Me outside the Lamp Tavern, January 2000

An oasis in an otherwise mainly derelict industrial area in the Digbeth/Highgate area of Birmingham, about half a mile south-east of the centre of the city. It's well worth the walk through the dirty backstreets to the pub with its lit 'Stanway Beers' sign outside.

Within the pub you'll be assured of a warm welcome from Eddie the landlord. The lounge bar is the main bar with a further bar at the back in which you can often find local bands playing. The lounge has the feel of someone's living room with comfortable seats and lots of photos of old Birmingham as well as awards that the pub has won. The Lamp has won the CAMRA 'Birmingham Pub of the Year' award on several occasions, and eservedly so.

It's certainly a popular pub with a very mixed clientele and often fills up towards 11pm on almost any night of the week. There's up to 6 real ales on offer including Stanway Stanney Bitter, brewed in the Cotswolds and the only regular outlet in Birmingham. It's a bit of an acquired taste for some but well worth trying if you just fancy one or two pints.

Trina and Ian in the Lamp Tavern, December 2000
(Don't tell Trina that I put this one on!)