please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Popped in on Saturday during a 'crawl' around Hockley. The Shepherd's Pie was delicious and the beer was lovely. I must also comment on the very friendly bar staff. All in all, a very nice pub.
|
Thanks "the giant" for the luck, currently we are doing 16oz t bones and 10oz sirloin steaks, I can order in any wine you request and larger T bones if you require but unfortunately we have lost the bathems. we have a fine selection of sexy beers though with The Dark hatters Mild, Holdens and at least 2 guest bitters aswell. Infact this Sunday all Cask will be on sale for £1.50 as we are shutting for the refurb on mon, tue, wed (6th, 7th, and 8th October)
If you would like to book the number is 07515460175. Just try and give me a bit of warning for any special requests. Thanks for your comments. See you soon.
|
Wish you lots of luck, Viki, though I make a point of staying away from pubs even remotely linked with the word karaoke. Let me know when the 32oz T-Bone with a bottle of chateau neuf and pint of Bathams return!
|
Hi its Viki. hope you are all good. thanks for all the support and well wishes its really appreciated. well loads is happening at the church. It is getting busier and has a great pub atmosphere when you walk in. The brewery have invested a lot and a refurb is taking place as we speak. Don't worry though we are preserving the traditional look rather than demolishing it with a much needed lick of paint, rewire, central heating and a new smoking area. we have been open till now but will be closed for 3 days on october 6th, 7th, and 8th re-opening on thurs 9th oct at our new time of 10am on weekdays with a full english and cup of tea for just £3.90 so if you work local were here!!!
On Oct the 10th (friday night) A huge party is planned to celebrate with a Karaoke and Cabaret show and also a BBQ in our smoking area should weather allow. And a 4am Bar!!
Opening times will be weekdays and match days 10am open with mon-wed 11pm close.
Thurs, Fri 10am-late
Sat 12noon(unless villa or albion are playing at home then we will open 10am) till late
Sun 12noon to 10.30pm
First monday of each month is ladies day with special offers on wine, and lots going on such as beauty treatments, hairdressers, jewellery sales, ann summers parties & psychics.
Thursdays and fridays will be Karaoke with the quiet lounge available on request.
Mon-Wed 7pm - 10pm Meal and a pint for £6!!
Tuesdays and Saturday soirees 9pm-11pm acoustic evenings on classical instuments playing a range of folk, jazz and classical music.
As Ever Sundays get an Amazing Sunday Roast for £6.
Once again thanks for all your support, see you soon. xx
|
Hi all, if you can get a copy of "Out inn Brum" turn to page 16 and I think it's well worth a read.
I was pleased to see that a substantial refurbishment is under way.
It was also good to see good food been served.
I wish Viki would turn the music down a bit, but if thats all I can find fault with I lookforward to many more good nights out.
This is a pub thats on its way back.
Well done Viki and Staff.
|
I am pleased to see Vickey working hard at the Church. She does seem keen to make her mark on the pub.
I am pleased to see the locals coming back to the pub and Vickey does seem to understand that it does not happen over night.
Those of you who have not yet been back for a visit i feel may be pleased if they did
|
Lovely, completly lovely. The Interior is old, yes a bit of T.L.C. is required but please don't spoil it as its beautiful dark wood bar, paneling and furnishings. The beer is excellant too, Everards 'sunchaser and tiger', Holdens 'Bitter' and a new one for me, Robinsons 'Dark Hatter Mild'. A must for anyone visiting the area.
|
Hi Its Viki the new landlady from the church inn. I'd like to thank all the support I've had from everyone in the area local bars and regulars and especially the legendary ex gaffa ray. Big thanks also to crazy Joe as the support I have recieved this week from regulars who were in on Saturday and enjoyed having fun in a pub and getting served at the open bar by the tired but soba staff has been amazing. Also I apologise to those of you who have been upset by the noise on a friday and saturday we do have live entertainment which are working fantastically but are happy to offer you the quieter private lounge and a waitress facility. many thanks. see you all soon. (If you like a fun pub that is.)
|
Never been in here before, went in on Saturday afternoon, nice enough but bar sealed off.
