The Coleshill, Birmingham

Official site of The Coleshill - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Coleshill - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Large hotel and bar in the middle of town. 3 handpumps but only 1 working, a festive number "Rock On Rudolph" obviously left over from Christmas. It tasted as though it was at the end of its life and I almost asked which Christmas it was from!

Although a hotel operating under the Old English Inns brand, the bar / restaurant is recognisably of the modern food-led pub variety. Thoroughly refurbished, with semi-modern furniture, but still having something of a traditional appearance in the various seating / dining areas. Also has a compact side patio. Unfortunately, only the Greene King IPA (oddly priced at £3.04) available from one of the three handpumps, with the Old Speckled Hen pull having an inverted glass on top.

This is an Old English Inn's hotel, restaurant and public bar, with a patio area to the side. The hotel is a Georgian winged-corridor type of building - the bar part being the left wing, which is of undressed brick, with a neo-classic entrance, linteled modern windows and a row of dormers. The interior has of course got access to the hotel and restaurant areas, but the bar itself is a straight room with a wine display in 'packing crate' effect decor breaking it up. The room is in wood, green wood and white, with a mix of floorings and a white and beam ceiling. The seating is a mix of booth areas, comfy chairs and high stools at high tables. I didn't see a TV and the music was general and at a decent level. The walls displayed mixed art, from classic to abstract (i think it was art). The service was fine and the clientele seemed to consist of the more mature. Beer; usual tap stuff with Staropramen - which was fine. There are two handpulls - these had a settling Old Spekky Hen and the somewhat dull Greene King IPA. A pleasant and comfotable enough hotel bar that at least does real ale. Happy enough to have visited.

Large one roomed public bar, with a restaurant to the side this is right next to the Coach Hotel. Its a plush place compared to the others in Coleshill, though its formed of old buildings so doesn't seem 'new'. It is a hotel bar rather than a pub, but its an 'independant' rather than 'formula' feel and its comfortable and pleasant. The food menu looks 'posh' and the prices reflect this, but there are deals as well. So overall, ok its a hotel bar, but its very well done and I would definatley return and I'd love to try the food. Two real ales, including Greene King IPA which tasts slight better than in the nearby Swan Hotel which had the same.