The Shireland, Smethwick

Surprisingly large corner pub, with its bold former M&B lettering still visible on the facades. Inside, it's been comprehensively remodelled and refurbished to leave a large sports bar (with two pool tables) at the front, a smaller bar / dining area down a couple of steps at the back. Punjabi menu advertised. No real ale, of course, and not even any John Smith's or Worthington's, but the Sharp's Wolf Rock red IPA (£3.40) proved a reasonable alternative.

This is a detached corner pub. It is actually quite difficult to date, as i can only pinpoint the pub, in its current form, to the early to mid-20th cent. The pub has more than a nod to the Georgian style, with its sash windows, keystones, moulded cornice and the Doric columned entrances. The remainer of the pub is in red brick. The interior is an open plan L-shaped room. This place tries everything. There is a raised area with sofas, a few tables around a serving hatch for Indian food (i ate here and it was fine), as well as booth seating off to the left, in a more lounge environment. The decor is cream and brown, with a white ceiling and cream patterned wallpaper in the lounge area. The bar has a couple of pool tables, dart board, table footy and a punchbag machine. TVs are on the walls, showing the footy - there was no music. There are a few things on the walls, but not a lot. The service was OK and the clientele mixed, but small. Beer; no real ale, just the usual keg stuff, with a decent enough M&B MILD. Happy enough to have popped in and eaten - nothing for the real ale fan.