The Lost & Found, Birmingham

You will get good exercise walking around here as it's so big. You get a lot of office workers here after work, what with their laptops, talking shop and sipping wine! A good range of ales here, asked for a couple of tasters, which they didn't mind obliging, settled on Brakspeare and Jennings Cocker Hoop - will call again.

Great place to take a lady at the start of a date (although I agree with the comments about the furniture now starting to get a touch tatty). Can be fairly busy immediately after work during the week, quiet all the rest of the time, and seemingly closed more often than one would expect, not entirely convinced they open at all on sundays ?) For drinking go to either the Wellington (real ales) or Briar Rose (JDW) on the same street. The Wellington was nasty before the smoking ban, now good for real ales - for ciders (and prices) the JDW pub is better.

A large open plan ex-bank building. This is a Victorian/Edwardian edifice that is simply amazing inside. The decoration is superb. It is all pillars and painting and sculpture that is contemporary with the building. On a quiet day, I can imagine that this place would appear quite soulless. But on the days I have been in here it has been lively and friendly. I watched England get dumped out of the World Cup by Germany in here, and the atmosphere remained friendly and good natured. The bar staff had to be torn from the big screen to serve, but who cares? It added to the atmosphere. There were four real ales on, Hobgoblin, Banks's Bitter, Brakspear Bitter and Pedigree. I tried all except the Pedigree, because I personally don't like Pedigree. All were fine and well kept. I also did not notice any 'tattyness' to the place. Just a pub full of people enjoying themselves. I did not eat here, but the food looked and smelled palatable. I would definitely come here again. I really have no problems with this place, and have never had a bad pint.