• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B23 6SH

sammyboy said
Large
I would describe this as a gymnasium with a pub in it. the ceiling is huge and its pretty long and narrow too, the decor is ok and the bar staff are good, i have always been served within minutes of arriving at the bar. There is plenty of seating available as the place is so big, this gives it a less intimate feel, which i like.

The customer base is local and the age range is 35 to 70, the food is of a good standard and foos delivery was good also. The bar prices were standard and the location is good for Erdington shops. No pool tables which is a shame, but being Erdington thats probably a good thing as it would probably be ruined after a week or a fight over it.

Overall it is an ok local and a good place to rest your feet and have a drink if going shopping in Erdington.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B5 4EG
0121 632 6756

sammyboy said
Different
This bar is different from the usual fayre you are likely to come across in the centre of birmingham, it's very 'indy' and i found quite a hippy type of a place, it's also very small so any friday or saturday night, be prepared to breath in when walking past people to get to the bar.

The bar did have a family feel, as in i think the owner employs most of his family and maybe some friends. The people who mainly frequent the place are 'free-spirited' people and are pretty laid back. I went for a leaving do for people from work and although i did feel slighly out of place when i first went in, it soon faded in the laid back friendly atmosphere.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Restaurants

Birmingham B1 2HF
0121 665 6562

sammyboy said
Well known brand
I was quite looking forward to this place opening up when it did about eight years ago, being a worldwide brand, was glad it was coming to birmingham.

Its a bit like planet hollywood, only its all about music and memorabilia, there were elvis jackets and rolling stones giutars on the walls, the plae was a good size and is evidently modeled on american bars. there's always something of interest to look at on the walls and the bar staff were efficient and did their job well, cocktails were good, if over priced and the atmosphere was always good, with a little shop at the front to buy t-shirts and mugs etc

Sadly this hard rock cafe closed down about twenty months ago and the property has been left empty for all that time with no-one showing any iinterst in letting it out to put another bar there...seeing as its a prime location.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Nightlife

Birmingham B1 1DB

sammyboy said
Good
This was one of the nightspots in birmingham city centre for much of the 1980s and 1990s and the early 2000s. The place was huge and sometimes had the feeling of a rave when the place was packed out at student nights on monday.

The location was not the best but it did seem to attract lots of people and it was the first experience of night clubs for me and my friends. They had a stage and used to have bands and z-list celebs come, plus the usual holiday rep type games involving members of the audience, i miss that and clubs these days don't seem to put the same amount of effort into entertaining thier clubbing customers, shame really.

Aw well i still of the memories of this fine establishment and they will always be there.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Birmingham B7 5SB
08712 240 240

sammyboy said
Large but not outstanding
The vue cinema in star city is one of the largest in the country boasting 30 screens and a large choice of films to see. It is well located within the entertainment complex, meaning that if there is a bit of time to kill before the showing of your film you can always pass time easily and not have a boring wait.

There are about 4 or 5 box offices selling the tickets which is never enough for a cinema of this size, recently last time i went on 10 july, they were actually selling you the cinema ticket at the food stalls(obvious ploy to get you to spend more on food). There are huge posters of upcoming films dotted all around the foyer and that gives it a grand feel.

The price of the ticket is expensive, the actual auditoriums are well designed modern and comfortable with good views.

Overall ok but nothin spectacular.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B5 7SW

sammyboy said
Studenty
I have visited gun barrels on bristol st on a couple of occasion when i've been in the area and found it to be an ok watering hole, first thing you notice is the student influence on the place, its like gatecrashing a student halls of residence with a bar in it.

On the occasions i visited it was middle of the day and the place was very chilled out and relaxed, there are a couple of pool tables and its has a large space with plenty of places to sit. The staff were good and got served fairly quickly and prices were average, they do have special nights where the beer is cheaper, probably to accommodate the mainly student customer base. This is natural as its located very close to birmingham university.

If you are a student about to start at birmingham university this term get yourself down there, if only to check it out.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Food and Drink

Birmingham B5 4BA
0121 643 6951

sammyboy said
Just the job
I find the food and the service at this and all gregg bakeries, very good indeed, they really know what they are doing when it comes to bakeries, outstanding value for money, always of a high standard and beats the competition every time.

I used to visit greggs every lunch time and even though i only ever had half an hour, i was always safe in the knowledge the staff would be efficient and polite, plus i would always get good well cooked food consistently.

My favorite purchase was the bagettes, they have a variety of combinations to suit all tastes and mine was the tuna bagette. Its still the best sandwich or bagette to be found anywhere and still one of the cheapest.

Overall, outstanding service, amazing value for money, dont hesitate to try anything from their shop, you won't be dissappointed!

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Restaurants

Birmingham B5 4TD

sammyboy said
Fantastic
This place is ideally located next to the bars and clubs of the arcadian and has excellent decor and a brilliantly welcoming and clam atmosphere, i had a chicken papaya and vermicelli which was totally delicious, it really went down well and i even used chop sticks to eat the whole thing.

The food was lovely and was cooked expertly, in fact the whole experience is one i hope to enjoy again soon, next time i am in birmingham city center. I recommend cafe soya to amyone who appreciates chinese food and like to eat in comfortable friendly surroundings. Well done to the staff and particular praise to vanessa the owner who made me feel really welcome. Im feeling hungry just talking about the restaurant and cant wait to visit again.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Restaurants

Birmingham B7 5TR

sammyboy said
Poor
I usually am a fan of pizza hut and its food, but the pizza hut in question here is lacking, mainly in the service!

The staff are terrible, you have to wait ages at the front desk to be seen and then when you are shown to your table, the waiter or waitress leave you there for ages before asking for your order, then you have to wait another lifetime for your food to finally arrive.

When it does its not cooked properly. Anyway the only plus points are aspects of the menu like the free refills on soft drinks, i also like the decor, some people will disagree. My advice would be to choose another pizza hut to get better service and decent food that does the job and fills you up for a good reasonable price. There are plenty of other places to eat in the star city complex and they have better service.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Birmingham B4 7XG
0121 202 2222

sammyboy said
Alternative cinema
If you like variety in your cinema going habits, you should try IMAX.

It has a 50 foot screen which is much bigger than any other cinema you are likely to see, there is also the added dimension of three dimensional films.

These films are made especially for the IMAx cinema screen and only last for 45 minutes but they are really fun. You are handed 3d glasses when entering the screen by the ushers, when on the films becomes 3d, some moments are better than others, sometimes you find yourself ducking to avoid things seemingly coming out of the screen at you.

Its all jolly good fun and that is the aim of most of the films although there is an educational element to some of the films which is a good thing in my view.

My summary is a good viewing experience with a twist that is likely to appeal to all ages.