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Picture of The Old Contemptibles
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Thursday, 28th March 2024
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The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham

176 Edmund Street
Birmingham
B3 2HB
Phone: 01212003310
Correct details

Pub Type

Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)

Served areas

Tweets by The Old Contemptibles
Old Contemptibles Old Contemptibles Due to a late cancellation we now have two tables available for this Sundays England game, drop us a message if you… https://t.co/CoSiYXltXa 9:31 AM Jun 10th 2021 from Reputation.com-Social
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Reviews of The Old Contemptibles (Average Rating: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Quinno _ left this review about The Old Contemptibles

Tidy Nicholsons, maybe a bit heavy on the dark colours. Busy, with extra noisy modern music driving the shouting even louder in a MAD style death spiral making the place echoey and a bit impersonal. About a third of the advertised cask was off; my Brew York Fennec Blonde was in very good shape though (NBSS 4). Worth taking-in on an extended crawl but I think I’ve had my fill of it now and I suspect it wouldn’t make the cut for the next couple of Brum visits unless I was around at a much quieter time. 7.5

November 2014
An imposing red brick Nicholsons outlet with impressive high Victorian stylings within. Well reviewed below so will keep it brief. Enter to the main bar with a high ceiling, up a step past a divider to a further room with a dining area off to the right. Visual highlights include; WWI wall murals, large marble fireplace, frosted leaded windows, dark wood bar and back, maroon leather banquettes, lovely gold leaf cornices, dark green walls, heavy velvet curtains. Clientèle on my 2pm visit mainly business types on late lunches - plenty of money being flashed around as this seems to be the local pub of choice of the middle-aged manager. An impressive ale selection 8+, my Adnams Ruby was in good form. Also a couple of ciders from Westons. Incongruous piped music spoiled the grandeur of the pub, as is usual in Nicholsons (why not have something a little more traditional and relaxing during the daytime at least?). The combination of interior and beer selection makes this one another Brum must-visit. Rated 8

On 24th April 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]


Ian Mapp left this review about The Old Contemptibles

Another visit and now in the GBG. Beers on were standard (London Pride, Ubu Purity) and some interesting cask from Northern Monk and a Red ale that I missed on first perusal and I will be back.

Beautiful inside, with a ceiling to compete with some of Edinburgh's finest.

Will come back, as it is handiest for Snow Hill station :-)

On 6th November 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Old Contemptibles

Operated by Nicholsons,there are some fine heritage features which I'm surprised CAMRA has not included on their listing of historic interiors,if this pub was in London it would be 3*.
The interior has three sections with a couple of steps between them. The ceiling is very high ,great cornicing and the windows are a real feature with stained glass.The corner entrance is opulent,the bar back celebrated the British Expeditionary Force from WW1 from which the pub takes their nickname,and also has impressive inlaid mirrors.The furniture is largely traditional with red leather buttoned back bench seats,the only high tables are butcher blocks to the side.The drapes are impressive ,the floor polished dark wood and many chandeliers hang down on long cords.There are two fine fireplaces in sandstone.
The main serving bar is in the lower section and was offering on my trip Fullers London Pride,St Austell Tribute,TT Landlord,Adnams/Deya Boat Trip,Devon Amber Salcombe and Purity Mad Goose (NBSS 3) with a pull reversed. However at the highest level there is a small bar with more handpumps but a notice saying you won't get served here,I missed this on the way in and the offering expanded with Salopian Gold,St Austell Nicholsons Pale,Five Points Railway Porter and Marstons Wainwright.
A full range of 10 ales is commendable although there are some ubiquitous ales on offer but what was inexcusable was the lack of a full ale menu anywhere.The chain vibe is also reinforced by mindless muzak ,two flatscreen with BBC 24 News (at least on mute) and numbered tables with corporate menus of food service tosh.If eating and wanting to get away from folk just drinking there is a small restaurant area in a large snug at the far higher end.
I've scored it high due to the heritage,and there is a charming steep staircase to first floor loos.However the chain vibe is evident and takes the gloss off.A fine building from the exterior although the upper floors look unused.Worth visiting for heritage and a wide choice of real ale.Conveniently close to the main entrance of Snow Hill station.Stick it on any crawl list.

On 9th August 2023 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]


View more reviews of The Old Contemptibles (25)
This pub features in the following crawls:
Midland Metro Pub Crawl by Andy Ven
Brum1 by train man
Birmingham real ale contrasting pubs by Danny O'Revey
External web links for The Old Contemptibles

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Graham Coombs
Birmingham Snow Hill, 0.23 miles, 4 min walk (show)
Birmingham Moor Street, 0.52 miles, 9 min walk (show)
Birmingham New Street, 0.55 miles, 10 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
24th Apr 2024, 22:38
Review submitted by Quinno _ amended by Quinno _
 
28th Mar 2024, 13:27
Picture submitted by Quinno _ approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Car Park : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 07 March 2023 by paulof horsham
  • Darts : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Dog Friendly : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
  • Jukebox : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Karaoke : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Micropub : No last updated 07 March 2023 by paulof horsham
  • Pinball : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Pool Table : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
  • Real Cider : Yes last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
  • WiFi : Yes - O2 wifi - last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
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