Watering Trough, Walsall

Further to the reviews below The Watering Trough actually stocks some great real ales now, and the cellar has the Cask Marque to say it has been regularly tested (independently) for quality, temperature and consistency. Currently on draft are Iron Maiden's Trooper, Doombar and Old Rosie. There are also regular live bands (at least 2 a month), Open Mic nights (last Tuesday of each month), Karaoke (first Thursday of each month), Darts and Poolm (free on Wednesdays) and a Jukebox of legendary status (free on Thursdays). Come on down and enjoy a pint with us, you'll love it!

The exterior to this terraced pub is a 30s styled undressed brick build with some timber beams and white rendereing. Returned to it's former name after being the Rising Sun for a while. A little update, as the decor has changed. The interior is strange, with almost a pub within a pub. The lounge is a separate building almost, with internal windows. The bar is open plan around the serving bar and out to the back of the pub, where there is pool, darts, large pull down screen TV and room for a DJ to set up - its a rock pub. Decor is wood panel and wood floor, with green walls and black in the pool area. The lounge is in purple, wood panel, wood floor and white and purple ceiling - the deep red wallpaper has gone. Gone to are the old photos of the Highgate Brewery on the walls - these are now rock and metal bands. There is a nice fireplace in the lounge. The music is reasonably loud, service is fine and the clientele mixed from the aging rocker to the younger kid. Beer; all tap stuff, no real ale. The Highgate MILD has gone, being replaced by a not very good M&B MILD. I visited this place a lot, as its just an honest place, though not everyone's cup of tea. Sadly, the loss of the Highgate means i won't really seek it out much again - worth a pop in though just to look at the building!

Recently they have added Old Rosie on pull which is a nice feature. Rock discos on Friday and Sat and Karaoke first thursday on the month. It's a friendly place with a nice cliental.

As Soup Dragon states, this pub has an odd layout as it almost looks like the pub has been built around the snug area! There are two rooms, a large public bar on the right and a small snug type room on the left, the pub has a central bar counter that serves both rooms. The bar has a small brick fire place on the right of the room opposite the bar counter with a pool table and dart board in the back right hand corner, there is a sky light at the back of this room which is a strange feature for a pub such as this. The snug is very small and cosy with a few old photos on the walls. Unfortunately there was no real ale, although there was a decent Highgate Dark Mild on keg. I believe this pub was previously owned by Highgate Brewery and called the Rising Sun. Not a bad pub which certainly has a nice traditional frontage and an interesting interior, it’s just a shame that it doesn’t have any proper beer. I’m not sure that I would return as there are a couple of really good pubs near by that I would rather visit.