The Texan Roadhouse, Birmingham

One of those places that functions more as a Diner during the day and a bar at night. Lots of bright plastic, lots of screens all showing the same silent sport and a decent amount of comfortable padded seating. Not really my type of place but it was fit for purpose for a couple of lunchtime bacon sandwiches, a coffee for her and half of too cold ale from the one functioning pump for me..

Bar/dinner with numerous TVs showing sport. 2 real ale taps 1 on.

Modern bar / restaurant with bright lighting, post-box red furniture, loads of silent sports TVs and iffy music that certainly won't suit everyone (including me). An additional seating area up a half-flight of stairs was visible but roped off. Also has a small terrace out front, but it wasn't quite the weather for that when I stopped by briefly, and a patio at the back (not visited). However, on the plus side, I got a nice fresh pint of Butty Bach (£3.60) from one of the unexpected pair of handpumps on the curvy bar counter, so not all bad...

This is a terraced Apres chain bar, with a front patio area. It is housed in Summer Row, between Mechu and The Shakespeare. It has a red brick upper frontage and a lower one of glass (retractable doors). The interior has a couple of floors, although the upper one was closed. It does food, but I didn't eat here. It has the usual Apres décor; white floor, mirrors on the walls, lots of metal and red seating. Loads of TV are on, silently, showing the footy and there was no music. The clientele was mature, but it was very busy. The service was also fine. Beer; usual tap stuff with Peroni and Estrella, with a single handpull - with St Austell Trbute on, which was fine. Again, while not my thing, it was a better experience than other Apres' I have visited. Beerwise, you go to the Shakey next door.