The Old Joint Stock: pies, ales and a domed Victorian bank

The Old Joint Stock is at 4 Temple Row West, B2 5NY, in the Colmore Business District, opposite St Philip’s Cathedral. It is a Fuller’s pub in a Grade II listed building, with a studio theatre upstairs. Go for a pie and a pint under a domed skylight. Open Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 23:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 18:00, according to CAMRA.

What it is

Fuller’s brands it an Ale & Pie pub, and SquareMeal says the same. CAMRA describes a large pub with a central island bar, an impressive bar back and comfortable seating around it. The interior has a high ceiling and a huge domed skylight, and CAMRA calls it an “outstanding pub conversion”. One Tripadvisor reviewer compared the room to a cathedral, which is a fair line when the actual cathedral is across the road.

A bit of history

The building was designed by J. A. Chatwin in 1862, according to Fuller’s. It began as a library and was quickly acquired by the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank, which is where the name comes from. The bank was established in 1861 and amalgamated with Lloyds Bank in 1889. Fuller’s converted the building into a pub in 1997, and the theatre upstairs has been running for around two decades.

Fuller’s lists two accolades from 2019: Town Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide, and Best Birmingham Independent Pub/Bar in the What’s On Readers’ Awards.

What to order

The pie. It is the signature. An older food guide mentions home-baked speciality pies, including a house pie that changes weekly, and an ale-and-pie taster board pairing London Pride, ESB and Honey Dew with mini pies, mash and gravy. Menus change, so check what is on before you set your heart on it.

Tripadvisor’s popular dishes include the Admiral’s fish pie, sausage and mash, triple-cooked chips, a cheeseburger and chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are listed.

Sunday roast. It is served within the Sunday hours of 12:00 to 18:00. Reviewers mention roast beef or sirloin, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and unlimited gravy.

The beer. CAMRA lists Fuller’s, Gales and Dark Star real ales. Regulars include Dark Star Hophead and Fuller’s ESB, and reviewers mention London Pride.

Prices

SquareMeal puts it under £30 a head. Tripadvisor rates it ££ to £££. Reviewers report around £20 for pie and mash plus £6 for an ale, £14 for pie and chips, and about £8 for a pint. Treat those as a guide, not a menu. Some 2026 Tripadvisor reviews call it overpriced and mention card payment, so bring a card.

When to go and whether to book

Reviewers rate it for a pie and a beer in the middle of a shopping trip, and for Sunday lunch. For a roast, ring ahead: SquareMeal says to call to book, on 0121 200 1892. The official site also has a booking button and lists a second number, 0121 721 4813. Hours can change around Christmas, so check the site before a festive visit.

Parking is street only, so the train and a short walk is the easier option. CAMRA flags disabled access, WiFi and a function room, and the pub is listed as family friendly.

The theatre upstairs

The studio theatre seats around 100 and shows in-house productions, new writing and touring work. A March 2026 reviewer noted a separate bar for theatre-goers. DesignMyNight lists Christmas shows including Sleigh Miserables, a musical theatre and Christmas cabaret, and Christmas by Candlelight returning. Allure Spookeasy is listed as running from 23 October to the end of the year. Check the listings for dates and tickets.

For after: St Philip’s Cathedral

Cross the road to St Philip’s Cathedral on Colmore Row, B3 2QB. It is a Baroque church built in 1715 to designs by Thomas Archer, one of England’s smallest cathedrals, and consecrated as a cathedral in 1905. Admission is free, according to Tripadvisor. On a Saturday it closes at about 5pm, so confirm on the cathedral’s own site before you plan around it.

More details: the pub’s own site, CAMRA, Fuller’s and SquareMeal.