I came in here for an early breakfast a couple of days ago. I sat down to the Lion King soundtrack…read moreblaring in the background. By the time 'The Circle of Life' had finished I was ready to end mine. The breakfast was cold and the plate was chipped and smeared with grease, my extra portion of black pudding looked like a brain tumor. The yolk in my egg was yellow like the poor old souls' teeth that sat adjacent to me. The décor was dirty brown, and tanned by nicotine from the time we could smoke in pubs. It wasn't the food though, I was here at 9am and the patrons were drinking in full force. If ever you want to give up alcohol because you have a problem or for health reasons, then instead of the 12 steps I would recommend spending a mornings hour in The Goose. The depths of human depravity that can be seen here are quite inspiring. If you have given up on love, life and music then The Goose is perfect for you.

Full of the near-dead, the unemployed and the very low-waged, every face in here tells a sorry life…read morestory. In the weekdays, single old men stare out of the window onto the bird poo caked exterior paintwork wondering where it all went wrong. Puffy-faced red-nosed men in their fifties stumble out at 5pm staggering blind-steamed drunk back to whereverland. On weekend nights women with bodies from Baywatch and faces from Crimewatch stand out the front smoking Mayfair cigarettes in their supermarket clothes. Men fresh out of prison are welcomed back to society with a round of pound-shop priced drinks. Does The Goose have any redeeming features? The prices of the food and the drinks are staggeringly low-priced but the quality of the food ain't great. You get what you pay for, so the old adage goes. I've no doubt that The Goose fulfills a role the community and it's where some call home, but I wouldn't even wait at the bus stop out side it.

After seeing the high score from other Yelpers, this seemed like the ideal bar for post-dinner…read moredrinks. Loved the cosy decor; plenty of comfy sofas and lamps make it seem like you're just hanging out at a friend's house. Black Lab has a sense of humour, too: I spotted a plant growing out of toilet basin. They've a long list of reputable cocktails - my Singapore Sling was super sweet and brought back happy memories of a summer holiday long ago. Look forward to slinging back some more soon. I also love the fact it's walking distance from my house - a real local treat.

This visit was after a tough afternoon of enjoying everything on offer at the Kings Heath Dining…read moreClub event :) Being able to relax in comfort, listening to some mellow tunes & quietly reflect was pleasantness itself. Some interesting beers, some from Birmingham producers. Can't wait to return for cocktails +/- the tapas.

I got to the pub for the Daytime Menu, and I was starving, luckily the Hare and Hounds has a large…read moremenu of tasty sandwiches, omelets, pancakes and burgers on hand to stimulate my culinary desires. I tried the recommended Organic Burger £6.50 with chunky chips and side salad. It was a clean plate of food with a healthy sized burger that tasted fresh and wholesome, the way a good burger should be. It was only until after I had devoured my meal that I noticed the large selections of Ales they have on offer from breweries across the country. My friend indulged in a reasonably priced IPA whilst I had a Coke as I had to drive home. Well, the car got left outside overnight, I couldn't drive home in the end. Crowds of chain smoking revelers outside were anticipating the arrival of a band at one of the Hares' two live music rooms. I noticed that UB40's first ever gig took place here in 1979 - commemorated recently with a PRS Music Heritage award and plaque - to establishing itself as one of the top small music venues in Birmingham. We were in for a good night! We had a few more ales and the band came on in the Main Room. The acoustics and smaller intimate feel of the venue put a big smile on my face, so did the band, so did the night. The Hare and Hounds is definitely the place to visit.

