The Bell, Kingswinford

A detached modern 1950s looking pub and eatery, with a patio and beer garden. It is a low-level brick build with a steep pitched roof that gives a couple of dormer windows on the ground floor! The interior is an open plan room on two levels. It is in grey, brick and patterned wallpaper, with a white ceiling, tartan carpet and has a large brick hearth feature. The place is half and half - an eatery on one side and a comfy chair lounge on the other, where a slightly out of place dart board lives. The art is all bistro style. The music was 80s and at a decent level. The service was functional and the clientele were a couple of others just drinking. Beer; usual tap stuff with Peroni. On handpull there was Thwaites Wainwright (decent) and Ruddles Best - the Golden Glow was turned around. I am happy enough i popped in, but it is a little devoid of atmosphere.

My girlfriend and I visited the pub today after its recent refurbishment the decor and seating was ok, but lacked atmosphere. I ordered the steak,mushroom and ale pie which after a while we were advised that this was not ready as it was still cooking. I asked for the gammon and egg but asked for no salad but peas instead. Rather abruptly I was told that they could only do what was on the menu, hence NO PEAS or salad for me. No sign of any customer satisfaction bearing in mind they hadn't got what I originally asked for. The gammon was not exactly a reasonable size although it was cooked satisfactorily. We both live close to The Bell and intended using it on a regular basis for lunchtimes and evenings. Sorry Bell you've missed out this time we won't be calling again.