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Explore Birmingham’s Best Historic Pubs and Bars
I visited several notable pubs and bars in Birmingham, each with unique histories and offerings. The Craven Arms, established in the 1840s, features a charming design and numerous cask ales. Cherry Reds, a café bar from 2011, supports local brewers while serving delicious homemade food. The Post Office Vaults, an award-winning real ale venue opened in 2011, has an extensive beer selection. The Colmore, a stylish space from 2019, combines modern and classic designs. The Wellington is a renowned real ale spot since 2004, while The Good Intent focuses on charity-driven profits. Tilt presents a vibrant atmosphere for craft beer and pinball, and The Woodman stands out with its historical significance and Victorian charm.
Birmingham is a lively city in the West Midlands, known for being a key cultural, financial, and commercial centre. It transformed from a medieval market town into an industrial giant in the 18th century, gaining the title of “the first manufacturing town in the world.” The city is home to a variety of cultural institutions, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Its history is also notable for political activism and social progress.
The Craven Arms
My first call in Birmingham is to The Craven Arms. This is a classic pub sitting at the corner of Upper Gough Street and Blucher Street in Birmingham. Its roots go back to at least the 1840s, when the first licensee was noted. For almost two hundred years, this pub has been a key spot for the local community, acting as a hangout for folks working in the nearby industrial areas.
The current building was crafted between 1906 and 1910 by local architect Arthur Edwards. It boasts a unique two-tone tiled façade that really stands out. The ground floor is decorated with moulded and glazed ceramic tiles, while the upper levels are made of red brick and feature timber-framed windows. This style not only showcases the design trends of its era but also marks an important chapter in Birmingham’s urban history. It still retains its “Holders Ales & Stout” on the tiles.
Inside is an inviting pub full of charm, you’ll find a great selection of cask ales, just like all the Black Country Ales spots. Here, you can pick from 9 different cask ales, plus some tasty keg options and ciders. I kicked things off with “The Cricket” from Fixed Wheel brewery in Blackheath. It’s a super tasty and smooth English Bitter. Then I switched to “Birdie” on tap from Copper Beech Brewing Company in Worcester. This one’s an American Pale Ale packed with awesome citrus and hoppy notes.
Cherry Reds
Cherry Reds is a cool independent café bar that kicked off in Kings Heath back in 2011. It started out as a café but later switched gears to become a bar while still dishing out delicious homemade food. The name “Cherry Reds” pays homage to Cherry Street, which has a history tied to a cherry orchard that used to thrive in the area.
After the Kings Heath spot took off, owner Jennifer Nadin opened a second Cherry Reds on John Bright Street in Birmingham City Centre in 2015. This new place was all about offering a laid-back vibe and a break from the usual chain cafes around, with a focus on quality and a friendly atmosphere. The café bar has earned a reputation for supporting local brewers and serving up tasty homemade meals, featuring craft beers and simple, hearty dishes.
This place has a fun and unique vibe, with an awesome beer-themed interior that’s a blast to check out. The bar features three cask beers and a fantastic variety of keg and international brews. “Seams” from Attic Brew Co is here, and it’s a refreshing, light, and malty pale ale.
The Post Office Vaults
Next up was The Post Office Vaults. This is a subterranean bar is a neighbour to Birmingham post office and many years ago was a Mitchells & Butlers pub named The Royal Mail. Reading over some comments made, it used to have unusual opening hours for the main Birmingham Post Office, including early openings and 9pm closes. It’s had several incarnations since, opening in its current guise as a real ale hotspot in 2011.
The bar’s exterior is painted in “Post Office red,” a nod to its name. Since it opened, the Post Office Vaults has built a reputation for its wide range of beers, offering an impressive line-up of 365 different brews, with new selections added every week. This dedication to variety and quality has led to multiple awards and a spot in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, solidifying its place as one of Birmingham’s favourite real ale pubs.
