Craft BeerCanalside Hidden Gem
The Anchor
££·Digbeth
A cozy canal-side pub tucked away in Digbeth's network of waterways. Known for excellent craft beer selection and peaceful outdoor seating by the water.
Bars
Cocktail bars, wine bars, and the best places to drink
The Anchor
££·Digbeth
GastropubSuburban Dining Destination
The Bell
££·Harborne
An elegant gastropub offering refined dining in relaxed surroundings. Known for seasonal menus and excellent wine selection in the heart of Harborne.
Modern EuropeanCanalside Dining
The Brasshouse
£££·Brindleyplace
An upscale restaurant and bar overlooking the canal in Brindleyplace. Offers modern European cuisine with panoramic water views and contemporary design.
Traditional PubHistoric Venue
The Bull Ring Tavern
££·City Centre
A classic Victorian pub serving traditional ales and hearty pub grub in the heart of Birmingham's shopping district. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and friendly local crowd.
Modern BritishIndustrial Heritage Gastropub
The Drop Forge
££·Jewellery Quarter
A stylish gastropub in a converted Victorian forge building. Combines industrial architecture with contemporary British cuisine and craft cocktails.
Student PubUniversity Local
The Duck Inn
£·Edgbaston
A budget-friendly pub popular with University of Birmingham students offering cheap drinks and classic pub food. The atmosphere is always lively with a young, energetic crowd.
Village PubCommunity Hub
The Fighting Cocks
££·Moseley
A beloved local pub serving as Moseley's social heart with excellent Sunday roasts and regular live music. The venue maintains a perfect balance of traditional pub atmosphere and contemporary comfort.
Community PubLive Music Hub
The Goat Tavern
£·Kings Heath
A lively community pub known for its excellent live music program and friendly atmosphere. Features local ales and home-cooked food in a welcoming environment.
Music VenueLive Music Legend
The Hare and Hounds
££·Kings Heath
A legendary music venue that has hosted countless famous bands over decades, combined with a traditional pub atmosphere. The venue remains essential for discovering new talent and enjoying established acts.
OBH
CocktailsSteampunk Bar
The Jekyll & Hyde
£££·Steelhouse Lane·New Street
A fantastically over-the-top steampunk cocktail bar where the drinks are as theatrical as the decor. Potions served in beakers, fog machines, and a commitment to the bit that's genuinely impressive.
Sports BarLive Sports
The Junction
££·Harborne
A modern sports bar with multiple screens showing live games alongside American-style food and craft beers. Popular with university students and local sports fans alike.
Traditional BritishHistoric Victorian Theatre Bar
The Old Joint Stock
££·City Centre
A magnificent Victorian former banking hall converted into a stunning pub and theatre. Features soaring ceilings, original period details, and an intimate theatre upstairs.
Craft CocktailsMuseum Bar
The Pen Museum Bar
££·Jewellery Quarter
A unique bar located within Birmingham's Pen Museum celebrating the city's manufacturing heritage. Specializes in craft cocktails with pen-making themed decor and historical artifacts.
Traditional PubVillage Pub Atmosphere
The Prince of Wales
££·Moseley
A beloved traditional pub at the heart of Moseley village. Features classic Victorian interior, excellent ales, and a warm community atmosphere.
Traditional PubCask Ale Specialist
The Red Lion
£·Kings Heath
A no-frills traditional pub focusing on excellent cask ales and classic pub atmosphere. Popular with CAMRA members and ale enthusiasts seeking authentic pub culture.
GastropubAward Winning Food
The Rose Villa Tavern
£££·Jewellery Quarter
An elegant Victorian gastropub offering elevated British cuisine and premium wines in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. The venue perfectly balances heritage charm with contemporary dining.
OBH
Real AleCAMRA Favourite
The Wellington
£·Bennett's Hill·New Street
Birmingham's best real ale pub, tucked away on Bennett's Hill. The guest ales are always interesting, the atmosphere is no-nonsense, and it is the kind of pub that reminds you what a proper boozer should be.
Industrial BarUnderground Scene
Warehouse Cafe
££·Digbeth
A gritty converted warehouse space showcasing local DJs and live music alongside craft cocktails and street food. The venue captures Digbeth's raw creative energy perfectly.
