Sportsmans Rest, Birmingham

Typical estate boozer, although the interior and pole-mounted pub sign seem to have been refreshed much more recently than the basic twin-bar interior. The rear lounge doors were locked, and even some parts of the public bar at the front were unlit. However, the peripheral seating here allows enough room for a pool table (which is probably the best-lit area). No real ale of course, but at least the inevitable John Smith's was only £2.60...

A detached cream rendered pub, with front patio The interior had two rooms, but the lounge was in darkness. The bar was in red and white, and had much crammed into the space - pool table, dart board, TV (not on) and a heavily used juke box. There was a collection of footy shirts above the bar itself and a few prints and mirrors on the walls. The service was fine, the clientele mixed locals it seemed. Beer; no real ale all keg stuff with a decent enough M&B MILD A standard enough place really, sadly lacking in a real ale, but i was happy to have visited it

Form the outside, this looks like a large 'council house' style building, rendered in a creamy yellow colour. It looks a little 'rough and ready'. There are two rooms, the small front bar with a pool table and a lounge to the rear. On the Thursday I came in, the lounge was closed and in darkness. There were only four other customers in when I came in, but others came in while I supped my beer. There are no real ales and no taps for real ales. Its the usual stuff, but they did a smoothpour M&B Mild. I had a couple of pints of this and it was perfectly drinkable. I felt quite comfortable in this pub, but I wonder what it would be like on a Saturday night. I would come back here.