There are many great venues in Kings Heath, but one that often comes up in conversation is the Hare…read moreand Hounds. This is not just a great little pub, but a bustling music venue that covers a huge range of genres (it can be forgiven for the blue plaque stating "UB40 played here"). Easy to get to on the number 50 bus and with plenty of on-street parking (if you're not drinking, of course) available, it's well located on Kings Heath High Street. Like so many of the great venues in Birmingham, the exterior is smart and well kept (giving off a "traditional village pub" vibe). The interior isn't hipster, but rather twee and portraying a feel of antiquity. There are comfy booths and plentiful tables and chairs, but this venue can get very busy due to it's reputation and collection of fiercely loyal regulars. It has a smoking area just off the street (at the side of the pub on York Road), which is a great place to start chatting with the other frequenters. Last Friday we ended up having great conversations with total strangers about the cost of the Bloody Mary in London and Don Letts (who is due to be appearing at the venue soon). As with so many of the bars in this "up and coming" area, a drink aint cheap. It certainly isn't as bad as some Central bars - but you are looking over £3 a pint .It was £1.90 a half of guinness (rather than £1.80 as previously stated), making a full pint of the black stuff £3.90. A double vodka and tonic was north of £5. That being said, I still believe the venue is worthy of 4* (for it's fantastic atmosphere and well kept decor). If you are a keen Muso, I would recommend regularly checking the listings. There are some really great events being put on right through the year with big and small names rocking the H&H. If you're in Kings Heath, I recommend this as a bar to check out - but being based on the High Street and York Road; you are spoiled for choice in this area.

This is such an awesome bar! The fact that one exists in the midlands is fab! The atmosphere is…read moregreat as is the decor. The food in the bird cage is cute and the drinks. The drinks. Wow. The Chocolate martini is dangerous, doesn't taste alcoholic whatsoever. Music is catered for those that love old school r n b! No complaints here!

Power tip: quaint pub with an adjoining burger and fries stand. Good bacon burger, and both the…read morespiced and Alabama fries were tasty. Staff were friendly

Built in the 1920s by the Mitchells & Butlers brewery this large, Grade II listed pub in the middle…read moreof the Birmingham suburb of Stirchley is something of a hidden treasure, despite being situated in plain sight along the busy Pershore Road. You step across a small car park and into the public bar, which is a large open space that can often get busy when there are sporting events on the big screen, but venture past this and The British Oak slowly starts to reveal its many charms over a series of side and back rooms, and an extensive garden. You may think that the place looks big when viewed from the front, but this really only tells half the story. When the pub was originally built, and for many years that followed, the side rooms were variously 'The Gents' Only Lounge', or 'The Smoke Room', but in 21st Century, smoke-free Britain these are now simply extra rooms within the same pub that offer quiet places for customers to drink, eat and talk, away from the bustle of the main bar. Move towards the back of the building and you could almost be in another pub entirely as you enter the small and cosy back bar, more than likely stepping over a sleeping dog or two in process. With an open fire and the genuine feel of a small, country boozer, this snug space is particularly welcoming on dark and damp Winter afternoons. To the side of the back bar there is yet another room, the last of the 5, which is variously used as a venue for family parties (particularly at weekends) or for any number of events promoted by Stirchley's burgeoning creative community, including film screenings and a comedy night. Whilst the 5 interconnecting rooms of the main building offer an impressive array of different pub experiences under the same roof, it is only once you move outside at the back of the pub that you really get a sense of the size of the place. The back door opens onto a large, covered area containing leather sofas and long tables that offer a rare chance to drink and smoke in comfort, before leading you down the steps into a seriously huge garden that is also the perfect afternoon sun trap. The garden has a slide and various other play equipment for the kids (and big kids) and even when busy, as it often is during the summer months, it never feels too crowded. Further still, and at the very back of the garden, there is the quintessentially English site of a manicured bowling green and wooden clubhouse, for this is the home of The British Oak Bowling Club. Listen to sound of polite applause and muted cheers drifting across the garden on summer afternoons and you will be a million miles away from the slow drudge of the Pershore Road. The British Oak is child and dog-friendly and offers a decent selection of wines, spirits and lagers, as well as a range of cask ales sufficiently varied to make it one of CAMRA's 'Real Heritage Pubs'. The food an offer ranges from good, honest pub grub - the gammon, egg and chips is particularly fine - as well as bar snacks, such as bowls of chips, sandwiches, pizzas and hot pies. In an age of homogenised chain pubs and regenerated urban boozers that often try too hard to impress, The British Oak is a welcome change to the norm. It's a traditional pub that is moving with the times but doing so at its own pace, thank you very much, and therein lies its charm. If you are looking for a place to sit and read a newspaper over a pint, or for somewhere to take family or friends, in summer or winter, I recommend a visit.

