Bennetts

A regular old haunt of mine, Bennetts is spacious (nay cavernous), the walls covered with ‘frescoes’, populated with a mixture of businessmen and ‘youngsters’. (By that, I mean younger than me, and I am 35.) There is a ‘library’ if you want a quiet corner, and also the ‘boardroom’ which can be hired for private functions. It screams faded grandeur, but not really in that cool a way. It’ll do for me.

It is impossible not to sit and ponder what Bennetts could have been. It has the potential to be as grand and loved as the nearby Joint Stock, alas it has some how lost its way.
The entrance is imposing, as is much of the interior. There are high ceilings and an abundance of attractive period features — a frescoed ceiling is one of them. Yet the place always strikes me as soulless. The bar is huge yet seating is sparse. There’s a giant projection screen that seems totally at odds with the age and nature of the building. The location has bags of character yet the food and drink is your standard chain pub fodder. The carpet never fails to annoy me — why stick generic swirly pub carpet in a place with so much period charm?
All this place needs is a clear vision, new carpet and a few potted palms, and then it could be a serious player in the city centre pub scene. Until then it will sadly languish amongst the also rans.

Formerly a bank, the entrance of Bennetts certainly catches the eye of passers by, but once caught, the pub fails to truly grab the attention of those who visit.
Upon my visit Bennetts was relatively empty, providing a fairly somber atmosphere that didn’t fill me full of joy, failing to persuade me to stay for more than one drink.
Despite friendly staff throughout the pub, Bennetts doesn’t seem to be a very welcoming place, whether that is down to my visit alone or other contributing factors i’m unsure. But regardless, my stay at Bennetts left me unimpressed.
A Marstons pub, the food is typical pub grub, offering various deals such as 241 alongside other offers depending on specific days. Maybe in need of a renovation, Bennetts certainly has bags of potential, with its Victorian style lay out, but currently, the pub just doesn’t do it for me.

First things first, it’s impossible to not notice the Bennetts!
This giant and pompous pub is quite a post card of the city centre. A good choice for starting a pub crawl around because you will certainly find a space for drinking, sat or not.
I have chosen the «library» room for starting my rounds and I can confess that its mixing of style that includes, books, old colourful seats and mirrors can be a bit disturbing in the beginning but also a relaxing area in the end.
This is a pub for all kind of public and for not being a «loud» place it is also perfect for family meeting out, friends looking for sharing a glass of wine after work, business people and all those who just want to find a pub where you can have a conversation without having to shout at each other’s ears.
The staff is very nice and friends and they were not quite impressive when I ask one of them to persuade my friend to try a Desperados beer for the first time, but it’s another history.
The extra tip I would give is being familiar with the toilets before starting drinking there. As a huge pub you probably will need some directions to find the loo after some pints, wines and why not, Desperados.

This feels like a posh city place and the atmosphere is very nice and friendly inside. They offer food and drink, with lots of options.
The seating is better round the back, as you have to stand at the small tables if you stay in the front hall. Popular with young working people, but this does have a mixed crowd.
It use to be the former national Provincial bank of England!, so inside you do have high ceilings and in general a nice ambience to the place with good quality fittings and decoration.
Being on the corner of Bennett’s Hill you have easy transport links, with New Street and Snow Hill train stations within 5 minutes reach. Lots of cash machines and bank are nearby just waiting for you to spend your money in here. Enjoy!

Located halfway up Bennett’s Hill, the imaginatively-​named Bennett’s is a great venue for lunchtime or evening drinks, as well as a spot of pub grub if the fancy takes you. With a high arching ceiling, the venue gives the impression of being spacious no matter how full it gets. There are plenty of tables located in both the open main section and the smaller, more intimate side room, although if you want food I’ve found it’s best to order at the bar.
The staff are easy-​going and friendly, and the service is prompt and courteous. The food is relatively well-​priced and of good quality, although the selection is not spectacular. I find Bennett’s is a reliable choice if you’re looking for somewhere you can hear yourself speak, a good crowd and without having to queue for ages at the bar.