Waterfront BarCanal Views
Waters Edge
£££·Brindleyplace
An upscale waterfront bar offering panoramic canal views alongside premium cocktails and modern European cuisine. The venue provides a sophisticated dining and drinking experience in Birmingham's premier entertainment district.
OBH
Wine BarWine Lovers
Loki Wine
£££·Edgbaston·Five Ways
A wine bar and shop in Edgbaston run by people who genuinely love wine. The by-the-glass selection is superb, the tasting events are excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxed and knowledgeable.
OBH
GastropubCraft Beer Pub
The Victoria
££·John Bright Street·New Street
A proper Birmingham pub with a superb rotating selection of craft beers and ales. The Victorian interior is stunning, the pies are excellent, and it's the perfect pre-theatre stop.
OBH
CocktailsTropical Tiki
Island Bar
££·Suffolk Street·New Street
Birmingham's original cocktail bar, bringing tropical tiki vibes to the Second City since before craft cocktails were cool. The rum selection is enormous and the frozen daiquiris are dangerously drinkable.
OBH
Traditional PubLudgate Hill Classic
The Actress & Bishop
£·Ludgate Hill·New Street
A proper traditional pub near New Street with character, a good beer selection, and the kind of unpretentious atmosphere that Birmingham does so well. A reliable pre-gig or post-work stop.
Coffee & BarSpecialty Roasters
200 Degrees
£·Colmore Row·New Street
Nottingham-born specialty coffee roasters with a handsome Colmore Row outpost. The barista school upstairs offers excellent courses, and the flat white is consistently one of the best in the city centre.
Cocktails & GinJQ Cocktail Bar
40 St Paul's
£££·Jewellery Quarter·Jewellery Quarter
An elegant cocktail bar in the Jewellery Quarter's St Paul's Square. The gin menu is extensive, the cocktails are expertly mixed, and the terrace overlooking the square is one of the best spots in the city on a summer evening.
Theatrical CocktailsBrindleyplace Bar
The Alchemist Birmingham
£££·Brindleyplace·Five Ways
Theatrical cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere in Brindleyplace. The drinks smoke, change colour, and always make for a good photo. Perfect for a group night out when you want something a bit different.
Botanical CocktailsTemple Row
The Botanist
£££·Temple Row·New Street
A beautiful botanical-themed bar on Temple Row with hanging plants, creative cocktails, and live music. The watering can cocktails are the signature, and the weekend atmosphere is buzzing.
OBH
Craft Beer & CocktailsDigbeth Bar
Couch
££·Digbeth·Moor Street
A laid-back Digbeth bar with craft beer, solid cocktails, and a terrace that catches the afternoon sun. The vibe is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and it is a great first stop on a Digbeth crawl.
OBH
CocktailsConstitution Hill
The Wolf
£££·Constitution Hill·Snow Hill
A cocktail bar on Constitution Hill with a moody, intimate atmosphere and bartenders who take their craft seriously. The seasonal menus are always interesting, and the attention to detail is impressive.
OBH
Craft Beer & PiesBennetts Hill Spot
Pint Shop Birmingham
££·Bennett's Hill·New Street
Craft beer, proper pies, and a no-fuss atmosphere on Bennett's Hill. The beer list is long and well-chosen, the pies are hearty, and it is exactly the kind of place Birmingham needs more of.
OBH
Craft Beer & DiningWaterloo Street Gem
Purecraft Bar
££·Waterloo Street·New Street
One of the best craft beer bars in Birmingham, with a constantly rotating selection and food that is leagues above typical bar fare. The Waterloo Street location is central and the atmosphere is always good.
OBH
Cocktails & YakitoriJQ Hideaway
Cranes Freeth Street
£££·Jewellery Quarter·Jewellery Quarter
A Japanese-inspired cocktail bar tucked away in the Jewellery Quarter. The yakitori is smoky and delicious, the cocktails are precise, and the intimate setting makes it feel like a real discovery.
OBH
Natural Wine & Craft BeerDigbeth Wine Bar
Kilder
££·Digbeth·Moor Street
A natural wine and craft beer bar in Digbeth with an ever-changing selection and a knowledgeable team. The small plates are excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a perfect Digbeth evening spot.