The Registry, Walsall

A large old building split into a couple of areas with residual walls, raised areas and booth seating. Slightly less noisy and with fewer pissheads than the Tap and Tanner on my visit, the beer was equally dire and the choice as poor. Four pumps with Doombar (just gone), Mango Cider or Hobgoblin Gold, fourth unclipped. To be honest I couldn’t tell the Hobgoblin from the 61 Deep I just had over the road. Plenty of usual suspect kegs. If you’re there late enough the disco lights may come on, god help us. Just about as many screens and machines as it’s possible to fit in however there are some old photos of Walsall when it might have been a nicer place.

The Registry is a large open plan high street pub that was busy with a raucous crowd who were watching Champions League football at an ear splitting volume during a recent Wednesday evening. Much of the pub is standing room, but there are seating areas throughout, including in a raised section to the right that I imagine doubles up as a stage for the advertised weekend karaoke. The bar counter that runs across the rear wall supports standard and premium keg alongside four hand pumps, but only one was in operation drawing Lilley’s Mango cider. There is a pool table. I wasn’t very impressed with this place and was glad to leave.

Large Stonegate pub in one of the older town-centre buildings, but unfortunately very little character is left inside. Much busier than I expected on a Tuesday evening, probably due to the live football on the many large TV screens, but this place could be even louder later in the week. I found two of the handpumps in use, with another having a reversed Hobgoblin Gold clip, so the choice was Doom Bar (remarkably just £2.25) or Lilley's Mango cider.

Official site of The Registry - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Registry - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

This former Yates's pub is now called The Registry. Just down the road from Wetherspoons, it is open at 8am. There were 4 ales on when I visited including Deuchars IPA, Titanic Steerage and Slaters Top Totty. The 2 I tried were fine and there is a real ale loyalty card scheme. All in all a big improvement!