Lamp Tavern, Dudley

The Lamp Tavern is a Bathams’ pub with front and rear bars, ashamedly I didn’t venture into the rear bar even though it was quiet. Two of the four hand pumps in the front were in operation drawing Bitter and Mild, the former being decent and served in a dimpled jug, not seen one of these in a long time. Premium keg was also available, another first was seeing Camden Stout on tap. I sat in the prime front tile floored seating area with curved banquettes located to the left of the entrance next to a fireplace with coal burner. To the right of the entrance is a snug and a dartboard oche runs up the right wall. The toilets are located at the rear through an ornate brown tiled corridor. I thought the service was friendly and the traditional décor very characterful, right up my street. Well worth the walk out of town, I’d have no problem returning.

Traditional Bathams pub retaining two bars separated by a central servery (with the rear lounge having another room beyond). No frills, but plenty of interesting features (especially the embossed brown brewery tiling in the corridors). The football on the TV screens was a bit of a distraction, as was one of locals watching a folk music video on his mobile while his mates studiously ignored him. Just the classic Bitter (£3.15) being served from the various handpumps, but when it's this good, I wouldn't have wanted anything else anyway.