The Windsor, Birmingham

The Windsor has open plan seating on a green patterned carpet across the front with high tables to the left and standard furniture to the right that are faced by a staple-shaped serving counter on an island bar that supports standard and premium keg. Across the rear of the bar is raised seating that includes two snugs, and the toilets in the right rear corner. There’s a dartboard on the left-hand wall and the televisions airing Cheltenham horse racing throughout were being watched by a good-sized crowd of middle to pensioner aged blokes. Six Nations rugby is also advertised alongside Sky and TNT Sports. The two barmen were very friendly, but maybe one of them could have had a scooch around to clear some of the tables with empty glasses and dirty plates. This is a sports orientated city centre boozer that isn’t worth gong out of the way for.

1990s rebuild of a Victorian pub, but they have used a restored version of the front facade. Very spoons-esque, down to the breakfast menus on the tables of this 11am opener. They are soon whisked away a midday. Large, open plan. Mainly a meeting spot for pre-match football boys and old chaps on John Smiths Smooth Pour. Which brings me to the beer choice - no cask. Asahi at £5.80. Which was 85p more than the cooked Irish breakfast. Cannot comment on the quality of that, as by the time I had sat down it was 11:59am.

Looks like a Spoons from the outside and feels like one on entering. However it's an M&B pub, with the aforementioned JDWesque open-plan style but without the beer or burger range. Essentially a reverse Y shaped room with little of interest but also little to offend either. Five pumps with three ales and a cider. Beers were Doom Bar, Marstons Pedigree and Wainwright (dull, dull, and dull). My half of the Wainwright was pretty flat (NBSS 2) but at least came in at a wallet friendly £1.50 which meant I was happy enough to cut my losses after a few sips. Not one to prioritise. 5.5

Decent city centre pub where the prices are reasonable. As Gill says it can get packed on match days. Usually a couple of odd beers on with Moles Mole Catcher being on for my last visit along with Purity Mad Goose.

Probably a bad day to pick for a visit as full of Aston Villa fans, but e did manage to find seats, and I got to the bar where I found an excellent Thornbridge Jaipur among the 5 ales I believe on. Difficult to see round the bar, but there was a raised area at the rar which may have been for dining when the pub was not filled with football fans. Menu looked good and reasonable anyway. Staff friendly.