The Posada, Wolverhampton

This place has a fantastic exterior. It has a delightful leaded bow window frontage with glazed nicotine-ish yellow and white tiling. The upper part of the terraced building is in stone. There is a patio area at the back. The interior has two rooms. The front room is the main serving bar room, and follows it around in an L shape, with seating being fitted into the bow window. The decor has mainly white ceramic tile, with some yellow and green ceiling. I tend to go into the two tier back room, which is served by a small bar, so generally you go back into the main room. The decor here red and white walls, with wood floor, brown ceiling and it has an ornate fireplace. The higher tier is in white and wood panel. General photos of old Wolverhampton decorate the walls and there are green leather seats. The service at my last visit was functional – getting that patronising ‘yeah, yeah’, when i mentioned the CAMRA card discount, as I clearly interrupted his conversation to some other punter. The clientele were few. The music was general, but a tad loud and there was a TV which had news on. Beer; tap stuff with a range that goes up and down in numbers on, commonality and quality – hence i haven’t reviewed the place up until now. At my last visit, just three handpulls, Deuchars IPA, Lancaster Brewery’s Lancaster Red and a slightly warm Enville Ale (it was better in the Hogs Head the same day). This was and should be, with the Great Western, one of the top few pubs in Wolverhampton. Sadly, the quality is up and down – when good – it is class, but it does often disappoint for one thing or another. However, you have to visit.

Nice little town centre local with several cask ales on tap. I had a pint of the Fyne Gold, 20p off my pint as I had remembered my CAMRA membership card. The beer was well kept. So far so good. Then I visited the gents. What a mess. Dirty and smelly, didn't look like they'd been even wiped down for at least a week, never mind cleaned properly. Disgusting. Do something about it guys.

A Great little traditional town centre pub owned by Punch Taverns, the interior is one room which is split into two distinct areas. As you enter through the front door you will find yourself in a very small public bar with high ceilings, a small L shaped bar counter on the right and an authentic Victorian tiled wall on the left with an old small TV high up on a shelf. Through an archway at the rear of the bar there is what I would describe as a small snug which has leather seats, a large fire place on the left with a nice ceramic surround, a dark wood mantelpiece and mirror, a large flat screen TV (usually showing sky sports news) above the archway and old photos of Wolverhampton which include pictures of other pubs. There is a small enclosed patio area behind the building, but this is mainly for smokers and pub overflow on a busy day. Regular ales are Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Green King Abbot Ale and Wells Bombardier with three changing guest’s from Punch Taverns national portfolio (GBG 2010). Beer is usually well kept and there is a discount for card carrying CAMRA members. The local CAMRA youth group meet here every month. This is a brilliant little pub with a nice unspoilt traditional feel, The large bay window is impressive but it really is a very small pub so don’t be surprised if you can’t get a seat, especially on a home match day when the Wolves fans pack the place out. One of the top five pubs in Wolverhampton in my opinion, always worth a look.

Formerly known as the Noahs Ark Inn, The Pasada is apparently the oldest pub in Wolverhampton depending on what web site you read. It certainly has some fine features, not least the façade with its bow window and some exquisite lettering of the sort gradually being lost to modern funky branding. The interior consists of front and rear bars although they are quite small and tables are at a premium. The L shaped front bar has lots of old tiling and ornate dark coloured plaster work on the high ceilings. The elaborate bay window has built in seats and a good view of the TV which usually displays subtitles. They were playing decent Indie music when I was there which is always worth an extra point over the bland R&B clubby music that seems to infiltrate so many pubs. Through the arch is a slightly larger but plainer rear bar with a handsome fireplace and a couple of recesses for an intimate pint. A big screen projects directly onto the plain white wall as opposed to a screen. One of the big plusses was the variety of Ales - 6 available on my visit: Spitfire, Landlord, Abbott, Deuchers, Bombardier, Adnams although it would have been nice to have seen at least 1 local brew. Overall a pretty decent pub and not the sort of place I was hoping to come across on my brief visit. Will definitely return if around this area again.

CLOSED. NOW A BETTING SHOP (26/10/07)

Lunchtime 26 October 2007 Easily the finest pub in Wolverhampton. The Posada is a superb example of Victorian pub-architecture with beautiful wall tiles and magnificent woodwork. This small treasure boasts many fine ales and a friendly atmosphere. Ideal for a quiet drink away from the shipping.