The Claregate, Wolverhampton

A massive detached Marston's food pub with patio areas. The pub is a huge horse-shoe shape, with the central entrance flanked by wings. It is in a part mock-Tudor style with its brick chimney stacks and mullioned windows. It is painted white, and the entrance has a steep sloped roof with dormer windows. The interior is all open plan around an island of a serving bar. There is a bar area at the front and dining at the back, though these fuse somewhere in the middle! The decor in the bit i saw, before i gave up (so i didn't see the pool and darts mentioned by The Monster, below), was yellow artex and wood panel, with some wood beams, with patterned carpet and white and beam ceiling. There are a number of TVs, showing sport and the music was general and soft. I didn't eat so can't comment on the food. Interesting features include a fire range, as well as cartoons and prints on the walls. There is also a kid's grabbing machine for those that require a less cerebral form of entertainment. The service was fine and the place quite busy with a good mix of locals; many just drinking, which is quite rare for a place like this. Beer; usual keg stuff with Banks's Bitter, MILD (decent), Jenning's Cocker-Hoop and Single Hop Amarillo on handpull. A far better experience than i thought i would enjoy, with the place being a foody one. I would return.

A Marston’s pub that is now mainly food orientated, a Victorian building that has undergone serious interior renovation in recent years although it still retains a bar area with large flat screen TV for sporting events, pool table and two dart boards to the left of the main entrance with a lounge on the right and a large eating area towards the back of the building which has a nice fire place with an old cast iron stove, Lounge and dining areas are open plan. There is a large central bar which serves all three areas, food is served all day and there is an extensive specials board. All of the meals are two for the price of one. Children are welcome and there is a special children’s menu. It is a big pub with an enormous car park. Regular ales are Banks’s Bitter and Mild with two changing ales from the Marston’s portfolio such as Brakspear, Jennings, Ringwood or Wychwood beers. As Marston’s pubs go this one isn’t too bad, has still got a little of its old character, such as genuine wooden beams in some areas. Good for a meal with the Mrs.