The place is beautiful! An old bank? Several levels....the food? Incredible! I got a meat pie and side of sausages and my girl got fish and we both said it was the best meal we have had on our trip through UK! The English mustard was spicy and incredible too! You gotta order and pay in advance like most places (all?) in the UK...great selection of beers too! Incredible service! Friendly and even found out for me what brand of mustard they use! read more

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I've walked past old Joint Stock time and again since moving to Birmingham and finally decided to try it out with Seth S. Friday evening. Old Joint Stock is well known for their pie and ale combos, including a cute 3 and 3 tray sampler of each. The pie flavors available Friday just didn't stand out for me, so I tried their gnocchi and a glass of tempranillo (full-bodied red from Spain) instead. The food was a solid 4 stars. The ambiance and drink were 5 stars. The gnocchi had good subtle potato flavor and the texture was a standard slightly chewy pasta that I've come to expect outside of Italy and the Italian enclaves of New York. I'm always searching for more melt in your mouth pillowy gnocchi, but this was a solid representation of standard gnocchi. The gnocchi was served in a creamy tomato vodka sauce and topped with fresh local mozzarella and a garnish of greens. The portion was very filling and well worth the price. The tempranillo was wonderfully full-bodied with a lovely balance of fruitiness and spice. I like that Old Joint Stock offers wine in small and large glasses or by the bottle. I chose the large glass, which is plenty to accompany dinner and dessert, if you somehow have room for dessert. The dessert menu looked amazing - I'm definitely going back to try something. Old Joint Stock offers a luxurious old-world charm that just beckons you to come spend an evening enjoying good food and drink. The church library, turned bank, turned pub has kept it's original splendor in tact, with heavy brocaded draperies, faux marble walls, high painted ceilings, and antique seating arrangements. The management have chosen gorgeous lighting to accent the walls and glass dome over the bar, which is central to the restaurant. I entered feeling like a glitzy party guest and left warm and full. read more

Old Joint Stock - gnocchi with creamy tomato vodka sauce - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place before! How remiss of me! As a semi regular hangout of mine when meeting friends and old work colleagues, I normally pop in here at least a couple of times a month for a drink and a natter. The main reason I would end up at this pub is an invitation from someone else, but the location and interior are gorgeous (so it sounds like I'm massively underselling it). Situated off St Phillips Cathedral this pub is about as Central as you can get. It's unmissable too - being a Grade 2 listed building and having been looked after throughout it's long life in Birmingham. It used to be a bank and the interior design flourishes and the external detailing tell a story of a more opulent time for the City. As you walk in, the first thing that will hit you will be the size of the place. It's truly cavernous, with high ceilings and several floors (including the Old Joint Theatre). The ground floor has a large, central bar and lots of different seating options as well as a function room and a reasonably sized outdoor terrace area. This is an ale pub and the selection here is normally pretty good. Obviously you can get wine and spirits too, but the main selling point is the selection of different beers on tap which are changed quite regularly. A pint here isn't cheap, mind. I think you're looking between £3.50 - £4 for most of their ales, but as the beer is kept quite well (and it's not the place for a session), it's never really bothered me. The food here is pretty good too. They have a great selection of pies on offer and the prices seem to be fairly standard for decent pub grub. The one thing I will warn you of is how busy it can get of an eve. Even with a round bar, you can wait quite a while to be served on busy evenings (which are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). Thursdays and Fridays will always tend to be busier as it attracts the afterwork crowd, although Saturdays can be rammed if there is a special event on in Birmingham. If you're looking for a place for a quiet drink, you could try here Sunday - Wednesday evening (although even then it can be busy), but I would recommend seeing something at the Theatre if you get a chance. All in all, an impressive bar, nice food, a tad on the pricey side and can get very busy. Give it a go if you haven't been before. read more

Old Joint Stock - New craft lager at Old Joint Stock - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

