Pennyblacks

Pennyblacks is a big bar with a pub feel and great location on the Gas Street canal basin at the far end of the MailBox shopping development in central Birmingham. On sunny days and weekends, the area buzzes with people and narrowboats passing by the small terrace. It's a lovely, open-plan space - high ceilings, lots of wood, modern fittings. Although new, Pennyblacks' is its old fashioned menu of dishes that would've been enjoyed in the area over a century ago. If a traditional roast chicken with sage and onion stuffing sandwich, £5.50, seems to light, there's always honey-roast ham, eggs and chips, £9.50. Come Sunday, everyone's up for the roast, £9.95. There are always six to seven real ales on tap. Tempting stuff.