please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
One of the better Wetherspoons (although choice of real ales rather smaller than some).
Convenient for New Street station.
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Typical JDW pub. Efficient service but nothing special. 6/10.
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Dived in here after Wellington closed at 12 as is open until 1am - not busy, good service ales acceptable and reasonable choice.
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Went here last week- was told we HAD to have a meal each as we had a teenager with us? Cynical or what ! Food was the usual Spoons portioned-controlled rubbish but the beer wasn't bad. Why does it need bouncers on a Sunday afternoon ??? Interior Ok service fine but NOT family friendly. Better than the Square Peg but there are so many better pubs nearby.
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Best Spoons in the Centre of Birmingham - Service was quick , it was the usual Spoons Prices - Atmosphere relaxed - Good Place to meet your mates for a couple at the start of a night out
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Decent 'Spoons with enough staff on too - not always the case! Fair selection of cask ales.
alexw - 24 Jun 2013 22:46 |
Not cheap anymore
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Not cheap anymore
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Large spoons just off New St.
10 pumps dispensing 8 beers with 2 labelled as coming soon. My pint of Capt Smiths from Titanic brewery was very good.
Fairly busy at 10.15 on a Saturday morning.
Friendly and attentive bar staff, this is one of the nicer looking 'spoons I have been in recently, but it still just serves a purpose more than being a pub you really want to visit like most 'spoons.
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Easily the best Wethersppons in central Birmingham.friendly and efficient staff and a good selection of well kept ales.the food's not bad either.
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Stayed in hotel. Good rooms and service. BIG draw back is the pub next door which has loud music until 2 am which can be heard in rooms. Not too good if you are in afamily room with children.
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used for many years can get very busy but seem to have a few more staff on theses days real ales always been in good condition on our visits.
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Large Wetherspoons with a reasonable range of real ales, luckily not too far from the Wellington and also practically next door to another pub. Had steak and kidney pie that was manageable.
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Convenient Wetherspoons for New Street station and a quick breakfast (which could have been served quicker so that it was still hot). Good pint, but several of the handpumps bore the too frequently seen "coming soon" tag - as usual those I would have most liked to try. Not one of the best of its kind, but just OK (and very handy for the Wellington).
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Starvin Marvin Blastbeat must have no tastebuds if he managed to finish off his plate in here.
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Me again, managed to pop in and have the mixed grill �8.20, scoffed the lot...so what does that tell you?....it wasn`t big enough!
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Now I know what happened to Cher Lloyd when she got booted off the X factor, went to work behind the bar in this place.......explains the lethargic demeanor and the face like a baby with a slapped backside....priceless!
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Get the feeling Odin uses this pub quite a lot.
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Never seen any worrying "incidents" in this place, my previous comment was referring to a different pub.
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Real ale quid a pint (while stocks last). Probably explains why bouncers had to rugby tackle some big inebriated geezer and sit on him until the police turned up.
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Poor. Lots of the 'beer festival' beers off with no sign of replacements at about 21.00. Staff slow to clear tables. Wanted food but lots of items (like chicken, bacon) were sold out/not available. Service at the bar slow to glacial. Avoid.
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A busy, city centre, medium sized, Wetherspoons pub with a hotel above it, just off New Street. Good place to start in, if doing a tour of Brums more civilised pubs. Usual selection of beers, had a good pint as usual last weekend. Clean toilets, a bit of a trek into the dungeons to find them, the tables could do with cleaning a bit more often and the place does have an overall shabby feel to it. Would love to see the Hotel Inpsector review this place on her TV show. Standard JDW menu, though wasn't impressed with the full english I had a couple of months ago, food not a patch on other JDWs I've eaten in such as the Square Peg and Figure of Eight.