Lovely traditional boozer slap bang in the middle of Birmingham city centre. If you are looking for a venue with some WOW factor this place has it.....big time. The venue is a former old theatre and the interior is beautiful! Vented ceilings with paintings and awnings covering most of the surfaces in the place as well as a beautiful dome window that is above the main bar in the centre of the room as you walk in. Behind the bar you will find a normal selection of spirits but the wine and ale lists are pretty comprehensive! I like to have a try of a few ales before committing to a pint and the bar staff I have encountered have always been happy to let me do just that. They always seem to know the lines and a bit about them which is nice. I have also eaten here.....I went for a Sunday roast a little while ago which was decent....not mind blowing but pretty good. I want to try the pies at some point......they are looking and smelling seriously good! Review soon :) read more

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Went here for a family meal On a Sunday. We heard great things about the Sunday dinners but unfortunately after sitting in the bar area for a bit we were told they had all sold out which was disappointing. We looked at their regular menu to decide what else to have and saw their pies which I think Is their speciality. I never normally have pies but these were amazing. I had a lamb one with everyone else having chicken or the vegetarian option. Mine was by far the best it was just so tasty and served with great mash and seasonal vegetables. Everyone else who tried mine also agreed that they would have got my one too, though they still really enjoyed theirs. The style and decor inside is really nice and great to look at on the balcony from which we were sat. They also have a really good range of beers with a lot from the fullers brewery. In particular I had Fullers imperial stout with my meal which was also a highlight. Haven't been back since but will 100% go back for the food, drink and great relaxed atmosphere. read more

Old Joint Stock - Imperial stout - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

Theatre AND Pub? My lord is there anything more perfect? It is actually a Fullers pub, which while a chain is one of the better ones out there for maintaining a pubs soul, not to mention stocking the best non-alcoholic beer, bitburger. There's high ceilings inside, ample seating and a nice big bar. Random stone busts decorate the tall arched windows, bringing the old into the new. There was nothing on in the theatre when I went - on a bank holiday they're missing a trick there - but we did have a sneaky peek into the auditorium which is a cosy 80 odd seater studio space. Reading the various paraphernalia I can see it has its own Musical Theatre company - exciting. The pub side is very popular and buzzing with life and people. It tries to push its pies - not a pie person myself, so spending £10 on a pie is a bit to mad. Just a stones throw away from New Street and opposite the beautiful St Phillips it's in a great location. read more

Old Joint Stock - Pies. All a little posher than the norm - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

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Despite this being a place I pass in the week when I'm popping into town, it's normally a weekend afternoon that I find myself here. I always head to the back tables on the ground floor. Friendly and swift service from staff who always look a tiny bit guilty for some reason. I've eaten here before. I don't recall when. Have a look at the venue on Google maps and it will show you the theatre upstairs! That's a factoid thing right? read more

This nice pub, with it's very high ceiling, classical decor and lighting is the perfect place to visit with friends. The ambiance and atmosphere here is very different to many other pubs and one which pleases tastefully. They offer good food and even curry, and although seating booths are available, it's best to sit by the large windows. You do have a bit of an echo in here, due to the large space, but the service is very very friendly, and the interior is very beautiful being a former bank. This is also famous locally for it's Ale and Pie menu, so if you do get a chance to visit, I would recommend this pub. Again one of those joints that's extremely popular after 5pm with local city workers clocking up the hours in here, but also quite popular on the weekends, and many local Birmingham and West Midland residents visit here occasionally. read more

Old Joint Stock - The Old Joint Stock pub - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

Old Joint Stock remains one of my favourite spaces in which to while away the hours; it certainly doesn't hurt that they've got a great selection of beers and sell a mean pie! Built in a repurposed former bank, it retains the grandeur of its former occupiers with its vaulted and domed ceiling and neoclassical decor. The dark wood central bar is impressive and welcoming, especially since the introduction of the customised hand pills for the ale. More intimate areas can be found around the mezzanine and in the club room, when it's open to the public, so there's a little bit everyone will enjoy. The London Pride I'm drinking this evening is one of the better kept examples of this ale, surpassing many of Fullers own pubs in its traditional heartland in the capital, and was sold to me by friendly and knowledgeable staff that, unlike in other chain establishments, will spare you time for conversation, other customers queuing permitting, of course. All in all a great place to have an after work beer, especially earlier in the week as it can get quite busy towards the weekend. read more