Drunk blonde landlady in the corner eating a fry up, shouting things at people and sharing private banter with bar staff across the pub.
'If food was as good as sex' she cackled 'I'd be 30 stone.'
How we laughed.
How we left.
|
johnnylee, write a few more reviews and you might get some credibility! I'm not a Church regular and haven't been since it reopened. Don't even know if it serves Bathams (doubt it) but it used to be better there than I experienced at The Cliffo.
|
WENT TO THE CHURCH INN ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WAS A BIT LOUD BUT NOT TOO BAD, THE MUSIC THAT IS. NEXT DAY I WENT FOR SUNDAY LUNCH AT 1PM, MET ALLAN AND FRAN AND T-BONE TONY. THE MEAL WAS OK, VER NICE IN FACT, WELL DONE TO VICKY ON HER 1ST GO AT THE SUNDAY LUNCHES. I HAD THE LAMB, FRAN HAD THE PORK, I WISH VICKY THE BEST OF LUCK, AND YES I WILL BE GOING BACK FOR MORE SUNDAY DINNERS.
|
Attempted to go to the Church last night to try it out since the new ownership. Had to turn round before I got to the door because of the excessive noise. THE MUSIC WAS SO LOUD IT COULD BE HEARD IN TOWN!
|
It's good to see The Church Inn reopened, at one stage i thought the pub was gone for good. It's still early days but new Landlady vicky seems to know what she's doing. As posted previously the previous landlord Lee had big ideas but failed to deliver (there was usually an heavy smell of Bulls**t in the air) and managed to piss off the old regulars some of whom had been visiting the pub since before Ray took over. The Prince is welcome to Lee as far as i'm concerned. I like the Lord Clifden as well but it doesn't feel like my local, i feel The Church and the Clifden can complement each other and co-exist. The Church needs to build up its custom from scratch thanks to Lee but good luck to Vicky.
|
I WENT IN THERE WITH PAT TODAY, VICKY HAS CLEANED THE PUB UP NICELY, I WISH HER THE BEST OF LUCK WITH IT,IT'S WELL WORTH A VISIT TO GIVE HER SUPPORT.
|
good luck vicky from all the regulars at the lord clifden..
tell the giant and beowulf to get a life !!
|
same ole same ole,nowt bowsey wowsey about the reopening,having not visited for a long time and hearing the chat at the bar am under the impression that new owners etc.in my opinion slightly cleaner slightly less cluttered but still as grim,depressing and claustrophobic.Good luck to the new owners? I was made welcome but dont think that was enough to make me come back in a hurry.
|
Good luck vicky, its great to see the church's doors open again and doing a brisk trade. Contrary to other posters I wouldn't blame Lee entirely for the pubs previous demise, ok he alienated a few customers but he had a vision and got absolutely no backing from Enterprise (the
pub co.) whatsoever, unfortunately this is indicative of the pub trade today and pub co's massively negative attitude towards pubs and communities, as long as there's a beer order coming in to them every week they couldn't give two sh*ts about anything else, lets hope vicky makes a go of it!
|
Welcome back to the Prince Lee ~ great to have you back where you belong not stuck in some staid Brummie pub that doesn't appreciate you. Would like to see their faces when they realise you got the Church in the good beer guide for next year. Just a shame the pevious landlord was not into real ale! Keep it up m8.
|
Went back to The Church on Friday night. What a relief! I was made to feel welcome and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. The pub feels like a pub again. Judging by the large number of customers enjoying themselves (young and old) I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. In reply to the previous report, The Church IS moving with the times, Vicky is putting her own stamp on the pub. The way she is doing it is the polite but business like way, forming lasting relationships with your customers so they come back. Lee always reminded me of the soldier who said "It's not me out of step, it's the others." Running a pub requires more than alienating your customers and donning a greasy cap and moth eaten scarf.
|
sorry for all you Locals who think that Lee has ruined the Pub (Church Inn) but you must move with the times! ITs your loss and our gain that he is back at in Moseley in the Prince of Wales with people who are not afraid to broaden their minds, enjoy good music and have a laugh. WELCOME BACK MR LEE!!!!
|
I heard the pub was reopening and went down there last night. I don't know anything about the past problems at this pub, but I know Vicky keeps a good pint.