We waited in an empty bar at a prime time in the evening at the cut price decor and cheap…read morerenovation. When I finally got served my wine was terribly corked. The staff were pleasant, but the trouble came with the food.order. The food was cold and the quality was dreadful. I can't imagine any Spanish cook calling this Tapas. I complained to a very arrogant Manager called Barrington, that simply looked over my shoulder rather than listen to my concerns. The food was sent back and had clearly been microwaved. My wife had the fish option and had to have a day off work as a result of food poisoning. I am unaware of the food hygiene score that received, but I know bad quality Spanish tapas because I have traveled the Balearic Islands and Madrid. I would rather go to McDonals than eat in this Mickey Mouse establishment again.

With it's bare brickwork, tiled and wooden floors, Tiffany style lampshades and some Motown tunes…read morespinning, this newly re-furbished bar is welcoming enough. As are the staff, who greet me with a smile. After sitting here for a few minutes wondering why they aren't attracting crowds from the Farmer's Market, a couple and a family filter in. This is clearly their desired daytime weekend demographic: people seeking a bite to eat. The lunchtime menu offers a burger and soft drink for £6, which is reasonable enough. The beer is bloody pricey though. Charging £4.35 for a pint of Estrella, they maybe aren't going to stay in the competition beyond their opening honeymoon period, given the choice of bars and pubs nearby, all who have their own very strong unique selling point.

Tucked away at the end of Stirchley in a location you cannot see from the main road, neighboured by…read morea canal and a venue for children's parties, you cannot help but wonder how The Roadhouse has managed to exist for so long as a venue. I played here with one of my old bands about seven years ago and it seemed to have been around for ever then. My sporadic visits since have revealed The Roadhouse to be a friendly enough venue with the ambience set to old school/biker . A good sound system and a fairly standard but well priced bar make this a good place to see a band. The schedule seems to consist of a mix of up and coming indie/rock acts and tribute acts of classic rock bands with acoustic nights on a thursday. They also offer music tuition services but I can't comment on these as I haven't had need to use them. The venue side of the business I can recommend, providing the style of act playing that night is to your tastes.

This venue is part of the newly revived and thriving Birmingham (Brum) scene. Entrance is cheap,…read moreusually only a few quid, and the drinks are student prices, which is fortunate considering most of the clients. This venue is big on Folk, acoustic and rock. A place to check out the local talent in all it's various forms. The doormen are laid back and friendly. The staff rather new wave and hippy nice. A good laid back venue for a chilled out evening. Tune in and tune out.

A small, independent cafe bar with friendly staff, Cherry Reds is located on York Road, off the…read morebustling Kings Heath High Street. Upon entering this little oasis that's far from the madding crowd, you are greeted at the door with a smile and a folky-kitsch display of tempting cupcakes. The menu is small and perfectly formed. There are maverick touches to modern, homely food that caters to the tastes of flesh-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. As far as drinks go, Cherry Reds sell good European and New World wine at a price that's well below what you might expect, and they have a well-chosen selection of local and continental lagers. Owner Jen is a beer connoisseur, and hosts monthly beer tasting sessions which are informative, informal, and guaranteed to open your eyes and taste buds to a plethora of tastes beyond pub-standard lagers and ales. Rather than offering classic Martinis or Manhattans, Cherry Reds create cocktails that are fun and alcohol fueled. A recent addition is Jamaica-Me-Crazy: a shot of premium Kraken Rum, a shot of Appleton rum, then topped up with ginger beer and lime. Every day between 4pm-7pm you can enjoy two cocktails for the price of one. The decor is unpretentious and along with the intimate dimensions it invites the informal feeling of being in a house rather than in a public place. It's a relaxing place to be is Cherry Reds. The unique ambiance is that your friend is having an open house and that you and those in the know are always very welcome.

