Pint Sized Review - The Yardbird, Paradise Place, B3
Jazz and Real Ale go together like Wimbledon and Cliff Richard, in that fans of both show a propensity towards beards and jumpers, and a general alienation from popular society.
Of course it's more likely to be turtlenecks and goatees than the facial privet hedges and thick-knit Arran sweaters beloved by us ale-drinkers, but the principle stays the same.
But enough of such silly stereotypes. I'm just suffering from beard envy anyway. Check out the baby-smooth chin under that pint glass on my picture over there. I couldn't grow so much as a George Clooney style fashion fuzz without a few months' notice.

None of which stops me loving the Yardbird. (It has a MySpace page here for all you trendy Skins-watching types)
The pub was formerly the Stage, and before that, the Grapevine - which featured heavily in the closing stages of Jonathan Coe's The Rotters' Club. But its latest incarnation is the funkiest yet, with various bands of all sorts on pretty much every night, or so it seems.
I've found myself going pretty much twice a week in recent times, mainly for jazz night on Thursdays (nice), and the body-rocking funk/soul blowouts on Saturdays. Seen some fantastic bands, sat through some interminably noodling solos, and usually have a great time.
As for the ale... erm, erm, here's the confession: I know they serve it but never tried it, and can't even remember what's on. Isn't that terrible of me? I know they've had Timothy Taylor Landlord, which is a lovely pint, but perhaps better saved for a lunchtime session. Which by the way, I've never done, but always thought it looked like it might be fun, with tasty-sounding sandwiches and the like on offer.
As for the evenings, I'm usually on the G&Ts, which I'm assured by the girl sitting opposite me now is a thoroughly manly drink. It's right in town, drink prices are reasonable, and it's less crowded that the nearby Broad Street fleshpots. And I usually come back with a few memories, often involving dodgy dancing, luckily less often involving me.
So go to the Yardbird for a fun night out, or in the afternoon for a slightly trendier brand of drinking. Just remember, Saturday nights for air bass and pretending to be Bootsy Collins, Thursday nights for scatting and that drum thing they do where it goes tssst-tst-tst-tsst-tst-tst on and on...
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Hi, can't remember the beer? Pretty feeble for a reporter. Heard of the phone? PS - your RSS feed doesn't work.
Hello Clifford,
Thanks for pointing out the problem with the RSS Feed. It is now fixed.
I hope the error will not stop you from subscribing to Tom's feed.
Mr Pint-Size,
I do enjoy these small, but perfectly formed posts regarding public houses in the local vicinity.
Indeed, I have been so inspired that I have compiled my own top ten list of favoured inns in the wider Midlands area. Perhaps if you venture out of the great Birmingham city limits, you might peruse my own self's list to consider visiting one of my top ten?
http://derekbelm.wordpress.com/
Good luck with it!
(PS: Are you related to the Ipswich Pint-Sizes? Edwin Pint-Size runs a celebrity funeral parlour down in those East Anglian parts).
@clifford, terrible of me, yes, but I'm afraid the yardbird never seems to pick up their phone. Next time I wander past I promise I'll pop my head round the door and see what they've got on.
@Derek, I'm afraid to say I've never had the pleasure of visiting Ipswich, they must be an estranged branch of the clan. You're right I should leave Birmingham more often, but fresh air makes me come down something terrible. Thanks for the comments, I've just been on your blog, can't say I know quite what to make of it...
Mr Pint-Size,
Honoured.
Shame about Ipswich.
Their loss, I'm sure.
Derek (Mr) Belm.
Further to this a contributor to Birmingham Plus is very critical of the beer at this establishment. Keg only, it seems.
http://www.birminghamplus.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3956&st=0%20&start=0
obody Answers the phone , when ever you rig them for info, So A Total waste of time.
I do enjoy The Yardbird, more for the fact that it's a jazz cafe than anything else. That said it does serve some of the best food I've had from one of the local restaurants in Birmingham. Saturday night is definitely the night to go though, not one for the 'scatting and that drum thing they do where it goes tssst-tst-tst-tsst-tst-tst on and on...'