Victoria Inn, Birmingham

The Victoria as it is now called is a large pub that is situated in the middle of Barnt Green. Once inside there is a large single room with the bar on the front left side,the floor is part tiled and carpeted,the seating is bench type and normal tables and chairs,the rear left area is down two steps. There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Purity UBU,which was a nice drink,the other real ales noted were Sharps Two Tides,Doom Bar and Brains Rev James. Food was being served and the pub was very busy on a late Saturday afternoon visit with both drinkers and diners. I thought this was a decent enough pub to have a drink in.

Upmarket pub / restaurant in the centre of the village, with a refurbished façade featuring some noticeably large windows on both sides of the corner entrance. Plush, semi-modern furniture and decor within the 'L'-shaped interior with its mix of seating and dining areas. On the real ale front, Doom Bar, Landlord, Pure UBU and Hog's Back TEA (£4.15) were available from the two banks of three handpumps.

A detached 'village pub and restaurant' with a good patio area. Formerly the Victoria Hotel, the place was built around 1900 - in the early phases of building in the south of Barnt Green (above the railway loop). The building is quirkily Victorian, with the original beam and daub juxtaposed with brick. This has all been painted in ubiquitous modern colours now; with coffee, chocolate and pale green featuring. I just thank the Lord they haven't smashed the Gothic lancet windows. The interior is an F-shaped room in chocolate, wood and stone et al, with a 'bar' area towards the main door and the rest given over to dining. I say 'bar', as it has comfy seats, sofas, pouffes, candles and cushions - at least there is a brick fire breast and a few Victorian prints and old photos on the walls. The restaurant has more arty stuff on the walls. I didn't eat, so can't comment on the food, which is described as 'unpretentious pub-food' - now to me that suggests 'pie-of-the-day' - here it is 'Pulled British Beef and Ale Pie with orange & cardamom infused carrots, roasted shallot and crushed pea & mashed potatoes (£10.95) - sounds a little pretentious to me, especially as 95% of the photos on their website are given over to plates of food. The music was general and at a decent level. The service was fine and there were a few in at my visit, mainly outside. Beer; usual tap stuff with Peroni and Purity UBU, Mad Goose, Doombar and a decent Hop Back Summer Lightning on handpull. Modernists will love this - it just isn't to my taste, but it is a clear step-up from the excruciating experience of the Barnt Green Inn.

Official site of the Victoria Inn - www.thevictoriabarntgreen.co.uk

Official site of the Victoria Inn - www.thevictoriabarntgreen.co.uk