The Crown, Wednesbury

Very odd, club-like building with no windows, somewhat hidden away in a side street. Three-part interior, with the bar at the front, the former Crown Grill eating area in the centre and a pool table at the back. Three sadly disused handpumps, so made do with a quick Worthington's (£2.80) before heading onwards.

Tucked away up a side street you wouldn't notice The Crown until you are right on top of it. Very friendly service and obviously well used by the locals. One large room with a pool table at the back and plenty of screen for Sky Sports. Nothing on the ale front but happy to pop in for one.

This is a detached pub. The place was built at c1908 (hence the name of the road), but was opened as the Free Gardener's Institute. It remained like this until the 1970s i believe, but eventually became a pub - the Crown may not have been the first name - indeed, it has closed and re-opened. The frontage looks like a holiday chalet, in coffee and dark wood. The interior has changed since the lay-out of the 70s, the old internal rooms have gone. There is now an open room, with the bar to the left (former back room). The decor is red, with a wood floor and white ceilng. It is really a sport bar, with lots of TVs (sport and music channels), but it is tidy. It has perimeter seating, with tables and is a little plain without many pictures on the walls. The place has a serving hatch for £5-6 curries (i didn't eat) and the service was fine. The clientele consisted of the bar bloke, the cook and me (sounds like a film). There was a barrel too, if i got lonely. Beer; usual tap stuff with Banks's and M&B MILD, with three handpulls, but one beer - an Enville Ale that was OK, considering the heat at the time. Happy i visited, but not really enough to take me back, unless i fancy a curry and the beer is slightly better.