please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well, this place really has been transformed. I think that the pub’s name and location are about all that remains, the new owners have invested serious money into making it something more like upmarket City Centre chic.
Comfy seating, lots of exposed brick work, designer prints on the wall. Beautiful toilets, designer basins, and a ‘Dyson Air Blade’ hand dryer (google it!) which may actually make men want to wash their hands after paying a visit. Subdued lighting, some flat screen TVs showing some sport, but thankfully small & quiet enough not to make it feel like a dire football pub. Dart board with digital score counter, I’ve never seen that before in a Jewellery Quarter pub!
On a Saturday night, a DJ was playing music at good (not overpowering) volumes. To the rear is a covered area for game playing and smokers, whilst behind that is a walled garden which felt like it would be a nice place on a summers night. Especially busy outside, more comfortable inside, it felt like a nice place to spend some time.
Beerwise, the Purity Ubu was good, the Batham’s was even nicer, a pleasant surprise as the latter so rarely lives upto the hype written about it. There was also Ansells Mild, nice to see a mild in a trendy place even if not perhaps our first choice. Also there was Wye Valley HPA which we didn’t sample.
Clientele was quite a wide age range, City Centre prices (£2.70ish a pint) are perhaps going to keep away those seeking more basic back street boozers, but we felt there was a nice mix of friendly people. Yes it was obviously stylish, but you didn’t feel it was exclusive of anyone.
Overall, we’d say the owners have accomplished something quite unusual here, hitting a mark higher than most City Centre bars and yet in a light-industrial/ ‘city flat living’ type area which can feel quite dead after hours. A short walk from the Jewellery Quarter tram station, or just minutes from Birmingham on a busy bus route (16/74/79) it was a doddle to get to. We really hope it succeeds.
Roy22 - 20 Jul 2008 13:30 |
Nice enough pint of Bathams, pricey grub.
Don't know what the fuss is about, to be honest. Plenty of better boozers in Birmingham, most not in such of a grim area.
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Another quality place. The Ansells Mild is great. Sad to see the Leeds v Sunderland FA Cup Final programmehas gone from the wall! This place is so good, it attracts too many people, which, when you are miserable like me, doesnt help!
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Thanks for the offer, Tom! I'm not trying to make a big point about the Bathams - it was really good. It's just that it tasted marginally better at The Church (where it was legendary). The Saturday I visited I had Wye Valley HPA and it was probably the best beer I had that day (and I went to 12 pubs in total including The Lamp!). Keep up the good work!
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As a barman at the clifden i can categorically say that due to our high turnover and exceptionally high standards, especially the cask, we won't put ale on unless the lines are well cleaned and the ale is conditioned properly. I would take the 'Bathams Challenge' with any pub in the black country, indeed many of our customers, who travel miles to come to the clifden, say our Bathams is as good as it gets, we are proud of our quality beer, and it genuinely grieves us when people think we serve anything other than the best.
I apologise to Mr giant if the Bathams was off when he came in, come down this saturday or whenever you're passing and I guarantee you a tip top Bathams, or you're money back!!
A big thank you from the clifden to all our regulars and friends without whom, obviously, the pub wouldn't be the success that it is, rock on the cliffo!!!!!
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Adding to my previous post, last time I went in on a Saturday lunchtime there was no Bathams and was told there wouldn't be any until "somebody got up and put it on"!
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The Bathams was good but I agree with Beowulf, it didn't taste quite right. It used to taste better at The Church.
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Okay Meena, you're on!
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I have been drinking the Bathams ever since it was introduced at the Clifden. Its always been a superb pint. Been drinking it this weekend. Beowulf come back and give it a go without the bad taste in your mouth. You will not be disappointed, I can guarantee that.
Meena - 29 Jun 2008 21:39 |
Nice pub but do something about the Bathams, it just does not taste right!
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Being a fan of street art and the like I thought I'd pay The Lord Clifden a visit after reading an article about it in the Evening Mail...I was well impressed. An impressive selection of beers on offer, great menu (Banksy burger:how cool is that!!)friendly staff and manager.The artwork by well known street artists is superb and the hand sprayed vinyl records by Army Lion(I think)behind the bar are truly brilliant.
