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Detail Pages
The Bartons Arms, Birmingham
Aston
Postal town: Birmingham
B6 4UP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about Bartons Arms
Fantastic Victorian establishment. Just check out those tiles and the wooden bar. It's hard to believe that the locals tried to burn this pub down during the 2011 riots, in an attempt to leur the police into an ambush where 11 shots were fired at them and the police helicopter. Some damage was done to the stained glass windows, the barmaid pointed out scars on the bar where stuff was thrown in but luckily the place survived with superficial damage. Superb range of Oakham brews as well as guests. certainly worth the ride out on the bus to sample, will certainly call again, don't let the horror story put you off.
On 31st July 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Bartons Arms
Here's another 10 for the Bartons Arms, I heard so much about this pub and was not disappointed. Can't wait for another visit.
On 7th November 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3394 recommendations about 3394 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Bartons Arms
There is little to add to the great reviews below.The detailing in the restaurant area is magnificent with velvet covered ornate benches,push button call bells and snob screen in what must have been considered as the respectable end of the large island bar.An upright piano sits underneath the sweeping staircase which leads the the function rooms.
Oakham showcase their outstanding ale range here,together with a guest mild from ABC ,a style which Oakham do not attempt.The Thai food is also wonderful ,and I am hard pressed to think of a better thai meal; the combination with Oakham ales work perfectly.
Any trip to the Second City should include a lengthy stay at this gem,one of the best pubs in the country.I will be back .
On 30th June 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2756 recommendations about 2756 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Bartons Arms
An absolutely stunning late Victorian town pub with the majority of original features intact having undergone a sympathetic, and surely costly, restoration. The tiling, especially in the restaurant area at the back, is typically Victorian in its colouring and fussy detail and has to be seen to be believed. The bar at the front has comfortable, re-upholstered but original benches around the walls with a sloping wooden floor which is black and white tiled around the bar. It feels cavernous but comfortable. The restaurant at the back is cosier and very original boasting a stunning staircase on the way.
As an Oakham house the beer is top quality. Attila, JHB, Bishops Farewell, Black Hole Porter, Inferno and Citra were all offered. We tried all except the JHB and all were exceptional. ABC Aston Dark Mild was on as a guest.
At the rear is a Thai restaurant with an interesting and good value menu. The food we had was excellent, clearly fresh, well cooked and very tasty.
The Barton Arms is well worth a visit to see the interior alone but with the added bonus of top quality beer and exceptional food it must be among the best pubs in the country.
On 29th June 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 680 recommendations about 679 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bartons Arms
A pub with the ‘wow’ factor, despite the inauspicious location. Takes a starring role in CAMRA's National Inventory of historic interiors and it’s easy to see why. This is a late Victorian (1901) multi-roomed battleship with ornate wall tiling, snob screens, archways, mosaics, and a four-sided clock tower. Watch out for the sloping floor of the main bar after a few beers! After a long period of closure (apparently this was due to be demolished in the 70’s to allow for road widening) this is now owned by Peterborough-based Oakham Ales. Four Oakham beers are always on plus two guests alongside a great selection of Trappist beers. All ales are priced between £2.40-£3 – the quality of the three I sampled were all very good. Two large rooms out the back host a Thai restaurant. It was pretty quiet when we went in on a Friday afternoon and I imagine that it doesn’t get a huge amount of trade during the daytime, given its location. However the pub is near to Villa Park, so gets busy when the footy’s on.
The pub can be accessed by frequent buses leaving from right outside the Square Peg in the city centre which take around 10 minutes to get here. It’s a real must-visit when you plan a trip to Brum.
On 12th November 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5197 recommendations about 5180 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Bartons Arms
Called in last week and enjoyed the Oakham Asylum and guest beer Sadlers Magic Miles. Love walking round looking at the beautiful tiling in the rooms. Thai food popular, and the back room is mainly used as a restaurant. It was great to see all tables in the bar area occupied
as usually there are very few people in when I call. Beer quality improving again. 5 Oakham and 1 guest beer available.
On 1st June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Taylor left this review about Barton Arms
Wonderful pub and was built in 1901. Oakham owned and sells full range of Oakham ales. You can eat Thai in next room. The best thing about this pub is very beautiful staircase with Minton tiles around the room. Only problem is the location. It is miles away from City Centre. However you can catch either 7 or 907 which will drop you off right outside the pub.
On 4th February 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 75 recommendations about 75 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Bartons Arms
A fantastic c1900, brick and moulded stone, detached corner pub, in mock Jacobean style.
The interior has three rooms, two of which are more used for the Thai restaurant that dwells within. The bar room curves around the V-shaped bar. The decor is composed of multi-coloured ceramic tiles; red, green, white, yellow - a bit garish, yet wonerful at the same time. There is a staircase worthy of grander buildings. The area may be a little dodgy, but the surroundings for drinking are a pleasure. There are nice fire places and stained glass. The service was great on our last visit and we managed to time the visit during the time that the Villa game was on, so it was quieter. The clientele are mixed between the footy crowd and local Brummies.
Beer; tap stuff with Oakham's White Dwarf, Inferno, Bishop's Farewell, JHB, Ubu Purity Gold, ABC Dark MILD(fine) and Sporting Gold, as well as an excellent Hobson's MILD.
Superb place always worthy of a visit, in fact you will kick yourself for not going
On 11th January 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
William Harrison left this review about Bartons Arms
A JHB pub, this place has four of their ales on plus a guest most of the time, and has one of the largest selections of imported bottled beers in the country. Yes, the location could be better, and yes, parking is a problem, but this is a true gem. With the exception of Sunday nights, the rear half of the bar, kept separate from the "business" end, is a decent Thai restaurant. Well worth the trip, even if it's only to see the Grade II listed building.
On 28th October 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 29 recommendations about 29 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Horton left this review about Bartons Arms
This is a gem of a building, a wonderful example of Victorian architecture and the art of ceramics. Unfortunately for this place a good pub is much more than just a building. Except for the bottled Belgian beers on offer and the surroundings it has nothing, including atmosphere, to offer the serious drinker. The Oakham beers are grossly overrated. It also suffers from being in one of, if not the, most violent parts of Brum (which in general is a relatively peaceful city). Located near Lozells on the Walsall road north of the city centre it is best visited (if at all) by either bus or taxi. Other than the architecture the place is sterile.
On 14th July 2008
- rating: 4
[User has posted 148 recommendations about 148 pubs]