Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Three - BIRMINGHAM

The January trips continue for the Bus Pass Bandit as our highwayman hero takes another sizeable bite out of the Second City's pub provision...

On his latest visit to Birmingham, the Bandit firstly heads for the Jewellery Quarter and the recently reopened Lord Clifden.

A welcome half of Guinness goes down well and it's good to see the place trading again following a prolonged period of closure.

After a bus ride back into the centre, the next stop is the Roebuck on Church Street, just off Colmore Row.

Here he finds both Guinness and table football, the latter being a rare sight these days!

The Wetherspoons London and North Western at New Street Station is the perfect place to await a rendezvous...

A pint of Stout Brummie from the local Birmingham Brewing Company helps pass the time before the Bandit's merry band of accomplices arrive.

Suitably refreshed, and with everyone assembled, we head towards Colmore Row to investigate 3 establishments converted from former banks. The first of these is Theatrix overlooking Victoria Square and with a Rooftop Bar.

It is more Guinness in here. The two stuffed monkeys downstairs were a great surprise!

Nearby is The Colmore, a stylish venue operated by the Thornbridge Brewery.

The intriguing Fudge Brownie Stout from the North Riding Brewery is a 7.4% indulgence.

The Old Joint Stock is a particularly fine building with magnificent decor and includes a theatre.

Fuller's ESB is a fine drink in here.

A final unexpected stop is at the Flight Club in Temple Street

Is this a horse jumping over a Guinness?

And a dog with unusual headgear?

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty Two - EVESHAM (continued)

For Episode 42 of his Bus Pass Travels, the Bandit returns to Evesham on a cold Saturday in January...

The famous Bell Tower is on the site of Evesham Abbey, once one of the most important abbeys in the country.

There is a very interesting museum in the Almonry.

Then back to the Red Lion, an old favourite, for a couple of ciders.

On offer is Hogans Wild Elder cider and Avon Ridge Farm medium dry.

The next stop is the Trumpet Inn.

In a Hook Norton pub it has to be Old Hooky.

Nearby is Ye Olde Red Horse.

Their Ancient Warrior cider is accompanied by a Blondie video from 1980 - 'The Tide Is High' indeed!

And finally to the BCM Craft Ale Bar, off Bridge Street.

And some excellent Cosmic Santa Stout.

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty One - LEAMINGTON

For a pre-Christmas treat, the Bandit and his accomplice arrive in Leamington to explore the Old Town south of the river - 'a walk on the wild side'.

The day begins with a return visit to the Micro Pug on Clemens Street where an opening half of Guinness is dutifully consumed.

A walk eastwards along the Grand Union Canal leads to the Fusilier on Sydenham Drive, next to the local shops.

Guinness will be the recurring drink of the day, hence another half.

An example of Leamington canalside architecture, complete with graffiti.

Leaving the canal for the backstreets, our explorers encounter The Green Man ...

... where - you've guessed it - there's scope for another Guinness. An Only Fools and Horses mural in the back yard is a fun find here. 

Nearby is The Joiners Arms, close to the Brunswick Hub.

Yes, yet more Guinness (with pool table accompaniment)

And also The Jet

Naturally it had to be Guinness again in The Jet.

Interesting developments beneath the old railway arches include the Windmill Hill Brewery and Taproom.

A nice Pale Ale from the Brewery means the Guinness is spared for a change, and the Bandit can savour the industrial setting among the fermenting vessels.

Next is the Southbound Cafe-Bar, confirming they are open despite the shutters keeping out the cold!

Here is an intriguing Jubel Peach Lager and an excellent selection of cheeses.

A further discovery is the Brubl Brewery (as guarded by an inflatable Father Christmas)

A sample of their Czech Mate Pilsner in a Brubl-branded beaker.

Finally a couple of stops on the way back to the Station. Firstly the Railway Inn.

We're back to the Guinness with pool table scenery again it seems.

And lastly Kelsey's Bar.

The last Guinness of the day has a table football setting, albeit with legless defenders. Merry Christmas!

Bus Pass Bandit: Part Forty - BIRMINGHAM

The Bus Pass Bandit has been keeping a low profile lately but normal service looks like gradually being resumed with this sampling of Second City staging posts...

The Bandit returns to Birmingham and meets his co-conspirators in the Woodman, a pub recently reopened next to ongoing work on HS2 in Eastside.

Sitting comfortably in the Woodman's Smoke Room with a fruity pint of Titanic Plum Porter.

Next stop is the Eagle and Ball, a Birmingham City University student pub with illustrations from the old Polytechnic 'Polygon' magazine on display.

The Bandit recalls reading these publications during his own days as a student.

Half a Guinness and a complimentary bag of crisps will do nicely here.

We have to negotiate a construction site on our way to the next pint, but at least this warning sign seemed to be aware of our intentions!!

The Sacks of Potatoes in Gosta Green is another student pub, this time on the Aston University campus.

The Lilley's Rum Cider is an unexpected (but rather tasty) offering.

Our final stop is the Gunmakers Arms, taphouse for the Two Towers Brewery.

And a taste of their Hockley Gold to finish.