Latest reviews from Birmingham Hockley
| 58 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “Visited with Mat Thursday early evening, 25th January 2024 while in the area on a crawl. Under a railway arch, brightly lite place, open plan with the bar straight in front at the back, loads of wooden barrels to your left as entering, all had beer or peoples names on them, or seemed to. Sadly there were no Barrel Aged beers on offer, just a host of Attic beers on keg lines, no real ale or cash allowed! Pretty quiet customer wise, we shared three new rates and moved on, could have had multiple hits, but we were on a Mission! All a bit too bright, modern and minimalistic for my liking, I still prefer the tradition pub over these new 'hipster bars'.“ |
| 64 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “Called in with blackhaddock on a crawl through Brum. It's a short walk from the centre, near to Indian Brewery, also under a railway arch. Barrels line the wall as you walk in, you wonder what sort of barrel-aged delights await, only for there to be none on tap. There is however a good number of other Attic beers to choose from, most floating around the 4% - 6% ABV range, nothing too wacky. Fridge had a lonely-looking Lambiek Fabriek 75cl plus a few Attic cans. Pizza also made in a small room by the entrance, Bermondsey-style. Unfortunately did not accept cash, and I didn't have my card, so Jeremy had to foot the bill. Overall, it's a bit smarter and cleaner than some of the Bermondsey bars, definitely a worthy stop to acquaint oneself with Attic, but their beers generally lack excitement, and its a shame there were no barrel-aged beers on.“ |
| 76 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Excellent pub
Solid selection + knowledgeable and helpful staff
About 20 min walk from the city center
Highly recommendable
“ |
| 76 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Thank god for ratebeer. Otherwise I would have passed this little gem
Located in an industrial estate
Solid tap and bottle/can selection
Also a fine patio
“ |
| 68 /100 19 HALL STREET “We had did not find this place at first
Asked some locals…but they did not know. And we were almost outside the pub
Then as lightning from clear blue sky….a taxi driver wondered if we were looking for craft beer
Yes of course…..(he did see my T-shirt). The YELLOW door man
A-ha….
Cool nice place. I loved the interior
Good service and friendly people
Decent beer selection
“ |
| 72 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “A quick visit in July beneath the arches. The layout is similar to the main tap room in Stirchley just on a smaller scale. On entering, barrels on the left, makeshift toilet room to the right, bar ahead with fridge slightly to the right of this. Around 11 options I noted but it was just a flying visit. A couple of guest but mostly Attic some of which are becoming quite regular so I only found two new rates. However, I've currently had the most Attic beers on this site so that is probably just me.
Not the most cosy of places and a little out of the centre. Scope for improvement but a nice option to have.“ |
| 68 /100 19 HALL STREET “I hadn't managed to get into the new R&R brewhouse due to difficult opening hours and it now doesn't open until 3pm on Saturday's, I used to like the old version with its 60's vibe. This appears to be more 80's in feel but still like a University mess room with music pictures, a stage and records. Purely R&R Brewhouse beers on sale, the range hasn't really moved on, sticking mostly to their tried and trusted beers. It was quiet on our visit, the room is above the brewery with a pleasant malty aroma along with sweaty cushions. Well worth a visit despite the tricky opening times, although I still slightly preferred its predecessor.“ |
| 66 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “This is underneath the Railway line out of Snowhill Station, just down Water Street from the Wolf. Getting used to these arrangements now, quite a big, open space with the bar down the far end and a written up board with the beer names on. The beers were principally their own but I did notice a guest on. Bench seating with plenty to go around on our visit, we were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was a reasonable crowd in there. As with many of these types of tap it lacks atmosphere but it is well worth having a look, particularly with its vicinity to the Wolf.“ |
| 70 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “Arrived at around 4:15 on a Friday. Typical tap in an industrial unit/archway set up. Barrels down one aide. Fresh paint. Pretty spacy. Alresdy a decent crowd. My main complaint was that the beers were listed on a chalkboard and they hadn’t written down all the styles so had to ask what some of them were.