I.m going to give The Lord Clifden 10/10 because there is nothing like it in Brum and to have the vision to create a pub like this is forward thinking on the owners part.Well Done guys.Much Love...
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This pub has taken the modern way of thinking like a bull by the horns. Without forgetting what the customer wants from a pub and I don't just mean real ale.
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Went with a friend to visit on the back of B.I.T.E. talk! I won't repeat what others have said other than its a really nice place to visit. 8/10 without a shadow.
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The Truth09, its not first time raters, we were all there once, its one time raters. Meaning the person registers, rates a pub high, comments highly and never rates another pub all on the same day.
Hope that explains
PS, this pub is quality
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what a pub, I don't really have to say anything about the atmosphere, the decor, the range and quality of the ales and continental beers, the food or the staff as it has all been said before, they are excellent.
I have visited many pubs in my time and have to say this is already one of my favourites. I didn't know the Lord Clifden before it's recent refurd but i'm sure the great homemade cooking and genuienly nice and friendly staff must have existed before, money can't buy these.
This is the first time I have felt the need to review a pub as I really feel everybody should know about it, I didn't even know about it until I read about The Lord Cliften in a local newspaper.
I have read a few other reviews saying this pub has only got a good rating because of first time raters, are they saying we dont count? can somebody explain?
I thought the whole point in this website and other sites like this were so people could voice their opinion and in my opinion this pub is great and I will be going again.
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Having seen all the glowing reviews of this place i thought it was only right that I paid it a visit. The location isn't the best, it's not somewhere you could pop for a quick drink after a trip to the bullring, but then the same could be said about alot of the best pubs in birmingham city centre.
On entering we were immediately made to feel welcome and were more than happy on seeing the beers that are on offer. Nice to see a range of decent largers as well as real ale, nothing more disappointing on a hot day than finding the only larger on offer is fosters/carlsberg/carling.
After a couple of drinks we were a bit peckish so decided to give the food a try, glad we did this was some of the best pub grub i've had in a long while. The burgers are meaty and filling, only let down by the bog standard frozen french fries. Top marks surely have to go to the bangers and mash, special mention for the garlic mash.
To sum up will definitely be going back to this place, especailly as is has a beer garden...there's not too many of them to be found in birmingham.
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You see a lot of pubs fly up the ratings with help from one time raters as metioned by the giant below. I noticed on friday that this pub was topping the charts so with living in Brum i thought I would make my debut. And have to agree with all below comments that this is a quality pub. Has something for everyone and a top beer garden. Will be back for sure. 8/10
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I posted the first review of TLC in Dec 2005 and uploaded the picture and got the name changed from The Lord Clifton. Last Friday I went for the first time since then. It's been refurbished very nicely and is somewhat unique with its location , DJ and table tennis table and its cleanliness!
I was planning to try the food but at 8:00 on Friday night, it's more geared to the DJ playing his music so went to Lalhezar down the road instead.
Can't help feeling that the rating is being manipulated, given the number of recent glowing reviews from one-time raters! Having said that, it is still worth an 8, and I can't really argue with the comments of the first-timers! There is a good range of ales that are well kept. There's a good vibe and a good mix of people. Hope to try the food one day.
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Not a bad place. Yes it has a high rating which well in my opinion this is a 7/10 pub. The beer is good, I had Butty Bach which was as good as I had ever had. The menu looked good although at the time I was in the was no one eating. This place is one where both the customers and Staff care. I felt welcome and wanted. A place worth its five minutes of fame.
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Wonderful food, friendly staff, good selection of drinks and stylish, attractive decor. What more do you need. They've even built an outdoor smoking shelter to save me getting wet! I love this pub!
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A great pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. (You won't feel out of place whether you're 18 or 80). Lovely staff. A good range of beers, wines and spirits. The food is fantastic! There's a really good choice on the menu and even veggies are catered for (which you can't say about every pub). Everything I've tried has been lovely and the portions are very filling. Have your tea here one night and you'll want to come back for lunch the next day. Loads to do whether you want to chat with friends, play darts or surf the web. Pay this pub a visit - you won't regret it.
