please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Fighting Cocks occupies an imposing building on the main road through Moseley. The inside was nice enough, but didn't quite match the interior. The ale selection was better than average, but couldn't quite match the Prince of Wales. On was Purity Ubu, Robinsons Trooper, Sharps Doom Bar & Shepherd Neame No. 18 Yard Red Sails. Cider was Orchard Pig Explorer. Service was slow, with lots of staff milling around and not doing too much. Customers were younger than average. The pub had more of a trendy feel to it than others in Moseley. Food seemed popular. Good pub. But a little disappointing after the Prince of Wales.
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Agree with all of the previous reviewers this pub has a very overated sense of importance - however in my opinion it isnt keeping up with The Prince OF Wales - Evidence :
1. Choice Of Ales not impressive for Moseley - Doom bar not well kept
2. When I have gone in I never stay for another beer
3. Visibly the most expensive in Moseley
4. Being Middle Aged and fat I find it difficult to get served
5 . Pub closes at 10.30 sharp on Sundays . Now the publican is entitled to do this but the Security Staff state that they are complying with Local Licencing Laws - can the licencee please employ door staff that qualified this century please .
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Went in here last week for the first time in nearly two years. Some things never change.
I'd probably still be waiting for a drink if I hadn't turned around and walked out, after what seemed like an hour. It was probably more like 5 minutes to be honest, but unacceptable for early evening nontheless.......
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Beer not bad, However if your not a prity person with a posh accent staff will ignore you. Aggree with previous poster full of trendys os all age. Food is expensive.
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This pub has changed style and ownership so many times over the last 22 years. At present as others have said it is way over priced, often frequented by try hard trendies and also boasts some of the worst toilets in Birmingham.
Beer is ok and the wine list good but over priced.
They also insist on having a DJ playing sing along indie tracks.
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This pub has changed style and ownership so many times over the last 22 years. At present as others have said it is way over priced, often frequented by try hard trendies and also boasts some of the worst toilets in Birmingham.
Beer is ok and the wine list good but over priced.
They also insist on having a DJ playing sing along indie tracks.
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Impressive slab of a Victorian edifice - you can't miss it! However, inside it has been "modernised" with the now expected sofas; eclectic fittings mixed-up furniture and bits and bobs! And it is not cheap!! I had a half of Ubu from Purity Brewery and was charged £1.75 - that's London prices (in fact some London pubs are cheaper than that). They are obviously catering for the "nouveau reech" in Moseley Village? Staff were curt but efficient. The beer was fine by the way but I moved on.
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Almost laughably expensive and tick box trendy, with continental lagers and organic ciders to the fore amid an admittedly respectable showing of real ales. Exotic and ethnic chic furnishings and ephemera are draped all over the shop, the atmosphere is horribly exhibitionist - the Jezs and Mirandas don't believe in quiet entrances - and the service is dispensed as cool and chilly as you'd expect from media commentators and the spiritually enlightened all biding their time. Of course there are plenty of Moseley-ites who will flock to this place for precisely the aforementioned aspects that so curdle my pint of Nu Vibe Mild, so to them I say welcome to your regulation styled eccentric chill out zone , but where's the nearest pub?
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Nice enough but crowded and it's more expensive than the Prince of Wales up the road - �3.35 for a pint of Pure Ubu vis-�-vis �3.10. It also has doormen though they hardly seem necessary as it closes every night at 11 - even the quiet Village (a traditional pub, not a bar as many are) can manage to hold its own past that hour on a Friday.
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Every 6 months or so I pop in here to see if anything has changed for the better and saddly it hasn't. While they offer a great range of continental beers the service here is appauling, no really, it's that bad.
The staff are more inclined to serve their chums and check their mobiles than make eye contact and serve you a pint. I waited to be served for 15 minutes at a quiet bar before leaving, taking my money with me.
The food is patchy and over priced, the piped "muzak" is awful and the decor plain weird (mid 70's jumble sale). Shame, it used to be a nice pub.
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Seems to be back to being called simply 'The Fighting Cocks' - no Goose.
Wonderful building, externally and internally - large clock on the corner of the bar actually shows the right time, and plaster ceiling is splendid.
