Bird In The Hand (Top Bird), Rochdale

An apology for the error has been printed in the local CAMRA mag More Beer Winter 2014 edition.

This pub is not closed as I drink in it 3 times a week and will be going in tonight the 10th Nov 14. CAMRA have obviously got their wires crossed and a simple phone call to the pub, or to Samuel Smiths will verify that this pub has never been closed or boarded up. I have already sent 3 emails to Pubs Galore in an attempt to rectify this error but without success.

called in Friday after visiting another sam smiths pub 100 yards down the road with almost the same name, but that's all the 2 pubs have in common. although the taddy lager was okay the pub didn't have much life to it felt like id walked into someones front room it looked like it had just been decorated but still no atmosphere ok if you just want a quick pint with nobody to talk to will give it a miss next time im on my travels

At long last the interior of the pub has been decorated and a new Landlord and Landlady have taken over. They say a new broom sweeps clean and this is certainly true in this case as they have brought a breath of fresh air to the place. Both of them showing a real interest in bringing this pub back to it's former central place in the life of the village. All that remains now is for the seating in the Lounge to be re-upholstered and, I have been informed, that this will done in the near future. Former regulars are now returning and, unlike other Sam Smith's pubs in the area, it is a place where ladies can safely have a drink without having to listen to some foul mouths at the bar. Swearing is actively discouraged.

A year has elapsed since I last commented on this pub and as yet the promised refurbishments have not taken place.The Wallpaper is still hanging off the wall in places. The tatty upholstery is tattier that ever. If you slap one of the seats a cloud of dust shoots up into the air. A new Manager took over several months age and, I suspect, that he is totally disheartened by the lack of interest shown by the brewery. It is a shame because the pub has a loyal band of regulars who deserve better. The ales are well kept but,due to the mess the pub is in, I can't mark it well.

In June of this year I advised that the "Top Bird" was undergoing renovation but shortly after that the renovations ceased and the brewery have left the Pub in a bit of a mess. Wallpaper is hanging off in places and the upholstery is not just tatty but also dirty. There is quite a bit of local speculation as to why Samuel Smiths have stopped improvements to the Pub, but it is alleged that they are in dispute with the present management and, until such time as the present impasse is resolved,no further work will be carried out. I will update when I have something more than allegations and speculations.

This Samuel Smith pub is known locally as the "Top Bird" and is little more than 100 yards further up Huddersfield Road from it's sister pub the "Bottom Bird". It is,by any standards, a small establishment consisting of a Lounge and a Taproom. The pub is presently undergoing some renovation so it will not be aesthetically at it's best until this work has been completed. There used to be a gas fire in the lounge but this has now been replaced with a coal burning fire. A similar fire is also in the taproom so this is now a warm and cosy pub,especially on the many cold and chilly evenings we have here on the edge of the Pennines. What I like about this pub is the Landlady's zero tolerance of bad language and behaviour. Anyone who misbehaves or uses bad language will be shown the door and will be barred for a considerable period of time. So I can recommend this establishment to anyone who enjoys a quiet peaceful drink in pleasant profanity free surroundings. There is a Quiz every Thursday evening. No meals or bar snacks are available.