From one of the oldest watering holes in the UK dating back to 1368 to haunted boozers with twisted tales, there's a whole host of historical pubs in Birmingham that refuse to bow down to modernity. Check out these spots flaunting traditional features, classic British grub and some of the tastiest pints.
Last edited by Talia Stanton
Last updated on 1st February 2024
An original 18th century pub, The Old Contemptibles was redeveloped at The Albion Hotel back in the gin palace boom of the 1880's but was soon returned to its former glory. Once a regular for tommies that returned from the war, the venue is a modest ode to the history of these brave men and soldiers.
A gorgeous, traditional pub on Broad Street, Brasshouse is the place to go for top-quality food and drinks. While surrounded by bare-brick walls, wooden accents and unique light fixtures, delve into British grub (like Sunday roasts) paired with local ales and international wines.
Fronting exposed brick walls and dark wooden furnishings, The Tap & Spile is offering ye olde pub vibes by the canal for punters who appreciate tradition. Stick to the basics with top-notch ales and beers, or bring your drinking session into the modern day with their array of fruity cocktails – which you can snag two of for the price of one. Classic grub is also on the agenda, in the form of comforting pies, hearty burgers and the fan-favourite lasagne.
For old pubs in Birmingham city centre, check out The Shakespeare Summer Row. With 150 years under its belt, the venue slings out a plethora of scrumptious pub food, alongside a selection of beer, wine and spirits.
If you're on the hunt for historical pubs in Birmingham, head to The White Swan. The Victorian pub has been open for 122 glorious years, complete with tonnes of wild stories - one of which involves two ghosts who haunt the beaut boozer.
For Birmingham pubs with history, head to The Old Crown, where you can get stuck into a watering hole with a terrifying tale. The legend is that there is a spirit of a woman roaming around the area looking for her child after she had died falling down a well.
Built in 1901 by flagship brewers Mitchell and Butlers, The Barton Arms has been through plenty of owners looking to strip its historical touches. But thankfully, the Cambridgeshire brewer took a turn for the better and restored it to its original glory back in the noughties.
A true traditional British pub in the Jewellery Quarter, The Queens Arms has had their doors open to thirsty ale drinkers since 1878. Brimming with original features and old school charm, the venue is a great place to sit back with a pint of cask ale and soak up the history of this hub.
