I have to admit, this is not my usual pub of choice. When you walk in it has that typical old…read moreworking mens club vibe... and smell! That aside the pub has been kept in great condition with pretty much all of the original features remaining which gives it that priceless 'back in time' feel when you walk in. However, if you're looking for a cheap pub that plays all the sports on TV then this is for you. I went with a friend to watch the football and have a couple of beers. Overall it had a nice chilled out vibe, unlike some of the city centre sport bars which can get a bit overwhelming at times. On a Sunday they have a free music event upstairs which plays everything from Jazz and soul to rock and country music. Personally I wish it was on every night as it really does provide the perfect soundtrack to such a characteristic classic venue.

This is the best pub in Birmingham by a country mile. I've been using The Old Mo (as its known) for…read morewell over a decade and it's a home-from-home. If the TV show Cheers had been made in Birmingham then it would have been set here - literally, everybody knows your name. Even though I don't get down there as much as I used to (when I lived a few hundred years away!) I'm always greeted by name by both the bar staff and some of the locals. It's a genuinely friendly place with great beer that is a PROPER PUB. Some might call it an 'Old Man's Pub', which is completely fair, but that's what is so great about it. It's a particularly great place to watch sport, and football and cricket in particular. The locals are a knowledgeable crowd when it comes to both games and there is always a lively and friendly discussion to be had. They have recently started doing a different range of foods. You can get a pretty decent roast on a Sunday for around £4 and there is often a curry night that is well worth a visit. The curry is cooked by the landlord's wife and is excellent home cooked Indian food. The only word of caution I would offer about this place is to be careful when leaving late at night. It's not in the best or safest part of town and there have been a few nasty incidents in the park behind the place. These are pretty rare, in fairness, but I would recommend taking a cab home, or else going in sufficient numbers and with your wits about you, if travelling on foot.

The Ceol Castle is popular with late night revellers but also is a nice place to have a quiet…read moremidweek pint. With a function room in the back which hosts live music at the weekends and a more sedate bar out front, it's a bar or two sides. A Jukebox in thr front bar keeps things boppin' along and of course TV screens give you something to distract upon. It's quite a cosy place in the front bar, with a real pub interior and soft lighting. Smokers can pop out into the front terrace for a cigarette which is pretty conveniently located throough a side door front the front bar. Weekends see the venue open the rear of the pub which holds a stage and dancefloor and sees the pub manned by a couple of bouncers. The Ceol Castle is a nice enough place for a midweek drink and offers a lively venue a the weekend, if you're passing sometime in the week and the lights are on, pop in for a pint and i'm sure you'll appreciate the subtle charm of the front bar.

First up, a gripe about listings. On many places on the web, the Ceol Castle is listed as being in…read moreMoseley, whereas I would class it as being in Balsall Heath......anyway, unless you use the number fifty bus route on a regular basis, you may well not even know about the existence of this pub as it's hidden away from the beaten track and you'd be unlikely to pass it when driving in a car. Anyhow, it's a nice pub, relaxing during the day, lively at night (especially on weekends). I like the way the pub keeps true to it's Irish roots without becoming some sort of ghastly theme pub, keeping the Irish bric a brac to a minimum whilst still serving a great pint of Guiness and putting on a cracking Irish band every now and then. The Ceol Castle's prime selling point is as a venue for live music and DJs, with events most weekends.It serves pretty late on weekends - it's not uncommon to see people leaving there at four or even five in the morning. All in all, a good pub, and one you should definitely check out if you live in the area.

Smoking food and music…read more The Dark Horse is a quintessential Moseley pub, full of the friendly bustle that you can expect from the area. The venue itself is a welcoming space with plenty of seats both inside and out, there's a full bar on offer with a variety of spirits that I'd imagine will have something for all tastes. Food is tasty BBQ style smoked meat and pizzas made in the pizza oven sitting roaring away in the back. I had the smoked meat platter and everything on offer had a deep smoky flavour with plenty of "narl". The Dark Horse lives up to it's name however by having a large space upstairs that they use when the night gets later and everyone gets their dancing shoes out, we had a great night listening to the house band and the DJ after that.