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A busy, city centre, medium sized, Wetherspoons pub with a hotel above it, just off New Street. Good place to start in, if doing a tour of Brums more civilised pubs. Usual selection of beers, had a good pint as usual last weekend. Clean toilets, a bit of a trek into the dungeons to find them, the tables could do with cleaning a bit more often and the place does have an overall shabby feel to it. Would love to see the Hotel Inpsector review this place on her TV show. Standard JDW menu, though wasn't impressed with the full english I had a couple of months ago, food not a patch on other JDWs I've eaten in such as the Square Peg and Figure of Eight.
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Was served a frozen pie for my dinner! They took it back and I then waited 45 minutes before having enough and asked for my money back.
Beer was fine, and the manager was helpful during his mortified spell. 3/10
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Finally stayed here for the first time a few weeks back, the room was huge and spacious was well impressed. The Slaters "Top Totty" was very good . 7/10
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Regularly go in here for pre-gig meals, or pre-football-trip breakfasts. Cheap, but never cheerful, although there are always some cracking-looking barmaids on.
Overall, it's a Wetherspoons. Nuff sed.
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Sort of pub you`d meet up in before going somewhere else or polishing off the evening before getting a taxi outside. Staff, beer, food Ok, Wetherspoons innit! They`ve revamped the toilets which now resemble the ones at the Birmingham City football ground...and that`s not a compliment in case you were wondering! Another thing they should consider is getting rid of some of the tables and stools, getting in, out and up to the bar s`like a flipping assault course!
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Excellent service - Friendly service - Jennings Cock - A - Hoop @ � 1.85 per pint - fantasic
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Quick, polite service despite being a busy Friday afternoon/evening. Sadler's JPA was like vinegar but courteously exchanged for an alternative.
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I had a festival pint this evening but this was rather spoilt by a smelly beggar going round the tables selling the BIG ISSUE and asking for 20p even if you didn't want to buy the mag. He was eventually asked to leave by a member of staff but it had already put me off drinking there.
They only had about 4 festival beers on anyway and had 10 handpumps!
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Visited here last Saturday evening. After sessions in the Anchor and the Wellington I was rather inebriated, but don't remember anything particularly special about the Briar Rose. It was somehow smaller than I expected and tries to imitate the Wellington by having its beers listed on a TV screen. Yes, I was the drunk looking chap swaying backwards and forwards and noting down the beers on my mobile phone! Anyway, there was Beowulf Dragon Smoke Stout, Beorma & Dark Raven, Okells Ale, Greene King IPA and 6 Nations Italy Ale and England Ale. Weston's Marcle Hill cider was the only available decent cider.
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This is one of the best Wetherspoons around for beer choice. Always pop in when we come out of the Wellington as you never know what you might find.
Enjoyed Sadlers 1900 Original and Lymestone Ein Stein this visit.
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I stayed here at the weekend. Excellent accommodation and the pub was very good.
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Friendly Wetherspoon, not only handy for a food stop before the Wellingon but an interesting ale selection as well. It becomes obvious when you spot the features such as the beer screen they are trying to compete with the Wellington in the same street. 5-7 ales dispensed at any one time from a capacity of 10 handpumps. The staff are keen to see customers satisfied; when I complained on the non-availability of an advertised beer the young fellow I spoke to went straight to the cellar and put another alternative on. I ended up staying rather longer than intended on my visit of 28th December 2009. One of Wetherspoon's best pubs and a worthy GBG entry.
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It's a 'spoons. Not bad though.
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Big, busy 'spoons with plenty of choice from a large number of handpumps ranged along the lengthy bar (and many of these from small and/or local breweries). Had a nice pint of Red Dwarf from the Black Hole Brewery. Not sure about staying in the hotel rooms above, though, as it seemed pretty noisy on my weekday eveing visit (and I imagine that Friday and Saturday would be even louder).
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a very good JDW. puts many reaql pubs to shame.
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Agree this is one of the best "spoons" pubs around and is not far from the popular Wellington. They do keep good quality beer here, and the choice is better than most of their pubs.
