The Village, Birmingham

Thought I'd add a recent review since those two are 2-3 years out of date. I went to The Village for the first time this week. It was a Wednesday afternoon and was very quiet until about 5pm when the after-works-drinks crowd filled up the place a little more. I'd like to try this place on a Friday night, because I liked what I saw:

> Friendly bar staff
> Cute little beer garden; all tables covered and outdoor heaters... plus outdoor music and LCD tv!
> Modern yet cosy decor
> Drinks not too expensive

It's nearly 2009 so if you're in the Gay Quarter of Birmingham, I'd say ignore the older reviews and give this a go while you're doing the rounds! Worth a try!

20 Nov 2008 23:32

The Rope Walk, Birmingham

Every time I walk into this pub, I look around and see what I could do with it. There are so many improvements that could be made. They've refurbed it now, which is a good move. But they really need new management.

It's a lovely looking pub, and st paul's sq. is a great location. They are wasting their venue! The Rectory is so much better - but the food in the rectory is quite expensive and a little on the pretentious side. Fine by me - but where is a girl to go when she fancies some good traditional pub food? Clearly not the Rope Walk!

The last time I went there was a few weeks ago, on a Sunday lunch time. The place was pretty much empty. The girls behind the bar were sulky. When we finally had our order taken, we were told that they had ran out of chicken! We ordered something else. They'd ran out of that too! It took her half an hour to give us a refund, despite the place being dead. When our food finally arrived, it wasn't the best thing I'd ever seen or tasted. My boyfriend had a hoisin duck wrap to start with.... the cucumber had seen better days... As for my meal, the peas were shrivelled, the mash was dry and hardly any gravy was poured on it... and worst of all... my steak pie was ice cold in the middle!

I stopped eating and waited for someone to come over..... 45 minutes later, we were ready to leave, and STILL nobody had come to collect our plates! In the end we just left because we couldn't even see where the barmaids were.

Really disappointing and again, a wasted opportunity. This place could be a goldmine. Birmingham has a shortage of classy country style pubs - it's all wine bars or dodgy local pubs. Sort it out!!

14 Nov 2008 10:46

The Jewellers Arms, Hockley

I live in the apartments on the corner and I have to say, this pub is such a disappointment. Before I discovered the Clifden on Great Hampton Street (thank God!), I thought this pub would be my local. I'm glad it isn't!

Every time i've been in there, I've found the place at least half empty (and that's saying something, considering it is tiny).... the staff are hardly friendly.... there's just no atmosphere whatsoever.

It's a shame, because with New Hampton Lofts around the corner, the station over the road and the main hub of the jewellery quarter nearby, this pub could make a much better impact on residents and visitors.

14 Nov 2008 10:27