The Yardbird, Birmingham

This is the former Grape Vine - which is what it was called when i last visited in the 80s. The pub was built in the early 70s, as a part of the Library rennovations at that time. This square jazz pub, once in M&B red and white, is now in black, with a steel canopy. It has a front patio. The interior is an L-shaped room, predominantly in dark red painted brick, which has a stage in one corner. The serving bar is off to the right. There are bench seats, along with a few tables and chairs, but i would suggest that you get there early for a jazz night, as it seems to be a little sparse on the seats. There is a laminate floor. There are a couple of TVs that had Sky Sports on and the music was jazzy and at a decent level. A few little bird cage things dangled from the ceiling and some strange art was on the walls. The service was fine (i had to return first pint - but dealt with well) and a mixed clientele was in - not all seeking to escape the ever encroaching German market that takes over Brum this time of year. A few small candles helped light the gloomy room. Beer; usual tap stuff with a few continental lagers and proper ciders. On handpull there were Purity UBU, with Mad Goose having ran out. The UBU tasted like first pull of the day, but was changed immediately for a pint that was perfectly fine. I don't mind jazz music and i would quite like to see a group here - especially with the decent array of drinks they have on - but it does act simply as a pub too. Pop in for one.

A straight forward, modern, brickwalled bar, between Millenium Square and Paradise Place, next to Wetherspoons, in the City Centre. Described as The Yardbird Jazz Club, it has one room with an L-shaped bar, with a raised stage for live music. There is an area in front of the pub for outside drinking where you can throw look down your nose at those in Wetherspoons. Background Jazz place at a decent level when a band is not playing. By no means an architectural gem it is however a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin in that if you like jazz or music, you may come here to chill. And despite the reference to 'club' its a bar anybody could enjoy if thats your swing bag. The one real ale, Purity Mad Goose, was surprisingly ok. Overall an ok stop off for a pint and offers something different to Wetherspoons next door.