Sound Bar, Corporation Street, Birmingham

Feb 14 2008 By Graham Young

IF YOU like having a sense of space then the re-emergence of the long-closed former Hawkins' Wine bar is a must.

The giant windows and the extraordinary gothic woodwork behind the bar would be a real conversation icebreakers for anyone on a hot new date.

The wood looks like it's been lifted from a church, but was apparently hidden away there all the time in Hawkins' early '90s' heyday.

Rumour has it that the gothic panelling used to belong to Black Sabbath and that Ozzy Osbourne used to play snooker behind it.

Which is entirely appropriate now that the evening plan is to put live bands on the adjacent stage where the large artworks currently represent albums from The Jam to Oasis, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

The huge, open plan front-of-bar area is perfect for either watching bands or for work-related gatherings such as birthday celebrations or leaving dos.

I'm not sure how Sound Bar would cope with a crowd since there was barely a dozen people in on the Friday lunchtime we visited, but the new, 20-minute lunch menu lived up to its speedy promise.

My friend, George, loved his cajun chicken sandwich on ever-so-slightly toasted, thick 'n' crusty white bread.

And, although I ended up having trouble with my thick crusts rather like a four-year-old, I enjoyed my equivalent pork and chive cumberland sausage sandwich with red onions, especially as the high tables and stool-chairs were remarkably comfortable.

Our meals were presented on attractive white, square plates and my pint was especially good.

The only let downs were the accompanying green salads which were a touch sparse and as dry as a camel's tongue.

The Bill

1 cajun chicken and mayo sandwich ..............£4.75

1 cumberland sausage sandwich ..............£4.75

1 Coke and 1 pt bitter

Total ................£13.40

Verdict

PLUS: Very friendly staff, wonderful feeling of open space.

MINUS: Exterior colours a bit naff - and where's a good homemade salad dressing when you need one?