There’s something endearing about this place. Maybe that’s just because it’s a little different from most of the other city centre bars.

The Venue
Under its red awnings, Primitivo has a white facade and a small patio outside. Inside it’s a small but long venue, with the bar itself on the left and a raised area opposite on the right where there are lots of tables and chairs for more formal sitting and eating. The flooring is pale wood and the walls are off-white or exposed bricks.

The light colours, shiny metals, beiges and a high ceiling add a sense of airiness to what otherwise might be a bit of a tight space. But there are daubs of colour like the dark rich red wall at the back and touches of class with real candle-bearing candelabras. There are four or five tables and high stools pulled up to ledges around the bar area. The music is chart and 80s classics.

The People
Primitivo attracts a slightly older, more discerning crowd, as well as professionals in their late 20s. It’s popular for a bite to eat at lunch for the suits but also pulls in a smart party set in the evening.

The Food and Drink
There’s nothing on draught but in bottles you can get Budweiser, Beck’s, Miller, Peroni, Corona and Magner’s. But it’s quite a wine drinking place and the wine on the chalkboard includes quite a few Italian and Spanish bottles such as a Zonin Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Terre Palladiane (£16) which has a dark berry fruit finish and which would be good with or without food.

Wines range between £12 and £37. Otherwise there’s a Pinot Grigio rose for £15 and, more unusually, there are dessert wines too. There are no cocktails though. The food is tapas style although not strictly the Spanish version — dishes include duck spring rolls, spicy salmon croquettes and mussels and you can get four dishes for just £4.

The Last Word
Primitivo offers a taste of the Continent which is a breath of fresh air in Brum city centre.