If you asked me where my favourite pub in Birmingham is, I’d have a short list, and on that list would always be The Plough Harborne.
From the outside it looks like a humble little boozer however, as soon as you step inside you realise this is no ordinary pub.
Adam took over the reigns of The Plough many years ago after his old music bar ‘Circo’ closed in preparation for what was to be Birmingham’s first skyscraper (Beetham Tower).
The following years, Adam and his team have carefully crafted one of the best pubs not just in the city, but in the UK in my opinion – they’ve won a few awards over the years to back that up too!
Punters are drawn like fireflies to the glowing dimmed lights which bathe the beautiful ever changing interior with colour, Adam curates a stunning soundtrack of soulful music which seeps into the fabric of the building..
A cold Monday night in Harborne brought back memories of growing up here as a kid, and a few family parties at various pub back rooms. I’d started off at The New Inn where I met good mate and ‘man in the know’ Lyle for a swift half. Then onto The Junction before a stroll down the high street.
My last trip to Harborne for food, was to review the new-ish, Rudy’s Pizza on the high street.
So I thought, why not use up my Plough tokens to compare pizzas, makes sense to me.
The Plough was busy, very busy for a Monday night in late November. I discovered that the legendary music boozer Hare & Hounds Kings Heath were having their Christmas works party here that night – if that isn’t a good enough seal of approval I do not know what is.
They were, more or less fully booked but I managed to snag a small high table by the bar.
Such a great mix of people in The Plough, locals, Brummies, and out of towners in for the University or nearby Hospitals. Punters are drawn like fireflies to the glowing dimmed lights which bathe the beautiful ever changing interior with colour, Adam curates a stunning soundtrack of soulful music which seeps into the fabric of the building and encourages a chilled calm atmosphere akin to the tapas bars of Barcelona.
Staff are attentive and friendly, without realising yet that I know Adam and have done since he ran Global Grooves Records in China Town (during the 1990s).
Digging into the base, you could tell this was made with pride. It looked fab, and the heat from the chilli combined with the rich tomato base boosted the melt-in-mouth pork..
I ordered my Guinness, and yep, as most will know, The Plough’s beer price’s are not the cheapest, however, they are looked after and served to perfection. You pay for quality of food, drink and service, relaxed atmosphere (very few if any dickheads), fine music policy, stunning interior design, low wait times for food or at the bar not to mention the beer garden which works in both summer AND winter. It is a rarity in the city.
So onto the pizza. I chose the Chilli & Nduja Pork with caramelised red onion.
I’m not sure how they do it as a pub, but the pizza dough is SO delicious, soft and light at The Plough, it always has been and blows away the pizza dough I sampled at Rudy’s. It is so important to get the dough right as it literally is the first building block of any pizza.
Digging into the base, you could tell this was made with pride. It looked fab, and the heat from the chilli combined with the rich tomato base boosted the melt-in-mouth pork to a point where I ended up eating it all rather than saving a couple of slices for the trip home.
Gutted that I had nothing left for the journey back to Worcester, I was reminded by a member of staff who came to ask how my pizza was, The Plough do a 241 Pizza deal all day Mondays, which are available from 12-9:30pm… so on her recommendation I had a free Chorizo & Roasted Pepper Cajun Chicken with caramelised red onion & black olives.
After a quick catch up with Adam, and another Guinness, I set off home, boxed pizza in hand which was half consumed walking to the train station and the rest polished off for lunch the next day, just as great cold as it is piping hot!
10/10 and there is nothing I could change, or want to change about The Plough experience.
As a side note, if you live out of town and fancy a festive mooch around the German Markets and then back to Harborne to stay for the night, The Plough now have a unique and stylish Plough House located just steps away from the pub. You can take in the atmosphere of The Plough or order delivery off the menu and drinks to your door via the house iPad, how cool is that and shows just how these guys are always thinking one step ahead.
See you again soon guys.
Words by Nick Byng for Grapevine Birmingham.