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A real gem of a pub in the jewelry quarter.The food is fab and well worth travelling for from far and wide for,also has a great range of beer and decent bottled ciders. Brilliant atmosphere,especially on weekend nights with the DJ's playing til late.
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Definitely the best bar in Birmingham. I have been a regular for six years, the new refurbishment is an absolute dream. The stylish interior has a contemporary,highly polished look without feeling pretentious. The food is of a consistently high standard and good value,portions are definitely on the generous side. Sunday lunch here is a must. Excellent bottled and draught beers. My friends travel all the way from Leeds for the Erdinger! The beer garden is fab for parties, ask the landlord (Graham) to get the decks on for you. The Cliffo (as its affectionately known) has acquired that rare gift of appealing to all sorts of people, foodies, drinkers and super cool young types just hanging out. You are guaranteed to have a top night here, just wish I could remember all of mine!
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Where do you start? The Lord Clifden has everything you would want in a pub. And now its uber cool both inside and outside. And don't get me started on the toilets...
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on visiting the lord clifden yesterday, i found it to be one of the best pubs i have visited in recent times, the food was excellent as was both the staff and real ale that was on offer.
i am certain to visit again in the very near future, a real gem of a place
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just visited the Lord Clifden for a couple of beers and some food with my parents, got to say what a great place, such a shame being from the west mids that i have never visited before, the bathams was spot on, the staff were super, the pub itself was fantastically clean and welcoming and as for the food,that was as good as the perfect pint of bathams!!!
My father who as had a pint or two in his time declared it as one of the best pubs he as ever visited,(praise indeed!) we will be back real soon thats for sure.
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As once did Russ Abbott sing," OH WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE".Yet again a cracking nite at the Lord. Food was fab and the new surroundings are wicked. Staff are great and friendly, STILL! The Urban Art is really cool!
A visit to this hidden gem is a must.
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Has gone from being a good boozer to a great place to hang out. The food is top notch and the range of beer is amazing.. Peroni on draught is always a winner. So if you like chilled out beautiful bars, this is for you. Big thanks to barman Tommy who made our night.
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Had Bathams on this week - great pint, who needs The Church!
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The Lord Clifden is the greatest pub in the history of the world. Fact. Whether you go for lunch, dinner, or a boozy evening, you're guaranteed to have an excellent time. The recent refurb looks fantastic, the beer garden is one of Birmingham's best kept secrets, the menu has every kind of food you could possibly want, and the general atmosphere of the pub is unbeatable. Long live the Clifden.
Oh, and the staff are OK too.
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Ha Ha , i was at the quiz last week.. was a bit long but a good quiz. As for the pub,it was the first time that we visited for the quiz.. great pub. we had dinner and the food was fantastic. it was that good on sunday afternoon had lunch (amazin yorkshires ) and then came back for the jazz on sunday night. It is great to have such a good pub on ya doorstep.. Great selection of real ales...only bad thing is that it is no good for the bank balance !!
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Visited last Thursday and joined in the Quiz.... is it still going? Has he announced any answers or given out the scores yet! Got to be the most drawn out quiz ever, didn't realise it was the Clifden Marathon. That aside, very nice done out pub, good beer, friendly and great beer garden. Looking forward to our next visit this Thursday for the Beer... oh and that Quiz - still dont know which character drives a pink Ford Anglia ? or if Hard Black was the lead in pencil ?
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I,ve been to The Lord Clifden on many ocassions and can honestly say it is one of the best. The food is of the highest order with generous portions and made by a cracking chef! The Sunday Roast with mustard mash is wicked.
After a recent refurb the surroundings are even better with well designed seating areas, quality fixtures and fittings and ales which is as good as i've ever drank and i've drank a few i can say!
The rear garden is practical and comfortable with a well maintained garden.
This pub is a little gem tucked away in the bustle of busy Brum. If your near, pop in, you won't regret it.
