The Botanist, Birmingham

There are a few of these Botanist bars around and they are all identical and they are all pretentious and they are all crap. This is no exception. Go somewhere else, there are much better places.

Fancy bar / restaurant with the two sections separated by a 3/4-height screen. Features a light colour scheme and rather twee decor (that certainly won't be to everybody's taste). Also has an unusual covered terrace area at the front. Four real ales available from inconspicuous taps in fake casks behind the bar, but the stillages can be seen behind a glass screen towards the rear - the 'house' Passionate Blonde (£3.80), Two Towers Complete Muppetry, Oakham Bishop's Farewell and Salopian Golden Thread. All a bit odd, but I thought it worked a bit better than I was expecting.

Official page of The Botanist - thebotanist.uk.com

Official page of The Botanist - thebotanist.uk.com

New refurbishment of former shop/office area by a small chain, creating a distressed look shabby chic bar, specialising in cocktails with green leaves in them. The pub is entranced through a small outdoor area to the street separated by quite impressive iron gates/fence with the long bar on the left seating by the bar and separated again with a larger more comfortable area to the right at the rear. Large chandeliers with green bits in again. Its a little pretentious and themey, but its a nice feel, the frontage looks grand and there is an effort made with the food and drink, there are 4 real ales chosen well (Oakham JHB, Bishops Farewell, local Two Towers Complete Muppetry plus another I can't remember. The beer was a little warm and flat, but I think things will improve and this could be something a little different for Birmingham