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Brum bartender community unites to save a fellow bar owner from closure

Posted on March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 by Laura

Ad – this post includes a freelance client of mine

The best of Birmingham’s bartenders have joined forces to help keep a popular Jewellery Quarter bar open after a health disaster struck its owner.

When Amanjot Singh Johal discovered he needed surgery – after a broken ankle left him unable to walk – he feared he’d be calling time on his beloved bar: 40 St Pauls.  

But after reaching out to fellow local bartenders and owners he was greeted with a flurry of support and the community has rallied, giving up their time and expertise to help Amanjot keep his award-winning cocktail bar open.

Between them, some of the most respected names in the Brum bar scene have joined forces to take care of one of their own, putting on themed takeover evenings and creating one-off events to ensure the bar’s survival.

At a time when hospitality is already on its knees, Amanjot says he’s been humbled by the kindness and generosity of his fellow bartenders.

“Having barely survived the pandemic I was looking forward to a more stable year in 2022 before breaking my ankle, which proved to be a traumatic experience that nearly closed my business. Sadly, my ankle never healed properly and I’m about to have a second operation,meaning 8 weeks in a wheelchair or on crutches.

“As a small bar, this would have closed me for that period and I would never have come back from it. Devastated at the thought, I reached out to the community of bars and people in the city who between them have come together to help me survive by giving up their time to keep me open and able to pay bills whilst I’m recovering from this harrowing experience.”

To attract guests, each weekend will have its own theme and will showcase what the people and bars that answered his call are about.

Amanjot says the goal is to make it feel like a festival of the Birmingham bar scene, and what makes its independent hospitality scene so lively and unique. 

“It’s a truly wonderful thing for a community to come together to help one of their own in need, but especially an industry that has been battered and bruised by so many of the challenges we face at the moment. 

“These are all independent business owners who care about making the city a better place or legends in the game and people I really looked up to when I was learning my craft as a bartender. I cannot thank them enough for stepping up for me.”

The first takeover was a great success, with The Gintleman’s Carl Hawkins offering tastings combining gin cocktails with storytelling.

In coming weeks guests can expect takeovers from the likes of Passing Fancies – recently voted one of the best bars in the country – plus local drinks heroes such as Toby Heap and Julian Rose-Gibbs who will all be running takeovers and tasting events.

According to the 40 St Paul’s owner, hundreds of people within the Birmingham bar scene came together to respond both privately and publicly offering to help, with everything from glass collecting to these 3-day takeovers.

“These people have honestly saved my business. It shows how much Birmingham cares for one of their own, how supportive the industry is in this city, and how much of a collective we are,” concludes Amanjot.

Tommy Matthews, who co-owns Passing Fancies in Digbeth, says it was a given fellow hospitality professionals would step forward to help Amanjot, noting the importance of community values.

“At Passing Fancies we have community at the heart of what we do. When Amanjot asked for help it was a no-brainer we’d support him during this tough time.

“As an industry, the more we work together the more we thrive. We approached other local hospitality professionals with the aim of turning a negative into a positive. Birmingham responded with overwhelming kindness, and the upcoming pop ups and events will help turn a sad situation into something great for the city.”

The 40 St Paul’s takeovers continue this weekend with Julian (from The Anchor in Digbeth) showcasing his favourite cocktails spanning his career as a bartender in Birmingham.

Events and updates can be found on the 40 St Paul’s Instagram page.

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WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE To cele WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE

To celebrate the launch of their brand new spring/summer menu I’ve teamed up with the folk at Ju Ju’s Cafe to bring you a tasty giveaway. 

The winner will get a 2 course meal plus a bottle of wine for 2 at this cute canalside restaurant. Enjoy homely cooking and seasonal ingredients, not to mention some of the friendliest service in Brum 🙌🏼

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @jujuscafebham 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (you can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced 6pm on Weds 31st May. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Ju Ju’s IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @c Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @couchstirchleyb30 on their wins at the @classbarmag awards last night. Brilliant people doing brilliant things to make living in Brum all the better. Proud as fuck, as always 🖤
Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderf Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderful. From the same babes that bring you @saibuddhabelly, this new Stirchley restaurant is just delightful. You can expect some of your old favourites (hello beef massaman, I love you) and new dishes like the spicy flavour bomb that is the pad cha het. Mushrooms have never been that sexy: fact. Have no doubt this place will be very popular - big love to the team behind it ♥️
ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an usually sunny) Manchester yesterday to meet the @bundobust gang ahead of their launch in Brum at the start of June. 

Aside from the fact that we had a glorious time drinking all the beers and cocktails (and shots, buts that’s a story for another time) the food was delicious and the people behind this concept couldn’t be nicer human beings. 

Here’s a haphazard glimpse at what you can expect when Bundo Brum lands - long story short it’s fab Indian street food that happens to be all veggie but manages to not make that their entire personality. Lush picky bits, perfect alongside bevs including their own beers. 