I checked @jmgreenuk’s review because I couldn’t remember exact number of taps (I was too busy trying to herd my colleagues into confirming what they wanted to drink). Review mentions 10 but I think more were more on yesterday. There were 4 guests (all Attic collabs, 1.was a cider), and I reckon at least 8 of Attic’s own beers. Only remember the one sour - an Attic/Pastore collab. Worth dropping into even though I don't think their beers are particularly great.“ |
| 70 /100 ARCH 32 WATER ST “A rustic warehouse style bar located under a railway arch in Hockley with seating for around 60 people and full of barrels! Opened May 2023. They have 10 taps of mainly their own beers and a small can / bottle selection. Helpful staff. Working WiFi. Just 10 minutes walk from Snow Hill station and close to The Wolf. Card only. No cash. Looks like they have installed heating for the winter months and they are going to need it. No food at the time of writing but I understand it’s on the way!“ |
| 76 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Visited February 2023. Ratebeer Birmingham Beer Crawl Stop 7 with Rich, Fergus, Colin and Gene.
Típico pub inglés cunha boa selección de Ales.
Next one please!“ |
| 80 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Visited February 2023. Ratebeer Birmingham Beer Crawl Stop 6 with Rich, Fergus, Colin and Gene.
Un sitio un tanto escuro pero agradable. Persoal moi atento, ambiente un tanto heavy por chamalo dalgunha maneira. Moi agradecido de poder visitar este sitio.
Next one please!“ |
| 76 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Visited briefly on a pun brawl. Smallish two room place with a nice beer list and friendly staff.“ |
| 64 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “About a 20 minute walk out of the city center in a neighborhood that has seen better days. Dark interior has a serving bar and a bunch of bar tables, plus a pool table. Elevated deck in the car park gave us a great view of the blight, but also of the sunset. Staff were very friendly and enthusiastic and knew the beers well. The beers need a bit of work. Not unpleasant, just rough around the edges. No food. Only if in the area anyway.“ |
| 70 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “I visited October 2022 on a Monday early evening. Classic old pub feel with a central bar near the entrance with seating either side and a room or maybe two behind the bar.
Decor was cleaner and more recently refurbished compared to the Wellington and all the better for it. Very good cask beer options, maybe a couple less pulls compared to the Wellington but different beers on offer which is great.
Atmosphere was dead and melancholy even compared to other pubs nearby on a Monday night. Maybe a couple of punters compared to around 12 at the Red Lion. A shame as the beer options are far superior.
Will return at a more popular time.“ |
| 80 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Nice relaxed feel to this place when I visited on an early Saturday afternoon. Well decorated, decent artwork and not pretentious. All on one floor - effectively a bar room and a slightly smaller side room. Good tap list of around 14 beers, many quite local so rates will be here if you are visiting the area. I didn't try the food, Staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
Slightly out of the way if you are on a pub crawl but worth it.
I will return and provide a fuller review.“ |
| 66 /100 Red Lion (Urban) (Bar) 95 WARSTONE LANE “Visited on a Monday evening. Obviously quiet but there were still around 8-9 people frequenting. It has two rooms with a central bar. The first room is quite a small affair, cosy and traditional. Slightly more spacious second room at the back. From previous visits several years ago I suspect there is still an upstairs available for when it gets busy although maybe used more for eating.
On my visit there were 9 taps and 2 cask available. Mainly standard stuff although they had 3 taps from Laine on my visit. Unfortunately the only one I didn't have had run out but I managed to find an Old Mout cider on tap that I hadn't had.
