please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Has been closed for a complete refurb, involving stripping out the entire interior. Will be interesting to see what the next incarnation of this venue will be.
|
Has just been refurbed and rebranded as a "Slug and Lettuce". Only two real ales available, both from the Backyard Brewery, and both of which were unavailable when we visited at lunchtime yesterday, so I had a bottle of Brewdog Punk IPA. This was a 330ml bottle,and cost ,wait for it...£4.80. We also had a meal, which was ludicrously overpriced as the portions were miniscule. We will definitely not be going there again - nothing but a trendy rip-off joint trying to outdo The Plough in seeing what exorbitant prices they can get away with.
|
I went to this pub Friday night last week and was not impressed at all I would say its the worst bar in Harborne if not possibly the whole of Birmingham. I was out with my boyfriend and we ordered a blue lagoon and and a large glass of wine. Whilst sitting at the table a waitress came over with shots he bought me two. We decied to go out for a cigerette I left my coat and umbrella there with our drinks on the table.
I came in and the bar staff had thrown our drinks away and when I went to ask at the bar they said they had 10 minute rule if you were outside longer then that they would throw your drinks away which I was amazed at such a digusting attitude that is putting it mildly. I have been to numours bars in Harborne, Town Centre, Solihull, Stratford up Avon to name a few places and never experienced such a situation and I have left drinks coats umberellas and gone outside for just as long!
No compensation was offered infact we had to buy new drinks!
Then to make it worse some people sat in the seats we were in a yelled over is this your coat and I forgot my umbrella was there. I phone the following day about my umbrella and it seemed like they couldnt care less to be honest was the impression I got.
I would not go near this bar again if it was the last bar left in Birmingham. They need to strongly look at the staff in the bar as they all need an attitude adjustment. I would not recommend this pub to anyone I know if anything the opposite.
|
I went to this pub Friday night last week and was not impressed at all I would say its the worst bar in Harborne if not possible the whole of Birmingham. I was out with my boyfriend and we ordered a blue lagoon and and a large glass of wine. Whilst sitting at the table a waitress came over with shots he bought me two. We decied to go out for a cigerette I left my coat and umbrella there with our drinks on the table.
I came in and the bar staff had thrown our drinks away and when I went to ask at the bar they said they had 10 minute rule if you were outside longer then that they would throw your drinks away which I was amazed at such a digusting attitude that is putting it mildly. I have been to numours bars in Harborne, Town Centre, Solihull, Stratford up Avon to name a few places and never experienced such a situation and I have left drinks coats umberellas and gone outside for just as long!
No comprehension was offered infact we had to buy new drinks!
Then to make it worse some people sat in the seats we were in a yelled over is this your coat and I forgot my umbrella was there. I phone the following day about my umbrella and it seemed like they couldnt care less to be honest was the impression I got.
I would not go near this bar again if it was the last bar left in Birmingham. They need to strongly look at the staff in the bar as they all need an attitude adjustment. I would not recommend this pub to anyone I know if anything the opposite.
|
Called in yday lunchtime when visiting area. Large roomy and comfortable with very personable service and very good value food.2 Courses for �7.25;Beef Chilli and Thai Noodles; not huge portions but plenty for lunchtime and both well presented and tasty.
Well done!
|
Always think it a bonus to actually see someone serving drinks behind the bar when I've walked in recently - means I should get served at some point if I hang around long enough.
Slow is not the word here.
|
Went in with a couple of friends last Wednesday evening. It was very quiet, but none the worse for that, as it meant service was very prompt and couirteous. The beer was on form (Black Sheep and Doombar) and we had a good meal at a reasonable price. Although we all live in Harborne we don't often go in here because it appeals to ,shall we say, people younger than us. We would definitely return at quieter times, as the overall experience was very enjoyable, and the outside patio area really is very pleasant on a warm spring evening.
|
I don't understand all the negative reviews for this place.
