BITE user comments - sparklepop
Comments by sparklepop
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
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
I have lived in an apartment right opposite The Clifden since June this year. I LOVE THIS PLACE! I am pleasantly surprised that Graham has not been served with a noise abatement notice my the residents of my building, resulting in the demise of other character pubs such as the Spotted Dog in Digbeth. The Clifden isn't just your ordinary local 'old man' pub - it has a real neighbourhood feel. Most of the people that seem to come here are in their 20s, 30s and 40s - although it's still not the wrong place for someone older!
It really is hard to put my finger on what makes this pub so great. The beer garden really is a hidden gem, with that red postbox and old Post Office sign enticing your curiosity about the Jewellery Quarter's past. A few more outdoor heaters wouldn't go amiss now that winter is coming though, Graham! ;-)
The food here is great - huge portions, well cooked, better than you might expect if you walked past and saw this place from the outside.
If sport is on, or at lunch time, or on Friday and Saturday nights, this place is heaving. One of the things I love so much about this place is the eclectic music - if nobody is controlling the jukebox, you'll hear anything from Elvis to a range of motown, to the Chili Peppers... right the way over to NeYo!
It also isn't the kind of locals pub that feels unwelcoming. The first time I went in there, Tommy the bartender and Graham, the owner, chatted to me. I met people from my building too. It really is a friendly place!
If you're visiting the Jewellery Quarter, or you've just moved in, head straight to the Clifden! I can promise you, it will be your new favourite place!
14 Nov 2008 10:23
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