The Boars Head, Birmingham

Drove past this the other day. The front door was open and men in suits were outside. Something might be afoot with this pub. Could it be about to re-open or turned into something else?

Marked as closed

What has been left unsaid about what is probably Britain’s most ornate pub? In a city with an outstanding collection of exuberant edwardian and victorian pubs the Philly stands out. Five different drinking areas including the main bar, a Grande Lounge and two rooms called Brahms and Liszt, all decorated with mosaic floors, stained glass, brass plaques and a mass of carved dark wood. But architecture aside it is a pub not just a popular tourist destination. The beers are usually major names, Fullers, Marstons, Deuchars etc, always of acceptable or better quality and there will be a choice of four or five most of the time. The staff are courteous and generally attentive which is just as well given a customer base of curious tourists and occasional Liverpudlians, however this means there is little in the way of atmosphere, it can feel more a privilege than a pleasure to drink here; perhaps this also betrays its gentleman’s club origins. I have a Liverpudlian friend who says the only thing worth going there for is the gents bogs.

This pub is now closed and has been boarded up [edit: actioned 28/10/09]