Something of a 'gastro-pub', with areas devoted mainly to food service, but good selection of ales, as well as some specialist continental beers.
Music is unnecessarily intrusive, but volume was turned down slightly when asked.
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Very much how I remember it a couple of years back. Not as rough as it used to be probably `cause most of the clientelle have been transplanted from Hurst Street. Guiness was OK, bit pricey bog standard bar.
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Pretentious and with children sat on the bar - no thanks.
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Nice listed building spoiled slightly by the decoration that looks like a 13 year old girl has been allowed to go mad. Decent beer though. Not keen on the electronic oh-so-trendy jazz-type music, but it's OK. Food was pricey, so we went elsewhere.
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Listed Victorian pub with a nice look inside. A bit of trendy crowd at weekends and always packed on friday and saturday, in fact its so full its 3 deep at the bar. 3 well kept real ales usually on, but food is just OK and takes ages to arrive. one of the best pubs in Moseley, but avoid on Fri and sat nights unless you don't mind waiting at least 20 mins
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It can't have gone that downhill if its always packed...
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Haven't been in this pub for a while, but I used to come in the 90s and early 'naughties' on regular occasions. It used to be a big music pub too in the 70s and early 80s, The Smiths played here, I think as well as others.
Given it's history the Goose has gone downhill for me following the refit and takeover in 2006. When I have been in it since, it has been too packed, you cannot get a good priced beer, and itthe atmosphere seesm a bit flat and plastic. The old regulars have gone (yes, some where undesirables, but that is what makes up the world we live in), and that is a shame. I guess this is the same thing that happens in the countryside when 'rich townies' get out there. The old locals are pushed aside without any thought or care. So much for community.
I think the 'pretentious' comments. although seem harsh ,are spot on. Moseley is becoming a 'Hoxton wannabee' village, that thinks it is something it is probably not.
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One thing that keeps me away from here on a Friday night is how difficult it is to get served. However, last night was a pleasant change.
The best thing about this pub is that there is a very even mix of the sexes - not just full of blokes. And the women are quite nice to look at!
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Dreadful, dreadful place catering for the pretentious people of Moseley who don't know any better. We're laughing at you.
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Old style pub with plenty of character, the interior is very traditional. There is no way you can describe the type of people who drink here it very much a mix. Drinks a bit pricey but there is a variety, it wasn't my round anyway lol.
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The most expensive pint in moseley..by a distance. Staff have attempted to overcharge me on two separate occasions. Beer is flat. Chairs are dirty. Floors are sticky. Toilets are manky. Another faux-bohemian bar which gets the basics wrong.
Worst pub in Moseley.
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The drinks selection is good and you can easily read about evry single one by the time you get served. Once you are served, i reccomend the ales..Black Sheep was very nice on Sunday eve. As my previous comment the Budvar Dark WAS awesome and is no longer there, please bring it back... if anybody knows where you can get this please post here.
If not will just have to go back to Prague...
all in all its a interesting pub, nice at quiet times, hit it early in a crawl...
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Much better after the refit and has a fantastic range of wines, beers and real ale (with an ever changing selection on three pumps). You have the option of getting your ale in a straight pint glass, proper mug/flagon or a crappy normal pint glass.
Food is decent as well and there is a different atmosphere in the different areas of the pub.
Only problem is the service, which is consistently slow, regardless of time of day. You never get served under 5 minutes and usually it is more like 15-20 at busy times.
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It is some time since I visited this pub and I was pleasantly suprised by the interior now. I enjoyed wandering round while drinking the excellent ale. It was not busy at the time and I had no trouble with the service. Food menu looked interesting too, and it was great to see the choice of micro breweries on tap.
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Budvar dark on draught is awesome.
Nice pub generally and always busy on my few visits.
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Depends what time and when you go as to service speed. If it's busy expect to wait a bit, it's that logical. Better atmosphere than the Cross and not a dump in the slightest. The novelty of its refurb may have worn off a bit and its quite amusing when the management have to write messages telling off those scamps who have nicked tasteless artwork from the bogs and board games.This place could have stayed a dump as some may wish but its worth trekking up to moseley for although now the Hare and Hounds in the Heath has had a wash my loyalty is divided.
