Charlton House, Dudley

The entrance of Charlton House leads to a corridor with a laminate floored seating room to the right and a very busy bar to the left. I ventured into the bar to order a lager from the standard keg range on the short counter that runs across the rear. I felt like I’d walked into someone’s house during a party where all the extended family had been invited. After receiving my drink I escaped to sit on my own in the aforementioned room to the right where a dartboard also resides. There were kids running up and down the corridor and one was loudly calling to its mother over and over again, mum, mum, mum, mum, mum, mum, bejesus. A carton of half-eaten kebab and chips sat on the table next to me, and there was a strong smell of paint, which was odd because I didn’t see any hint of decorating. I was glad to leave and won’t be returning.

One of the few pubs in Dudley that I hadn't ventured into until Saturday evening. There was a lively crowd of locals in the two main rooms, which are both to the left of the entrance corridor. To the right is a room with a dartboard and a fruit machine and beyond that another room with a pool table. The corridor also leads to the toilets, which are simply one sit down toilet for men, one for women and a disabled one. With the gents apparently occupied, which was confirmed when I tried a latch on the outside revealing a guy having a poo, I ended up in the ladies, which didn't smell particularly present. The Indian owners run a fairly tight ship here. I think a few of the local nutters are attracted here by the cheaply priced beer. But they are soon ejected if there is any trouble. A big screen was showing the rugby when I first arrived. Music was also playing loudly, albeit no Shaggy tunes. The decor is very basic, with the odd picture on the walls. There is a complete lack of character. The keg beer selection consists of Worthington's, Fosters, Guinness, Cobra, Carling, Doom Bar, Madri, Thatchers Gold & Haze & Strongbow Dark Fruit.

I have to agree with Al. Poor selection of fizzy rubbish drinks. Although I didn't suffer Shaggy on the jukebox I did have to endure another customer going through his dire music collection on his phone at full volume - the height of bad manners for me - and I don't mean Buster Bloodvessel! In fact I wouldn't have minded a bit of "Lip Up Fatty" I wouldn't call again based on the drinks selection and I would have to be very hungry to dine here!

Simply awful. A 3 roomed affair with the bar centrally situated. Either side of this were 2 rooms sparsely decored. No real ale and a piss poor fizz selection of dubious quality. Just after I'd ordered my drink the jukebox was turned up loud. Now I'm no old fuddy who's averse to loud music but not at 1.30 in the afternoon please. And it was crap Shaggy nonsense too.

Official site of Charlton House Bar & Dining - www.charltonhousedudley.co.uk

Official site of Charlton House Bar & Dining - www.charltonhousedudley.co.uk