The Bear Tavern, Smethwick

This is a John Barras chain Edwardian corner pub and eatery, with patio area and outbuildings. There was an original Bear Inn, which was smaller, but stood on the same site since before 1851. As the area expanded massively here prior to WWI, the pub was demolished and rebuilt. The lower frontage is all in white, but the upper frontage is in the red brick and moulded stone that is typical of the period - even if weeds and the odd plant are growing from it. The clock tower gives a little further class to what would have been a focal point in its heyday. The interior is an open plan L-shaped room. The entrance and middle parts are foody - and family, as the grabbing machine testifies. The far end is a games area, with a couple of pool tables, a dart board and table footy. There are TVs, which had sport on and there are old photos of the area and sport pictures (in the games area) on the walls. The decor is the usual 'different colour walls' style; red, cream, green, brown etc and there is a wood floor (with chessboard area by the pool tables) at the back, while the front is carpeted. The service was OK and the place busy with a mix of drinkers and diners. Beer; usual tap stuff with 4 handpulls; Wainwright, Adnams Southwold, Bombardier and Purity Mad Goose. The Adnams had started to turn - I only had a half, so once i tasted it, half had gone, which i left! Whilst i am not a fan of the chain, they did at least have a clear bar and food area, as well as real ales - shame the quality wasn't better.