The Malt House, Birmingham

Original Pub Co establishment, next to the canal, NIA and Sea Life Centre. Open plan interior that I felt was in need of some redecoration as the existing decor was a little tired. It was very quiet during my visit on a Wednesday lunchtime but the food we ordered arrived in about 5 minutes - draw your own conclusion as to its freshness. The pub does have a claim to fame in that Bill Clinton popped in for a pint during the G8 summit in Birmingham in 1998 - sadly it can't live off that endorsement forever. On handpull there was Wells Bombardier, Bateman's XB and Greene King IPA. The other two handpulls - maybe there to act as adverts had London Pride and Greene King Abbot marked as 'Coming Soon'. Typical family chain pub, the interior is like many others, but handy if visiting nearby attractions and that is when I'd be most likely to venture back.

A canal-side pub/eatery in what one assumes was a former malting house, which is in undressed brick with balcony and patio area The interior is on long room, but there are two floor and i love ROBs description of a 'featureless barn sort of way' as it is spot on. The decor is the different but plain wall colours - red, terracotta, cream, with some undressed brick. There is a part wood floor as well. The place is all foody based and with no real pictures or ephemera it does look generic and a little boring. There were a few TV's, the one above the bar had some silent programme on - why? turn it off, especially as there were jazz musicians playing as a part of the Artsfest. The service was fine and the clientele all seemed quite mature. Beer; tap stuff with Bombardier and Courage Directors - which i just had a half of and was fine. Not really worth the effort for a real ale drinker, it is generally there for the budget food.

This is a massive pub on two floors. It's got loads of canalside seating and also an upstairs outside terrace with good views over the canal. It quite nicely done inside in a featureless barn sort of way and there are loads of dining tables everywhere. It has a dance floor area upstairs but I don't know if this is used, it certainly wasn't being yesterday at about 5 of course. There's a huge TV screen over the bar and there's also a quiz machine, they also have live bands on at times. There are an incredibly optimistic 10 handpumps on the bar, some look as if they've never been used. There were only two beers on and these were the really boring Bombardier and Directors, come on guys show a bit of imagination. I had a Bombardier which was pretty good really and promptly won £8 on the quiz machine, so all in all I was pretty happy.

Pretty useful place for people visiting nearby Sea Life and NIA (National Indoor Arena) President Clinton once dined and drank in here in mid 1990's. However despite its superb locatiom, it is pretty soulless and expensive. Even Fiver can buy you bowl of soup! They do have 3 ales on ale (Courage's bitter, Bombardier and pedigree) which is not bad but drinkable. Nearby The Prince Of Wales is better choice for drinks.