The Swan, Birmingham

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

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

1960s Stonegate pub with a plain-looking façade, although the textured concrete panels to the left of the front entrance add a modicum of interest (if you look hard enough!). The slightly split-level interior is even less remarkable, but there is a dartboard as well as a pool table at the larger far end. Two of three handpumps in use, dispensing Greene King IPA, Doom Bar and the seasonal Banks's Frosty Nectar (just £2.20).

This is a 1960s brick and glass corner pub, which replaced a pub of the same name, on the same site, that was at least Victorian. The interior is a single dog-legged room, which takes you down a step or two to where the room widens out and there are a pool table and dart board. The pub has TVs everywhere, as well as a large screen one at the bottom - all showing the footy. The decor has cream and wood walls, mainly, with a snazzy carpet and worn blue bench seats (with tables and chairs). There is a small fireplace one end and mixed pictures are on the walls, as well as a few ornaments being dotted about, the type my nan would have had. The service was fine and the place busy with a more mature, local clientele. Beer; usual taps with a decent enough M&B MILD. There was GK IPA on handpull, but water is more appealing. A generic pub, really - nothing much for the real ale fan.

Wonderful place if you are horse racing lover and serious betting person. Constant live horse racing on huge screen on the wall. When I came in, I can see drinkers discussing and comparing their betting slips. When the race starts, they just placed their drinks on table and watching nervously. Very close knit community and people seems know each other. Quite reasonable price for drinks. I had pint of Brew XI for £2.20.