Hen & Chickens, Birmingham

Pretty full on my Friday afternoon visit with a large array of H&M clad mannequins savouring the fizzpops on offer. The L-shaped bar and pub isn't bad but, sadly, the handpulls were unemployed so sparlkewater had to suffice. Its not a bad place but I doubt I'll ever be back.

Quite an impressive, if very run down, building housing a right old-fashioned boozer with a twist (namely the rear part of the 'L'-shaped bar seeming to operate as an Indian restaurant). Basic furniture and decor, loud sports TV and a pool table. Rocking Rudolph and Everards Tiger (£3.20) available from two handpumps, although ordering a pint of latter results in a little confusion since Tiger lager is also available. Overall, a bit better than I was expecting from first appearances.

A Victorian corner pub and one I thought i had reviewed some years back, but alas not - saying that, the place had closed and re-opened since my last visit. It is a fantastic building of three storeys - the upper two having Roman windows, bands of differing brick and a machicolatated look, like a medieval castle parapet. The lower frontage is now in a clinical white, with pilasters, large leaded windows and it still retains its corner entrance. The interior now seems to be jus one small L-shaped room, as stated by Alan. The room is white, with a black cornice and carpet. The bench seating is part brown and part blue, as some has been recovered. There is a pool table and a couple of Sky TVs shown the Sky Sports News. There was no music. A couple of pictures are on the walls, but it is pretty palin. The service was fine and a few lads were in playing pool. Beer; no real ale, no keg MILD, just the usual taps with Cobra. I had a shandy and left. A lot cleaner than it was before, but very basic.