The Distillery
A pub and restaurant right by the canal, The Distillery Birmingham has an outdoor terrace worth heading to on the weekends. Great for whiling away during the warmer months, the venue slings out crispy squid and peeping hot pizzas.
Now we don't know if anyone's told you yet, but Birmingham just so happens to have more canals than Venice. And while you may not find any gondola rowers hooting and hollering their way down the river, you will catch some of the best riverside bars in Birmingham just waiting to be explored
The canals are home to a great collection of bars and pubs that make for relaxed drinks in the city. Check out our recommendations for our top picks, some even with pretty gardens.
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A pub and restaurant right by the canal, The Distillery Birmingham has an outdoor terrace worth heading to on the weekends. Great for whiling away during the warmer months, the venue slings out crispy squid and peeping hot pizzas.
On a Birmingham canal pub crawl? Felson's is a top-notch shout for those looking for activities and delish drinks. From shuffleboard to pool and the yummiest chicken wings, this late-night bar promises nothing but good vibes.
Overlooking the mailbox canal from its Gas Street location, Verve Lounge is a stylish cocktail bar that's housed in the same building as the famous Bobby Browns was formerly. The sleek space is decorated with minimalist interiors and a foliage feature wall, boasting a heated outdoor area too.
There are a wide variety of signature cocktails available here, on a menu that takes inspiration from all over the world and uses lots of homemade ingredients too.
A sanctuary of style and flavour, The Botanist Gas Street Basin is famed for its eclectic menu and creative drinks. Its split-level design, complete with lush greenery and an inviting atmosphere, makes it perfect for any occasion.
Venture down to delight in its world-famous hanging kebabs, cookie dough desserts and seasonal spritzes made with English botanicals.
With cocktails, wine and scrumptious dinner dishes, All Bar One Birmingham is an excellent choice for those wanting a riverside bar. Along with the interior's casual ambience, you'll appreciate the deals, including 2 for £13 cocktails from Sunday to Thursday after 5pm.
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Looking for riverside bars in Birmingham? Check out Slug and Lettuce, where you'll find pornstar martinis, pina coladas and coconut bombs aplenty. Its quaint outdoor seating also features string lights and pretty views of the city.
After Birmingham canals? Pitcher and Piano is a charming watering hole poised directly over the river. Make haste for one of the patio tables or perch yourself over its second-floor balcony to get a great glimpse of the city's beaut waterways.
Located in Brindleyplace, The Alchemist is a bit of a no-brainer for waterside retreats. The venue slings out delicious bottomless brunches and a fabulous selection of drinks - we mean the likes of espresso martinis, bloody marys and other creative (and sometimes theatrical) cocktails.
If you're searching for relaxed drinks, then this riverside pub in the city couldn't be more perfect. Nab a spot outside on one of Ju Ju's Cafe's patio tables and just watch the world go by. Or if you fancy a spot of grub on your visit? Go for a fry-up that comes in a quirky little frying pan.
Pretty and pink, Noel's Bar & Restaurant is a riverside eatery serving up Mediterranean bites in a pastel setting. Featuring stunning botanical decor and golden light fixtures, the interiors are just as sticking as the canal-side views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can expect to tuck into ribbons of fresh pasta here, braised beef croquettes and grilled octopus.
Located right next to Birmingham's bustling canal, The Malt House is a historic pub with a laid-back atmosphere. It sports a balcony overlooking the main bar and traditional, wooden awnings and a waterside seating area casting views across the city. On the menu, you'll find plenty of delicious local ales alongside hearty food such as fish and chips.
Yes, Birmingham has around 100 miles of canals, which is more than Venice. The city's waterway network stretches across the city centre and beyond, with the most bar-dense stretch running through Gas Street Basin, Brindleyplace, and The Mailbox.
Yes, most canalside bars in Birmingham are open year-round, though the outdoor terraces are naturally most popular in summer. Several venues have covered or heated outdoor areas for cooler months: The Botanist has a pergola, and Verve Lounge has a heated outdoor area, so you can enjoy canal views whatever the season.
Several canalside bars offer outdoor terraces or waterside seating. The Malt House has a balcony and waterside area overlooking the canal, Slug and Lettuce has quaint outdoor seating with string lights, and The Distillery boasts an enormous terrace. The Alchemist in Brindleyplace also has outdoor space perfect for warmer evenings.
Yes, several of the canal bars specialise in cocktails. Verve Lounge on Gas Street serves a wide range of signature cocktails using homemade ingredients, The Alchemist in Brindleyplace is known for its theatrical and creative cocktail menu, and All Bar One offers 2-for-1 cocktail deals on selected evenings.
Several are. The Botanist on Gas Street Basin allows dogs in the bar area, and The Distillery welcomes dogs throughout (except the restaurant section). The Malt House is also noted as dog-friendly. It's always worth checking directly with a venue before visiting, as policies can vary.