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Gas Street Basin, B1 2JU, Tel: 0121 248 7979;
Despite the name, this is a pub, though it doubles as a place to get tea & coffee and a bite to eat. It is an old lock-keeper's cottage in Gas Street Basin (by the iron bridge over the canal) and has the feel of a small country pub, being rustic and cosy (and warm, with a real fire) inside. Also has seating & tables outside by the canal.
Beer:
Between 2 and 4 ales (and a cider) on at any one time, always varying
and interesting, generally from micro breweries.
Excellent
Food: A selection of excellent
home-cooked food with an emphasis on vegetarian meals.
Excellent.
Last Visited: April 2013
Cambridge Street, B1 2NP, Tel: 0121 643 9460
Situated behind Symphony Hall, The Prince of Wales is a friendly city centre local. It is popular with the CBSO and you'll usually find a number of the musicians in here after a concert. The pub itself gives the impression of being a bid faded as far as the decor is concerned. The wall plaster which is in the "cake-icing" style is (probably deliberately) rather dirty. However, there is some interesting beer memorabilia and lots of the usual junk-shop-style knick-knacks on high shelves.
Beer:
About 6 ales on tap, including a guest.
23-02-11: The beers were Ansells' Mild, Wells Bombardier;
Gales Seafarers, Deuchars' IPA, Purity Mad Goose; St Austell Tribute.
Tried the last 4 (in bold) and all were
excellent.
Definitely recommend this pub.
Food: Snacks such as sandwiches and toasties; lunchtime only.
Last Visited: February 23, 2011
Gas Street / Gas Street Basin, B1 2JT, Tel: 0121 632 5602; website
Situated on Gas Street and also facing the canal behind. Rather dark, small and dingy inside with loud music being played to an uninterested clientele.
Beer: About 6 ales on tap, varying in quality. The Greene King IPA was excellent, but the Jennings Snecklifter was past its best.
Food: Food is available, but I didn't check it out.
Last Visited: November 10, 2009
Old Church Road, B17 0BB, Tel: 0121 428 4609;
Cosy pub next to the ancient St Peter's Church in old Harborne. It feels like a country pub inside with friendly service and good food. The bowling green at the back is still much used and there is seating next to the green. It was part of the Ember Inns group, but now seems to be independent?
Beer:
Two ales available, regularly changing.
Kept very well.
Food: Limited selection from menu at
good prices. Very Tasty - I especially
recommend the pies, but you must be hungry, they're quite substantial.
Last Visited: November, 2013. Regular visits every week or two.
Balden Road / Court Out Road junction, B32 2EH, Tel: 0121 428 4533; website. Parking is pay & display, but you get a refund when you buy a drink
Distinctive white pub with green tiled roof, built in the 1930s. Comfortable and welcoming with real fires in the winter. Part of The "Sizzling Pub" chain. The web site doesn't mention that they ever serve beer. How I hate these pub chains.
Beer:
Usually about 4 ales, usually from the Marston's portfolio, and rather
over-frothed
Food: The usual large selection of
pre-packaged food you'd expect from this sort of pub.
Last Visited: January 2011
2, High Street, by traffic lights, B17 9NE, Tel: 0121 428 3581; website Good parking at the back of the pub.
Large pub on the border of Edgbaston & Harborne. Owned by Ember Inns. Light most large pub company inns, it is geared towards eating rather than drinking, but it is large enough to have room for both.
Beer:
Usually about 4 ales, including Purity ales. Cask Marque accredited.
Very good
Food: Large selection, as you'd
expect from a pub company, but obviously all brought in.
Very Tasty.
Last Visited: December 2013
212, High Street, B17 8PT, Tel: 0121 428 2635; website
Iconic Victorian building at the junction of the High Street and Vivian Road, next to Waitrose supermarket. The Junction has been through it's ups and downs over the years, but on my recent visit seems to be popular with young people. The pub is rather dark inside, in the current trendy manner, with candles on all the tables.
Beer:
Usually about 4 ales, with Cask Marque accreditation.
Examples: Everard's Tiger; Sharp's Doom Bar. The beers are very
well kept.
Food: Good selection of slightly
pretentious-sounding meals at fair prices (£8 - £12 range).
Last Visited: August 31st 2010
21, High Street, B32 9NT, Tel: 0121 427 3678; website
Situated near the traffic lights, opposite "The Green Man" pub. A recent make-over has given this pub a new lease of life and the enthusiastic manager keeps the pub busy and interesting. As well as the traditional ales and good food, sweets (from large jars) and cakes are also on sale. Perhaps a bit too busy and popular for my liking, it is still worth visiting just for the experience and the beer, of course. The former bowling green at the rear is now a patio-garden, but does tend to contain a lot of smokers, which spoils the summer evenings here a little.
Beer:
Usually 3 or 4 ales, varying. Cask Marque accredited. Examples: Purity
ales; Wye Valley ales are nearly always available, plus guests from
small breweries within the Midlands, such as Bewdley ales, Kinver ales.
Kept very well.
Food: Large selection of late
breakfasts, other meals and snacks from menu at fair prices.
Last Visited: August 31st 2010
2, York Street, B17 0HG, Tel: 0121 427 8004; website
Small traditional Victorian pub on a side street off the High Street, the White Horse has been the place for traditional ales in Harborne for decades. It is now independent and always has a large choice of ales. Quiz nights Tuesdays & Thursdays. Large TV screen for sports events, so may be best avoided if you are (like me) not a sports fan.
Beer:
Up to 12 ales, varying all the time.
Kept very well.
Food:
No food.
Last Visited: August 31st 2010