Breakfast Review: I…read moreate outside in the summer of 2014. That immediately makes you feel better. I had heard lots about Cherry Reds, but never got around to getting all the way over to Kings Heath to try it. I gave it a go. Inside, it was quite dark and a bit 'wizard and witch - like', unusual, but its a bar at night, so it sort of makes sense. I ordered the Full English again, so that I could compare it with all the others that I have tried. The single sausage was of a good quality and tasty, the bacon was decent too. What I didn't like was the cherry tomatoes served mixed with the mushrooms and they committed the worst crime in history - they put the beans in the middle of the plate, contaminating the rest of the food. Everyone knows that beans should be served separately! There was a couple of pieces of toast, a hash brown and black pudding too. It was served hot and freshly cooked. In summary: Its a quirky place, serving good quality, freshly cooked food, at a reasonable price.

Smoking food and music…read more The Dark Horse is a quintessential Moseley pub, full of the friendly bustle that you can expect from the area. The venue itself is a welcoming space with plenty of seats both inside and out, there's a full bar on offer with a variety of spirits that I'd imagine will have something for all tastes. Food is tasty BBQ style smoked meat and pizzas made in the pizza oven sitting roaring away in the back. I had the smoked meat platter and everything on offer had a deep smoky flavour with plenty of "narl". The Dark Horse lives up to it's name however by having a large space upstairs that they use when the night gets later and everyone gets their dancing shoes out, we had a great night listening to the house band and the DJ after that.

You guys rock, Atmosphere 10/10, Service 10/10, Food 10/10, We can find no fault here at all. Ok,…read moreif you really want fast food, then go to McDonalds. The Dark Horse they take pride in their food, service and presentation. We came here for Sunday lunch recently and we got tons of food. We were both extremely surprised and very happy with the amount and quality for the price we paid. Nothing is too much trouble, the staff are always lovely and friendly. Food allergies? no problem here at all as any questions can be asked and answered quickly and helpfully. The aroma when the smoker door opens is amazing and the stone pizza oven produces fantastic pizza too. What more can I say except, you guys really do rock.

Great pub conveniently situated on the Alcester Road, number 50 route. The staff are really…read morefriendly and helpful and the atmosphere relaxed. There is plenty of seating available and dogs are welcome. Great bonus is the large function room at the back available for private hire. It does get busy at times but not as bad as some of the other pubs nearby. It's not pretending to be something it's not.

The Sun on the Station was the second stop on our CMYE Kings Heath tour on Friday. I had seen the…read morereviews on Yelp and was very much looking forward to my first visit to this popular local venue. Picked by Kat B. (as she liked the look of the chandeliers but had never been in), we trekked from Cherry Reds to get down to this well rated venue... Firstly, what a great looking pub! Very traditional, but felt warm and inviting from the moment we spotted it. On entry, we were greeted to a not-too-busy-not-too-quiet pub on a Friday night and grabbed a table. Inside it's stylish, but not hipster with nice decor details (like the wallpaper and light fittings) and a good pub food menu. I bought the first round of drinks and was very pleased to note that a pint of landlord, a pint of specialist ale, a small glass of red, a pint of Grolsch and a small coke was less than £16. The ale was kept well and tasted fresh. Food wise, fish and chips (a gigantic portion) was less than £9 and my veggie burger was £6.50. Result! The outdoor smoking area was small, but perfectly formed with effective heaters ensuring the smokers didn't freeze whilst sitting out on the decking. They also had several deejays on over the course of the night (but we had to disappear to the next venue before we could check them out). I reckon if I lived in this area, this could fast become a favorite local joint. If you fancy a decently priced dinner or a pint, you won't go wrong popping in to the Sun.