The vibe at the Post Office Vaults is lively and inviting, making it a great spot for both experienced beer aficionados and those just starting their beer journey. A great welcome this evening with a line up of 4 cask ales and numerous keg beers both craft and international brews to choose from. I went with a cask beer from Kniver Brewery, which is based in Staffordshire. Their house beer, “1st Class Stamp,” is a delicious, refreshing pale ale that’s packed with flavour.
The Colmore
Around the corner to The Colmore, found on Colmore Row which is a newer addition to the city’s bar scene, having opened its doors in 2019. It was transformed from the old Lloyds Bank building by Thornbridge Brewery & Pivovar, and it’s quickly gained a reputation as a go-to spot for beer lovers.
Colmore Row itself has a fascinating history that stretches back to the 18th century. It was originally called New Hall Lane and got its name from William Colmore, who owned a stunning Jacobean mansion nearby. The construction of St Philip’s Church in the area spurred significant urban development, leading to the establishment of the New Hall Estate through a private Act of Parliament in 1746. Shortly after, the street was officially renamed Colmore Row.
During the late Victorian period, many buildings along Colmore Row were either built or renovated, shaping its current vibe. Between 1869 and 1900, several commercial spaces popped up that still characterize the street today.
When you step inside The Colmore, you’ll find a stylish atmosphere that blends modern design with classic elements. The lower level features charming wood and velvet panelling, creating a warm space ideal for hanging out or unwinding after a long day. Plus, there’s a pool table for those looking to have some fun with friends. The layout is thoughtfully designed to accommodate both small gatherings and larger groups.
Drink wise a cracking line up of 8 cask beers, with a number of keg beers on the back walk, mainly from Thornbridge Brewery but also featuring a number of guests. I enjoyed a tasty brown ale that had hints of coffee and roasted hazelnuts in its aroma. It was “Ashford” from Thornbridge Brewery in Derbyshire.
The Wellington
Another short walk to my next visit. The Wellington, or “the Welly” as locals call it, is a go-to spot for real ale lovers in Birmingham. Since it opened in December 2004, it’s built a solid reputation for its wide variety of real ales and its cosy vibe. The pub was a dream come true for landlord Nigel Barker, who moved from Derby to Birmingham to manage the Barton’s Arms in Aston. Frustrated with the lack of real ale options in the city centre, he decided to create a free house that would focus solely on real ales. With a little help from Black Country Traditional Inns, the Welly opened just in time for Christmas 2004, featuring ten hand pulls for beer. It quickly became a hit, leading to an expansion within six months to serve more customers and add even more hand pulls.
In its first year, The Wellington sold an impressive 2,610 different ales, which led to further growth. By 2014, the pub had taken over more space on the upper floors of its building. That year, it underwent a major renovation, reopening with 27 hand pulls, an upstairs bar, a function room, and a roof terrace. The site has been home to various pubs since at least the late 18th century, and the current building was constructed in 1903 by the architects James & Lister Lea, known for several notable pubs in Birmingham.
The Wellington is all about serving a fantastic selection of well-kept real ales, along with quality lagers and ciders. You can also find a great range of Scotch whiskies on the ground floor and whiskies from around the globe on the first floor.
The pub takes pride in its unique atmosphere, keeping things chill without music or fruit machines, making it a perfect spot for customers over 18 to relax and enjoy.
A huge line up of cask ales, with around 18 to choose from. Great to see such a large selection and wide range of styles. Spotted a beer from a brewery that just shut down, so I had to grab it. It was “Diamond Geezer” from By The Horns Brewing Co in Surrey. This tasty, hoppy red ale had a nice hint of caramel and some nuttiness to it.
The Good Intent
I headed towards Birmingham Snow Hill next. The Good Intent is nestled in the Great Western Arcade in Birmingham and opened its doors in October 2019. Founded by Craddock’s Brewery, it stands out as one of the UK’s pioneering not-for-profit bars. The idea behind this pub was to create a spot where all profits go straight to local charities, blending the fun of social drinking with a good cause.