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Whats all the fuss about? Slow service and crap overpriced food.
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Decent range of beers since the refurb (although not as good as in sister pub The Junction in Harborne), but unfortunately is now insanely busy at weekends with little chance of getting served quickly or getting a decent seat. Not the pub's fault they're popular, but would still put me off going back.
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Good old pub, nice atmosphere but, my god, the service is lousy in this place. Its quite normal to be kept waiting 10-15 minutes to get served. Barstaff and management lazy and incompetent.
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CANNOT GET SERVED IN THIS PLACE - SERVICE WAY TOO SLOW. LANDLADY IS REALLY UNFRIENDLY. IM NOT GOING AGAIN.
anonymous - 2 Oct 2007 19:35 |
I have a brilliant night in the 'old cocks New Years Eve 1986 with a guy I met on the no 50 bus that day !! My sister who still lives in that neck of the woods told me it had been transformed, havn't had a chance to visit yet............. I still have the NYE outfit - sad I know. My rating is for then but not now as I haven't been in it for 11 years
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Its alright in here, but getting bored of it already, a bit what can I say........pretentious
anonymous - 4 Aug 2007 23:10 |
The cocks was RAMMED this week, which explains why service might be slow. Its a shame cus it used to be really chilled and cosy, now it seems all and sundry are cramming themselves in since the smoking ban. Ill still go, just miffed that I cant always get a spot in the garden anymore! Still, they cant help being busy, victims of thier own sucess it seems!
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Used to love the design of this pub until I realised that there is another one EXACTLY like it in harborne. Its a shoreditch theme pub, doest fool me.Corporate games. The service is pretty slow in here too.
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Since moving to Birmingham I drink in here regularly and have to say I have never waited a long time to get served, even at weekends. I went in for lunch with my boyfriend today. There were two managers there (I think) and one of them seemed to be serving quite alot of the time. My boyfriend had a burger and I had a pasta which was yummy, I am veggie and this pub has lots to offer where most places have next to nothing. The barmaid even brought us some more drinks to the table which I thought was really kind as it isn't a restaurant. I think the worst thing tho is the customers. I here lots of people having a go about service but have never experienced problems myself. I say give it a go before decidingfor yourself
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Could be so much better if only they took service more seriously. Nice interior, adventurous beers, good food. 2 on the bar when 15 are waiting is not good, especially when ther seem to be a multitude of "managers" not prepared to get the queue down. Oh yes and the barstaff need to understand that the mark line on a glass above the bit saying "half pint" is not just decoration.
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Rousing bleat is a little harsh I think.I don't think it has become a London village at all and if community feel is a pub full of trash nursing half a pint of cheap bitter than I'm glad it has lost it.. I don't experience cliques, if anything it is far more welcoming than the rest of the pubs in Moseley.
I have had to wait myself outside which is a little annoying but at least when you get in you can still move around without your drink going flying because it is too full.
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The barmaid is Czech. With the place getting so popular the door policy is a bit of a pain, as is their habit of yelling at you to go home about 30 seconds after getting a drink at last orders.
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as nice a pub as it is now, (the decors fantastic and the beer gardens a pleasure to be in) its far too over priced and very 'clicky', moseley seems to be turning in to some pretentious, london priced village and loosing its community feel....(this goes for people visiting aswell) the Fighting cocks has lost all sense of "regulars" and now feels like a pub from the city centre. This is all very well if your just passing but when you actually live here its a bit of a disappointment.
anonymous - 24 Apr 2007 09:06 |
The best thing about the new Goose is the new Polish? barmaid: After asking what draught beer they had on, she offered me several choices which included Carlsberg and Diet Cola. Despite the communication she was very helpful and credit to her. As for the rest of the pub, the prices have gone up, and the locals have gotten 30 years younger. Can't see much difference otherwise.
I'll be interested to see how long this review will last before someone reports it off and replaces it with an anonymous bleet of rousing joy for the place.
