The Gate Hangs Well, Stourbridge

The Gate Hangs Well is L-shaped with two bars, the left of which was empty during a recent Friday evening visit. A dartboard hangs on the left-hand wall and banquettes run along the front windows and also across the rear to the serving counter that runs across the rear wall before turning towards the rear to create an L-shaped counter in the right-hand bar. Standard and premium keg is supported and the three hand pumps were all badged with Wye Valley’s HPA. The right-hand bar is more comfortable, and was much busier than the left. The television was airing muted rugby while some background music played. The only real draw for this place was the very friendly service.

Refurbished local retaining two separate rooms: a plain public bar busy with a darts match on a Wednesday evening and a quieter, more comfortable lounge (although the furniture is sparser and more regimented than one might expect). Also has a rear beer garden. All three handpumps on the right-hand counter had Wye Valley HPA clips, but this was in good shape and reasonably priced at £3.60.

A two roomed traditional local's pub offering a choice of 3 ales on handpump. We went for the Holden's Golden Glow, which was in good condition and reasonably priced. The furthest room on the right with the main bar was the busiest part of the pub. Service was fast and friendly and the few locals that were in were having good banter with the manageress. We opted for the quieter lounge area on the entrance side. The odd feature here was a small built-in bench seat under the stairwell.

This is a nice looking detached Victorian corner pub. It is in cream painted brick. It has two parts, an imposing three storey cottage, with central entrance with entablature and pediment above; it has symmetrical curved windows, with the central ones, above the door, now blocked. There is a dog-tooth cornice. There is a low-level cream brick extension and a rear beer garden. The interior has two rooms, though they are joined by what is an open doorway and served by one long bar that faces you on entry. The 'bar' side has mint green coloured walls and ceiling with green leather Chesterfield styled perimeter seating. There is a TV, which had the footy on and there were lots of old local photos on the walls. The lounge is in yellow, with some red and there is a patterned carpet. There is a small fireplace and bistro styled art on the walls, and the TV here had the horse-racing on. There was no music. The service was fine and there were a few locals in. Beer; the usual tap stuff with Wye Valley HPA and a very good Banks's MILD on handpull This is a decent enough place that is perhaps outshone by neighbouring places for beer choice. It is still more than worth popping into and i am sure i will be in again.