Horse & Jockey, Bilston

In a rare occurrence, I get to declare a pub open. Its usually the other way around. Think its an 11am opener. A rather spartan community pub, with Formica tables in a single room. There was another room around to the side in darkness. Worthingtons smooth pour, so I went for a Guinness. Which was decent. £5.80. With scratchings.

A nice former Banks’s corner pub in a mock-Tudor style; undressed brick with white moulded stone around the windows and door, along with salt glazed tiles at the bottom. The interior is a small room in a U-shape around a central dividing wall, with the bar at the bottom of the ‘U’ and facing you as you walk in. The décor is cream and red walls with cream ceiling. The more bar area has a carpet floor and the lounge side a wood one. There are a few mirrors on the walls, but otherwise it is plain. The seats are brown leather and the tables are a bit scratched. A TV was in one corner with some ITV programme on and another was not on. The service was friendly and there were a few locals in. The music was Frank Sinatra, at a decent level, which was nice. Beer; no real ale, all keg stuff with an OK Highgate MILD. Nice exterior, tidy enough inside, but no real ale. One for the locals.