The Blue Pig may be most popular at weekends with the hyperactive Northern Quarter party crowd (crucially, the crowd that also takes to the now-rowdier west end of the neighbourhood), but your best bet is to head here for an early evening drink when a quieter atmosphere allows you to take in the interesting décor and the skills of a strong bar team.
Its 1920s Parisian aesthetic was what once gave the Pig its theme, and although years of revamping, reworking and plastering over a strong original concept have meant some of its elegant charm has been lost, it still remains a pleasant space to lap up late night drinks or have a beer outside in the sun.
Food takes in crowd pleasing fare like burgers, sandwiches, wraps, steaks and the ubiquitous sharing board (meat, veg, cheese or pig), but whilst this might not be home to write home about, their roast dinners just might be. Despite slightly iffy spuds and the strange, rectangular terracotta serving dish it arrives in, with all the trimmings including a very tasty mini cauliflower cheese bake on the side, Sundays at The Blue Pig are treated well. Go for the lamb if you’re happy to splash an extra few quid; it’s a good’un.
All in all, whilst it may not excel in areas to the same degree as some of its contemporaries, it decently handles something for everyone - whether fairly priced food, a well-mixed cocktail or a weekend party.