Couch Stirchley — Restaurant in Birmingham

Went here early, 6pm on a Saturday evening. It was quite lively even this early, I could see people sitting in the garden. I chose to sit at the bar. I came to check it out, as a group of work colleagues were planning to have drinks here. We had heard good things and read some reviews. As I was by myself, I attempted to engage the bar staff in conversation, however, I felt that they were very reluctant to chat. There appeared to be some regulars at the bar as the staff chatted to them. The cocktails were pricey at £10.00 each, however I knew that before I arrived. I chose vodka based ones and as I was siting at the bar, I could see them being made in front of me. Both cocktails had unusual ingredients in them (unusual to me), the first one was nice and I enjoyed it, I didn't enjoy the second one, but that was fine, as I chose to try it. Two cocktails was my limit, so I went to settle up at the till. I was pleased that they took cash. Now in my book 2 x £10 = £20.00. However, I was utterly gobsmacked when the bill was £22.00. I thought maybe I had mis-read the prices, so I asked for clarification; that's when I got a nasty shock. I was informed that there was a service charge of £2.00. I couldn't quite believe that, a £2.00 charge for sitting at the bar! The person serving me could see my shock and I voiced it. I was then informed that it was a discretionary service charge and that it was 'common now in bars'. At no time I did I see this on the menu, to say there was a discretionary service charge. Then, while I was still voicing my shock, for some bizarre reason I paid the service charge, I think I paid it as I felt a sense of being ambushed. All the way home, I thought, what an idiot to have paid the service charge and I felt annoyed with myself and it made me view my experience of Couch negatively. I asked a couple of friends if they had ever experienced a service charge, when sitting at a bar, to my surprise they said yes, however they had refused to pay it. I reported back my experience to my work colleagues and we all decided not to go to Couch. We went elsewhere and asked first if there was a service charge, there wasn't. While I accept that the service charge was discretionary, I believe that this should be advertised transparently. It feels underhand to be informed at the very point of...

My friend and I walked from our house to couch to meet my sister who was having a drink there with her friend. (Local potential customers) . On entering I walked over to the bar to grab a menu to take a look at drinks. Instead of being greeted the lady server instead said to my friend ‘where is she going’ to which my friend replied ‘to the bar to have a look at drinks’. The server replied well she can’t we have no space you have to leave. My friend then called me over and I said oh okay I was just here to see my sister, she then repeated ‘sorry BABES you have to leave’. So understanding they were full we walked towards the door and towards where my sister was sat to tell her we had to leave, again the women repeated ‘they have to leave, sorry BABES they can come back in 10 minutes’. I hardly had time to explain to my sister as the women was trying to shuffle us out the door in to the pouring rain again.

I can’t understand why we were made to feel so unwelcome. I get they were full with no seats, but the server was really unwelcoming and frankly quite rude. She spoke in a blunt tone and didn’t look happy at all. I also don’t think babes is an appropriate way to address customers. If she had explained in a nicer tone and manner they had hit their capacity so could not take anymore people in and apologised in a more professional way then we would of happily returned later that evening or on another evening. But now we will not be returning and we will not be recommending to...

This is a unique jewel in the ever so fertile ‘up ‘n coming’ crown that is the South Brum suburb of Stirchley. I’ve had over half the drinks from their musically themed cocktail menu now and have found them all delightful. There are ingredients and combinations I would never have dreamed of shoving in my gob.

Cocktails crafted in expert hands in a relaxed environment is a well worn cliche that many places boast of but here you really experience it. You can also tell that the owners have offered up a piece of their soul to the public in the personal way that they’ve crafted and themed their menu. Cute illustrations convey a passion for music, and a warm and upbeat soundtrack to accompany your sips makes being in Couch fun, cosy, and intimate.

There are drawbacks to being a great place. Demand and (‘like...totally justified’) hype means that getting a space can be limited. They don’t seem to offer bookings at the moment, so there is a chance you may not get in on your first attempt. The lottery of getting a seat is to be expected with an intimate space with ENORMOUS popularity so I can’t really mark them down for being in demand. What a great teething problem to have. Stick with it if you don’t get seated on your first attempt because the experience is well worth it in my humble opinion. The vibe would not be what it is if Couch were an enormous barn marching in...