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The new Fighting Cocks is utterly fantastic!! The change-over is the best thing that could have happened to this pub. Its got so many original features that were crying out to be embellished, which fortunately they now are, rather than being covered in fag stains, old man wee, and most likely vomit and blood. The inside is decked out with odd quirk, great fabric hangings and cool cosy sofa's-and theres the outside as well-its going to be busy as hell over the summer. This pub is now a local for normal members of society who enjoy a drink and funky atmosphere, rather than just getting wrecked on cheap Stella. The staff are very friendly and ive never seen or heard of drug taking going on in there. Clearly anything was going to be an improvement on the Goose, but this is something else!
anonymous - 8 Mar 2007 22:38 |
This pub is beautiful and has a whole new lease of life! It's child friendly during the day and has an amazing garden....out of this world!! The staff are friendly and keen to help if you have a problem and they are clearly trying to keep the clientele lovely and not falling down drunk like they were allowed to before. Good luck to the girl who has taken on the hard task and lets hope the rest of the village supports their efforts.
anonymous - 12 Feb 2007 20:39 |
What have you done to my pub??!! Yes, it used to be a dump, yes it stank at times, but the regulars (of which I was one)and staff were friendly and the beer was great and very cheap. Now frequented by pretentious coke heads from outside of Moseley who don't mind paying ridiculous prices for beer. This used to an integral part of the Moseley community but now caters for idiots. One by one all of the decent pubs in Moseley have gone to be replaced by dross like this.
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Unbelievable! Finally popped over to see my sisters new local after she has been raving about it for the last two weeks! It is by the same people as my fvourite leamington haunt, The White Horse, but even better! I never hadthe misfourtune of going there when it was a goose but my sis says it was a dive. Its beautiful now, with undeniably the best garden I have ever seen, with plenty of heaters for when no smoking comes in. That place is going to be rammed come summer! One thing I particularly liked - when it starts to get really crowded they stopped letting people in, what a good idea! I never had to wait to be served and we had a table to sit at. Some people kicked off but I think it made the place so much more comfortable. Didn't spot one chav the whole night, but it wasn't stuck up either, like alot of the other bars in moseley. And I had the biggest apple crumble I have ever seen - homemade! I will have to spend more time at my sisters place I think! I want this to be MY local!
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What a great improvement. The best bar in Moseley. Beer is good although �2.60 a pint. Food looks good as well. Now the place to be in Moseley.
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100 % True - I understand that it is going to an amzing place - they are returning it to being as close to the original building as possible and emphasising the stunning features. I think it opens in the first couple of weeks in November, with a huge range of beersm cask and world styles, plus loads of wines and hearty food.
anonymous - 27 Oct 2006 15:17 |
I heard this place is being done out byt the people that did the White Horse in Leamington Spa! I hope so, my sister lives in Birmingham and I really like the White Horse! Does anybody know if this is true?
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This pub is very much a locals pub, but friendly enough and the beer is cheap. The staff are friendly but its not a pub for young people looking to meet young people unless you want to meet one of the barstaff. OK for a couple of pints but not to settle in for the night. Less prententious than some of the other pubs in Moseley that have invested in developing an image.
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Oh dear,
This used to be an integral part of my moseley pub crawls, however after saturday afternoon and the smell of the local's i think i'll give this one a miss. No I'll actually cross the road so i can escape the smell of piss and shit coming out of the door. I feel sorry for the staff as they are pleasent and work really hard. However there needs to be a major refurb in here!
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Agree with Muzthingy that the interior is a bit special and worth a look, pity there's no picture here to have a little sample for bite members. Decent pint of Bass last night, only �1.40
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Rough around the edges and cheap as chips, a place for ageing drinkers to drink mediocre beer. The interior decor is surprisingly nice, it has a pleasant air of history about it in the tiles on the walls and big clock.
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This pub used to be a haven for punks in the late 80's-early 90's. Various chains and poor management have turned it into the 'Pound Shop' of Moseley boozers. Having said that, it's good to pop in for a drink when you're on your way to other pubs to take advantage of cheap booze. Boys-You'll never pull in here. Girls-You are never there.
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Visited the fighting cocks tonight. No problem serving food late on and beer on form.(Bass & Speckled Hen)Old pictures on the wall depict a Victorian Small Heath area which looked cleaner and friendlier than the tip it is today. Felt a bit sorry for the ageing locals, but this pub seems a good place. Would go again.
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