The Courthouse, North Street, Rugby, Warwickshire
Current research shows that more than 30 pubs a week are calling time on last orders, with rural areas of Britain experiencing the highest number of closures. The reasons are varied: supermarkets offer cheap alcohol, online entertainment has grown, fewer people visit pubs, energy costs are rising, and suitably qualified staff are increasingly difficult to find. Against this challenging backdrop, it is especially encouraging to see a pub given an exciting new lease of life at the heart of its community.
Many pubs have adapted successfully by offering high-quality food and drink alongside live entertainment. These changes attract a broader range of customers and help sustain local pub culture. One such venue is The Courthouse, a prominent historic pub in Rugby that had been closed for several months, whilst a £350,000 refurbishment was taking place. It reopened in May, with a complete transformation of both its interior spaces and exterior facade. The project is backed by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and the newly formed Machan Pubs portfolio, which also includes The George at Kilsby and the Old Lion at Harborough Magna.
It is an exciting new venture for operator Harishankar Krishnamurphy, or Hari. Hari has worked in hospitality for 20 years, starting his career as a Commis Chef at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai, working for the company for almost 6 years, with transfers to both Muscat and Singapore. Following his time with the Grand Hyatt, Hari joined a cruise line, working in the supper club. To ensure he had all the necessary skills, he was sent to train under 3 Michelin starred chef George Blanc, in Vonnes France. Hari then became Sous Chef for the Taj Group Hotels in India, before heading to Grand Cayman to work as a Banquet Chef. His time in the UK started at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole as Sous Chef, before different stints at The Belfry Hotel as Head Chef, Resorts World Birmingham as Exec Sous Chef and Walton Hall Hotel as Senior Sous Chef. More recently, Hari worked for GCL Food Ingredients as Development Chef and Operations Manager, before taking on The George at Kilsby and the Old Lion at Harborough Magna.
The Courthouse is designed to offer a true sports bar experience, bringing together big screens, great sound and an atmosphere the builds with every game, whether it’s football, rugby, cricket, the big fight or major sporting events from around the world. There has been a huge buzz in town since the reopening, and we are very excited to finally show off this stunning new space which has become a welcome addition to the town centre. Hari
Hari has overseen the £350,000 refurbishment that has transformed The Courthouse into a stylish, welcoming and dog-friendly pub with broad appeal. Outside, the well-loved building has been fully redecorated and refreshed with bright new signage and lighting. One of Rugby’s largest pub gardens has also received a much-needed facelift, with smart tables and chairs, parasols and sparkling festoon lights.
Inside, the former dated décor has been replaced by a bright, modern design featuring stylish furniture, exposed brickwork and smart herringbone flooring. Screens throughout the bar areas show Sky Sports and other major sporting tournaments, while guests seeking a quieter setting can relax in the spacious conservatory or garden.
All-day favourites. The Courthouse serves an extensive range of freshly prepared dishes throughout the day. Guests can start with a full English or continental breakfast, then choose from traditional pub classics such as double-patty smashed beef burgers and fish and chips. Authentic curries, tacos and pasta are also available for lunch and dinner.
International and fusion dishes. The menu also features celebrated pan-Asian dishes, Malaysian curries and signature plates such as Crispy Duck Salad and Char Siu Baby Back Ribs. Weekly barbecues, steak nights and popular Sunday roasts make The Courthouse an appealing food-and-drink destination for families, couples and solo diners. The extensive pan-Asian-inspired menu is overseen by Executive Chef Durai Kaliyaperumal, who relocated to the UK after 15 years working in leading restaurants in Dubai.
Our Food & Drinks
Crispy Fried Korean Chicken Burger
The buttermilk-brined fried chicken was served in a soft brioche bun with gochujang mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, sliced tomato, Little Gem lettuce and a gherkin, with skin-on fries on the side. The creamy Korean-style mayonnaise and splash of hot chilli sauce complemented the chicken well. However, the bun was too soft to hold the chicken thigh and sauces together, so the burger fell apart and had to be finished with a knife and fork. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Small Plates: One Is Not Enough
Crispy Fried Duck Roll with Hoisin Sauce – The duck was tender & finely shredded with a shell which was golden-brown, with a crispy, crunchy texture. The hoisin sauce, in a small pot was sweet and slightly salty. The duck roll was very large, my wife said that she would have preferred two smaller rolls. A very satisfying duck roll.
Rock Shrimp Tempura with Toban Djan Mayonnaise and Chives — The shrimp had a firm bite and an intense sweet-and-savoury flavour. A light tempura coating gave each piece a crisp, satisfying texture. Very tasty.
Service. Our waiter, Alex, was wonderful. My wife and I arrived shortly after the lunchtime opening, and he greeted us with a smile before quickly finding us a table. Although he was serving drinks at the bar and taking food orders at tables both inside and in the garden, Alex moved efficiently around the pub, remained cheerful and interacted politely with guests.
Drinks. The wide-ranging food menu is complemented by a varied drinks selection that includes barista coffee, premium lagers, wines, soft drinks and cocktails—shaken or stirred—including five signature recipes. The cellar has been completely overhauled with state-of-the-art dispensing equipment to ensure perfectly presented pints. Guests can choose from a good range of beers, ciders, wines and spirits at the modern bar. I enjoyed a pint of London Pride and my wife settled for a fine Merlot.
The Courthouse has large screens and a covered, all-weather patio complete with its own bar and pizza oven. Throughout the year, it shows major international sports, including football, rugby and cricket, while the patio also provides a venue for summer barbecues, parties and celebrations. The refurbishment also introduced a DJ booth, smoke machine, professional lighting and a dedicated dance-floor area. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, themed live music begins at 9pm, featuring R&B and hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, before a DJ takes over until 2am.
Why not visit The Courthouse for that special occasion. You won’t regret it. I had a great time, and I hope to be going back very soon! By providing such excellent quality food and drink, combined with the warm, friendly hospitality, this classic town centre pub is sure to win many awards for its food and hospitality over the next couple of years.
I would urge you to check out The Courthouse at the earliest opportunity. You will not be disappointed!
It certainly comes highly recommended from me! Why not check it out for yourself?
Disclosure: My stay was courtesy of The Courthouse. The views and comments expressed are as usual my own.
Did You Know: The Courthouse was once called The Saracens Head. The historic North Street building dates from the Industrial Imperial era and was a prominent local inn in the early twentieth century. Although records confirm that the building existed in 1813, it was not documented as a public house until 1888, when James Unsworth of Lancashire and his wife, Annie, from Braunston, Northamptonshire, were named as the publicans. The pub, or parts of it, is thought to have been rebuilt in 1933.
Rugby School is among England’s oldest and most prestigious public schools. It provided the setting for Thomas Hughes’s semi-autobiographical novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays, published in 1857. Established as a free grammar school for local boys, it had gained a national reputation by the eighteenth century and later became a fee-paying public school.
Rugby School is also famous as the birthplace of rugby football, a sport now played around the world. Its invention is traditionally attributed to pupil William Webb Ellis, who, according to legend, broke the rules of football during a match in 1823 by picking up the ball and running with it. The town of Rugby remained small and relatively unimportant until the mid-nineteenth century, when a major railway junction drove industrial expansion and rapid population growth.
