PubBlog

Corporation St, Birmingham:

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This is a large, imposing Victorian pile of a pub, near to some other nice Victorian buildings just outside the main shopping area.

I’ve visited it before, some years ago, when it was rather down-at-heel. It’s since had a makeover, and the pubco that own it own a good few more successful pubs in the city. I’d been meaning to drop in for a while as the pub has had some favourable comments in CAMRA lefalets, and had a bit of time to kill while waiting for my better half, so I dropped in.

It’s not bad: a typical (good value) chain pub food menu and tidy but by-the-numbers interior (but without taking away all the character, but by no means unpleasant, and my pint of Landlord was very nice indeed. Staff were pleasant too.

Hurst St, Chinese Quarter, Birmigham:

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Called in for a post-work, pre-comedy drink. It’s a ‘spoons, so nothing special, but perfectly tolerable, near the Hippodrome, and not The Old Fox, which we won’t be hurrying back to.

Hurst St, Birmingham:

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Located near the Alex, and just over from the back-to-backs.

Oh Dear.

Beer was good, place was fine until we were made to feel like criminals when we got change back for a tenner after handing over a 20.

We won’t be back.

John Bright St, Birmingham:

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We visited here as they had a beer festival on. This is not a bad pub: It’s part of the Birmingham music/DJ thing, which isn’t my usual thing, but it has decent food and ale, and a nice building. It was a bit dark and gloomy for the very sunny day though. I’d not usually complain, but it felt wrong to not enjoy the sunshine.

Aston:

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Right in the shadow of and owned by Aston Villa FC, we stopped in here after a visit to Aston Hall. Cheap beer, a lovely building (modern refurb inside, but tasteful, and in lovely condition outside following an extensive, wonderful refurb- I knew there was one good reason for football), pleasant staff. Suspect it was only quiet because Villa were playing away. Food looked good, but we didn’t try it.

Cofton Hackett, Birmhingham:

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An Ember Inn, not awful, but not fantastic.

We visited on a busy early Friday evening- beer was pretty good, to be fair, but food was only OK, with a naan bread that could have been used as a weapon, for example. Basically, a pretty typical chain pub.

Digbeth High St, Birmingham:

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Corner pub right in the Irish Quarter. Basic, but pleasant, and a nice building. Welcome was friendly, beer good.

Digbeth, Birmingham:

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Lovely Irish pub on Bradford St. It’s a James & Lister Lea Terracotta pub, so the outside is glorious, as is some of the tiling inside. There’s good beer, basic food, and live music at times.

Digbeth-ish, Birmingham:

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Pleasant, small pub with decent beer in a backstreet just on the edge of the Irish Quarter- we discovered it by accident while walking down Hurst St towards Digbeth. Beer and welcome good, as was the price.

Birmingham City Centre, near New St Station:

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Big Victorian typical Birmingham pub near New St station. Reasonable beer choice- not sure if there was food.

Staff freindly, beer OK, prices OK too.