You guys rock, Atmosphere 10/10, Service 10/10, Food 10/10, We can find no fault here at all. Ok,…read moreif you really want fast food, then go to McDonalds. The Dark Horse they take pride in their food, service and presentation. We came here for Sunday lunch recently and we got tons of food. We were both extremely surprised and very happy with the amount and quality for the price we paid. Nothing is too much trouble, the staff are always lovely and friendly. Food allergies? no problem here at all as any questions can be asked and answered quickly and helpfully. The aroma when the smoker door opens is amazing and the stone pizza oven produces fantastic pizza too. What more can I say except, you guys really do rock.

I got to the pub for the Daytime Menu, and I was starving, luckily the Hare and Hounds has a large…read moremenu of tasty sandwiches, omelets, pancakes and burgers on hand to stimulate my culinary desires. I tried the recommended Organic Burger £6.50 with chunky chips and side salad. It was a clean plate of food with a healthy sized burger that tasted fresh and wholesome, the way a good burger should be. It was only until after I had devoured my meal that I noticed the large selections of Ales they have on offer from breweries across the country. My friend indulged in a reasonably priced IPA whilst I had a Coke as I had to drive home. Well, the car got left outside overnight, I couldn't drive home in the end. Crowds of chain smoking revelers outside were anticipating the arrival of a band at one of the Hares' two live music rooms. I noticed that UB40's first ever gig took place here in 1979 - commemorated recently with a PRS Music Heritage award and plaque - to establishing itself as one of the top small music venues in Birmingham. We were in for a good night! We had a few more ales and the band came on in the Main Room. The acoustics and smaller intimate feel of the venue put a big smile on my face, so did the band, so did the night. The Hare and Hounds is definitely the place to visit.

There are many great venues in Kings Heath, but one that often comes up in conversation is the Hare…read moreand Hounds. This is not just a great little pub, but a bustling music venue that covers a huge range of genres (it can be forgiven for the blue plaque stating "UB40 played here"). Easy to get to on the number 50 bus and with plenty of on-street parking (if you're not drinking, of course) available, it's well located on Kings Heath High Street. Like so many of the great venues in Birmingham, the exterior is smart and well kept (giving off a "traditional village pub" vibe). The interior isn't hipster, but rather twee and portraying a feel of antiquity. There are comfy booths and plentiful tables and chairs, but this venue can get very busy due to it's reputation and collection of fiercely loyal regulars. It has a smoking area just off the street (at the side of the pub on York Road), which is a great place to start chatting with the other frequenters. Last Friday we ended up having great conversations with total strangers about the cost of the Bloody Mary in London and Don Letts (who is due to be appearing at the venue soon). As with so many of the bars in this "up and coming" area, a drink aint cheap. It certainly isn't as bad as some Central bars - but you are looking over £3 a pint .It was £1.90 a half of guinness (rather than £1.80 as previously stated), making a full pint of the black stuff £3.90. A double vodka and tonic was north of £5. That being said, I still believe the venue is worthy of 4* (for it's fantastic atmosphere and well kept decor). If you are a keen Muso, I would recommend regularly checking the listings. There are some really great events being put on right through the year with big and small names rocking the H&H. If you're in Kings Heath, I recommend this as a bar to check out - but being based on the High Street and York Road; you are spoiled for choice in this area.

Hidden gem. Beautiful family run pub in the heart of digbeth with live music and events. Lovely…read morescotch eggs and cobs on offer with friendly bar staff

Do you suffer from the chain pub blues? Well, The Spotted Dog is here as a perfect cure for what…read moreales you! This pub is located in Deritend/Digbeth and has the look and feel perfect for Brum's Irish Quarter. It has a real sense of place and history, as should any pub with its own theme song (seriously, check it out on youtube). The landlord John has built a reputation as a friendly face of the pub and representative of the neighbourhood. In a sea of bars and gastropubs serving £12 'craft' cocktails, the Spotted Dog serves as a landmark of sanity. The pub has a charmingly worn interior that is ridiculously clean for a boozer in Digbeth. Table tops adorned with candles sit inside, while a side door through the lounge exits onto what is probably the best covered garden in the whole of Brum. The drinks menu is simple yet satisfying. You'll find some of the usual suspects like Guiness on draft in addition to several rotating real ales. Liquor covers a breadth of options, with regular specials. On jazz night (Tuesday), Bushmills Irish Whiskey can be had for a pound and certain ales for £2.50. Even on a normal night, The Spotted Dog is one of the best values in Birmingham. The pub opens at 5PM most nights (sometimes later in the winter). Crisps are offered as the only snack, so you'll want to plan for food accordingly. The customer service is above expectations. A friend and I stopped in one evening right as the pub opened to sip some whiskey. As the first and only customers for over an hour, John shared with us some special Polish vodka a personal friend had brought to him. One of his bartenders asked what music to put on over the sound system and his reply was 'anything you want, as long as it's Bo Diddley'. These types of charmingly quaint memories are what makes The Spotted Dog so special for me. If you are in search of a proper Irish pub experience, look no further than The Spotted Dog.

