The Manor Tavern, Birmingham

An odd throwback to an earlier age, the 1970s perhaps, it’s a two bar corner pub. To the left of the vestibule is a small corridor like public while to the left a slightly larger lounge with a pool table in a room beyond. No casks just a selection of kegs mostly in the lounge with just a cider in the public. No one in the lounge on my visit but a group of friendly, merry, sweary old lads in the public, the bar still smelled of smoking, told you it was the seventies in here. Corrie on the television, I did seem to be intruding a little on a private club but it’s their pub, their rules. Furnished in keeping with the era, banquette and cast iron based tables. Decor is largely Aston Villa related.

One of those old pubs almost lost in partly redeveloped light-industrial buildings and estates. This one is set on a corner with two separate bars, both plainly furnished, although only one of these appeared to be in use. On a cold night, the real fire in the more traditional one was supplemented by a portable gas heater. No cask ale of course, and a limited choice of cans initially appeared to be the order of the day, but a rare Brew XI (£3.09) turned out to be available.

A detached corner pub, with a few benches outside. It is plain and simple, with a touch of the Georgian look - the square design, mansard roof and upper sash windows. The lower storey has rounded windows, a bay window and more ornate entrance. It is in cream brick. The pub has a couple of rooms, but that to the left was all in darkness, so I headed to the bar to the right. This is a split room, with one end being in darkness, but I did note a TV (not on), a pool table and a dog basket for the friendly pub hound. The décor is one off Villa colours, with a white ceiling. TVs had the sport on (horse racing). A few mirrors and Villa memorabilia are on the walls. The service was friendly and a few mature locals were in. Beer; no real ale, just the basic keg choice - no MILD. I just had a shandy. A basic and very much a locals pub - nothing for the real ale fan.