The Dragon Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Birmingham

Set in Brum's Chinatown this is a fairly untypical JDW. It's rather dark and gloomy inside with a low ceiling, lots of wood and a mix of tiles and wooden floors around the bar areas. There are two bars and only the smaller one as you enter was in use. On a rainy Tuesday afternoon it wasn't all that busy. The beer choice was poor with GK IPA & Abbot, Doom Bore, Backyard Spring and Green Jack Trawlerboy's Best (I think!). I had a go at the Steak Club mixed grill here (£7.99) which included a drink so I went for the Banks's Devils Backbone on keg. The mixed grill was up to scratch. The standard guest ale price here is £2.49. I didn't think too much of this one but I've found in general that JDWs in the centre of large cities are inferior to their suburban counterparts.

Have to agree with most other reviews. A really poor Wethers with only 5 beers to choose from. Its a large enough place and was pretty full on this Wednesday afternoon visit. Not one to be rushing back to.

Pretty poor JDW , very quiet on my early Saturday evening visit with only a dozen or so customers in . Not a great selection of ales and my Backyard Hoard was pretty ropey .

A modern Spoons' pub/eatery with patio area, formerly O'Neills, and a part of the Arcadian Centre. There are two entrances, in brown, in an unispiring building of brick and white. There is an open plan L-shaped room that is in green, blue, patterned wallpaper, wood panel and having a stone area and fireplace that seems as random as the customers. The usual Spoons food was served, which does the job if it isn't too complicated. The service was fine. There was no music and the TV was silent news. Mirrors and info boards are on the walls, along with a few pictures. Beer; usual stuff, with four ales from arong the world - I had something called 'O' from Norway - but to be honest, I can't be too sure. It turned out flatish. Spoons have been getting a little better in my personal opinion (beer-wise) however, this wasn't great. Flip-a-coin, heads try it, tails don't.