David Craddock, the mastermind behind Craddock’s Brewery, kicked off this venture after being inspired by a friend’s long-term volunteer work at a retirement home. Instead of diving into direct charity work himself, he wanted to use his brewing passion to build a place that could make a positive impact in the community. The bar quickly became a hit with both locals and visitors, drawing in those who value great drinks and an ethical mission.
When you walk in, you’re welcomed by a cosy vibe featuring wooden floors, classic black-and-white checked tiles, and a mix of seating options like pews and stylish green leather chairs.
On the bar this evening a choice of 6 cask ales, most being from Craddock’s Brewery alongside a couple of guests. A nice mix of styles to pick from. I went with “Crazy Sheep” from Craddock’s Brewery. It’s a light, zesty pale ale that packs a nice hoppy punch. I really liked it!
Tilt
Another short walk heading towards Birmingham Moor Street Station. Tilt Birmingham is nestled in Birmingham’s historic City Arcade, which has a rich past that goes back to the late 1800s. The arcade was crafted by architects T.W.F Newton and Cheattle and opened its doors in 1898. Initially, it was made up of two buildings, but one was lost during the air raids of World War II in April 1941. The surviving structure has seen a lot of changes over the years, including a big renovation in 1972 that gave the arcade a fresh look.
Tilt takes up a prime corner spot where Union Passage meets Warwick Passage in the City Arcade. This versatile venue features a specialty coffee shop, a craft beer bar, and a pinball arcade, making it a go-to hangout for both locals and tourists. Inside, Tilt is all about bright colours and a welcoming vibe, with plenty of pinball machines adding to the fun atmosphere.
At Tilt, you can enjoy craft beers in a cosy setting with wooden tables and chairs, perfect for relaxing with friends. It’s become a hotspot known for its lively environment and community spirit, drawing in customers all day long for both coffee and beer.
A fantastic 12 tap line up featuring some great craft beers with a wide range of styles and strengths. On top of this a double fridge filled with even more choices. I came across a sour beer from Neon Raptor Brewery in Nottingham that caught my eye. I decided to try the “Slushasaurus: Pineapple + Grapefruit,” and it turned out to be a really tangy, fruity, and delicious tropical brew.
The Woodman
My last call of the evening is to The Woodman. This is situated in Birmingham’s Digbeth area. Built between 1896 and 1897 as a pub for Ansells Brewery, it was designed by the architectural firm James & Lister Lea. The building stands out with its unique red brick and terracotta façade, topped off with a slate roof, showcasing the architectural trends of its era.
The pub has narrow windows above the entrance on both the ground and first floors, along with broader windows featuring brick mullions. Inside, The Woodman boasts extensive tiling and large, gilded mirrors that add to its Victorian allure. It was officially recognized for its historical importance when it became Grade II listed on January 17, 1985.
In 2010, The Woodman changed ownership, leading to some major updates. Between 2011 and 2012, the area was under construction for Eastside City Park, which affected access to the pub. The park opened in March 2013, and The Woodman underwent a refurbishment that summer.
However, the pub encountered difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing HS2 rail project. It closed for a major renovation in spring 2022 but announced a longer closure due to HS2 work in August 2022. After a significant £300,000 renovation, The Woodman reopened on September 13, 2024, with new management.
The Woodman is located next to the old Curzon Street railway station, a key historical landmark, and will be close to the new HS2 station expected to open in 2030. Even with the modern developments around it, The Woodman still showcases many original features that highlight its late Victorian roots, including a “Smoke Room” that retains its original Mintons tiling, despite changes in smoking laws.
Was great chatting to Gavin and the team this evening, such a warm welcome. On the bar a choice of 9 cask beers in a range of styles. I went with “Golden Glow” from Dudley’s Holdens Brewery. It’s a stunning golden ale that’s super drinkable and really hard to resist.
Micropub Adventures 