I found the place to be a good traditional local with a friendly atmosphere and good beer. Yes there's still a lot of work to do, because whoever had it last ran it into the ground, but it's got all the signs of being a great success.
Let's hope it soon gets back to its former glory.
|
Last night 24th June 2008, I was verey pleased to walk into The Church Inn @ Hockley. I thought the last time I was there was going to be the last.
I thought it would close and become even more flats, so it was with joy that I walked in to be met with a welcome from the new landlady "Vicky".
The pub been closed for a few weeks, Vicky said that she's had a lot of work to get the pub ready to welcome customers back and still got a lot to do.
It was even more pleasing to see some of the old regulars come in.
Vicky said that she not sure what her plans are, she hopes to put on food but needs to do some work on the kitchen first.
The Church able to offer "sunchaser" @ " Holdens Blackcountry" after a few pints I can confirm both are good.
This coming Friday 27th June Vicky putting on an opening party:-
Karaoke/DJ
Buffet
Bubbly.
I look forward to a few more enjoyable nights at the Church.
|
I understand that the Church will reopen today.
"The Church Inn" gone through a bad time since Pat & Rays retirement.
I have not yet met Vicky ( New landlady ) I wish her well & look forward to the return of those loyal customers, who I am sure will return if we see good beer and a welcome at the door. Not seen that welcome for some time.
I hope to see some of those regulars soon. I shall have one or two tonight, hope to see you.
Nick Phillips
|
IF ANY ONE IS MISSING LEE, ALL THOUGH I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY, HE IS WORKING AT THE PRINCE OF WALES MOSELEY, NEXT ON HIS LIST I THINK.
|
So the "problems" with the pub according to Lee were location and the locals! Strange how The Lord Clifden, 50 yards away, doesn't have the same "problems". As previously stated I think the problems were more internal, you reap what you sow! RIP The Church
|
I think the old customers and even Ray, the ex-manager who made The Church into an award winning CAMRA pub, have made their points. I was interested in what the out going management might have had to say when I came across this link:
http://www.b13jazz.co.uk/TheChurchInn.html
The pub was "nice", "the locals were local, if you know what I mean" and the pub was situated in "an area full of crackheads and thieves."
If you hit the link below you might find not all the crackheads were outside the pub.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpcrSoVCHA
So there you go. The pub was a failure because of the locals; the location, in fact it was everybody's fault but Lee's. I expect Lee will be looking to start up a new venture soon in some unsuspecting pub and introducing his outrageously popular Algerian nose flute nights. Take care it's not your pub!
|
WELL AFTER A FEW MEETINGS WITH LEIGH, I COULD SEE WHERE HE WAS COMING FROM,HE HAD NOT GOT A CLUE. FIRST HE TOOK ALL THE ARTIFACTS AWAY,THEN HE GOT RID OF THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS, THEN THE WALL PAPER,AND THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN WAS RUINING THE BATHAMS. WELL DONE LEIGH,IT TOOK ME 15 YEARS TO BUILD THE PUB UP TO HOW PEOPLE REMEMBER IT, AND IT TOOK YOU 6 MONTHS TO BURY IT.
|
Yipppeeee ! The "To Let" board is up now.... What happend to all the "BIG" ideas Lee? the homely pub, the upstairs smokers area, roof garden etc.etc.etc. You have to look after your regulars first mi old china! - Hopefully will get someone in now who knows how to look after beer and create a nice place to drink it!
|
as the previous reveiws state... used to be a nice pub with nice beer... now just attitude and agrovation! Bathams should withdraw their supply to this pub and send it somewhere that will do the beer justice - perhaps the Lord Clifden then we won't have far to go for it. The owners need to decide what they are doing with the place and do it rather than just give the cockney wide boy speel. Not impressed !
|
Don't know if this pub is normally open on a Sunday evening, but it was closed at 9pm when we passed by, so we took the advice of others on the board and visited the nearby Lord Clifden, which was indeed very good.
|
Well I did go back (see earlier review)but did not stop as no customers and a lot of attitude so until things change avoid at all costs and do yourself a favour and come along the road to the Lord Clifden. 4 real ales and great food.
