Four pubs and clubs in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire named the best by major awards

Four pubs, micropubs and clubs across Wolverhampton and south Staffordshire have been celebrating being named best in their field.

Wolverhampton CAMRA has announced the winners of the four categories for the 2026 Pubs and Club of the Year competitions following four months of voting by members of Wolverhampton CAMRA, with three retaining prizes they won in 2025.

Members were invited to cast their votes for pubs and clubs across Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire for City Pub of the Year, South Staffordshire Pub of the Year, Club of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year.

Gary and Angela Morton were the brains behind Wolverhampton's first micropubplaceholder image
Gary and Angela Morton were the brains behind Wolverhampton's first micropub

Those pubs and clubs gaining the most votes formed a shortlist of finalists for each competition and were then visited by volunteer judges who scored them using the same criteria as the CAMRA national awards.

The pubs with the highest total scores in their competitions were named as winners on social media, as well as runners up, with the winners now going forward to their relevant county/regional rounds of the competition.

The Vine Inn in Wednesfield was named Wolverhampton CAMRA City Pub of the Year, with Hail to the Ale in Claregate named runner up, but also crowned Cider Pub of the Year repeating its 2025 win, ahead of The Chindit in Merridale.

The Swan Hotel in Brewood was again named the South Staffordshire Pub of the Year, with Love & Liquor in Codsall named runner up, while The Firs in Codsall retained its title as Club of the Year ahead of Penn Bowling & Social Club. 

The Swan was voted the best South Staffordshire pub. Photo: Rod Grealishplaceholder image
The Swan was voted the best South Staffordshire pub. Photo: Rod Grealish

Wolverhampton CAMRA chairman Mark Hewitt offered his own congratulations to the winners.

He said: "I am proud to announce to our members the winners of this year’s Wolverhampton CAMRA Pubs and Club of the Year competitions. 

"Well-deserved congratulations to the winners and best of luck to them in the next stage of their respective CAMRA national competitions.

The brewery is located inside the popular Firs Clubplaceholder image
The brewery is located inside the popular Firs Club

"Remember, in these challenging times, our pubs need our support as much as ever, so as the nights get lighter and the weather warmer, please try to visit them as much as you can.

"I look forward to seeing you at the award presentations."

There will also be presentation events taking place at the winning pubs, with Hail to the Ale holding its at 3pm on April 6, the Vine on April 17 at 8pm and The Swan Hotel on May 16 at 1pm. No date has yet been announced for the Firs Club.

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