Cheap, cheerful and utterly fantastic – you can’t fault The Actress & Bishop for a spot of good old-fashioned fun.
Is it a pub? Is it a club? Who cares? There’s a reason this place fills up every Friday and Saturday and that’s because the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and even a bit rock ’n’ roll.
Located next to St Paul’s Square, a very sedate plaza of smart restaurants and bars in the Jewellery Quarter, the Actress is definitely the noisy neighbour. Its raucous crowds spill joyfully out on to the smoking terrace for fresh air and a temporary escape from the madness inside.
Drinks are a lubricant to social activity – not the sole aim of the game. You can get more or less anything you fancy (beers are £2.50 a pint on weekdays from noon to 7pm), but no one heads to The Actress & Bishop to sample carefully crafted beverages. Instead, it’s all about the fun vibes and homely feel, and, for music lovers, the host of gigs that take place throughout the year, featuring local acts and touring bands.