|
as everyone else seems to be saying, this used to be a great pub, but since Lee has taken over it's really gone to the dogs. He hasn't the first clue about running a pub, looking after beer or his customers. The biggest dissapointment is the Bathams, it used to be a thing of beauty but it's obviously not being looked after any more. Hopefully if enough people avoid this place and let Bathams know whats going on then they'll cut the supply off and let a pub that looks after their beer have it. I have nothing good to say about the church, two years ago I loved it, now i'd rather go thirsty.
|
I loved this pub and am saddened to see what the landlord is doing to it. I travelled a fair distance for the Bathams and conversation with the pub's characters. I have witnessed on several occasions Lee (the manager) engaging in ridiculous and insulting arguements with regulars to the extent that they've stopped going. What was once a genuine pub has now been 'improved' by melted candles stuck on the mantlepiece above the fireplace and all the original decorations removed. The lighting inside the pub is virtually non-existant. I regret to say the Bathams is now dire, so all of my reasons to visit this pub have now disappeared. If you wish to know what the pub looked like a couple of years ago, visit the Birmingham Camra web page and look in the 'pubs section', you will be astounded! Not so long ago The Church was the Birmingham CAMRA Pub of the Year. I hope it will be again in the not too distant future.
|
Awful pub. Used to be a great pub for the Bathams and the Guinness but since Ray left everythings gone downhill> The food was always cheap and cheerful but the one thing you could count on was the beer. When the lads who took over from Ray had it the beer was still ok but now this new bloke has taken over everything is awful. The Guinness is vile and the Bathams has noticably dropped in quality. Hopefully Bathams will find out about this and take it off this terrible pub so that somewhere else in Birmingham can take Bathams on. The gaffer Lee is an absolute ar*se who seems to think he's running a cockny boozer and also seems to think he can treat customers like idiots. When told about how the beer used to be great there and now is rubbish he really doesn't care. He has no respect for the pub, the customers or the beer. They advertise food but it's never on now and half the time it's not open the hours that it's supposed to be. Not a good way to run a pub. I never thought i'd say this but Bring Back Ray! He was a miserable git but he knew how to keep beer.
|
Current changes taking time to bed in so i'll put my recent visit down to (in)experience but no excuse for how flat the beer was served. Will try again soon to see of things settled down.
|
A good pub situated near the Jewerelly Quarter. I was there for a disco , 'out the back', but the interior is always heart warming on a cold evening (went in Dec 2007). Decent beer too. I didn't have food, but I saw the menu and it looked a good selection. I will be back to try it soon.
|
Ambitious boozer retaining the best bits
|
Very recently under new management,Nov.07. Better since the smoking ban. Bathams + another real ale. Food is now changed, as yet untried. The new regime has begun to strip the pub of all the old and dusty decor, and new decor appearing seems fine. A welcome sign of good times ahead is the addition of a real fire. This is a pub to watch as it changes after many years of neglect.
Sid98 - 12 Dec 2007 07:53 |
Good beer, miserable locals, mildly interesting jukebox. Very smoky pub. Thats about it for the Church.
|
Recently changed hands. Bathams still available and well-kept. Now open on Sundays and serving curry in addition to the famous large meals.
|
A black country pub in the city with gargantuan portions
of highly carnivorous food and Batham's sweet, yeasty bitter.
|
Fantastic boozer with great pub food and Bathams bitter. Very friendly. Seems to be busier at lunchtime rather than evenings.
|
The only Bathams pub in the area.
If you don't know Bathams Best Bitter you havn't lived. Sadly its a very smoky pub, which desperately needs improved ventilation, especially with food being eaten. A very friendly traditional pub.
Sid - 5 Apr 2004 23:00 |
A splendid traditional pub, serving excellent Bathams Bitter plus one guest beer. The food has to be seen (eaten) to be believed - the portions are absolutely HUGE. A comprehensive spirits selection at the bar, too.
I received a friendly warm welcome last Saturday when visiting from London. The chicken tikka and chips were great, and the staff and locals (Alan & Keith?) were friendly enough to recommend some other pubs in the area!
A superb pub, well worth a visit.
|