Old Joint Stock - Lovely new addition to the Fullers range: pale, hoppy and well balanced. - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

The beer selection is pretty good and so is the food menu. We paid £13 each for a steak pie, chips, and cooked veggies. Everything was just okay. I thought the pie crust was delicious, but the meat was dry and didn't have much flavor. It felt expensive for what we got and for the size of it as well. The gooseberry pie with vanilla custard was amazing though. Thus 3 stars. Mostly "okay" with a little good. ----- Changed to 4 stars because the business owner took the time to follow up with me. I appreciate that--thank you. I look forward to trying Old Joint Stock again! read more

Old Joint Stock - Steak pie, chips and seasonal veggies. - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

I aim to come back here to try the food too, it looked good- brought here by the bestie whilst we waited for our sushi booking slot. I'm really glad that they haven't let down the ceiling! I get really disappointed when people put rubbish and/or uninspiring pubs and shops in beautiful buildings (ahem, Wetherspoons, ahem, the apple rape of the beautiful building that was me favourite Waterstones), and these guys haven't disappointed. It felt nicely traditional, but not left behind keeping up with a decent range of beers, a gin menu etc. We cosied up in a pair of wingback chesterfield chairs of which their were plenty- it's nice when a place is packed which so many comfy chairs you don't have to fight over. We were only there for one, but it was a good one, and I would more than happily go here again. I'll update when I fill my face here. read more

Food (pie sampler) was tasty and quick. Bar service was friendly and didn't miss anyone.

Pub known for its pie and ale housed in a former bank. The interior is wonderful. There is also a theatre upstairs. Food very mediocre. I've had two bad experiences as a vegetarian here. The first was supposed to be a ravioli but was more like floury pierogi. The second - bangers and mash with mash so mustardy it was very difficult to eat. Summary: Go for a drink and admire the interior. Don't eat the food. read more

The Old Joint Stock (officially the 'Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre Venue') is a pub that I've walked by many, many times but until now never bothered to see what was behind the magnificent Roman Tuscan columns. The OJS is a pub with history. The building was built in the mid 1800's as a library for St. Philip's Cathedral. It went through several changes as a bank, and finally opened in its current form in 1997. The pub is part of the Fuller's Brewery chain and is the only one of their pubs in the greater Birmingham area. The interior not only hosts a massive bar and dining area, but a theatre that seats 100 in the back of the building. I could write about the architecture all day, but to summarize it features detail that you don't see in many buildings, especially pubs, and is capped by a beauty of a dome. The oblong bar in the middle of the downstairs area is large enough to host many of the Fuller's lineup of real ales as well as standards like Guinness. Surprisingly, they also offer a reasonable wine list. Brittany A. and I stopped in for a very early 4PM dinner on a Friday recently. Like most pubs, the OJS is self-serve with ordering at the bar. Given its interior volume, there are many tables of all sizes for patrons. Unfortunately, there are no dividers between floor areas, which means at a busy time, it can be difficult for those seated near the wall to get to the bar. Although it was only the late afternoon, the pub was already crowded and became even more so as 5PM approached. Fuller's pubs are well-known for their pies, and the centerpiece of this reputation is their Ale & Pie Tasting Board, which includes three of their ales and three mini pies for £16.95. However on this particular day there were no pies in stock that suited our tastes. Wanting a lighter dish, I ordered the sweet potato, feta, and spinach salad over quinoa entree while Brittany chose their tomato cream sauce gnocchi. Even with a large crowd looming, the bar was staffed well and we were able to order quickly. The food was prepared fast as well, with both dishes arriving to our table within 15 minutes. With my entree, the sweetness of the potatoes was balanced by the salad dressing that had a hint of horseradish, not too much to be overwhelming to the palate. Although the salad may not look like much in the photos, it was surprisingly rich, making it difficult for me to finish entirely. The gnocchi won't make you swear off a trip to Italy, but it was good enough that I would order it again. Both of the dishes exhibited a certain finesse in the ingredients and preparation that is almost unheard of from chain pubs. This upmarket feel extends to their excellent beers as well. I must confess that I am not fully versed in the Fuller's ale lineup, having only previously tried London Pride and their ESB. On this occasion I branched out and gave their Oliver's Island Pale Ale a shot. It's the latest ale added to their beer list and the first permanent addition since 2007. As a cask beer clocks in at 3.8% ABV (4.55% bottled). The beer is well balanced with a hoppy bite at the forefront, followed by a malty biscuit and orange zest note. The beer definitely makes me want to try others in their lineup. Fuller's encourages repeat visits, since you can join their mailing list and receive a coupon for a free beer the next day. Although the Old Joint Stock has not been on my regular list, based on this very positive experience I will plan to return to try their pies and explore the full range of ales. read more

