The Ivy Bush, Galton Bridge, Smethwick

A former Holden's pub, it is a detached corner pub, with a fantastic rean and black frontage with leaded windows. The rest of the pub is in undressed brick. It has a rear patio area. The interior actually has three rooms, the bar and main lounge being served by a central serving bar. The bar is a straight room with white artex walls and ceiling with some exposed brick and a red tile floor. There is a dart board and there was a match on when i visited and a TV showing the darts! The wood and red tile bar faces you on entry and there are pictures of the Baggies on the walls. The lounge is in white and pink wood panel, with a hearth feature and a pool table. It also had a big screen TV showing the darts. The service was fine and there was no music. There is a small lounge at the back in white and beam look, which wasn't actually open at the time of my visit, it had trophies and pictures stored in it. Beer; all tap stuff, with Cobra and an ok M&B MILD, despite having four handpulls. They did bottles of Holdens. Nothing for the real ale fan. A friendly enough place.