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Pub Of The Month - July 2026 with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Old Crown
Apparently, the Old Crown is Birmingham’s oldest pub, which I don’t doubt from the outside, but I don’t recall being taken aback by the history once inside. Then again, I wasn’t really looking because my attention was mostly taken up by a simpleton and his abusive old bag who kept loudly saying comments about people nearby. I would have said something but feared someone might report me to the RSPCA. Anyway, entering through the left entrance there’s a red tile floored bar with an L-shaped serving counter that faces seating up the left and a large chimney breast with a double-sided fireplace towards the front that splits seating to the left and right. Available from the counter were premium keg options alongside Neck Oil and Attic’s Intuition as well as two hand pumps that were drawing Wainwright Amber and Hobgoblin. To the right of this bar is a step up to a wooden floored area where banquettes and tables run across the front wall. Then into the right rear is a sprawling split-level red tile floored space with different seating areas, and then beyond here is a massive outside space with lots of seating and another bar, that was closed midweek. I’m glad that I needed the toilet because I would have missed the vast space at the rear that genuinely surprised me. However, the staff I met were nonchalant, and as previously mentioned there were some cretins milling about the place, so I don’t plan to return.
On 22nd July 2026
- rating: 4
[User has posted 6782 recommendations about 6744 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Old Crown
Really attractive looking pub which certainly looks as old as it is claimed to be. I have called in many times but I can't really take to it. The beer is never quite there for me. Drinkable but forgettable. So much so that I have forgotten what I had 2 days ago!
On 23rd August 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1984 recommendations about 1832 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Old Crown
A very old looking pub. Multi- roomed but the lounge part was closed on this Thursday afternoon visit so it was only the bar area to the left for me. 3 handpumps were here with Hobgob, Pedigree and Sadlers Peaky Blinders. The Peaky stuff was quite acceptable. Wooden beams dominate the interior and a huge brick column sort of splits the bar in two.
On 3rd November 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Old Crown
This pub claims to date from 1368, and it certainly has a fine half-timbered façade. However, the story is very different inside the 'L'-shaped bar which has lost almost any character over the years. Things are a bit better in the multi-room lounge / dining areas with rustic furniture set amongst some old timbers, brickwork and floor tiling. Coffee shop to one side with its own entrance (but temporarily closed for refurbishment when we visited). Patio / decking beer garden including some covered booths. Three handpumps in operation, dispensing Marstons Fever Pitch, Pedigree New World and Jennings Cumberland. Overall, a mixed bag...
On 28th June 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9210 recommendations about 9210 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Old Crown
A fantastic building from the outside, especially considering its in Birmingham, as historic as it gets. Its a bit tavern-like inside, and just needs that je ne sais quoi?
Could be a lot better, as review below, but gets probaly 2 extra marks from me purely for the exterior. It just seems somebody is possibly just playing with the historic theme?
The beer is truely aweful (1363)
On 24th August 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1616 recommendations about 1593 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Old Crown
Oh! my Lord.
The Banks's MILD was pretty poor and the place full of ladies exhuding a narcissim far more potent than the beer.
The oldest building in Birmingham of course actually means a few roof beams from the old school, if indeed, anything. It is twee and souless, as they have surgically removed any historic charm
I am sure more will be attracted to the plastic tot, than be upset by the loss of historic charm
On 11th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3167 recommendations about 3162 pubs]