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Detail Pages
Bacchus Bar, Birmingham
Birmingham
B2 4JH
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Bacchus Bar
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.
On 17th March 2026
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2322 recommendations about 2169 pubs]
Strongers . left this review about Bacchus Bar
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.
On 14th March 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about Bacchus Bar
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.
On 24th November 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1938 recommendations about 1794 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Bacchus Bar
Now in the Good Beer Guide 2025 - with Citra, Ghost Ship and a rather nice Stewarts Edinburgh Dry Stout - along with crafty kegs (Deya) and more standard offerings.
Mid week afternoons a wonderful time to visit, where you can admire the artworks undisturbed. Certainly unique and now there's even more of a reason for new people in town to seek it out.
On 25th October 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1774 recommendations about 1747 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Bacchus Bar
One of a kind interior, well described elsewhere. Very tucked away in a quiet arcade, but worth finding just to gasp at the eccentricity of it all. Sadly Nicholsons seem to have gone markedly downhill on beer range and atmosphere, this one was full of rowdy groups and the modern pop music didn’t fit the surroundings at all. One off visit and probably not again.
On 9th April 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1181 recommendations about 1141 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Bacchus Bar
Very curious Nicholson'spub housed in the cellars beneath the Burlington Hotel and arcade, with a theatrical mix of classical, medieval and gothic decor. Standard furniture in a variety of seating areas around the two-part bar counter. The 'house' Pale Ale, Doom Bar, Hobgoblin, Sharp's Sunset Red (£4.45) and Wild Beer Murmur available from five of six handpumps on the main counter (with the other bar closed for a private function) on this visit. Worth a visit to look around, though.
On 8th November 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bacchus Bar
Difficult-to-find underground bar (it's in the little gated cut-through that appears to only have steps and posh shops). Head down some stairs where the walls are decorated with scenes of Bacchanalian excess and enter to a wonderfully silly Nicholsons that has been done out as some sort of tour of the Ancient Classics drinking den (or, as put well below “the set of all the MGM historical epics of the 1950’s”). Beyond the ‘wow’ factor as you enter there's actually quite a bit to admire as it’s done very well and it holds a pretty good atmosphere too. Split into numerous sections and levels, each one seemingly zoned for a different time period; there are columns and arches, fake sandstone, paintings of Classical ladies with their boobs out, Renaissance library shelves, the whole works. Six ales at the bar with the usual Nicholsons stagers along with three guests. Went for a half of the Purity which logged in at well-over two quid though was in decent enough shape (NBSS 3). Worth doing this one for the novelty value and beer range, I liked it.
On 21st July 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5992 recommendations about 5971 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Bacchus Bar
This one took a bit of finding from street level but persistence paid off. There were five real ales on the hand pulls, St Austell Summer Anthem, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Purity Ubu, Nicholson's Pale Ale and something else I neglected to note. This is a dark dimly lit place with no natural light, definitely an interesting experience with lots of different seating areas to break up the space.
My Summer Anthem was either £2.30 or £2.40 for a half, so a bit on the pricey side, but was otherwise OK.
There is a second bar not in use at the time of my visit yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, immediately to the left of the main bar. I don't think all the hand pulls were clipped but those that were had duplicates of those on the main bar.
On 20th June 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 897 recommendations about 698 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Bacchus Bar
One of the most bizarre pubs I've ever been in. The descriptions are elsewhere but this pub is a must. Nicholson's are having a beer festival at this visit and while half of the beers in here were duplicated in The Shakespeare around the corner there was still a good selection. I had my drink in the Egyptian room.
On 13th November 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Bacchus Bar
This is a Nicholson's bar worthy of a visit just yo wander round and see all the features and decor round the place. It was very busy when we went, but we did get seats but beer choice seemed limited with only 3 ales on, repeated in the other bar. No problem with the Siren Craft beer, Here Comes Johnny though.
On 24th October 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]