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I absolutely adore this place and need to make more of an effort to visit often! Located near Colmore Row, it has an opulent exterior which invites you in to this character filled bar and restaurant (plus a theatre at the back which I am yet to visit). To say the Old Joint Stock is charming is an understatement. It is certainly something different to your usual modern, safely stylish city centre eaterie. We visited on a Sunday for lunch and it was great! The liver parfait starter was delicious, as was the Roast Beef main. I would struggle to find fault with anything. I worked my way through the selction of draught ales and left suitably merry! Writing this is making me want to round up some of my nearest and dearest and come here for Sunday lunch this weekend. It was an absolute treat. read more

An absolutely beautiful pub next to Pigeon Park (also known as Birmingham Cathedral). Previously a bank, so you can imagine how grand it is. As well as being a nice pub selling good pub grub and drinks there is a theatre. I've not attended a show but I hear good things. It often gets busy so I've struggled to get a table for food in the past. I've now eaten there twice and enjoyed both times. The first time I had fish and chips which was fantastic. The second time I visited for Sunday lunch. I had lamb and it came with a LOT of sides- Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, pigs in blankets, roasties, veg...I'd rather have the gravy on the side but they had poured it on, I suppose most people like a lot of gravy and you could easily ask for it without! It was £12.50 which was a little expensive but you do get a lot of good quality meat. There is a good range of drinks. I even spotted a Peaky Blinders ale! The Christmas drinks are super too, I will definitely be along to try the mulled sloe gin. read more

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I've only been here once for Sunday dinner, when we got there we were seated upstairs on the balcony beside the piano after a few drinks. The Sunday dinners I had heard so much about had been sold out so I was forced to have a pie.. I've never been a pie fan so wasn't sure how to take the news that I couldn't have my Sunday dinner Anyway, I ended up having a chicken pie and mash and it was beautiful. We went as a family so I tried a few different pies from around the table and they were all beautiful. I'd recommend this place 100% and might take my mum when she comes to visit next as it is very impressive inside. read more

The Old Joint Stock is an amazing pub with a built in mini theatre on the upper levels. The decor alone is one of the most stunning interiors in Birmingham; with its new romantic ceiling paintings and roman style busts dotted around the top of the walls, to its crystal chandelier hanging above the bar. The building once was a bank and its grand design has been kept intact. The bar situated in the middle of the first floor is always well staffed and despite how busy it is. I've never waited a long time to get served. Beers wine and a lot of imported ales on tap mean there is always something new to try. On Sunday's they have a live jazz band playing and they are amazing. They give the whole building a great atmosphere; I guess the acoustics of an old bank must be top end. Whether you are standing and watching or sitting at your table in mid conversation you'll find your self-moving to the smooth jazz beats without even realising. The theatre on the second floor is treated with the same love the bar is, there's always something on and often smaller independent theatre companies will be here doing warm up shows before tours. Food has a a strong British pride vibe, any beef and pies on offer here won't let you down. Helpings are a big deal for me, I'm a hungry young lad and this place has made me so happy every time I've been there with its generous portions. The prices are around the £10 per head mark but it's justified in its quality. A great place for a group of friends; or colleges. The surroundings are sure to inspire great conversation. read more

