Drunk in the black country (Pub Crawl in Wolverhampton)

Member Name: laylo

Product:	Pub Crawl in Wolverhampton
Date:	26/07/02 (3099 review reads)
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OK. This isn't so much as a pub crawl guide as just a pub guide to some of the nicest watering holes in the City of Wolverhampton. Try them all in one go or one at a time. Enjoy.

So many pubs, so little time. I have decided to start on the west of the town because I originally come from the town of Bridgnorth which lies to the west and also because the west is far nicer than the east side of town. We're gonna start far out and work our way in. Please note that some of these pubs are driving distance apart so they won't really be feasible as a pub crawl. And don't drink drive; its not just stupid and morally indefensible, you'll also get caught and charged, so don't do it!

First up, the Fox at Shipley. This lies on the A454 Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton Rd approx 4 miles from Wolves on a T-Junction. This pub is more geared towards families, its a good place to take your gran for sunday lunch. The food is good but not spectacular. No complaints about about the beer or service. The junction it lies on has traditionally been an accident blackspot but this has been remedied by the introduction of speed cameras. Its also worth noting that this stretch of road has three good garden centres on it, all quite close together.
Facing Wolves, if you turn left you would head to Seisdon, a small attractive village with one pub, the Seven Stars. This was a traditional country pub but it has recently been refurbished and now resembles a mediterranean bar. The onus is on food not drink here and the menu is adventurous if not a little expensive.
Turning left at the Fox at Shipley leads you to Pattingham, another lovely village with a couple of pubs. One of note is The Pigot. This is a beautiful looking bar with friendly staff and a young clientelle. A lot of professional footballers live round here so bring your autograph book. The beer garden is superb.

Now, lets head into the suburbs. First we'll go to
Perton and the Pear & Partridge. Cheap pub grub, pool tables, golf game, good beer. Drinking in Perton can be intimidating because its a closed estate and everyone knows everyone else. Strangers stand out a mile but this pub is fairly welcoming. The other pub in Perton is not worth mentioning, it's a hole.

Heading from Perton, get back on the A454 and mosy into the suburb of Wightwick (pronounced Wittik). At the traffic lights in Wightwick we see the Mermaid pub. This used to be a teeming pub for young people but it has recently been converted into a chain pub. Ignore the mock 'tweeness' and all the horse brassy stereotypes and this is still quite a nice place. The food is pretty good with a wide range to suit any taste. The beer garden isn't spectacular but it's comfortable and civilised. I recommend the freshly squeezed orange juice (with vodka!).

Back on the A454 we keep heading towards town. Soon enough we reach Compton. The first pub you'll meet is The Swan. This is not a young persons pub so don't expect to get too roudy but it's still a friendly atmosphere. The pub is a member of CAMRA so expect to see a good selection of real ales and ciders. It's also the only pub I know of to have sing songs round the old 'joanna'. Darts and dominoes also available. Sadly the beer garden only affords wonderful views of the local convenience store car park. If you fancy a curry go to 'Mem Sahib' across the way for top drawer Indian cuisine but be warned, take your cheque book.

Round the corner from the Swan is The Oddfellows Hall. The clientelle are young, the beer prices high, the lighting dingy and the food awful. I'm in there quite a lot. Come say hello. Good pub games, Crystal maze, Golf, Erotic spot the difference. Go on.
Opposite is 'The House of Canton', a very good Cantonese restaurant offering both eat in and take away. Next door is 'Bridge 59&#
39;, a highly respected restaurant offering top notch British cuisine. Next door to that is 'Tuk Tuk Thai', a takeaway Thai restaurant that looks very flash. I don't really like Thai but I've heard mixed reviews.

Before we leave Compton I have to talk about the Westacres, this is 400 yards off the main road up Finchfield Hill. It is a chain pub yes but this is the place to be at the weekend. The decor is great, the food is great and good value, the beer's cheap. For the ladies, Blossom Hill Zinfandel, superb. If it played less charty background music I'd live there. Nuff said.

In the next chapter we'll actually go to town and get drrrrunk. Watch this space

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