The Connaught Bar (Irish Centre), Birmingham

Hub of the Irish Centre Birmingham, with a large number of tables in the main bar area and the seating areas on either side. Modern furniture and decor of the well-run social club type. The token real ale has now vanished, unfortunately, so resorted to the 'heritage' Brew XI (£3.10) in preference to the Worthington Smoothflow.

A large Irish pub that doesn't actually look like your usual Irish themed pub inside. A large open plan room has a social club feel to it. A small stage is in the middle part of the place and a lot of Irish music is piped through the speaker. A single handpump is on the bar dispensing Doom Bore.

Large space with a bar on one wall. Big chunky round tables & leather arm chairs in the main area, with a live music stage opposite the bar. Eating area to one side and more less formal seating to the other. A big space its nicely done and friendly. There is also an 'outside' seating area in an opened out corner of the building. One real ale ale - Doom Bar though this is a token effort and very poorly kept

This is a pub, eatery and music venue. The building dates to the later half of the 20th century, after the clearence of the old buildings on the site. Known for a long time as The Irish Centre, it reflected Irish immigration into the area. It looks a little like an old cinema from the outside, especially around the entrance. The interior has a function room (the Leinster bar) and a main bar - the Connaught. This is an open-plan long room, with the serving bar on one side, facing you on entry. There is a stage area and one side of the room is given to dining, the other has a more loungey feel. The decor is one of yellow, pale green (i think) and red patterned and black patterned wallpaper. There are some vases on the dining side. The seating is generally comfy stuff, with some tartan banquettes. There is carpet in the dining bit and wood flooring elsewhere. Some black and white photos are tastefully on the walls. There are several TVs, showing sport at my visit and the music was Irish easy/folk at a decent level. Lots of varied bands do play here. The service was fine and the clientele younger based. Beer; no real ale, just a good selection of keg drinks, with a decent enough M&B MILD. It appears to have been reinvented from its days in the 70s - it is tidy, and i would happily go and see a band here.

Official site of the Irish Centre - www.irishcentrebirmingham.co.uk