The Fighting Cocks, Birmingham

Substantial building with an impressive and finely detailed façade. Slightly worried about whether the interior would be a big let-down, but it retains a number of interesting features around the bar, side lounge area and rear room. Well-lit during daytime too, with large stained-glass windows, but the limited number of steam-punk lanterns suggested a more Gothic feel later in the evening. Variety of furniture to suit most tastes. Four real ales on handpump: Doom Bar, Purity Pure UBU, Good Old Boy from West Berkshire and Wimbledon Common (nice enough, but expensive at £4.20).