The Fellows, Dudley

Having seen their facebook page, I decided to pop in for a pint of Special bitter; big mistake! Place was gloomy and not very welcoming, only four people in (the barperson looked bored out of her skull) and the beer was warm - obviously none had been served since the pub opened. You also have to pay £2 to park, this is apparently refunded in the pub but the sign on the parking meter is missing, so it can be a very expensive pint. Not somewhere I'll go again.

Not too bad a place. Its split into 2 with the rear part for "Diners Only". The pub part has the feel of a basement bar despite it being on the ground floor. A total of 11 handpumps in two banks of 5 and 6. Four Holdens beers on and a cider all doubled up. Real ales between £2.50 and £2.80 is a fair deal.

The friends we were with brought us to this Holdens pub for a bite to eat, and it is in the 2014 Good Beer Guide. I thought being Christmas there may have been a seasonal at least, but there was only their Bitter, Special and Golden Glow on. We had the Golden Glow and Special, both of which were excellent, as was the food available. The steak bagette was really good value for money with the chunky chips.