The S'oak, Birmingham

The S'oak looks like a modern pub that is housed in an old building,this was one of my Sons locals when he was at Birmingham University a few years back. Once inside there is a very large single room with the bar in the middle area,the floor is bare boarded,the seating is tall tables and chairs and normal tables and chairs,there is a pool table to the rear right,the TVs were showing the FA Cup Final. There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Daleside G&P which went down well,the other real ale was GK Radio X Amplified. I thought this was a decent enough pub to have a drink in. Pub visited 26/5/2017

Substantial Greene King pub with a pool table and plenty of sports TVs, and obviously popular with students too, but a bit more mid-market than the nearby Goose. Mix of semi-modern furniture and mostly light decor in an overall 'T' shape. Standard food menu. Three handpumps on the counter, offering the Radio X Amplified collaboration, Robinson's Trooper and the seasonal Timothy Taylor Knowle Spring (£3.20), and surprisingly IPA relegated to the keg taps.

A modern student pub/eatery housed in a former row of Victorian houses/shops. The pub is in red brick, with a series of Gothic gables, oriel windows and a lower frontage of glass and, i assume, original dividing pilasters. The interior is an L-shaped room, open plan and decorated in brick, brown and some wood. It has several games, including; two pool tables, table footy and air hockey. There are also several TVs that were showing Sky Sports News. The music was charty but at a decent level. They do food but i didn't eat. The service was fine and clientele wise, it was busy, but i think i was the eldest there! Beer; usual tap stuff and a range of three Greene King real ales - so my heart sank, hovever, whilst i ignored the IPA and the Double Hop, the 1797 Porter was pretty decent. One for the students, or those young at heart - but if the porter were on, i would go back!

Large open plan room with modern fit out - lots of dark brown, especially the walls, high benches in the middle, sofa booths to one corner, and sofas at the front looking onto the street. There is a flag stone floor. 3 pool tables and a TV screen at one end. Modern indie music playing in background. No real ale - keg Ruddles Smooth. Its ok, a better place than the Goose next door, but a bit pretentious and studenty for me.