Staff were friendly and helpful. It's a good pub just don't expect to pick up many new beers from here.“ |
| 74 /100 1000 Trades (Bar) 16 FREDERICK STREET “A nice small craft beer and wine bar. 4 cask and 5 keg options, mostly new to me. Strange woody aroma on entering through the black curtain covering the door. Visited on a Monday evening - was obviously quiet but there were a few tables in use and wasn't a dead atmosphere. Some standard wooden tables and seating, a few high stools, one comfortable looking booth. Has a stylish craft fair feel to it. Kitchen at the end serving quite a few 'posh' fish and chip options as well as burgers. Standard prices but didn't try the food. Nice option to have in the Jewelry Quarter of Birmingham.“ |
| 72 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Visited a couple of weekends ago. Decent range on keg. Superb cheese toasties.“ |
| 74 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Love a taproom on a nondescript industrial estate. A warm welcome awaits. Some inside and outside seating. Around 10 beers on keg were available on my visit a couple of weekends ago. Most pales & IPAs, but for something different the brett IPA was superb.“ |
| 86 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “One of those rare place for me, where you come for a quick sample and decide to stay and spend the afternoon. Shabby chic interior, well curated tap list, tasty food and great music. Corner location, easy to get to. Great service. Very relaxed vibe. Love it here.“ |
| 66 /100 Pig & Tail (Bar) 12-13 ALBION STREET “Decent bar/restaurant in Hockley. One room which has a long bar, replicating an almost US diner feel but posh and a bit twee. The beer is decent without being outstanding: a few keg beers from decent UK craft outlets. I got a pint when I asked for a half, a real bugbear of mine which happens way too often. An okay place which I wouldn't return to but it was passable on first visit.“ |
| 74 /100 1000 Trades (Bar) 16 FREDERICK STREET “Decent little craft beer place in Hockley. They offer two cask, five keg plus some ciders. They mostly centre on good breweries from the West Midlands such as Attic and Fixed Wheel, which is great in a way, but if you live in the area you will have tried many of these beers before. It's a neat little place, serving proper beer, but short of being one of the top pubs in Birmingham.“ |
| 68 /100 19 HALL STREET “The sign at the entrance to this brewhouse serves as a warning. This is not a pub! (No chicken nuggets, crap beer, Prosecco etc). I like a challenge so I went on in. The Rock & Roll Brewhouse is a gorgeous set-up, with quirky table settings, music paraphernalia and a pre-announced musical setlist including the obscure as well as the well-loved. They also seem to stay open until the beer runs out, so you might want to aim to get there early. They had cans available but the three handpull casks were safe styles (pale, pale, golden bitter. I had the latter and it was well-made. Verdict: not a destination but worth checking out as it's not too far from other Hockley gems (Jewellers Arms, 1000 Trades).“ |
| 70 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “Decent Black Country pub in Hockley. Only a few diners but the smell of the food is strong here (not that I'm complaining). Otherwise it reminds me of the Leicester Black Country pubs: friendly and homely with about eight cask ales and a couple of ciders. Not a lot of ticks for me today, but it's still got good beer in a more old-fashoned atmosphere. Prices not all that bad for Bimingham. Can be missed but you won't be disappointed if you give it a go.“ |
| 82 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Now this is what I call a brewery taproom. Simple and friendly outlet on an industrial estate with 10 of their own beers on (1 cask, 9 keg). Nothing too wacky, they tend to concentrate on hoppy pales with a couple dark beers, a saison and a sour. The quality of Burning Soul's output is impressive so worth a visit for that reason alone. Some takeaway cans incase you're in a hurry. A highly recommended stop in Hockley.“ |
| 82 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Ooh yes this is my cup of tea. A smallish muted little pub that has the feel of an older cafe. Don't be fooled by the sheep's clothing: Wolf offers an incredible range. 16 beers/ciders on keg, not all of these will be the most exciting recipes (e.g. Vocation Heart & Soul) but they also carry heavyweights like BBNo, Attic, Adroit Theiry, Vault City. Can/bottle list of 30-40 keenly chosen (and priced) beers. Some nice mid-week specials, such as 20% off packaged beers on Thursdays. At time of writing table service only. Just short of an absolute must, but it's a real winner.“ |
| 56 /100 Lord Clifden (Bar) 34 GREAT HAMPTON STREET “Sitting prominently on the main road through the Jewellery Quarter, this is a multi-roomed pub with a large beer garden at the rear, although I never made it here as the weather wouldn't allow, sat in the room in the central area where natural light doesn't reach. Not the most eclectic selection of beers on my visit back in 2017 - I ended up having a cask ale called after the pub and have never found out who brewed it so my rate is permanently in limbo on that one.“ |
| 56 /100 Drop Forge (Bar) 6 HOCKLEY STREET “Conversion of part of a warehouse into quite a modern looking bar and eatery, with a mix of food tables and sofas around a bar on the back wall. Served four cask ales on my 2017 visit but nothing too spectacular found here, only a re-rate for me if I remember rightly.“ |
| 58 /100 Rose Villa Tavern (Bar) 172 WARSTONE LANE “Historic traditional red brick freestanding pub on one corner of the Chamberlain Clock road junction in the Jewellery Quarter. A little worn looking during my 2017 visit, the ambiance is what you come here for as the beer selection is fairly bland, although there was a local cask microbrewer represented here that was at least new to an out of town visitor like me.“ |