Steve Hillage Band 31 March 2023 in the Main Room.This was probably one of the most disappointing…read moreconcerts I have ever attended. The Venue is very quaint and the staff are extremely friendly (with the exception of the woman running the cloak room (£4 per coat). There is a nice bar and drink prices are not extortionate (£7 per pint). No cash taken, all transactions are using cards. The problem is the sound quality and I suspect the in-house PA system. The sound quality was absolutely horrendous. When the band hit certain frequencies it sounded like a chain saw going off. The abysmal sound quality totally ruined the concert. I think the band must have been aware of the sound issues as the seemed to pulling faces at each other. I certainly would not consider coming back to see any band at this venue. Such a shame.

This venue has changed hands and names more times than I care to remember. I have been going to…read moregigs, club nights and events at this venue for about 10 years, but I have only been to the venue as "The Institute" 2 or 3 times. The building itself is really quite beautiful. With a lovely stone entrance and lovely sandstone detail, you might have missed how nice it actually is when there are queues and queues of people waiting for gigs outside. The interior is quirky too. There are at least 3 different areas in this venue; the Library, the Institute and a roof area (which hosts private events). Last night I was at the venue to see Lamb at the Institute. Being a bit wise to door opening times vs. actual band times (and having been warned that the support act were a little sub par), we grabbed some food at Rico Libre before heading down to venue for 8:30pm. The doors were technically 7pm and the main act was due on stage at 9pm, so consider that a rough guideline to timings if you are planning to attend a gig here in the near future. Good job we had, had some drinks before the gig too! A pint will set you back £4.40 at this venue during a gig night (spirits are even more expensive). Saying that, the set up and sound were pretty good last night. I have attended nights where the sound has been pretty bad before, so I was pleased that the sound and lights were pretty good for last nights band. If you want a space at the front for a gig here, get to the venue early. Queuing for gigs normally starts pre-doors time and can get a little manic. If you're not fussed, head to venue around 1.5 to 2 hours after doors to casually saunter in, grab a pint, have time to use the facilities before catching the main act. This venue is A Ok. It's not the best I've been to before, but it's certainly not the worst.

This was an unexpected live music venue for me and on my first visit here I was convinced we were…read moreactually going to The Old Crown instead. I first came here to see a Long Island, NJ band called Iron Chic for a measly £5, not to mention a host of Brit supports. On approach if it wasn't for the sights of a battered van and hearing the soundcheck I would have doubted a gig was happening here. Once in the bar its just like a proper old man's boozer, with cobs on the counter and scratchings behind the bar. The best feature of the bar though is Amos, the pub's resident Tabby Cat who has his own bar stool. That resulted in big thumbs up all round and the gig hadn't even started yet. Showtime arrived in that uncertain, watching everyone else, exodus sort of way. Following the crowd out into the garden where the show was to take place under an old parachute canopy, space heaters were at the ready and the band set to play in a wooden cabin as a stage. A complete DIY ethic sort of a place, with a mix of old boys and young punks. The gig was amazing. Go visit Amos the cat and maybe catch a band or play some dominoes.

This venue is a great surprise for every music fan, because initially, the generic old pub look…read morefrom the outside makes you question exactly how it could hold any sort of vibrant live performances. When I got inside, I was greeted by a what I thought was an 'old man's' pub, and I still wasn't convinced that this really was a venue. I struggled to find the garden area, and I was a little too scared to ask punters or staff where it was. I'm not sure why I was scared, but once I plucked up the courage, I was warmly directed to the right door, and realised that the regulars are actually very welcoming. So my lesson was learnt there, you shouldn't stereotype! Once I entered the garden, I finally realised what the fuss was all about, and found a large area full of diverse people, from punks to rastafarians to indie kids. This particular night that I went to was a reggae and ska night, and the sound system in the corner was amazing. It did all the bands the justice they deserved, and I can see why many musicians agree to perform here. The night had a very 80s feel to it, and the pub decor itself also held that lovable (yet dated) feel. I am a fan of retro things! There's also a further room upstairs in the garden, which is usually used for bands to practice in, but on that night, there was a reggae DJ in there. This space is also amazing to be in, and the walls were covered in artwork to expand on musical vibrancy.

