Old Cross, Oldbury

Certainly one of the older buildings in the district, but now set deep within the endless housing estates between Oldbury and Warley. Retains a two-bar layout, with the larger one to the right-hand side also having a further split-level seating area beyond. The other room has a smaller counter and the pool table. Basic, semi-traditional furniture and decor throughout. Also has a decking terrace and small beer garden beside the front car park, and there is an adjoining bowling green connected with the pub. Food advertised, but no sign of menus in the mid-evening. Two disused handpumps on the main counter, although one had a reversed Doom Bar clip. Resorted to the keg Worthington Smoothflow (£2.90) before moving quickly on. Overall, has the making of a good pub, but could be so much better.

A detached undressed brick pub with a white rendered facade and a patio area. The interior had a couple of rooms. The bar room can be entrered via the side entrance and is white, with a small fireplace. There is a pool table and dart board, as well as a TV, which was showing the fotty. The lounge is an L-shaped room, in white artexy look, with ceiling and some wall beams. There is a tiled fireplace at one end and a raised area with a couple of tables and wood floor at the other. There was a quiz on when i visited and the place was busy enough with a mixed clientele and there was a good atmosphere. A few beer posters covered the walls, so it looked a little bare and there was a TV, though it wasn't on, like the music (there was a jukebox), due to the quiz. The service was fine and they do food, in the cobs and £3-5 level, but i didnt try it so i can't comment. Beer; no real ale, all keg with M&B MILD - which is as good as you will get it in my opinion. I was sad to see no rel ale, but the M&B MILD was really good for keg and so i was happy to listen to the quiz for a bit. Another solid enough pub for a pint, unless exclusively a real-ale drinker.