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Prompted by previous posters' comments, we made our first visit to this pub, to find a jazz session in full swing, which was a nice surprise. (They plan to have these sessions every Sunday night). The pub itself comprises 2 bars, decorated in a modern style to a very high standard and the toilets were impressive too.
4 real ales were available - Wye Valley HPA and Butty Bach plus 2 guests - Vale Black Swan and a Phoenix beer. We tried the Phoenix and HPA - both were good, so we had some more, while listening to the music. Recommended.
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This place is AMAZING! The refurb is superb - you wouldn't recognise the place.
It has now got 4 ales on, two Wye Valley (HPA and Butty Bach) and two guest ales. The lager selection on tap is exceptional and the food is outstanding.
I had Wild Boar sausages with garlic mash and it was just exceptional. Definitely worth a visit if you are ever anywhere near central Birmingham.
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The refurb is great,food really good.Very friendly staff who treat you as a friend.One of the best pub's in Brum and well worth a visit....I love it!.
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Great news, open again after a very smart refurb but beer and food just as good as before with the pub looking really really good, get there ASAP and enjoy.
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Closing for a four week refurb on 26 January. Not sure what the plans are.
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The HPA and Butty Buck are both superbly kept ales. Service and food are as great as always.
A definite recommendation.
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The Lord Clifden is one of the best pubs and best kept secrets in Birmingham, blink and you would miss it. I first came about 5 years ago when a friend of mine recomended the Sunday dinner and ive been coming ever since. The only critism back then would have been the lack of a good ale, however they now stock a well kept selection of HPA ales which perfectly complements the fine food which I can only describe as faultless. The staff are very friendly, there is a fantastic beer garden, and by all accounts the interior is having a facelift in the new year. Make your new years resolution a Clifden Sunday roast and I guarantee you will come back.......
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My local(so a biased review)and gradually getting top form real ale out consistently which for a former fizz palace is to be commended. Top class steaks and other food available lunchtime and early evening plus a decent sunday lunch. Due for sympathetic refurbisment soon which should see even better things for this Birmingham pub.
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Brilliant pub! Top beer, splendid garden! I'll have an Yorkshire please!
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Please Visit The Lord Clifden Appreciation Society website
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Best pub in Birmngham. Friendliest bar staff around, locals that talk to you (in a good way) amazing food (it should be what with the gaffer being an ex headchef at the national gallery) amazing beer garden with table tennis! The HPA is a truly great pint. I can't praise the Clifden highly enough!
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visited this pub as it was in the good pub guide 2007... We had a gorgeous meal... The best steaks in town, a must for anyone in birmingham. The garden is amazing with table tennis and table footy... bring on the summer..
Sky sports including prem plus, top juke box with the best of the stone roses !!
Very friendly staff and customers.
Quiz night on a thursday evening.
D.J. every saturday evening
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Visited this pub with my boyfriend at the weekend to watch the Villa match. At first I wasn't too sure as it didn't look too friendly from the outside but once inside it was very friendly and quite cosy.
Nice real ales, nice rolls, sadly didn't get to sample the menu as they had stopped serving food by the time we got there. They did sell Sherbert Dib-Dabs which I personally thought was a stroke of genius!
I'm sure I will be going back at some point and I certainly won't be dragging my heels!!
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Pub has Sky Sports and Prem Plus, which isn't listed above.
Winner.
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Great pub!
Food is great and beers are really good.
Bloke that runs it is a really nice bloke from Sunderland, a qualified and experience chef from what I've been told.
Definitely pop in for the Sunday lunch- it's excellent!
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very friendly pub. Great food.
Quiz night on a thursday
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Very good menu
Sunday Lunch was excellent.
Very big garden......very nice for long summer evening.
Sam Migel on draught huge selection of bottle beers
anonymous - 6 Apr 2006 17:51 |
It is actually called "The Lord Clifden". Serves good real ale including "Landlord" when I was there. Friendly. Claims to do the best Sunday Roast Beef in Birmingham!
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Beautiful stained glass window to the front of this pub. Friendly, with dart board and pool table. Good beer - including Landlord when I was there.
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