The Royal Oak, Tipton

Supposedly a 'Bar & Grill', but no sign of a food offering on a Thursday evening? Apart from that, this appears to be a four-room establishment: the main bar front right, a smaller lounge (in darkness) front left, an even darker rear lounge behind the counter and a dining room somewhere round the back. No cask beer unfortunately, so made do with a keg Sharp's Doom Bar (£3.80) while waiting for my train from nearby Dudley Port station.

This is a detached pub with patio area. The pub itself is certainly Victorian, put has been extended over time and so the original pub is within the exisiting one. It used to have a bowling green at the back and buildings once stood upon what is now the car-park. The pub is in white and pale green wood beams. The frontage shows some of its heritage, with a central entrance (via steps - with column pilaters) flanked by rounded bay windows that have etched glass (including a coffee room). The far entrance isnt used. There is a canopy to cover the lower frontage. The interior has been gutted, more or less. The old central corridor has gone, so the bar is to the right, in cream amd wood, with a wood floor. There is a dart board and TV's with soaps on. There is an open snug to the left, also in cream and wood, with brown seats and a blocked fire - it all looks tired (but has just been taken over). There is a nice rear lounge, with a nice wood surround fireplace - but the lights were out. There are no pictures, so it looks bare. There was no music. The service was fine and a few people were in, more outside. Beer; no real ale. Ke-wise, most things were sold-out, so just lager was on - i had a shandy. The place needs some TLC from its new landlord, but i am sure that real ale is not on the cards.