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Wandering Minstrel

el-stano

el-stano

Ex-lurker
Hi!
Can anyone bring me up-to-date on the Wandering Minstrel in the Bull Ring Centre, please?
I used it every day in 1965-6 when I worked in High Street. In effect it was my first "local". I remember that the landlord (Dave) and his wife (Anne?) were very big on food at lunchtimes. I think they were among the first to do more than pies and cobs. We used to have very nice ploughman's lunches (ploughmen?) where you picked your own salad, pickles etc.
Is it still there? If not, what happened to it?
TIA for any info.
Stan
 
Hi Stan

How funny I only mentioned the Wandering Minstrel today on another thread. I used to go there exactly the same time as you. I worked on Smallbrook Ringway, so went there now and again for lunch. I went there more in the evening. It was where the crowd met up, before we went on to a club. I remember going on a trip to Blackpool with the Minstrel crowd. I don't think it is stll there. Perhaps someone else will know.

Ann
 
Was that the pub at the top of an outdoor spiral-staircase, to the right of St Martin's looking down Digbeth?

Big Gee
 
Big Gee,

Do you remember the Smallbrook Queensway entrance to the Bull Ring Centre, sort of opposite New Street station.? It was to the right of that entrance. Across from Jones and Crosslands and Australia House. The Jester was on the same ringway.

Ann
 
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Ann B said:
Big Gee,

Do you remember the Smallbrook Queensway entrance to the Bull Ring Centre, sort of opposite New Street staion.? It was to the right of that entrance. Across from Jones and Crosslands and Australia House. The Jester was on the same ringway.

Ann
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that was the outdoor and you then went upstairs to the bar. The other entrance was up there, accessed via the shopping centre.
Stan
 
used to go in the Wandering Minstrel with my brother and his friend and play the pinball machine in there...
late 70's I think
 
The Pub by the Witzy Doo at the top of the spiral staircase was the Matador often confused by name with the Toreador which was by the Edgbaston Street exit to the fish market.

The wandering Minstrel was just by the Smallbrook Circus Entrance to the Bull Ring Centre. There was an upstairs bar to the pub.

It later became the 49ers Entertainment Bar. I am told as I never used the place after the early 70's. I suppose it was demolished with the rest of the centre.

I have got photos of all three pubs that I will have to look out. The only one I can put my hand on now is a later one of the Wandering Minstrel.

Phil
Lost photo replaced

CitySmallbrookRingwayWanderingMinstrel.jpg
City Smallbrook Ringway Wandering Minstrel .JPG
 
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Thanks for the photo, Phil. It brought flooding back some marvellous memories ........
Like Ann B in Post #2, I used to use the Wandering Minstrel as a meeting point. I and my fellow articled clerks in a Smallbrook Ringway accountancy firm would meet up every Thursday evening upstairs in the Minstrel after work before going on to La Dolce Vita, The Opposite Lock, Barbarella's, or Samantha's. Quite a turn-around from our 9 till 5 personae. If I remember correctly, in the late 60s, there was a Chinese restaurant either next door or very close to the Ringway, up-the-steps entrance to the Minstrel which we ate in before embarking on our evening's escapades. All on £450 a month !!! David
 
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