A typically Victorian building, the Old Joint Stock seems out of place in Birmingham's business district alongside Colmore Row, but do not let this deter you from what is a fantastic pub. Despite the relatively old features, the Old Joint Stock manages to provide a fairly modern atmosphere, with the large bar, consisting of countless draught points, ensuring that you're never waiting long for your pint(or whatever you decide to drink). Due to its location, the pub attracts a large amount of business men/women, who if anything aid the friendly atmosphere of the place. A great choice for a large group of friends, with a small, yet pleasant outdoor area for those who fancy a drink in the sun (for now). The food here is fairly average, although I saw burger after burger brought to different tables over the course of my stay, which in all honesty made me want to try a burger, a story for another day perhaps. Overall, the Old Joint Stock is brilliant pub and definitely worth a visit. Unlike many other pubs in the surrounding area, the large layout promotes that of a locals local, but it couldn't be any further from the case, welcoming all people who choose to head on in. 100% recommended. read more

One of my favourite pubs in Birmingham, All you have to do is go in and look up at the beautiful ceiling. The style of the pub is brilliant. Reminds me of Mary Poppins when the children go to the bank. Me and my collegues tend to go here for lunch. The sandwiches are very popular, especially the chicken, bree and cranberry! The food selection is good and they champion their pies which I have yet to try. My only criticism is the choice of ales and ciders are a bit limited. I would expect from such a traditional looking pub an equal drink menu. read more

I popped into the Old Joint Stock for a quick drink on a Wednesday night and the place was packed. It has been a few years since I last visited this venue but I found that little had changed. The interior decor and high vaulted ceilings are very striking, and the furniture and decor are comforting. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which was lovely. Although busy, my party of six managed to find a table. Somehow, despite being busy the venue was not overly noisy (perhaps something to do with those ceilings?). I did find that the patrons were a little overly corporate for my tastes but everyone seemed to be having a great time, which is ultimately all that matters! read more

We moved here after we were so rudely treated at The Alchemist across the road. It wasn't that busy, which was great and the inside of the building was like a museum, the ceiling is gorgeous, it really should be seen. The service was great, friendly and fast. We decided to grab a bit of food, the menu was simple enough, the delivery quick and it tasted great. A hidden gem that's well worth another visit in the future. Good job. read more

The Old Joint Stock is the only Fullers pub north of Bristol! That fact alone should convince any right-minded real ale fan to visit. Other than that it's probably the most beautiful pub in Birmingham, converted as it is from an impressive old bank. From the outside it's like no real ale pub you've ever seen, with huge roman-esque columns, and a huge front door. Inside the ceiling is two storeys high, and elaborately decorated. The 360 degree bar is itself in the centre of the room, and it quite a work of art in of itself. So anyway, back to the beer. The only real ale they serve is naturally Fullers, but they have quite a wide range within that scope. The place is actually a "Fullers Pie & Ale House", and I can vouch for their pies being top-notch. The two major problems with the place are a) it's quite expensive (a pint will set you back £3, pie&chips £8) b) it gets very busy around work-leaving hours. Because of it's central location it also attracts a lot of your typical city-financial-business types. Out the back there is a tiny beer garden, but if it's a ncie day you won't get a table, so it's kinda useless, except for the fact that you can walk through to the Wellington - a much more basic real ale pub, but with a far greater selection of ales :) read more

One of the most impressive pub interiors I have ever seen, The Old Joint Stock is a refurbished former bank located right on the square around St. Philips Cathedral. Eternally well attended, you will usually find the place full of suit-wearing businesspeople and well-to-do middle aged couples. The drinks selection is excellent, and the food is of a high standard. If you're in the mood for somewhere cheap, however, The Old Joint Stock is not the pub you are looking for. I would whole-heartedly recommend this as a place for after-works or lunchtime drinks, although you may want to get someone to arrive early and get a table, as it fills up quickly once the nearby workforce knocks off for the evening. read more

