Top 10 Pubs in Birmingham City Centre – A Local’s Guide

Birmingham’s city centre boasts a vibrant pub scene with something for every taste – from award-winning real ale inns to lively craft beer bars. This guide ranks the ten best pubs, covering essential info (address, nearest transport, hours, contact), unique history or trivia, beer and food offerings, atmosphere and accessibility, plus a tip for visitors. Each entry explains why the pub made the top 10, with concise ranking reasons. A comparison table at the end highlights key features of all ten.

The Wellington (37 Bennetts Hill, B2 5SN) – England’s Premier Real Ale Bar

A must-visit for ale fans, The Wellington opened in 2004 and quickly built a legendary reputation. In its first year it sold some 2,610 different ales and today boasts 29 hand-pulled cask beers (often more than 300 ales on the beer board over time). The unpretentious cellar-bar atmosphere (no music or fruit machines) lets the beer shine. There’s no on-site food, but takeaway menus and beer-friendly condiments are provided. Customers can bring their own snacks or order in. Upstairs is a terrace for warm days. The crowd is mixed-age and friendly; it's over-18s only, and dogs are not allowed. Step access is needed (no step-free entry). The price range is mid (££). It’s recommended for its unparalleled ale selection and whisky collection (upstairs).

Tip: Ask the bar staff for beer board suggestions – they often have local brews. Nearest station: New Street/Snow Hill (~5 min walk).

Why #1: Unrivalled range of cask ales and old-school pub vibe.

Head of Steam (36 Temple Street, B2 5DP) – Birmingham’s Craft Beer Mecca

Head of Steam is a brewpub chain outpost known for variety and entertainment. It features 37 keg lines and 7 cask-ale pumps, plus Belgian bottles – a true craft-beer haven. The decor is industrial/steampunk and dog-friendly, with a shuffleboard area and mezzanine for groups. Two kitchens serve Detroit-style pizza (Motor City Slice) and Smash burgers, matching the beer lineup. Regular live music, quizzes and sports on big screens make it lively.

Opening hours are 12pm–11pm (midweek) to 1am (weekends).

Accessibility: Ground-floor pub; toilets on ground and lower ground.

Price: ££.

Tip: Book the mezzanine for a private craft beer night. Nearest station: New Street (5 min walk).

Why #2: Huge rotating beer selection (37 taps) and social vibe.

The Old Joint Stock (4 Temple Row West, B2 5NY) – Pub Theatre in a Victorian Bank

This Grade II-listed Fuller's pub has it all – stunning Victorian interiors and a functioning theatre on-site. Built in 1862 as a bank, it opened as a pub in 1997. The ornate carved-wood decor and balcony create a unique ambience. The bar features Fuller's award-winning cask ales and an ever-changing range of craft beers and lagers. The kitchen serves elevated British pub classics (seasonal fresh dishes). Live jazz, comedy and theatre shows run nightly upstairs. It’s spacious and family-friendly (kids allowed until 9pm). Step-free access and accessible WC are available. Price: ££.

Tip: Catch a stage show (improv/comedy) on the theatre stage after dinner.

Nearest station: Cathedral (1 min) / Snow Hill (3 min).

Why #3: Unique pub-theatre with grand decor and great ales.

Purecraft Bar & Kitchen (30 Waterloo Street, B2 5TJ) – Modern Craft Beer & Bar Food

A bright, modern pub opened in 2014 by former Brewdog members, Purecraft focuses on quality craft beer and food. It works closely with Purity Brewing (and many local breweries), aiming to serve “the perfect pint or plate”. Expect a rotating draft menu (perhaps 10+ taps of cask and keg) and a large bottle list. Signature dishes include Scotch eggs, Purity beer-battered fish & chips, burgers and healthy salads. The style is casual, with TV screens (for sports), shuffleboard/pool tables, and an outdoor terrace. Kids are welcome (play area & kids menu). Accessible via step-free entrance, though toilets are downstairs. Open 11am–11pm daily.

Phone: 0121 237 5666.

Tip: Try their famed beer brunch on weekends. Nearest station: Snow Hill (2 min).

Why #4: Excellent bar-food menu and rotating craft taps in a stylish setting.

Bacchus Bar (65 Station Street, B5 4LA) – Themed Historic Pub Under New Street

Hidden downstairs opposite New Street station, Bacchus Bar is one of Birmingham’s most atmospheric pubs. A Nicholson’s pub in a converted cellar, it’s decorated with elaborate themed rooms – an “Egyptian” snug, a “French dining” room, and the original “medieval” snug. They sell 4 or 5 rotating real ales (Golden Ales, Mallard, etc.) and premium gins. Food-wise, it’s known for hearty pub classics and pies. The setting is perfect for a cosy drink or meal. Ambient lighting and live acoustic nights (folk/blues) add to its charm. Accessible only by stairs. Family-friendly early, then more of a traditional pub crowd.

Price: ££.

Tip: Don’t miss the hidden rooftop seating (rare for a Station St pub) on warm evenings.

Nearest transport: New Street (underneath).

Why #5: An intriguing historic pub with exotic-themed rooms and solid ales.

