expensive for a small grill, it has to be a Cobra to wash down my Madras. The first mistake of the day was eating the rather large green chili balanced atop.

Famously expensive

Midday at the Hen

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
9	Corporation Street	The Shakespeare	The Windsor

When in doubt, AI recommends the Shakespeare. There is one near New Street, but the Windsor is much closer. As long as you can navigate the abandoned rental scooters and are prepared to venture into a dodgy looking alley.

Canon Street

This is a modern (1990) rebuild of a Victorian pub, maintaining the style by using the original spruced up facade. If it looks a little rough, its more the street than the actual pub but it does carry a long-term reputation. A 1970s Pubman describing the place as;

“a bit rough looking… a dodgy bar… if you wanted something cheap, nudge, nudge, wink, wink,” but also noted it was “not trouble-wise”

It's now inhabited by pre-match football lads and old boys. The former in a uniform of shorts, even the one with a false leg. The latter drinking John Smiths smooth pour.

No cask ale and possibly the only thing of interest is that a decent looking cooked Irish breakfast is 80p cheaper than a pint of Japanese lout. A rather fine collection of whisky and if I had been a true adventurer, I would have asked if the "double up for £1.70" included Lagavulin 16.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
10	Library	The Shakespeare	The Gentlemen and Scholar

Move onto the Library - so no end of drinking establishments along Broad Street. Google Maps shows the Gentlemen and Scholar as directly next to the tram stop. Here comes mistake number 2 of the day. It looks like a pub - behind a glass wall, with some comfy looking sofas and pubby furniture. Getting in proved near impossible. No door on the main street opens. The bouncer next door couldn't tell me how to gain access. At one point, I gave up and tried the Wetherspoons. Yet this was three deep at the bar and would have been a betrayal of the mission.

When is a pub not a pub

All became clear when heading around the corner. This is a hotel bar for the Hyatt hotel. Still, in for many a penny, I decided to investigate. After paying for another Japanese lout, I instantly get a message from the keeper of the joint bank account. Mrs M wanted to know why I was drinking in expensive hotels instead of being back at home listening to my brother.

£8.20. 

But I do tell her to be grateful that I don't smoke cigars.

Snipage a snip at £15.

That's me staying in for the rest of the week

Really, should have taken the short trip to the end of the line at Edgbaston Village. However, my brother cannot be left unattended, so I call it a day.

Stage 4 starts back at Wolverhampton for some more wallet-friendly drinking.

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1, Part 2

Pubs - 3

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 10

16/05/25 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl, Part 2

On With The Plan

Previously, I made it as far as Black Lake. Leaving a 3 station gap, I resume at Lodge Road.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
5	Lodge Road	The Red Lion	The Billiard Hall

The Red Lion is entirely a fabrication by AI. The actual nearest is a fine looking building that strangely, Wetherspoons had given up on. The locals were not happy in 2023, when Timbo put the Billiard Hall up for sale.

The Billiard Hall

It didn't take long for new owners to take it on. To be honest, you'd really have to look carefully to see it's no longer a 'spoons. The furniture must have been included in the sale. There are clues, if you really look. Keen pricing but no cask ale available. Televisions on but the volume audible. An unusual mix of Kylie Minogue music videos and golf shared screens equally.

Clean, Tidy, Full of People, Stella for £4.20

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
6	Kendrick Park	The Old Hop Pole	The Vine

The next pub needs no introduction to Championship (and occasional Premier League) football fans.

The Vine is one of the country's great away day pubs. Fans from less Desi-Pub populated parts of the country enjoying good beer and a mixed grill.

Of course, I've been many times but I have to ask: "When did it get so expensive?" When I start ticking off David Jesudason's book (signed copy on my shelf), I will see if anywhere else charges £15 for a small mixed.

Goes back a long, long way.

A good job the beer was so cheap at my first and final destination.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
7	Winson Green	The Red Lion	The Soho Foundry Tavern

A proper bit of history, that links rather nicely with my morning walk around Handsworth. The Soho Foundry Tavern might be the most functionally named pub ever, directly opposite the gates of the Foundry.

Unexpected C18th Works

The Soho Foundry, established in 1795 by Matthew Boulton, James Watt, and their sons in Smethwick near Birmingham, was the world’s first purpose-built steam engine factory and a pioneering site of the Industrial Revolution. It introduced groundbreaking innovations in industrial management, including standardized parts, division of labor, and early welfare schemes. Located by the Birmingham Canal for ease of transport, it produced steam engines and later became part of the Avery weighing machine business. Today, the site is partly still in industrial use by Avery Weigh-Tronix, though much of it is derelict and listed as at risk. Restoration plans are underway to revive it as a heritage and community site.