| 60 /100 Red Lion (Urban) (Bar) 95 WARSTONE LANE “Traditional urban pub downhill from the Chamberlain Clock on Warstone Lane. It's a two roomed affair, front and back with a central bar. It's well lit in the day with natural light through its front windows but the rear is all artificial light. Sadly no 'Urban' brews on my visit in 2017, but maybe that has changed since. I did find something new and it's a nice place to frequent.“ |
| 64 /100 Pig & Tail (Bar) 12-13 ALBION STREET “Wonderful historic pub in an industrious area of the Jewellery Quarter sporting a stain glassed heavy front with the bar perpendicular to this on the back wall, so most of the seats are by the window. I visited on a sunny enough Spring day so experienced quite a light and airy afternoon behind the glass. The selection here isn't that extensive, although that was in 2017 so may have improved, but you're basically coming here for the history and atmosphere, or maybe the food, but I did find a macro cider here I had not experienced before.“ |
| 72 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Keg focussed modern bar at the start of Constitution Hill. Has a small service area on the right after you enter with a fridge of beers to compliment its selection. Visited earlier in the day on a weekday so not much happening on my visit but the choice is decent enough.“ |
| 68 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “A recently restored street corner pub, quit traditional layout with an L-shaped bar serving 12 cask ales, emphasis on the Black Country Ales. Divided into different seating areas, and an outdoor space the front of the entrance. Polite service. Cozy ambience. (Visited with Finn 06.02.2020).“ |
| 66 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “Cozy corner pub with an ok selection.“ |
| 74 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Stopped by here with SHN. Very interesting spot, with decent beer list. Even the big raters can find new ticks here. Price was decent too.“ |
| 72 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Stopped here with SNH. Solid beers and taps, decent spacious tap room. Wasn't to overly packed on Saturday.“ |
| 76 /100 1000 Trades (Bar) 16 FREDERICK STREET “A nice, cosy, city centre pub in the Jewellery Quarter. Lots of brick and wood, in keeping with the area. They have 17 taps including 4 cask ales, all well kept. CAMRA discount too on cask ales. Friendly staff who love their beer. Well worth a visit and I will surely return.“ |
| 24 /100 Wine Lord (Beer Store) 106 CONSTITUTION HILL “Jan '19 rating = 24. No longer a beer shop, very few bottles on sale and those that are on sale are easily available elsewhere. No longer worth a visit. Feb '17 rating = 66. Amazing little shop on Constitution Hill, reasonably close to the back end of Snow Hill Station and handily placed between Lone Wolf and Burning Soul. The beer selection is to the right as you go in, not the biggest selection but some good American imports and well chosen bottles. The service is attentive, if not fully up to speed on the beers. The spirits section is stacked to the roof, you feel as if in an Aladdins cave of drink. Well worth a look if just for that.“ |
| 80 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “Another in the ever expanding Black Country Ales stable of pubs, this is bang in the middle of the Jewellery workshops in this very traditional part of Birmingham just a couple of minutes walk from the Railway Station and Tram Stop. Friendly and welcoming it is much larger than you would expect from outside and whilst having very new fittings retains the character of a Birmingham local. The normal Black Country Ales beers are available then 7 changing casks, sourced from far and wide. There is food available but no fixed menu, it's whatever they are cooking on the day, Faggots, Mash and Peas on our visit. The Jewellery Quarter is very much the up and coming area in Brum and this is a great addition.“ |
| 74 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “26/10/17. Distressed, unashamedly canine-aping interior with an added whiff of reality like it's actually been reclaimed from a skip or demolished office block. Recently. Overpainted Artex ceiling with tumble drier pipes festooned from it. Some shit airport lounge detective novels on a shelf. Just what kind of revolution have BrewDog started? Toilets bleached like a newly inhabited Mediterranean apartment. Another bonus. HIGH CHAIRS. Cheese board and 6 thirds for £20. Just the Music lets it down: unintelligent teenies chart dogshit like that Duran Duran B-side Charlemagne tune, the Swedish Rihanna soundalike and what sounds like Lou Reed doing karaoke over a Hubert Sumlin lick. Not as good as it sounds. Slightly malodorous like granny is broiling cabbage out back. Bonus point. Bit of a fly problem. Reminds me of the dingy keg bars of Helsinki, except here you can't see your breath. Another bonus. The only patron on my visit was muggins but the dim naked bulbs were still lit and the Kiss FM/Radio X mixtape softly blaring. Ample seating of faux leather sofas and office chairs. Plenty to keep the denizens of this website occupied in the fridges. Didn't eat but the pie menu looked tempting. Even clipped to a dwarfsize clipboard, BrewDog style. I like this place; it's real, scuffed around the edges and hipster free with some good stuff on keg, served in thirds, £4.20 for a pair which isn't a piss take.“ |
| 76 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Great range of beers to choose from. The staff super friendly and has a nice cosy vibe to it. Looking forward to going back again.“ |
| 88 /100 UNIT 1, MOTT STREET, HOCKLEY “Brewery tap rooms in Birmingham are a rare thing and this is a very welcome addition to the booming JQ area. Beers are always great, fresh out of the tank style.“ |
| 64 /100 Wine Lord (Beer Store) 106 CONSTITUTION HILL “Visited on Saturday February 4th 2017.
