Just walk down the road a bit to Hampstead and can you see if the Garden Gate pub is still going . Much wrongness and happiness went on there when I was 16 / 17 
I didnt see this early enough but will check next time I go there. I use to spend time in Great Barr in the '60s but it looks very different now.
I was going to the gym but can't find my card....

So the eldest has invited me to go to the shops instead.