The OJS has a really impressive interior - being a former bank it's huge, and yet still manages to be welcoming, with polished brass and gleaming wooden tables. Well staffed, with an excellent range of Fullers ales (I particularly like Blue Moon, made with Valenica oranges and served with a slice of orange) and tasty, homely food, it's no surprise this city centre pub is always busy. A great place for beers and food with friends, highly recommended. read more

Amazing interior and a good range of ales. However, it is often very busy and full of suit types - expect to stand. I have to say I was very disappointed with the bar staff recently who seemed to do a great job at ignoring us and serving everyone else around us! It got so ridiculous we got fed up and left. ...however, If you DO get served and manage to find a seat, then enjoy! read more

Fantastic old style pub and is perfect for Sunday Lunch. The layout of the pub is slightly strange, with the bar in the middle and a small number of tables round the outside. But everything is so gorgeously styled you can forgive it for being a little out of the ordinary. The food is excellent and there is something to suit everyone and with a large range of beers available it is a very good place to expand your beer horizons! However, it is quite expensive and popular so at times you can't find anywhere to stand let alone sit so timing your visit is crucial, don't turn up just after working hours!! read more

I loved the joint stock pub, I was amazed at architecture inside, we actually came to visit little theatre upstairs, great evening would reccomend. read more

Old Joint Stock - Inside old joint stock - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

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The old joint stock gets a 4 stars from me. The building itself is truly amazing and feels just like you're in the original theatre. The decor is very traditional boasting statue heads and some great artwork. The atmosphere is on point. Because of this, the place gets quite busy whatever time of day. I will have to come again for food one day. They have a very interesting pie tasting board which I am very keen to try. I do love a good pie! read more

Old Joint Stock - Pubs Near Me - Birmingham, XWM

A little cracker! The pub is in a really good location, only a few minutes walk from the trains, shops and many offices. The range of beer and quality of the ale is very good. The best bit is the building. The architecture with its high glass dome, large central bar an spacious seating/standing areas make it a welcoming place. It ha a lovely buzz to the atmosphere when I was there. The service was also very friendly and efficient read more

Opposite St. Phillips cathedral The Old Joint Stock pub takes prime position in an imposing Grade II listed building built in 1862. Originally designed as a library, it was used as a bank until converted to a pub and hundred seat theatre (yes, theatre, bet you didn't know that) in 1997. The interior is grand: a balcony overlooks the triple height drinking space with beautiful bar floodlit by an impressive glass dome above, that lights crimson and gold wall coverings, carpets, artwork, dark wooden furniture, and period features. The bars around the Colmore Business District seem to go one way or the other: there are a few boozers such as Edmunds Lounge and The Old Contemptibles, and there are upmarket dining and drinking establishments like Bureau, Pure, Metro, and Opus. I can personally vouch for all of those listed. The Old Joint Stock may be grand, but it isn't fancy, this one is definitely on the "boozer" end of the scale. You won't be coming here after Fumo or Gingers for another cocktail served in a hipster jam jar - it's pint and pie territory, in fact they sell more London Pride than any other venue in the UK. We went to check out their Sunday lunch a couple of weeks' ago. We tried the Roast Chicken which was served with all of the normal accoutrements: roast spuds, green beans, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower, broccoli, gravy. I thought the chicken was a touch on the dry side, and the spuds were a little over done. Nevertheless it was tasty. The roast Sunday lunches start at about £11 for one course or £14 for two courses. We had the Eton Mess as dessert which was plentiful and well prepared, although it would've been better served in a glass rather than slopped on a plate. I had the chicken and chorizo pie (£13), and think it was much more successful than the Sunday lunch. It was served with peas, cabbage, a jug of gravy, and lovely mashed potato that was well seasoned with white pepper. The pastry was a little overworked so perhaps harder than it might've been, but I suspect it needs to be as they're served as attractive slender pies, and it was very full of lovely chicken in a chorizo gravy. There wasn't much Chorizo in evidence but the flavour was good. The food isn't outstanding but it's good enough for a feed while you're out drinking or pottering around town. Sometimes I want a good pie and a pint, and that's when I'd come back here. I mentioned earlier that there is a small theatre upstairs. It shows some random acts from comedy stand-up (including fabulously funny Brummy Aaron Twitchen) to straight plays. Tickets are rarely more than about £12. We've seen the fantastic Barbara Nice there (she got us all Bollywood dancing), and in October there's a show called "Einstein: Relatively Speaking" which sounds hilarious, and apparently it "features the wurst sausage joke ever". Tickets for that are just £10. A lacklustre performance on the food front but overall a nice venue read more

