The Black Horse - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in Birmingham

Went with my wife as we needed to escape the 4 walls for a while. Started off reasonably well. We found a quiet table in the small corridor area of the pub. This was great as there were a few noisy people singing and speaking quite loudly with language on the abrasive side. I know, don't go to a pub if you don't like that. Normally no issue at all and easily ignored however, we had things to discuss and was happy to be away from that. Our table was conveniently near the garden door exit for the occasional ciggy. Upon returning from our first one, 2 chairs had been positioned in a way to block the area off. Really couldn't see any logical reason for it so ignored it, walked round them and returned to the original seats. Somewhere around 10 minutes later (After getting a few filthy looks from some staff) a lady approached and told us the area was closed off with the chairs. Now, I'm not normally one to argue however, I really could not understand how they could close off an area without doors and could not figure any logical reason for it. I asked if we was doing any harm. She repeated, it's closed off. I asked again. Am I really doing any harm at all? She flounced off in a huff after muttering something about me being rude. Another 5-10 minutes later another lady approached (assuming the manager) just as we were going into the garden. She asked if we were OK. I replied, yes thank you. How about you? I was just about to tell you this area is closed but you're leaving now aren't you. I said 'no. We're going into the garden for a smoke and returning.' 'Oh, we've closed this area off with chairs.' she said. I said, look, nothing personal with the lady earlier or with yourself. Please tell me what harm I'm doing. (Nowhere else in the place was closed off. Just this bit arbitrarily it seems). She couldn't find a valid argument so then the comedy began. She went on to explain that because the chairs were a barrier if I choose to go around them and hurt myself they're not liable for any injuries I might incur should I get caught by one. She went on to demonstrate by putting her ankle against one of them and underlining her point, said if this happens, you can't claim off us for injury. Internally I was howling with laughter however, she seemed deadly serious and wouldn't walk away until I assured her i wouldn't try to make any claims if I get injured by a chair. At least my wife and I had something to laugh about for a bit. You couldn't make it up. We left not too long after. Mighty relieved not to have been chased and attacked by rogue chairs. I'm sure they could be deadly if in the right mood. Be careful folks. No idea what kind of furniture Wetherspoons purchases but it could be detrimental to your well being apparently. So yeah. Few things I could suggest that might be reasons for 2 moody females however, could be a little on the condescending side yet, not something they're shy of being it seems. Think I'll stick to drinking at home. Not like pubs need our...

Had a Manager's special priced curry on Saturday night. Was a bit irritated with some mistakes both on the till and in the quantity of wine that was poured. The food was ok but could have been better on several counts across our two dishes. So, y'know probably three stars but lets be generous on account of not saying anything at the time. Well not much.

Back on Sunday morning for a traditional breakfast each. These were pretty good, only the fried eggs weren't quite right - near enough but not quite.

Everything else seemed a lot more ticking over nicely once the coffee machine had its milk reservoir replenished. The Black Horse needs a second coffee machine cos there were queues 3 -5 deep most of the later morning. Quite a few of Tim's chain have two.

There's plenty of outside space (smoking and non) as well as 3 inside spaces each with a slightly different feel. Some of the wall displays are interesting, especially if you want a take on PM Neville Chamberlain from his adopted homies. Good car parking with two blue badge spaces by the ramped front entrance.

Architecturally it simulates an Elizabethan (1st) Manor but is actually of early 20th century origin. Weird. Also there is some stonework from a much earlier building in one part of building.

Give it a go. Ask for an itemized bill and chat it through if it ( or the poured measures) look wrong.

Glad I went back cos I feel a lot...

Our favourite wetherspoons with the best staff in Brum. However, we stood in the entrance to the restaurant hungry for over half an hour along with other guests as there were no tables available, there is a man who sits in there every night not eating and reading a book on his own on a four seat table, racking off everybody waiting, if four people were eating at that table they would easily be spending £15 each over an hour - thats £60 an hour you are losing for the four hours he is there for every night, that's £240 a night for the five nights he's there, over a grand a week! maybe a sign saying eating only would deter the guests who do this. When we finally got a table, we waited an hour for our food, probably because of the backlog of people waiting to eat. I will willingly edit this review to five stars if the table hoggers get moved into the bar or the back room where...