Pubs

Walsall pubs offer many drinking options with different feels – from the budget boozer to the more upmarket wining and dining options. Real ale drinkers are also fairly well catered for. Consider the following pubs as decent places to start……….

 

The Imperial

This town centre watering hole was converted from a cinema (and it was a theatre before that). The building originally opened its doors in the late 1800s, so the architecture is pretty impressive – think huge open space with high ceilings and a split level seating area. Aside from the impressive interior, this place is classic Wetherspoon – cheapest drinks around and loads of choice for cheap food – including the usual special theme nights. There is always a good atmosphere depite the size and lack of music, and it attracts a diverse crowd. Doors are open til midnight (1am fri/sat), there is a nice open air smoking area at the rear, and occasional special events like real ale festivals and cider festivals make it even more worthy of a visit.

The Imperial is on Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1DA. Map and Directions available here.

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-imperial-walsall 

 

The Black Country Arms

This real ale focused pub has a vast array of real ales on offer, both regular and guest, and there is also an extensive selection of speciality bottled beers. You could buy hundreds of drinks here and never have the same drink twice! There is even a selection of fruit wines for a rare treat! Food is available which would fall under the ‘traditional pub grub’ category, but it is home-cooked and the price is very reasonable. The history of the pub is traceable all way back to 1700s and has been fully restored in recent years. If you are in any doubt of the quality of the beers on offer, this place has won the CAMRA pub of the year award several times!

The Black Country Arms is on High Street, Walsall, WS1 1QW.  Contact number is 01922 640588. Map and directions available here.

http://www.blackcountryarms.co.uk/

 

Flan O’Briens

Where would any town be without a classic Irish bar to let your hair down? Really cheap drinks, a great atmosphere and usually open til late. There is always good music, and occasional live entertainment, with friendly staff as well. What more do you need from a pub?!

Flan O’Briens is on the corner of Ablewell Street and Upper Rushall Street, WS1 2EU. Contact number is 01922 611436. Map and directions available here.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flan-OBriens-Walsall-Irish-Bar/139303589429657

 

The Fountain Inn

Although a little way from the rest of the town centre pubs in Walsall, this small pub with a distinctly local feel is well worth a trip if you enjoy the feel of a traditional pub. None of your modern neon-clad vodka bar décor here! There is a classic range of comfort food on offer at both lunch and dinner, and the usual array of drinks to cater for all tastes. Live bands are the order of the day for Saturday nights as well.

The Fountain Inn is at 49 Lower Forster Street, Walsall, WS1 1XB. Contact number is 01922 898593. Map and directions available here.

 

The Pretty Bricks

A good place to catch live local bands, and with an emphasis on real ales, this  place certainly fits the ‘snug local’ category. There is a regular quiz boosting the friendly atmosphere, and food is available. A bit further out from the town centre than most of the other pubs listed here, it is worth a visit if you like a good pint and live music.

The Pretty Bricks is at 5 John Street, Walsall, WS2 8AF. Contact number is 01922 612553. Map and directions available here.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pretty-Bricks-Pub-Walsall/195062957229149

 

The Watering Trough

A very traditional façade gives a glimpse of the old world charm of this place. There are a couple of rooms hidden away inside with a cosy feel. The theme of the place seems to be heavily rock music inspired with artwork to match. Music is at the louder end of the scale so don’t be expecting a quiet night at the weekend. As such places inevitably do, it attracts a very mixed crowd, but that is surely a good thing. Fans of real ale may be disappointed, as the selection is limited at best, but everything else is present and correct. It went through a phase of being The Rising Sun, but has now reverted to the Watering Trough name.

The Watering Trough is at 90 Ablewell Street, Walsall, WS1 2EU. Contact number is 01922 626575. Map and directions available here.

 

The Bell

Whether you are a fan of gastro pubs or not, it seems they are here to stay. The Bell is very much your typical example – crisp modern décor, pub food done to just a slightly higher standard than you get from your more traditional pub, a fairly comprehensive list of cask ales (with the obligatory tasting notes!) and a wine menu that would not be out of place in a restaurant. For me, it is a bit more of an upmarket place to meet with friends when you don’t fancy a pint of warm ale with the football in the background. Not a town centre pub, but for the right occasion it is worth the short ride out of the centre.

The Bell is on Birmingham Road, Walsall, WS5 3JP. Contact number is 0121 3477408. Map and directions available here.

http://www.emberpubanddining.co.uk/thebellwalsall

 

The White Lion

A short taxi ride away from the main town centre nightlife is this local pub with regular live local bands and a great atmosphere. A beer garden out back for the summer months and a wide array of drinks including real ales mean this place has all the makings of a great night.

The White Lion is on Sandwell Street, Walsall, WS1 3EQ. Contact number is 01922 628542. Map and directions available here.

http://www.facebook.com/the.live.lounge

 

The Plough & Harrow, Aldridge

Just outside of Aldridge lies this pub with the feel of a traditional country pub (think log fires and wooden beams), but thoroughly updated with an elegant interior and an excellent menu covering traditional British cuisine with a hint of mediteranean thrown in. The wine list is extensive, cocktails are on offer, and the usual array of bottles and soft drinks to suit all tastes. All of this does not come cheap, but this is certainly worth a visit if you fancy something a little different from your usual pub adventure.

The Plough and Harrow is on Chester Road, Aldridge, WS9 0LR. Contact number is 01922 457 847. Map and directions available here.

http://www.ploughandharrowaldridge.co.uk/

 

Have we missed any good Walsall pubs you think are worth a mention??? Let us know about them at nightoutwalsall@gmail.com and we will update the site!