Whether it be top bands or comedians, at some point in their career they have probably stopped by…read morethe Glee club. Situated inside the Arcadian, the actual door to the comedy venue is an unassuming one (although you can also get in via the much more obvious bar/patio area). I have seen Richard Herring (always a winner), Dylan Moran (a huge disappointment), David O'Doherty (so funny I had to go to the loo several times during the performance) and many other notable acts in their "intimate" rooms upstairs. Well, that's not fair - the ROOM isn't intimate, it's the seating arrangement that will make you feel like a rollmop. Ticket prices are pretty hard to beat too. It's always a great line up at the Glee and I don't believe I have paid more than £15 to see a top comedian perform live. The drinks prices are another matter, but that's to be expected in a venue. They do reasonable deals on "buckets" (bottles) and jugs of beer. The food is a reasonable selection of bar food, so don't expect a Michelin starred meal. It's perfectly serviceable to quench your hunger pre or mid show, but again, is a little pricey for what it is. Due to where it's situated, some great restaurants do pre-theatre menu's which are much more tasty and better priced. If you're looking for a top spot to see some world class comedy, check out the Glee club. It's not fancy, it's not cheap to eat and drink; but depending on your taste in comedy and comedian, you might just have ROFLtastic night.

Company night out. We had to contribute for the bond... which I think is quite excessive. Anyway we…read moregot it back and used it for the booze kitty later. Christmas meal, and pudding.... I felt rushed eating this.... The food was well prepared. Sorry but I don't like the use of frozen brussels. There must be a reason why they are so strict, it does tend to take a shine off the evening. We we waiting for our organiser, and they arrived about 10 mins before the doors closed, but the door staff weren't very accommodating. The Comedy: Never heard of the two guests. They weren't bad, but I felt the compare was better... Our group aren't the disco types, so left at that point. If I went again, I wouldn't go as a group, and I would be selective about the acts that appeared.

I'm seriously disappointed with myself that I hadn't actually heard of jam house before, I love…read morethis sort of place, so I'm glad it ended up being introduced to me. Owned by jools Holland you can expect to see some seriously awesome (and rather loud) live music, and quite a mixed crowd - we were rather entertained by a very grumpy looking middle aged couple. Drinks are reasonably priced, but it did take a very long time to get served, the staff seemed pretty chilled out, and there were a good number of pushy customers. The place is well kept, there are some pretty features like the ceiling and sculptures, and it's a good place for **proper** dancing. One thing I will say, is that it took an odd turn after the band finished, where it's went from soul, blues, jazz and a little 80s goodness that fitted in quite well to 90s club music, which just seemed really strange to us. Saying that, I would definitely go again.

Located in the heart of the jewellery quarter of Birmingham the Jam House occupies a traditional…read moreand Historic Georgian building with seating spread over three stylish yet informal airy floors. Both food and drink are expensive in here, but good quality and the live music is fantastic but stay away if you do not like it loud!

This has to still be biggest and most respected music venue in Birmingham bringing the world's…read morebiggest DJs to the city on a weekly basis. Over the years the venue has grown from a small pub with a courtyard space to a complex of venues including the warehouse, terrace, textile factory, garden, beach and most recently the black box. The versatility of the spaces means that the venue has managed to remain interesting and keep thousands of party people making the trip to the top of Digbeth high street on a regular basis. You only have to look at the venues website to see the many things that are going on here week after week. If house music is your thing this place is well worth a look!

This is deffinately becoming one of my favourite places for a night out…read more The roof terrace has been renovated and is hosting some sick nights throughout the summer with some incredible dj's creating such a good vibe on a Saturday night. It's a little escape in the centre of Birmingham with like minded people just there for a good time! If you haven't been yet you have to go! I'm finding it very difficult not to go every week!