The Vine, Birmingham

I used this pub regularly when a student living in the area in the late 70's.This street corner boozer hasn't really changed in the 45 years since,it is located in a deteriorating estate,has some pleasing heritage curved front windows with good etched glass and retains a pleasant interior.The side entrance no longer works,you enter into the bar with a cosy ,traditional seating area,then a pool table with small screens above,then the left sided bar before a rear section behind with a large sports flatscreen on the wall.This rear section with large banquette, its framed pictures of the local area and good collection of china plates is the most restful part and does include two gaming machines but also some sports memorabilia. Food is served,free newspapers are in a rack and the bar stools are well used by regulars.There is an excellent soundtrack and the volume on the sports screens was well controlled on my Wednesday afternoon visit. The A board outside talks about real ales,but the four handpumps were not clipped ,the lager selection is very mainstream although there is a keg M&B Mild tap.( My Carlsberg was a very reasonable £3.60)It's a friendly place ,off the beaten track and used mainly by local folk and caters well for those that want televised sports both terrestrial and Sky Sports. The lack of real ale took a point off my rating but this proper boozer is well worth a visit for it's tradition.Just about the only proper pub for quite a long way,it deserves a visit .

Proper backstreet local pub a short stroll from the hell that is Broad Street. Popular and well used it was busy on my Saturday lunchtime visit. At least 10 years since I last called but I still bumped into an old friend in here. Only downside is no ale on but that won't stop me calling again.

Official site of The Vine - thevineinnpub.com

Official site of The Vine - thevineinnpub.com

A nice enough corner local. Just about worth seeking out but only if you've pretty well done with the rest of the pubs in the city centre. A long thin place with a pool table taking over much of the front part. 4 handpulls but just the one on dispensing Backyard The Hoard. A once only visit for me to be honest. Its friendly enough though.

Old-school corner local, entered via a small lounge area with traditional furniture and decor. Public bar area with the pool table holding pride of place in front of the counter. Further seating area beyond. Basic menu. Beer garden advertised. Just one of the four handpumps was operational, but this dispensed a reasonable pint of Spitfire (£3.00).

This is a detached Victorian pub, with beer garden area. It has a brick upper, with a black lower frontage that has an pilastered and entablatured entrance (and old entrances) and large, rounded windows. The interior is effectively one long room, which is in cream and wood panel, with a white ceiling. The first part has patterned bench seats, the middle part has a pool table and a tiled fireplace, which is all that remains of the once dividing wall, and the top area, up a step, has more seating. There are several TVs, including a pull-down facility - although only one was on, showing a soap. The music was mixed and at a decent level. There is a basic food menu - hot dogs and burgers etc. The walls have lots of old local photos - several of the pub itself, and bits of ephemera - from railway signs to pots, plates and trophies - are dotted about. The services was fine and the clientele consisted of a few mature locals. Beer; usual tap stuff with M&B MILD, along with Two Tower's Baskerville Bitter on handpull - which was solid enough. A nice example of a back street locals pub, and one I would visit again.