please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Could be better given that it is a huge pub with lots of light and lots of bar space and also right in the middle of Birmingham's Courts and legal area - I found it pleasant to go to the cafe across the street (where your barista is probably even so not a barrister) and then to this pub. My sole brush with the Law around here has been the result of an RTA so I am not the person to be rubbing wigs with the legal profession but I should think there are worse bars to be called to than this one and surely the phrase 'sober as a judge' doesn't apply to the whole profession all the time? Indeed not.
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This pub could win an award for the most under-achieving hostelry in the country. Look at the photo - how often do you see a pub that looks so good from the outside? Unfortunately that's as good as it gets, because once through the door you get the same surly service, poorly-kept beer and pile it high, sell it cheap food that characterises 90% of the pubs in Birmingham city centre. I can just imagine how good this place could be in Sheffield or Liverpool as I walk past in search of somewhere more worthy of my money.
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Tried to order a beer a couple of weeks ago. Stood at the bar for ten minutes and short of employing brute force found it impossible to get served. Bar staff seemed trained in the Wetherspoons method, ie. the just look directly in front and serve the first face they see. Why should I have to try so hard just to get a drink!? So I didn't. I'll think long and hard before I try again.
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Popped in today for a quick beer today. Nice surroundings , slightly annoying piped easy listening music - only one real ale available - Taylor Landlord , reasonably well kept and an average 2.80 a pint. Other beers not on were all cheaper including bass at 2 notes a pint....
Standard pub menu , clientele mixture of office workers and people from the court next door. Probably go again if around this end of the city but not as a destination.
6 out of 10 - beer choice not there !
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Popped in for a quick pint, on the way from the Peg to Scruffys, a few weeks ago. It was 10.50pm on a Saturday night, probably about 30 customers in there, and barman said last orders had been and gone. Lights behind the bar were dimmed and a few people leaving as we walked in, so very much doubt it was a case of barman not wanting us in his pub.
Nice to see pubs doing so well, that they can afford to shut up shop early on a Saturday night.
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Popped in here Sat 26/6/2010. Didn't have high expectations given comments, but it was OK. Building fantastic, standard pubco food (didin't try it), staff OK, and my Landlord was good too.
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I was surpised to read the comments posted below.. I have frequented this pub regularly for the last year or so and have, for the most part found the beers here to be exemplary and the staff to be likeable and friendly.
Nice surroundings & clientelle and comfortable seating completes the ticking of all the boxes for a good old quaff for me, not to mention a good selection of guest ales, which have recently, happily gotten cheaper!
I suppose, in fairness, I should say that the menu is quite obviously bog standard microwave fare, but it tends to arrive swiftly at least.
All in all, I heartily recommend this pub... a thumbs-up!
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Such a beautiful building ..... and shocking pub
I have been in a few times over the years to give it a fair chance and it always disappoints.
I have never really enjoyed the beer and dont take kindly to people asking for a pint under the guise of it being their birthday - by that, they probably meant they had been acquitted again, under a technicality, from the adjacent law courts.
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Just popped in for a quick pint at lunchtime, as a camera member of many years standing, I was disgusted by the prices, (even for Birmingham), and shocked at being totally ignored by rude staff, who refused to serve me.
When finally asked why they would not serve me, the reply was that I was wearing 'sportswear'. (A poloshirt which just happens to have an England badge on it!). So presumably it's ok to serve murderers and rapists, as one of the smokers outside confirmed he was on trail for, but not to serve someone who just happens to display a modest patriotism!
When asked to speak to the manager, I was told he was in India, says it all really. Crap flat lager, over priced beer and poor quality staff, don't waste your time!
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Nice relaxful pint of reasonably well kept elgoods was quaffed in nice comfy surroundings, 8/10
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Was here at the end of June. Nice exterior and recently renovated/painted interior. White is far to bright for me. More sympethic off white or cream would have been better. Appalling "real" ale. First pint of pond water and vinegar. Second (replaced with TT landlord) poor... just drinkable as we ran out of other options.
Ignorant bar staff "agreed to differ" that blantantly off pint of beer tasted "OK". Customer is not always right but trust me on when it comes to proper beer I am. Disappointing as this could be a reasonable establishment. If you like ale avoid!!!
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�2.70 for a pint of so called real ale that tastes like vinegar. Overpriced food and generally boring. Better off going down the road to scruffy murphys.
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Good pint of bitter - Brew XI, very reasonably priced
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providing shelter from a cold bus stop and a late(ish) license, the bar staff are friendly and even on a busy friday night served quickly. The beer is good enough, quite cheap, and the bar seems to have its usual crowd of fraggles. The toilets stink though.
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