Old Bush, Tipton

Canal-side pub having an opened-out 'L'-shaped bar (with tables on the low corner stage when not in use for live music), a dark wood-panelled side room oddly located down a single step and semi-modern furniture in both parts. Patio area overlooking the waterway. Offers a curry-based menu under the Mr Chef brand, and real ale in the form of Marston's seasonal Sweet Chariot (£3.30) and Youngs Original was available from two of the three handpumps.

Interesting one, this. It is a detached 1920s/30s canal side pub, which replaced a Victorian pub nearer the canal. The pub, when rebuilt was called The Old Bush (it is on the exterior), but was renamed the barge and Barrel at some point - it also has a separate name for the bar - the Ace of Spades. It is a mock-Tudor styled building, mainly in red brick, but with moulded stone around the windows and pedimented doors. There is a beer garden. The interior has an open plan L-shaped room, with a lower area with a pool table at one end. It is a rock bar, so a band were setting-up as i arrived. The decor is a red and brown, with coffee ceiling and the walls are adorned by pictures of rock and metal bands. The TV wast on and the music continued to play at the back (Meatloaf) while the band played, bizarrely. They do some food, but i didn't eat. The service was very friendly and a good group od mixed locals were in. Beer; no real ale, but a good selection of keg beers, with a decent enough Banks's MILD. a decent rock pub, that just lacks a real ale for my personal taste - more than happy i visited though.