Imposing street corner Victorian building just over the road from Burning Souls tap room when heading back to town, either to the metro stop, or on foot all the way.
Quite dark and foreboding inside in some repsects ... almost like they are ready for trouble from dodgy punters so I can can of relate to Johns comments in a way. Selection was much better than you'd expect on the outside ... 50 or so bottles including a dozen or more from Siren, Evilt Twin, Thornbridge, Tiny Rebel and some Euro classics from Belgium and Germany.
Service was fine on our visit.
Not a go to venue like so many in Birmingham but maybe worth a pew on the way to / from Burning Soul. It may look closed but it probably isn't !“ |
| 76 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “FEB '22 update seeing Steve's review. Original score 3.3. This place has definitely upped its game the past few years ... had 5 or 6 new rates on my visit last Saturday ... good mix of styles and brewers. Again ... not sure I'd necessarily head out here just to visit Wolf but maybe not so bad a detour in all honesty these days.
Visited a couple of times, most recently around 7pm on the way back from Burning Soul post CCIV, Saturday 23/06/18.
Single floor venue, pretty small and narrow, bar opposite the entry.
8 taps and I've always picked up 2 or 3 ticks here without investigating the bottle fridge. Keg beers from both local and UK wide small brewers ... couple of beers on tap from the Garden brewery, Croatia, on my first visit ! Thirds available and decent enough service. Not a go to for me but definately worth taking in on the way/to from Burning Soul, as I have done on more than one occasion.“ |
| 44 /100 Vanguard at 1000 Trades (Bar) 16 FREDERICK ST “2 floors up from 1000 Trades and open much more limited hours, this place is worth hitting if you’re into mead or cocktails. They do a set flight of 4 for £9, with full glasses going for £6. Very pricy. Friendly service. Not a standout place due to the mediocre mead quality and the exorbitant prices, but if it’s open when you’re near, maybe it’s worth checking out.“ |
| 62 /100 The Wolf (Bar) 2-10 CONSTITUTION HILL “Pretty cool place focusing almost exclusively on craft beers. 8 on tap, no flight, but they do single 1/3 pints - usually comes out to just under £2. Solid selection and friendly service. They do food, including vegetarian and vegan options. Worth a stop if you’re in this part of B’ham.“ |
| 36 /100 Rose Villa Tavern (Bar) 172 WARSTONE LANE “Just a block and a half from 1000 Trades, but a pretty disappointing stop. No craft, just traditional English beers and macro garbage. No small pours, just 1/2 or full pints. Nothing even interesting insofar as casks go. Forgettable - no point stopping here.“ |
| 62 /100 1000 Trades (Bar) 16 FREDERICK STREET “A little out of the cente but easily walkable (15-20 mins). Decent taplist, with mostly traditional stuff, but they had a Thornbridge and a couple of Salopian. No flights, smallest pour is a 1/2 pint, but they’ll do samples. Prices are reasonable. I didn’t try the food, but they had lots of vegan options - good to know for next time. Worth a stop.“ |
| 46 /100 23 HOCKLEY STREET “Always friendly & adequate beer choice“ |
