The Abbey, Smethwick

This is a smart looking detached Georgian styled pub, with patio area. It was in fact built in the 1920s, i think, after much of the local area was taken-up with post WWI housing. The pub is in undressed brick, with large lower sash and smaller upper sash windows and dormers in the roof. It has a neo-classic entrance, decorative cornice and large stacks. The interior has a couple of rooms. The back lounge i didn't see. The main bar room (the old rooms having been lost) is a large room, with a pool table area behind a part partition in the form of a fireplace. The bar area is in green and white, with a it of patterned wallpaper, a toffee colour ceiling and red tile floor. There are mainly bench seats and a TV is on the wall (daytime programmes). The place does a budget menu, but i didn't eat. The music was general and at a decent level. The service was really friendly and the place seemed to be frequented by locals. Beer; no real ale, despite 3 handpulls. Usual keg stuff, with M&B MILD - i just had shandy. I quite liked it here, it is a shame that there is no real ale on, otherwise i would be happy to visit again.