Bacchus Bar, Birmingham

As basement bars go I think this one is a cracker, so being back in Birmingham for the Yonex All england Badminton Championship, I took the opportunity to look this one up again. Superb decor as described in detail by many below, I personally like all the different individual vaulted spaces that you can tuck yourself into and enjoy the beer and conversation. A decent line up on the six ale pumps for my visit and alongside the Nicholson's House ale and Tribute from St Austell were Sharp's Sea Fury, Birmingham Brewings Bacchus Pale Ale, Peoples Captain Clubhouse Pale Ale and an excellent Titanic Pium Porter. Deservedly popular on this early Wednesday evening here, and this was another good visit.

Bacchus Bar is a Nicholsons pub that was that first venue of a recent all-dayer, it certainly set the bar high for décor. It’s a basement bar where a Bacchanalian themed spiral staircase leads down to the entrance which opens to some red banquette seating, which is found throughout, and steps down to an amazing central arched vault that is lined with Roman statues, busts, painting and artefacts. Off the vault to the left and right are several raised snugs and alcoves all the way to the bar at the rear where a split-level serving counter runs across the rear wall, the raised right-hand side was open and the left side that faces more seating was closed. Premium and mainstream craft keg were available alongside Jubel, and the five hand pumps on the right-hand bar were drawing Sharp’s Sea Fury, Butty Bach, Mondo Brewing’s Juliet, Nicholson’s Pale, Proper Job and Clubhouse People’s Captain. The four hand pumps on the left-hand bar were duplicates of the right, so I went for the Juliet that is a Hogs Back and Mondo collaboration brewed for Internation Women’s Day 2026, it was ok for a session beer. There was some background music playing that didn’t fit well with the Roman theme, but at least it wasn’t some modern dross club music during my visit. This place is worth a look and I enjoyed my stay, but one pint was long enough to take in the surroundings. Note that there is a lift from the street down to the entrance and in the entrance is a wheelchair lift, so even though this is a split-level basement bar there is access from the street to the rear left-hand bar where there’s seating, and I assume an accessible toilet.

This is a bit of a hidden gem in the City centre. Well described below the decor is unique to say the least. Half a dozen ales on when I called in including Ghost Ship, Titanic Plum Porter and Jaipur alongside the usual Nicholson's pale. Well worth a visit.