My husband and I met up with some friends here for out yearly get together. It was my first time here and it is a beautiful inside. They have a wide drink selection and the food is lovely. I would recommend this place to everyone. read more

The Old Joint Stock is the Victorian jewel in the Colmore Business District crown. Housed in a bank built in 1864, it is quite simply one of the most beautiful pubs I have ever stepped foot in. It is like drinking inside a really fancy wedding cake, or so I imagine. The gilded ceiling rises to a stunning dome and classical busts gaze down at drinkers from their pedestals on high. Chandeliers shine onto the intricately crafted coving and swags of tasseled velvet hanging at the windows. The central bar is a masterpiece in carved dark wood, with a handy clock at its heart. It is all very plush, but don't let the fancy surroundings put you off. The Old Joint Stock is one of the city centre's friendliest pubs. The after work crowd is distinctly testosterone heavy, this probably has something to do with the fine ales on offer. Men in suits stand around with pints in their hands, they are probably all talking about rugby, shares or something of a similar ilk. Later in the evening, everything mellows out and the gender balance returns. The food is typical pub fayre, with an emphasis on pies and British comfort food. It really is the perfect pub to visit after a hectic day of shopping or exploring the city. read more

Literally in and out as we couldnt find a table on a saturday afternoon but I would like to go back. Looks a wonderfully impressive building inside! read more

I've been here a few times with the meetup group before. It's pricy but the beer is good i've been told and normally I just stick to a soft drink. There's lots of variety to choose from and most of the time it's always busy atmosphere especially after work hours and over the weekends, but fairly quick bar service. and it's known for it's great pie (pork and cider), simple food done well. read more

A large airy pub on St Philips Square with a square bar in the middle, this is a nice place to go with friends away from the hustle and bustle of many city centre pubs and bars. It's not cheap, and there's a certain suit vibe in the week which stops it feeling casual. read more

This is possibly my favourite pub in Birmingham. The building is beautiful, the bar has a great variety and isn't over-priced, and the staff are always really pleasant. I've eaten there a couple of times too, and while the menu is a bit limited, the food is always good. It's worth noting though, that if you want to eat there on a Friday or Saturday night, it's best to prepare for quite a wait, as they get really busy. Consider booking a table, too. read more

Well you don't get many pub interiors like this though there are some in Edinburgh that come to mind . Its a Fullers pub and the beer is generally well kept but expensive and service can be poor but overall its a good pub . read more

Very decent city centre mega-pub well placed for meetings, lunch/dinner and a nice drink. I generally pop in here every couple of months or so for one reason or another. I like it and you can usually find a seat no problem. It's huge with a quieter room at the back. Food is good enough and fairly well priced given the location. The London Pride is probably the best I've had anywhere and always, at least in my experience over several years, consistent. read more

Very, very cute. I do like that the bar is an island in the middle of the room and the tables and seats that surround lend to a warm and cosy feel. It is one of my favourite places because it is a pub with a theatre on the top floor! I have been to a few shows there and they are really, very good. I would definitely recommend both the pub and the theatre. Both are reasonably priced and good fun :D read more