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Detail Pages
Hen & Chickens, Birmingham
Handsworth
Birmingham
B19 3LE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about Hen & Chickens
Pleasing to see this once very run down corner pub given a new lease of life as a desi pub. It has been spruced up but is still pretty unspoilt, with peripheral benches and tables round the edge of the main room and some new lights over the bar. A back room has been more thoroughly done up, with a nice little snug tucked in behind the bar as well. The curry is the overwhelming feature however, with an all-pervasive aroma or smell depending on your point of view and is well worth trying. This is nicely supported by a well=kept Salopian Shropshire Gold, as well as an unsampled Tribute.
On 30th April 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3915 recommendations about 3848 pubs]
Strongers . left this review about Hen & Chickens
I wasn’t planning to eat in the Hen & Chickens, but my willpower was overcome by the smell of the curry and the sight of people eating lovely looking food at banquettes that run along the exterior walls that are faced by a blue painted curved stool lined L-shaped serving counter. Premium keg and Neck Oil are supported, and one of the two hand pumps was in use drawing a decent pint of Salopian’s Shropshire Gold. A main with rice, a naan, a starter and a pint of the Gold set me back £35, which I thought was a fair price as the food was curry house standard. Televisions throughout were airing an Arsenal Champions League match, which I preferred to a background sitar. On the way to the toilet, I found a smaller rear bar with banquettes, there’s was nobody in here so I’m not sure if it was open. The barman was friendly and the food staff were extremely friendly, but I’m not sure that I would want to visit here just for a beer. That said, others were happily doing just that during my visit, but as advertised, this is a great venue for cask and curry.
On 14th March 2026
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6626 recommendations about 6588 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Hen & Chickens
I've yet to try the food in here, maybe on my next visit. This pub does have a good reputation for their food and even on our Saturday early doors visit there was a few people in, having what looked like a good sized portion of food.
The front lounge area as you enter was a good size, with original features such as the cornice work, two stained glass interior windows and the long and extensive bar area, plus the sloping floor.
If you venture round the back of the bar, you will find a inner snug, plus a large dining area. There was also a fine display of floor tiles near the kitchen. Two pumps with one in use serving Purity Gold.
On 17th November 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3745 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Hen & Chickens
Forget about the beer (for once). This was one of the best curries I have had out.
Every table was booked but ask at the bar, as the food service is so quick, you can be in and out in about the same time as a McDs.
They had some cask on - but with the weather (hottest day of the year) and maintaining tradition - I went for Cobra.
Will definitely be back.
On 12th June 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1799 recommendations about 1768 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Hen & Chickens
Now proudly states Cask and Curry over the door! 2 ales on including Tribute which was fine. The food was excellent and there were plenty of people enjoying it! Happy to call in again.
On 24th May 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1953 recommendations about 1808 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Hen & Chickens
Pretty full on my Friday afternoon visit with a large array of H&M clad mannequins savouring the fizzpops on offer. The L-shaped bar and pub isn't bad but, sadly, the handpulls were unemployed so sparlkewater had to suffice. Its not a bad place but I doubt I'll ever be back.
On 23rd July 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Hen & Chickens
Nov 2017 - further work here and its opened out into different bar space. Much nicer than previous & the beer, although national was good quality. Bit of an American diner feel in a Victorian setting, but worth a look and a nice improvement.
10/04/2015 - Revisit - now slightly improved and sells beer! Includes 2 real ales, Youngs bitter and Robinsons Dizzy Blonde
17/08/2010 - Very close to the Jewellery Quarter but probabaly just on the wrong side of the tracks, its now a run down local on a busy road from Birmingham (you can see the City Centre just up the hill) to the Black Country. Its an industrial side of Birmingham that has seen better days.
There is a pool table inside and some bench seating, but not at all comfortable.
There is no real ale, in fact they havn't even got a keg bitter - I was offered cider or Guiness.
On 22nd November 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1598 recommendations about 1575 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Hen & Chickens
A bit rough round the edges but nothing wrong with that. 2 real ales and food served.
On 2nd August 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3061 recommendations about 2989 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Hen & Chickens
Quite an impressive, if very run down, building housing a right old-fashioned boozer with a twist (namely the rear part of the 'L'-shaped bar seeming to operate as an Indian restaurant). Basic furniture and decor, loud sports TV and a pool table. Rocking Rudolph and Everards Tiger (£3.20) available from two handpumps, although ordering a pint of latter results in a little confusion since Tiger lager is also available. Overall, a bit better than I was expecting from first appearances.
On 17th December 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9119 recommendations about 9119 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Hen & Chickens
A Victorian corner pub and one I thought i had reviewed some years back, but alas not - saying that, the place had closed and re-opened since my last visit. It is a fantastic building of three storeys - the upper two having Roman windows, bands of differing brick and a machicolatated look, like a medieval castle parapet. The lower frontage is now in a clinical white, with pilasters, large leaded windows and it still retains its corner entrance. The interior now seems to be jus one small L-shaped room, as stated by Alan. The room is white, with a black cornice and carpet. The bench seating is part brown and part blue, as some has been recovered. There is a pool table and a couple of Sky TVs shown the Sky Sports News. There was no music. A couple of pictures are on the walls, but it is pretty palin. The service was fine and a few lads were in playing pool. Beer; no real ale, no keg MILD, just the usual taps with Cobra. I had a shandy and left. A lot cleaner than it was before, but very basic.
On 15th November 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3121 recommendations about 3116 pubs]