Spoilers, Birmingham

Basic Irish local on main high street in Digbeth and adjoins the Institute music venue. Polished floor with mats, square wood tables & chairs. Deceiving from the outside as it stretches back into a live music area. No real ale (Banks on keg) which was undrinkable. And its not over friendly.

Returned to this pub for the first time since it changed its name. This is a terraced Victorian pub that was originally called the Old Bull's Head. The Big Bull's Head is near next door, separated by the Institute - once the B'ham Battery& Metal Works. The pub has a typical Victorian lower frontage, now in green, with pilasters, and an upper frontage in brick. I am sure this place has changed inside - it now has a narrow part at the front and widens out at the back, where there i a little raised area with a sound booth. The decor is a coffee colour, with cream ceiling and wood floor. There is a mix of bench, comfy and sofa seating. The walls have a few old photos and a few modern pictures and mirrors that give a hint of Irish influence. There is a pull down screen if needed, as well as a TV (showing sport), a jukebox, although the music was loud. The service was functional and the clientele a good mix. Beer; no real ale, all tap stuff with M&B, Banks's Dark and Tetley Dark MILD taps (if they all worked?). The Banks's Dark MILD was OK. A run-of-the-mill place.

Not what I expected at all (which was a cozy, if run down, Irish boozer). Instead, despite having a mainly Irish clientele (as you would expect from the area) and being fairly nondescript from the road, it has been fully refurbished inside with light, modern decor. Sparsely furnished, leaving lots of space for music and dance events. No real ale, so made do with a pint of Banks's Dark Mild (£2.20).