The Soloman Cutler (Lloyds No. 1), Birmingham

This is a full blown Lloyds with lights and speakers giving out the warning to avoid at all costs late on a Friday or Saturday night. It's just a square room and I found it so underwhelming I didn't even notice there was another level upstairs. Downstairs there are five hand pumps which on my visit had two unused, GK IPA & Abbot and a pathetically named and low ABV celebration ale from Marston's called One Is 90. I resigned myself to a pint of Abbot (£2.45) and ordered one at which point the young buffoon behind the bar started pouring IPA into a dimple mug. I pointed out that I had ordered Abbot and asked for it in a straight glass. I wasn't impressed with this place at all and it must surely be the worst JDW in the West Midlands.

Tired looking Lloyds bar at the start of Broad Street Birmingham clubbing mile. Poor beer choice, poor quality.

Large barn like Lloyds No1 split over two floors . Pretty busy on my early Saturday lunchtime visit with the usual mixture of JDW customers , couples of all ages , families with over weight kids , a hen party starting early , football lads having a pre-match pint and a few profesional drinkers on a mission . Service at the bar was reasonable with plenty of staff , but the table waiting staff were woefully undermanned for a place this size . Small choice of real ales , my Batemans XXB was in decent nick.