Gate Inn, Sutton Coldfield

A nice pub is this, our first of the day straight off the train. An unusual shape inside, a staggered L if you like, turning the angle in increments, split level also. The leaded arched windows are a splendid feature as is the large possibly onyx chandelier. There is a leaded stained glass ceiling window of a wagon wheel shape which must be just a feature as there are rooms above. Decor includes a fair few musical items such as guitars, timpani drums, a keyboard etc, the lighting rigs being evidence that this is also a live music venue. Additionally there is a football theme with framed cigarette cards, b&w photos of players of yesteryear and Villa and also Ipswich Town pennants on display. The live early kick-off game was showing on TV to a fairly sizeable crowd. Four on handpump, Sharp's Atlantic, Broadside, Moorhouse Blonde Witch and Black Sheep Holy Grail, a Monty Python themed beer. A pleasant spot indeed.

Split level open plan pub just off the end of the high street, with bar up the step at the far side as you walk in. Some nice features here, like the lead windows and stained glass on the ceiling, but the open plan design and the relatively small size of the place doesn't seem to quite work somehow, not helped by the carpet rising in places. There is also not much seating, sugesting standing groups in the evening? Apart from that its tidy enough & offers 3 real ales - Doom Bar, Pride & Butty Bach, quality was ok.

The exterior of the pub is quite impressive, a row of large, ornate windows, ablaze with light on a cold winter's evening. The interior is open plan and on split level. There is a dart board on the lower level. There are two TV screens on opposite sides of the pub, both showing the football match on ITV on my visit. A band was setting up, ready to play at 9:30. The interior decor was quite bland, but the split level layout made it interesting nevertheless. The clientele were mixed in age from 'emo' teenagers to elderly gents. The atmosphere was really quite friendly. They had three real ales on when I visited, Butty Bach, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and London Pride. There was also the usual stuff. The Butty Bach and Landlord were really nice. I didn't try the London Pride. All in all, I was really pleased with the Gate. It is a pub that I have hitherto ignored. I shall not ignore it again. It is a very nice pub!