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One of the best Wetherspoon's I've been in. Relaxed atmosphere, attentive staff, tasteful African themed decor and good Davenports guest ales. The Summer Telse took the prize for best pint of the night, aswell as best name.
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A decent enough place, good prices and the food and staff were ok. Can get busy dinner time.
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I've always thought that this was one of the better JDW pubs and this visit hasn't changed my mind. Nicely furnished with some deep leather sofa's and chairs along with the normal dining table style ones. Always has a couple of decent and unusual beers on alongside the usual suspects. This time it was Holdens Lambswool, which was very tasty. I quite like it in here.
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Rather good for a spoons. Lots of choice, good opening hours and clean and modern.
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Like to pop in here on my way back for the bus after visiting the Wellington, and usually find a guest ale or two new to me. One of the better JDW's for service and beer.
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We went in here because the Wellington doesn't do any food. Served quickly at the bar and the food arrived within fifteen minutes. Shame about the soggy chips but at least they were cooked and edible. Would have liked to have tried a guest ale but we were restricted by the meal deal to Pedigree which was in good nick. An average Wetherspoon pub.
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Not bad for a Wetherspoons
Slake - 31 Aug 2008 15:40 |
Usually got a fantastic range of real ale @ a fraction the price of The Wellington or OJS. Quality is top notch too.
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Usually got a fantastic range of real ale @ a fraction the price of The Wellington or OJS. Quality is top notch too.
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Usually got a fantastic range of real ale @ a fraction the price of The Wellington or OJS. Quality is top notch too.
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I was pleased to read in the JDW magazine that the MD is putting some �4 million into extra staff and that clearing tables is to be made a priority. Unfortunately this new initiative hadn�t reached the Briar Rose when I was there last Thursday, as it took ages to get service at the bar and the tables were almost chest high in dirty plates, it being curry night. That being said, the staff I did come across were very friendly and I recall trying some very good ales in the current JDW beer festival.
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Called in to see what was on offer from their festival list, and found a couple I had not had. Always look in while going back for the bus from the Wellington, and usually find a new beer to try. I have no problems with this Wetherspoons.
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didn't wetherspoons pubs used to be good?? About 12 years ago? where did it all go wrong?
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Does exactly what spoons pubs do everywhere, make of that comment what you will!!
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Nothing special, the ale choice sways the decision between here and the Square Peg.
Too bad the Welly's up the road!
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Its a spoons. Cheap, all the usual crap for the lager monkeys, and a couple of ales thrown in. Can't moan too much about that.
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Always worth popping in for a couple of pints
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This is a good Wetherspoons and I call in on my way back to the bus from the Wellington. I usually manage to find a beer that I haven't had before as their guest ale ranges are good. The non smoking has always been a draw too.
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One of wetherspoons better examples quite simply. Has a very attractive art-deco style with particular attention to the bar. As said before is very popular with students and business personel alike.
But it has its problems, many a lunch time I've been in to find tables covered in plates and glasses, one person serving on a packed bar, one person on floor and to my amazment not a manager in sight. Its quite unusual. At night though its the reversal, plenty of staff, floor spotless, at least one manager visible and its when this place is at its best.
Plenty of choice for the ale fans and a good selection of original guest draft lagers not just 1664 Blanc. Last time I went in they had Amstel, a german beer I can't spell and Bud. Its popular but not overcrowed, never any doorman because their not needed. Its non-smoking which seemed to be the turning point for this place.
A definate choice for your next trip to Birmingham, give lunch time a try but be prepared evening is the best time for this place.
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Pretty busy with office workers on their lunch break which was predictable due to its location, but a good selection of beers, n not 2 far to walk from n street.8/10
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have only used this place on a few occasions and I agree with below as one of the better 'spoons'. Good service, and good beer.. had a good ales list the othere day tho this is probably a one off festival, use the Wellington 2 mins up the Hill for Ale and all round better pub. Nice tho
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Not sure on the decor but its definatley one of the better wetherspoons. Normally get a younger indie crowd on a weekend compared to square peg etc. Crazy beer prices and no smoking too.
