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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 15th March 2026) with trainman
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Bull, Birmingham
Birmingham
B4 6JU
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Bull
The Bull has a central counter that serves a raised rear bar, that was empty, and the main front bar where a handful of customers were sat on a recent Wednesday late afternoon. Up the left-hand side of the counter is a raised snug that was also empty. The external windows are etched and there’re some internal stained-glass screens under the ceiling beams that are lined with lots of jugs of varying sizes, but mostly tiny. Up by the entrance is a high shelf with the GBG going back for many years, I assume this pub is a stalwart of the beer bible. Available from the five hand pumps were Oakham’s Citra, Neepsend Brew Co’s Dolcita, Hook Norton’s Old Hooky, Nottingham Brewery’s EPA and Church End Brewery’s Grave Digger’s Ale which is a very nice mild. Available on key keg was Burning Soul Brewing’s Isaacs IPA alongside some premium keg. There was some very low background music playing, and despite it being quiet, there was still a good atmosphere. I liked it in this proper traditional pub and will return next time I’m in this part of the city.
On 14th March 2026
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6559 recommendations about 6521 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Bull
Called in on a Friday afternoon to find the place empty. It was my first visit for around 5 years and it hasn't changed. Still hundreds of jugs hanging up everywhere. 3 beers on including Old Hooky and Oakham Citra. The Hooky was fine. A decent pub.
On 19th January 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1938 recommendations about 1794 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Bull
My favourite pub of Octobers Pubs Galore crawl, very traditional as described below and felt very compfortable despite being a little over warm inside. The Thornbridge Market Porter was good. A pub I'd certainly return to.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2291 recommendations about 2255 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Bull
I liked this one. A good old school traditional pub with two rooms either side of the central serving area and then a small dining room known as the Gun Room. Some nice stained glass dividing panels and plenty of pub paraphernalia including an impressive collection of jugs suspended from the ceiling.
Three ales were available for our visit on the hand pumps that are spread over the two main sections of the bar. These are detailed on the chalkboard in the main bar side and then keg and bottle options we’re available, detailed in the menus on the tables. Hook Norton Old Hooky, Thornbridge Market Porter and a very good Oakham Citra were the beer choices, and this one had a well behaved pub cat, or at least it was for our visit.
On 22nd November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2322 recommendations about 2169 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bull
Very traditional two-bar pub, also featuring a separate small 'Gun Room' dining area. Fine display of water jugs and other breweriana. Multi-coloured glazed screen opposite the main door showing different cuts of beef. Accommodation available. On my first revisit since 2015, we found Oakham Citra, Old Hooky and Market Porter from Thornbridge (£2.05, half) available from the five handpumps.
On 20th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Bull
I haven't commented much in reviews about Covid precautions, partly because I felt it was unfair to criticise pub licensees when they are dealing with unprecedented circumstances, with confusing instructions and advice from the government. One of my concerns since pubs reopened and train usage has started to recover is to avoid being in overcrowded and underventilated spaces. No one could have accused the Bull of being overcrowded at the time of my visit - I'd left the nearby Gunmakers because of the queue at the bar, and this one was absolutely empty. However, it was overheated and airless, with a smell which may have come from recently applied paint. A few open windows would have sorted this out and made it feel less like a place where Covid particles would linger.
On 17th October 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4658 recommendations about 4267 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Bull
The exterior displays some fine etched glass windows with the former Ansells brewery name in gilded lettering (see photo).
Inside, there's an extensive display of pottery from the likes of Staffordshire matched dogs to a multitude of thimbles and an huge array of jugs hanging from the ceiling.
My half of Old Hooky wasn't at all great but the pub's attractions make it a worth a visit.
On 17th October 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2307 recommendations about 2251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Bull
A good and nicely restored traditional pub with several areas round the central bar, comfortably furnished mainly with padded benches and carpeted throughout. The walls are hung with photos and assorted bric-a-brac and it feels like a proper pub, well worth the short walk from the city centre. Ales as previous review.
On 16th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3900 recommendations about 3832 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Bull
A really charming street corner pub with some very fine etched glass exterior windows.There is a split level interior around an island bar.The lower level has two sets of handpumps ,is L shaped with a raised alcove at the far end,while the raised section has more of a lounge feel.There is a huge collection of jugs hanging down from the ceiling joists,the largest I have encoutered in a pub and a real feature.The furniture is traditional and the barmaid was friendly and efficient.
There were three ale options on my trip Hook Norton Old Hooky,Thornbridge Market Porter and a good Oakham Citra (NBSS 3.5).
I really enjoyed my visit ,it's a calm and welcoming place and had I not been on an extensive crawl,I would have stayed a lot longer,maybe next time.
On 16th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3126 recommendations about 3126 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Bull
Amazing, how a city can change by taking a few steps.
Move away from the shopping area around Snow Hill Station and get over the ring road and its a different world.
Sparse population - junkies shooting up in the gutter. Hobos fighting with broken bottles. A young man approached in a car by a couple asking "if he was looking for action".
2:30pm on a Saturday afternoon and all this was observed.
The pub is old school, all toby jugs hanging from the ceiling and partitioned rooms. I loved it - except (and perhaps unsurprisingly from my description of the area) it was completely empty apart from an old guy who had donned his suit to pop out for an afternoon drink.
GBG 2021 entry and no complaints with my Oakham Citra.
On 27th September 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1772 recommendations about 1745 pubs]