The Labour in Vain, Stourbridge

Occupying a large corner site, this pub would appear to be a collaboration of two adjoining buildings. The main bar area is boarded with regular seating, beige walls, there is a fireplace at one end which looks to get some use with a framed montage to the England rugby team above. Through an arched doorway to another area, this time with a sofa and high tables with stools then through another door opening to a flagged corridor which leads to the toilets but also houses a dartboard. The arched doorway marks a slight change in levels of around 50mm which I expect will have caused a fair few tumbles late in the evening. To the far right hand end in what looks like a separate building from outside is a more plush area set aside for more formal dining although bar snacks and meals are also available, pretty cheap with burgers around £5, steak and ale pie £5.15. Three handpumps were in operation, Ringwood Boondoggle, Banks Bitter (£1.25 a half) and Hobgoblin. A small group of clearly regulars were perched on bar stools chatting with the barman. A TV on the wall was showing videos linked to the juke box, although live sports are shown, and occasional live music is advertised. A large rear garden with plenty of furniture will provide further options in the summer. The welcome and service were friendly and the group at the bar moved aside to let me get served, nothing special for sure but fine for a quick pint or so.

This is a massive detached Georgian styled Banks's pub, with a beer garden and kid's play area. The building has two wings and is in a cream render, and black paintwork, with sash windows. On entry, the Isis restaurant is housed in the building to the right - this is simply a room populated by dining tables, but well laid out, as you would expect. The door to the left takes you into what was once a small room, but now, as the whole interior is now one big room (losing the 3 old smaller rooms). This large room is in dark green and cream, and is U-shaped all around the serving bar. The flooring is a mix; wood, flag and tile, because it betrays the extent of the former rooms - a ghost of the old pub. There are a couple of bar like areas - the first with a TV and a fireplace, and the second with the decaying old preimeter seating. A sofa area is in the third old room - with arty pictures on the walls, and a back area now has high stools. The service was good, and there was a small local clientele. There was no music. Beer; usual tap stuff with three handpulls, only one, with Boondoggle was on - this was OK, at best. A disappointment, a place for one if you have missed your train.