Yes, it's a bit studenty, particularly on a Wednesday night, and yes, a bit chavvy on a Saturday. But most other nights it's a pretty welcoming place.
I've been coming here since it was The Varsity and it used to be much more student-orientated. It has changed a lot now though. The interior is nicely furnished, comfortable and very welcoming. It has booth-type areas if you want a quiet drink and big sofas for when you want to let your hair down with some mates.
It can take a while to get served at busy periods and the place seems to always not have enough staff on. But despite this, I've found the staff to be really friendly, have gone out of their way to serve us on occasions and they will even engage in conversation on quieter nights. It's not often bar staff will smile and say hello in passing while collecting glasses from your table.
The food is very good here, although the menu seems to change every few months. But it usually has the same traditional grub and the fish and chips is particularly nice. The beer is decent enough and reasonably priced but I'd like to see more Real Ale there than the standard commercial gubbins such as Pedigree and Bombadier. Good selection of lagers and spirits though.
Well worth going, but perhaps on a Thursday night when it's a bit quieter and away from the chavs. As for the students, they aren't too much of a bother, and in the summer we've had the pleasure of being there on Rag Week - it's pretty funny watching groups of students enter in fancy dress with their legs tied together.
|
When I complained about my Mojito the girl was very rude and refused to replace it. It was pure soda water with no sugar syrup or mint. When I spoke to a team leader she apologised and actually said I shouldn't have been served this cocktail as they have no Mojito mixed - not even fresh!!! Bar staff are always rude and miserable and make it obvious they would rather be chatting to each other than serving you.
|
Hmm, my experience was somewhat different from most of the other reviewers listed on here. In fairness I visited on a Saturday afternoon and not in the evening, but to these old jaded eyes, this seems like a pretty good pub. Nice spacious building, good decor with particularly comfortanle bench seating by the window. Drinks were fine, service friendly, prices OK and the food was very good (The bucket of chicken wings is particularly recommended). Was a good venue for watching the football with several decent screens in enough locations to make sure that anyone that wanted to could find a good view of at least one of them. Shame that it proved unlucky for all of the various teams that myself and my drinking buddies support! I personally wouldn't hesitate to drink in here again during the afternoon, but will refrain from recommending it for an evening drink as based on previous reviews, I'll have to see what it's like in there after dark myself before giving it the Monkfish seal of approval for a night on the lash.
|
Chav land on friday and saturday nights
|
Only late night place open in Harborne, and a good night can be had (probably have to be pretty drunk though!). �1 shots help with this mission!
Ami39 - 30 Oct 2007 14:16 |
A good place to watch the World Cup as there's a fun atmosphere; when England won their first game they played Vindaloo, Come On Eileen etc after the match which created a great atmosphere; a happy vibe. It can be a bit cramped in here and is full of students. I also didn't appreciate being ignored at the bat even though no-one else was waiting but when I was eventually served, the drinks were bargainous.
|
Studenty hell.
|
great bar ! went to oneils across the road first and hated it ,was tempted to get straight in a cab to go to broad steet but decided to pop in varsity first ..
had a wicked time , great staff and a really funny manager ( colin or chris????)
will be back
anonymous - 17 Oct 2005 17:01 |
Great place to chill out on a saturday afternoon or get trashed on a saturday night. I had a party here and they let me have the new room for free. The place does get too crowded at times but there is always a good atmosphere. The occasional wanabee mullet wearing trendy appears but appart from that the place totally rocks dude. yeah.
|
Another good bar in Harborne !
Lunch here is good and well priced. Drinks offers galore. I feel that the locals and students do mix OK but just is very busy Thurs - Sat
Jo - 10 Aug 2004 16:28 |
well, is reasonably priced, but the barstaff are really rude, especially one bloke called john i think. it doesn't make you feel welcome, and it's divided into locals and students who blatantly hate each other, so if you want a nice relaxed drink, don't go here!
steve - 16 Jul 2004 00:31 |