I’m honestly really excited to see this launch in our city and I’m equally thrilled the old Pint Shop site is FINALLY going to be something affordable, accessible and delicious. I hope you love this as much as I do when it opens ♥️ 

Thanks to @whittleldn for organising a really great day. To the train home reprobates: let’s never speak of that again 💀🤣
Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this we Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this week. I repeat.. the gravy is back 💦🙏🏼
Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Jewellery Quarter @barrelstorejq. Lots of @atticbrewco beers as you’d expect plus cocktails. Funky little space, nice people behind the bar, decent tunes. Ideally located to link up other beery places like The Wolf and North for a crawl. Currently open Thursday to Sunday, food will be coming soon. Cheers to you, TBS ♥️
ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a litt ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a little something to whet your whistles from @barandblock that’s just opened at Exchange Square. This is a big ol’ restaurant with plenty of outdoor space too. There’s a host of signature special dishes for the non steak fans (including some lovely sounding stuff for the pescatarians out there) but my eyes were firmly on the beef. The fillet arrived a beautiful medium rare and it was nice to be able to choose an accompanying side other than chips. Long live the jacket spud! Loved the mega rich blue cheese sauce, too. I would say, the small plates weren’t particularly noteworthy (the prawns were a bit overcooked and the scallops needed to see more of the pan) and I think the mains could be presented better, but overall it’s fair-priced city centre offering with plenty of variety (the menu is massive) and handily it’s open 7 days a week. Bonus: there’s 2 for 1 on selected cocktails from 5-7pm, too. Go for happy hour, eat a steak, skip the starters 👍🏼
Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like a new woman after a mad week of birthdays, parties and hens. Speaking of which, it’s not every day you get to go on a hen with one of the best private chefs in Birmingham, let’s be honest. Shout out to @_tuttoapposto (otherwise known as Ang) for filling us with delicious treats including the world’s horniest lasagne and her mahoosive arancini. She’s also an absolute diamond of a human so give her a follow ♥️ Have a good week!
People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being brilliant. They’re right. Faultless from start to finish when I visited last week, but I’d like to give a special shout out again to the courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese and mint (that will continue to live rent free in my head) and the onglet steak - I’d probably marry it if it wasn’t frowned upon.
Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself to @restaurantadams for lunch. Opted for the 5 courses (you can have 3 or 7 if you prefer) you can see here if you swipe through - the menu is at the end for a breakdown of the dishes. 

The main reason I wanted to post this is to thank the guys working that day for making me feel special but not weird for being a solo diner. I’ve talked a lot about this in the past and believe firmly anyone should be able to eat a meal out comfortably alone - whether that be a fast food joint or a Michelin star restaurant. 

I loved this lunch and the service made it extra special. Big love to Team Adams ♥️
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I mean, let’s be real: I’m hungover as fuck. Buttt I had the most delicious day celebrating my birthday with some of my favourite humans. Thanks to all those that came out to get me sloshed (I took no photos, sign of a good night) and for all the bday love here 🖤 You made an old emo lady very happy. 

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Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. 

I’m not great at many things in life but my scrambled eggs (and ability to sesh) are unbeatable. This was a right nice way to end the long weekend and kick start my birthday week. 

Did I mention it’s my birthday this week. 

It’s my birthday this week. 

Ok thanks baaaaiiii 👋🏼
What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Frien What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Friends, sunshine, doggy cuddles, grub galore and tasty bevvies. Here’s some of my favourite snippets - hope you had a good’un 🖤✌🏼
A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up with a hangover this morning get yourself to @jujuscafebham and order the porky hash. And a Bloody Mary. Because it’s what King Charles and his magic hat would want or something. Happy Saturday 🖤
This time last week I was scoffing delicious thing This time last week I was scoffing delicious things in the sunshine. Today I’m hungover eating toast on the sofa with a to do list as long as my arm. Life comes at you fast 😭 #throwbackthursday
WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2 Giveaway cl WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2

Giveaway closed. Winner @potts_potts_potts 

To celebrate the launch of their brand new bottomless lunch, I’ve teamed up with the Trentina gang in JQ to bring you a delicious giveaway. 

The lucky winner will get a table for 2 on a Sunday of your choice at this gawwwjus Italian restaurant. You’ll both enjoy a pasta dish plus dessert and 90 mins of unlimited frozen cocktails, beer and bellinis. 

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @trentinajq 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (You can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced at 8pm on Thursday 4th May. Can only be used on Sundays. Bottomless drinks last for 90 minutes from your booking time. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Trentina IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ Sunshine, m ☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ 

Sunshine, mini breaks, bank holidays, friends galore, amazing food and lots of laughs. 

If you can see yourself in this one feel privileged because it’s been a mega busy month and I couldn’t fit a lot of it in the 15 seconds 🤣

Aware this one is quite insufferable and probably a bit smug but I spent winter miserable and sad so don’t hate me for finding some joy in life plz✌🏼😆

Next stop: birthday month (likely to be even worse. Sorry not sorry..)
Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to fe Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to feed your hangover a massive fish finger sandwich.
Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enj Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enjoying lots of sunshine, tapas and cocktails with la babe @philipellis. Despite apparently being incapable of being in bed before 2am, it’s been a right old lol and full of lush grub. 

Had a lot of messages about the apartment while out there - tbf it was absolutely beautiful and the location couldn’t have been more perfect. Right in the heart of the old town, two mins walk from the marina and surrounded by loads of bars, cafes and restaurants. The attic apartment is spacious and modern inside but it’s the awesome views from the massive roof terrace (of the cathedral and castle) that make it so special. We loved staying here 🥰 Link to the Air BnB listing is here (https://tdy.lol/LSPqs) if you want to look into renting it. 

Highly recommend visiting said castle for the views but be aware it’s up a mountain. You can get a lift for a few euros (from the seafront) if you can’t be arsed to do the 90+ min walk uphill. Oh and don’t be a div like me and wear flip flops - the castle grounds are steep, rocky and slippy in parts. My hungover ass was humbled, let me tell you. 

Anyway, here’s the highlights reel including our smug golden hour snaps and loads of food… like, shit loads of food. Stick to small plates and paella on the side streets (away from the marina/beach where it’s ££ and the service isn’t as nice) and you’ll have a proper lovely time. 

Oh and girls: don’t take heels. The streets around old town are steep and many are cobbled/badly lit - stick with flats✌🏼

Here endeth the sunshine spam, I’m as cold and miserable as everyone else again now. Adiós, amigos.
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