Armed with warnings and a bare-knuckle boxer for moral support, a visit to a reportedly 'uninviting' Birmingham pub turned into a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. The mission was to review The Woodpecker on The Oak Walk, West Heath (B31 4HA), a local that had garnered concerning feedback from acquaintances.
A Foreboding First Impression
Prior to the visit on a miserable Tuesday evening in January 2026, informal polls drew responses like "I have only ever been in there to use the toilet. I remember it as being dark and uninviting" and "Thankfully never been inside." The 1960s-built exterior did little to dispel the negative presumption, a point conceded even by the reviewer's companion, bare-knuckle boxer Connor Tierney, who was brought along for his character judgement honed from growing up in pubs.
"Before we went in, I thought it was going to be moody to be honest," Connor admitted. The expectation was for a dim, forbidding interior, but the reality upon stepping inside was a stark and surprising contrast.
An Unexpectedly Cosy Interior and Honest Service
Instead of 'dark and uninviting', the pair found a space that felt cosy and intimate, akin to someone's living room. A pink-lit 'Woodpecker' sign, reminiscent of TV's Love Island, added an unexpected touch. With the bar nearly empty save for one silent patron, the attempt to order drinks began.
The quest for a Guinness was met with a cautious "Are you sure?" from the bartender, who revealed there had been earlier complaints. Curiosity piqued, they sampled it anyway. Connor's verdict was damning: "It took about two weeks to settle - and it did settle - but it wasn't good at all," comparing the taste to vinegar.
Undeterred, an attempt to order a Neck Oil IPA was again met with the same questioning phrase. The bartender's refreshing honesty continued as she insisted, "I swear this is a good pub usually." This transparency profoundly impacted Connor's view. "She was very welcoming. For a first impression, that's a very big thing to me," he noted, adding that the staff are a true indicator of a pub's vibe.
The Verdict: Look Beyond the Façade
The experience underscored a recurring theme from similar review ventures: you cannot judge a pub until you try it yourself. While the Guinness was sub-par and the weekday atmosphere quiet, the welcoming nature of the service suggested a different pub on a bustling weekend.
What The Woodpecker needs is a sense of community and an inviting introduction to ease concerns, elements the reviewer believes are present thanks to the honest bartender and, presumably, the local regulars. The review concludes that despite the pre-visit warnings and the failed Guinness, the visit was a positive one, with a playful note to maybe try the Guinness again next time.
This visit followed previous expeditions to other maligned venues like The Observatory and the Bear & Staff, reinforcing that firsthand experience often trumps hearsay in the world of local pubs.
