Stag & Three Horseshoes, Halesowen

The name might suggest an amalgamation of two premises, but the old decorative glass above the main entrance illustrating both aspects suggests that the name goes back some time. Unfortunately, the modernised interior with three main seating areas around a 'U'-shaped counter, with a pool table off to one side and a 'Lounge' dining area in the diagonally opposite corner, is less interesting than the exterior might suggest. Also has some patio tables out front. Standard Sizzling menu. Doom Bar and Hobgoblin (£2.90) available from two of three handpumps.

Official site of Stag & Three Horseshoes - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Official site of Stag & Three Horseshoes - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

This is a large detached Sizzling chain pub with surrounding patio areas. The pub itself is a mock-Tudor styled place mainly in white painted brick, with stone window frames. It looks quite impressive with projecting front-facing Dutch gales with bay windows or inpressive moulded doorways. The interior is a massive sprawling open-plan room, with a small side area that acts as a bar (all three tables). The side area had a pool table, dart board a few TVs with the sport on and walls of mustard, red, brown etc, with a lino floor - it looked a bit tired really. The main room, partioned up, is in the same mix of colours, along with salmon, green and grey, with a loud patterned carpet. The place is of course all laid out for food, apart from the pinball machine and kid's grabbing machine, it is all tables and chairs. I sort of got bored looking around, but there is an interesting collection of lampshades dotted about. There were TVs that had the darts on and there was no background music. The service was fine and the clientele a real mix, from families to birthday parties. I didn't eat here, as i wanted to breathe - it was too packed. Beer; usual tap stuff with Marston's EPA and a so-so Banks's Bitter on handpull Whilst i found the decor of the place a little tired in parts, it had mediocre beer, sprawling and somewhat dreary, they are clearly catering for the majority as it was very busy. Go if eating, not really for a drink alone.