Proper Looking Pub

I had this saved in my Google Maps - presumably for its architectural looks but maybe as a potential pre-Baggies Pint.

Whereas in history, it probably served pints of mild to re-hydrate the foundry workers, it now sells keg to (what appeared on my visit to be) thirsty delivery drivers.

A £4.40 Guinness taken into an extensive back garden, but not before a quick photo of the interior.

Inside the Soho Foundry Tavern

Google maps suggesting that my route home should start at Handsworth Booth Street. 

Maybe I'll be brave enough to tackle the Observatory on that visit. 

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1

Pubs - 3

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 7

31/08/24 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl - Part 1

Orange Chips

A Simple Plan - navigate the West Midlands Metro line to have a drink in the nearest pub to every station. Before setting off, I used AI to put together a list, including opening times. There's only one way to validate accuracy and that's to explore. As there are now 35 stations (and extensions planned), I expect this to take a couple of trips. I'll start at one end and introduce a three station gap, repeating until I have reached completion.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
1	St George Street	The George Wallis	The Wheatsheaf

First things first, the trams dont actually run to Wolverhampton St Georges now, replaced by Wolverhampton Railway Station. It obviously costs too much to replace the branch lines on the map. Never mind, its an easy walk from Pipers Row, which does mean I have to set my first rule. No pub repetition.

The Wheatsheaf is an 11am opener - perfect for my needs on my first visit to the Hawthorns in the new season. A reminder that I am deep in enemy territory, with the ceiling festooned with Wolves flags.

A Marstons House, the Banks Bitter Amber was decent but chilled to the bone. A jukebox blaring out Elvis and his Suspicious Mind. Rather a nice front room, with a fire place and outside seating in a little courtyard. I am off to a decent start and the barstaff called me "Angel" for returning my glass.

The plan is off to a fine start ....

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
2	The Crescent	The New Inn	The Horse and Jockey

If you find the "Anvil Headed Lady", you are there

Ha! The Trumpet in Bilston has been on my "to visit" list for an age. Yet the Horse and Jockey is 0.1m closer and I can't be breaking the rules so soon. Bravery required to enter the Horse and Jockey. A pub that is marked as closed on Pubsgalore (how nice to get to declare it open) and having next to no information on WhatPub.

A Guinness ordered and a seat taken to see how to enter the conversation. Of course, all the chat is about Oasis Tickets and it would seem everyone and his brother have been having a go. Hell, I even tried (for my kids) for at least 20 minutes before heading out with better things to do. There was no success for anyone here but my acceptance in their local was gained by recycling twitter jokes.

Don't be sad. You can create your own live Oasis experience at home.

Simply stand 2 immobile action figurines at the end of your garden, drink some warm beer, play any literally Slade single at 33rpm, and set fire to £150.

— Russ Jones (@RussInCheshire) August 31, 2024

Big laughs, but by this time of the day, the joke should have been £357.  

A possibility for the Trumpet when I stop at Bilston High Street.

An enjoyable Guinness

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
3	Bradley Lane	The Bradley	The Fiery Grill

AI has got the nearest pub incorrect twice but it really pushes the boat out this time by recommending a pub that doesn't even exist. 

The Bradley: A community pub with a relaxed setting and affordable drinks. Opening hours: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM 

Sounds lovely. I think I may draw a blank here but Google Maps shows a Fiery Grill not too far of a walk away. If the worst comes to pass, I need lunch anyway. Good news - its definitely a (desi) pub. Bad news, despite advertising all the football action - with a game in flight - it doesn't open until 1pm.

It could have been a spectacular lunch

A chipper around the corner and I lose my orange chips virginity. Honestly, once you have them, you cannot go back to regular. I am ruined for life. Once demolished, there are signs of life at the front and I am the first in for a half of Staropramen. They even turn the TV on for me. An Andi Wieman wonderstrike.

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
4	Black Lake	The Queens Head	The Queens Head

AI actually gets one right!

A bit of a trek from Black Lake Station and then I need to convince the bouncer that I can come in.

In the foyer

I stand at the bar without service, until an old boy takes pity on me and says I need to ring the bell. Teenage bar staff appear in seconds to serve me a ropey half of Butty Bach. Looks a lively place on the evening, with an awful lot of karaoke equipment.

File under "Fun Pub".

Or Adult Creche

So, two trads, a desi and a back from the dead, semi-secret community local. A promising start.

The tram whisks me off to the Hawthorns for the annual "I'll give it one more season" game. We're looking good!