We all know the gig…pub struggles, it’s revamped and returns minus beermats, bench seating however the lure of wooden fired pizzas, six quid a pint cask and desk bookings appear to sign a possible revival.
But what of the standard pub I hear Mudgie, Paul Bailey and Martin cry? Birmingham, which has seen its fair proportion of historic gems chunk the mud (The Woodman and Eagle & Tun to call however two) seems to have revamped a few metropolis centre boozers for the higher.
The 783 – Queen’s Head B4 6BJ is a basic instance of the style and honest play to legendary Brummie (look ahead to Paul WME to right me on the place they’re primarily based) brewers Davenports as they’ve pulled out all of the stops.
The flogged their Bulls Head pub on the high of Broad Street and have as a substitute turned again the clock – with some type – on the most just lately named Jekyll and Hyde on Steelhouse Lane.
It’s just a little bit out of the best way however gave the impression to be doing a roaring commerce for a Tuesday afternoon…it introduced again nice recollections for me as I labored at The Post & Mail again within the noughties and this was the watering gap of selection for a lot of Friday afternoons and publish work, effectively any day actually!
It was a spit and sawdust affair again then and with the Post & Mail now not primarily based in Steelhouse Lane then I did marvel if this place would survive.
However, with the seemingly by no means ending quantity of workplace house mushrooming within the metropolis centre together with close by Children’s Hospital employees it could appear they’ve a stable buyer base.
A cracking pint of IPA (Davenports) in a dimple glass with beermats however that is no ‘1980’s blokes solely’ bar because it felt trendy and welcoming and the whole lot {that a} ‘correct pub’ ought to be.
A swift stroll from Steelhouse Lane takes you to the underside finish of the Jewellery Quarter and a timeless basic that doesn’t want any revamping in any respect.
784 – Hen And Chickens B19 3LE is now a desi bar and – because the signal says – it’s cask and curry.
Bench seating, stained glass home windows and excessive ceilings imply it’s a high quality boozer and I had a cracking pint of Horizon (Wadworth).
However, other than one other couple who had been having an excellent trying curry, I used to be the one punter in and I fear for metropolis centre pubs greater than ever if there are few prospects….use it or lose it as it’s a nice pub and an actual gem that received’t get replaced by comparable if it goes…
A stroll again in in the direction of Snow Hill Station discovered a pub that has been returned to ‘correct pub’ standing.
Back in December 2017 I visited Utopia The Country Bar because it was then recognized and famous “it was recognized for one or two journalists to have a post-work/lunchtime beverage and this was inside strolling distance of the workplaces.”
Sounds like we used to have the odd pint or two at The Birmingham Post & Mail!
Anyway, it’s now a Fuller’s pub and recognized by the moniker 785 – The Roebuck B3 2NP and while there haven’t been huge modifications inside it definitely appears extra like a pub from the outside.
It will promote meals like most metropolis centre pubs, but in addition served up an honest pint of HopHead (Dark Star) and there have been a crew of workplace employees in there who clearly had are available in for lunch and determined towards returning to the workplace! The previous adage of hanging baskets = good beer continued on this event.
It is nice to see two pubs returning again to their roots and the Hen & Chickens discovering a approach to survive.
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