The Hollybush, Uplands, Smethwick

This is a detached pub, in red brick, with some blue paintwork. It was built around 1910, when the area was rapidly swalled-up for housing. It looks a little like a bank, being in a uniform Georgian style, with pediments and pilasters. The old rooms have been lost. I just saw the front bar, which was once divided up, but is now one lnger room. It is in a mint green and grey wood panel, with a grey wood panel bar and red lino floor. There is a pool table and dart board to one side (though i dont think both can be played at the same time. Another dart board seemed to hand on a wall that is now covered by the fruit machines. The TV had general programmes on and the music kicked-in once in a while via the jukebox. A few old photos are on the walls for interest. The service was friendly enough and a few mature locals were in. Beer; no real ale, just the usual tap stuff with an OK M&B MILD. A tidy enough place, that like everywhere in Smethwick, doesn't have a real ale for my taste.

Basic local near the Cricket and Bowls club. I only went into the bar, so unsure of any other rooms. The bar was uncomfortably warm, the heating on full blast, and uncomfortably local as well, making me feel a little, well, uncomfortable! The bar was very laddish. Its clean and tidy though, with some gaming machines and flat screen TVs. There is a garden at the rear. No real ale, there is keg M&B mild, Brew 11 and John Smiths extra smooth on keg. The mild was ok. Average.