The Good Intent (32–33 Great Western Arcade, B2 5HU) – A Community-Run Alehouse

Tucked inside Birmingham’s Victorian Great Western Arcade, Good Intent is a unique not-for-profit pub. It’s the UK’s first community-spirited pub: profits go to charity. The ground-floor bar has six handpumps pouring Craddock’s Brewery ales (and local guest cask ales), plus a few keg choices and continental beers. The feel is warm and inclusive, with a focus on conversations and fund-raising events (charity raffles, talks). No kitchen beyond crisps and nuts, but pubs nearby deliver food in. Open Tue–Thu 12–11 and Fri–Sat 12–midnight. WC and step-free access are available, and it’s dog-friendly.

Tip: Visit on quiz night or their beer festivals to meet locals and sample exclusive brews.

Nearest station: Snow Hill (3 min).

Why #6: Charming hidden gem and Britain’s first not-for-profit pub.

Old Contemptibles (176 Edmund Street, B3 2HB) – WWI Heritage Pub

A Nicholson’s pub with walls of history, Old Contemptibles is named after a WWI British Army unit. Built in 1880 (originally Albion Hotel) and renamed in 1953, it features three large First World War murals behind the bar. Classic British pub menu (pies, steaks, fish and chips) and a curated range of real ales (usually 4–5 cask lines, often including Fuller’s or guest brewers). The rooms have chandeliers and rich wood, making a cosy drinking den. There’s a downstairs snug and upstairs dining room. Open Tue–Sun (closed Mon/Tue). Child-friendly in the daytime; lively evenings with a pub quiz on Wednesdays. Step-free entrance and accessible WC.

Price: ££.

Tip: Spot the “Mons Star” pub sign on the facade (a WWI medal design).

Nearest station: Moor Street (5 min) or New Street (7 min).

Why #7: Historic WWI-themed pub with murals and classic charm.

The Trocadero (12 Temple Street, B2 5BG) – Iconic ‘Gin Palace’ Sports Pub

Across from the markets, The Trocadero has been a city-centre fixture since 1912, famous for its flamboyant red-and-gold facade (a former fire station turned gin palace). Now a Nicholson’s pub, it’s popular for big sporting events (multiple screens, Sky Sports) and its hearty food (breakfasts and fixed-price meals). The interior is richly decorated in Edwardian style. It claims to have a resident ghost – an old landlord called Henry Skinner. They serve a decent range of ales and lagers, plus pub grub (pies and grills). It’s family-friendly in daytime, turning into a bustling bar crowd at night. Open 10am–11pm (midweek) to 1am on weekends. Step-free from the street, disabled WC.

Tip: Try the “King Richard Trolley” roast at the weekend.

Nearest station: New Street (5 min).

Why #8: Very traditional gin-palace pub with a lively sports atmosphere.

The Briar Rose (25 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RE) – Grand Old Spoons Hotel Pub

This Wetherspoon pub and hotel occupies a heritage-listed building by stained-glass artist Burne-Jones. The name comes from his “Sleeping Beauty” murals once displayed here. It’s large and family-friendly, with cheap drinks and meals (full Wetherspoon menu). It has a solid real-ale line-up (often 6 casks, including Fuller’s Pride and guest beers) and kids’ games area. Unique features: a cocktail-sipping hotel lobby and, on Friday nights, live jazz music. Open 7am–midnight (late Fri/Sat). Facilities include step-free access and a baby change.

Price: £.

Tip: Explore the hotel bar’s vintage décor even if you’re just there to drink.

Nearest tram: St Chads Circus (Bull St tram, 3 min) or Snow Hill (3 min).

Why #9: A historic building with Wetherspoon variety and on-site lodging.

The Old Crown (188 High Street, Deritend, Digbeth, B12 0LD) – Birmingham’s Oldest Pub (c. 1368)

Strictly just outside the modern centre, The Old Crown (c. 1368) is Birmingham’s oldest surviving secular building. A Grade-II*-listed half-timbered inn, it survived the Civil War and near-demolition twice. Its intimate Tudor rooms and beer garden host live music, comedy nights and medieval fairs. It serves an array of cask ales (often local brews) and traditional pub food (curries, steaks, ale-battered fish, plus a famous Sunday roast). It’s very atmospheric – stone floors and old fireplaces. There’s no cellar entrance, all on one level (step-free). Open 11am–11pm daily.

Tip: Attend the annual “Oktoberfest” or folk sessions for the full experience.

Nearest train: Bordesley (1.2 miles; note the distance) or a 10-min taxi from the city centre.

Why #10: A legendary medieval pub – the oldest in Birmingham – with historic charm.

Conclusion

Birmingham’s pub scene offers an incredible mix of historic alehouses, modern craft-beer bars, lively sports pubs, and hidden local gems. Whether you’re searching for world-class real ale, live entertainment, traditional British pub food, or centuries of history, the city centre has a pub to suit every occasion. From the legendary cask selection at The Wellington to the medieval charm of The Old Crown, each venue on this list brings something unique to Birmingham’s thriving pub culture. No matter where you start, you’re never far from a memorable pint in one of the UK’s best pub cities.