How to Find Classic Pubs in Birmingham

As the UK’s second city, Birmingham offers some of the most unparalleled nightlife in the Midlands. However, not everyone wants to spend a night in a packed superclub – if you’re looking for a quiet night or a Sunday afternoon pint with the papers, try a trip to one of Brum’s classic pubs, some of which date back to the Victorian era.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Pick up an Itchy Guide to Birmingham. Itchy produce a range of yearly updated travel guides that cover all of the UK’s major cities. Inside you’ll find comprehensive listings of the best bars, pubs and clubs in the area.
2. Contact Birmingham’s City Council and Tourist Board who’ll be able to give you a list of the oldest pubs in and around the city centre – or try looking in the local Yellow Pages and carrying out internet searches before you go out. Beer In The Evening (see Resources below) offers reviews of pubs by people who’ve visited them before.
3. Try to steer clear of chain pubs like Wetherspoons, Yates’ and O’Neills offering generic beers and food menus in bland surroundings. They may be cheap but if you want to get a feel for a real classic pub, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
4. Look out for pubs offering big screens for sporting events. Even the smallest of pubs generally have TV facilities where they will show major football matches and sometimes tennis and rugby too. Keep an eye open for a darts board and snooker or pool table – you’ll find these in almost all classic pubs too.
5. Remember the most important aspect of a classic pub – the beer! A good classic pub should have at least a few guest ales on tap, and of course the standard beers such as a good lager and Guinness, as well as cider. Look out for a good ale list on your search for a classic pub.
6. Look for classic Birmingham pubs which also carry food menus. Over recent years, many pubs have branched out from the simple Ploughman’s lunch and sandwiches, and now serve a whole range of pub food – with some even offering Italian and Indian cuisine.
7. Try visiting The Wellington on Bennetts Hill, The Old Joint Stock on Temple Row West, The City Tavern on Bishopsgate Street and The Shakespeare on Summer Row. These are all highly recommended classic pubs within Birmingham’s City Centre.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask locals for their advice in the best pubs in the area – no one knows better than a regular!
• Some pubs now stay open much later thanks to 24 hour licensing laws – instead of closing at 11 or 11.30 pm, many pubs now stay open past 12.
• Don't forget to carry some form of ID with you (a driver's licence or Passport is best). Bar staff won't be able to serve you if you appear to be under 21 and can't prove your age.
• Remember that it is now illegal to smoke in pubs, bars and restaurants (and all other enclosed public spaces in England), so don’t light up or you could risk an up front fine of £50. Many pubs now have small beer gardens or at least benches and chairs where smokers can sit outside the venue for a cigarette.

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