The Pint Pot, Sutton Coldfield

The refurbished exterior hides a fairly basic estate pub within, although I suppose that was modernised too at the same time. However, this is weirdly devoid of furniture, with just a few tables filling the gap between the bench seating around the edges and the central bar. Dartboard at the back and a pool table in a side area, plus some outdoor seating at the front. Two very disused handpumps, and the East Coast IPA tap was without its handle, so I ended up with the inevitable John Smith's (£3.50).

A genuine "proper" pub. Great service and friendly locals. They were setting up for a darts tournament during my visit. I could of happily stayed here for a few !!

A detached white rendered cottage style pub, with low-level extension, with black paintwork and patio area. Part under scaffold at the moment. The interior - entrance gained through the extension - has a single L-shaped room, that has a pool table area at the opposite end to the dart board area (2 boards) with a bar area in between which as a TV - though it was switched to a general music channel at my visit. The decor is white and red, with undressed brick columns and a white ceiling. There are some old posters and adverts on the walls, with some sport memorabilia. The service was very good and the clientele were a good mix of friendly locals, with a few people playing dominoes - I had found a real community pub, in Mere Green! Beer; usual tap stuff with Ansells Bitter and a good MILD on keg - there was Spekky Hen on handpull. I thought that Mere Green was turning into a sterile foody pub place (not all bad), then i found this place and to an extent (as its currently being refurbished) the White Lion. Praise be! I will be back.