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Saturday lunchtime, one person serving (apparently), eight queuing, so visit abandoned for one of the nearby suitable alternatives. Will give a rating on another occasion.
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Had a couple of excellent beers from friendly bar staff. Good to be served at a Wetherspoons by staff intersted in the beer they are serving, and taking time to let me know the breweries coming soon.
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One of the best Wetherspoons pubs in Brum. Seems to have taken a lead from the Wellington up the road. Guest beers a plenty. No smoking. Well worth a look when on a Brum real ale trail.
anonymous - 20 Jun 2006 15:23 |
Seemed fine to me for a lunchtime pint at daft price. Smoke-free, too. One of the better JDW's.
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One of JDW's flashier efforts, with "30's colonial" decor
and fancy bogs -- of course they can't do anything about the
customers. Popular with shoppers. Usually a couple of reasonable
guest beers.
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If it wasn't for the place been cheap, you could sum it up in one word 'Rubbish'
The place is full of grave dodgers, chav moms on the pull (not a pretty sight) and under 18 goths.
super - 13 Jun 2005 17:20 |
Cheap, fun and great G'n'T just for mike! Tasty food, and a great stepping stone to a phat night out in birmingham. stuart ur wrong mate!! from a stinking sixthformer (of age)!
Macca - 9 Nov 2004 14:59 |
Good Beer with "interesting" method of pulling - Ask the staff to pull a cask beer without using their hands!!
wainnock - 27 Aug 2004 22:37 |
the biggest let down to the Wetherspoons name in Birmingham. Average bar staff, an overly long bar that makes it difficult to get served and all the bloody stinking 6th formrs that go in there and think they own they place, despite the fact that they look about 14. And they still get served, madness.
Stuart - 24 Jun 2004 14:14 |
Definetely our NUMBER ONE place to go out to chill in Birmingham! The Ents Crew at Aston Uni are always in the Briar Rose on a weekend for dinner, and often pop in for a drink during the week. Great friendly atmosphere, funky interior - we love it!
Ents Crew - 23 May 2004 02:20 |
I have been here but was drunk and so not sure whether it was a "trendy winebar" or spit and sawdust. On a bit of a steep hill, so difficult to walk up to. Much easier on the way back into town. Phew.
Dave Boden - 30 Apr 2004 15:39 |
Cheap and cheerful. Not as grotty as your usual wetherspoons. Friendly bar staff. Worth a visit for a saturday afternoon swifty while the Mrs goes shopping.
Ryan - 29 Apr 2004 10:27 |
The Briar has turned into a youth club full of orrible spotty students,Come on management sort it out
anonymous - 5 Apr 2004 01:52 |
Many pubs have crap music playing. This pub bravely chooses to have none, for which I respect and enjoy it.
frankie - 29 Mar 2004 18:28 |
I was served the cloudiest pint ever on Saturday - think mud, obviously the guy serving had not looked at what he was pouring. Then one of the kids vomited all over the floor at the next table. Shall not be returning on a weekend.
Neil - 29 Mar 2004 07:18 |
it used to be my haunt, but now its full of kids since the factotum closed for business next door, especially on the friday and saturday. staff very friendly, good mid-week drinking with friends, always good cask ales available, out of the way of the busiest part of town.
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Typical Wetherspoon outlet. Big and impersonal but usually has one or two interesting Real Ales.
John - 8 Mar 2004 13:00 |
typical Wethersspoons pub but always with a range of quality cheap real ales...hotel attached in case it all gets too much for you!
barry - 12 Jul 2003 13:11 |
too many kids often due to no bouncer being on the door. needs some form of music even if it was just to serve as more background noise
tom - 20 Mar 2003 23:08 |
Wetherspoons with *interesting* toilets. Non-smoking area, food, interesting guest beers, no juke box.
Liz Asquith - 30 May 2002 15:05 |
