Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Pubco. mergers. with Bucking Fastard
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
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Bull
Looks likes a cracking pub, unfortunately it was closed on a Saturday afternoon so I shall have to wait to find out.
On 8th October 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1879 recommendations about 1852 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Bull
A real good traditional pub. 2 roomed with traditional seating in the room to the left and large table and bench seating to the right. 4 handpumps dispense a rather pedestrian selection of Broadside, Doom Bore, Pedigree and Bombardier on this visit. There are about a million teapots, milk jugs, cups and plates decorating the place. It was also a bit pricey. And 8 for the pub but a point knocked off for price and poor selection.
On 19th January 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Bull
Proper old school pub as described below. 4 real ales and food served.
On 28th July 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Bull
Another Gun Quarter survivor (this pub was apparently where 19th century gunmakers received their wages), the Bull is a classic traditional pub that is well worth exploring. On approach, the bold etched glass 'Ansells' windows are very prominent and appealing. You enter to a carpeted bar area with a central servery to your right. The bar has a dark wood counter, mirrored pillars and an unusual wood and glass fitted fridge on the end of the counter. Padded bench seating can be found in the front corner underneath an etched glass porch and a partitioning screen which has a top carved to look like bull's horns and a bright stained glass image of a bull depicting various cuts of meat. Some padded bench booths run opposite the bar towards the rear, supplemented with low stools and standard tables and chairs further into the room. A fireplace with a nice mantle and a mirror in a fine frame dominates the back wall where there are also some beautiful large paintings on show. The whole room is covered in the most remarkable collection of ceramics, with ceiling beams and the bar canopy barely visible behind jugs, mugs, cups, teapots, plates and the like. The fireplace has a collection of tankards and vases and I also noticed sizable collections of glasses and thimbles. The right hand bar is up a single step and offers a smaller room, partly carpeted and with upholstered banquettes and standard chairs. Shelves with more plates and dishes, cups and bells run around the room, with large old framed maps hung beneath. In the rear right corner there is a small, dark snug called the 'Gun Room' with one long table and some plush comfy chairs. There are lots of black and white photos on the walls here, many of which are gun-themed.
There were three ale options on this visit - Adnams Broadside, Sharps Doom Bar and Marstons Pedigree. I tried the latter which was £3.00 for a pint and in excellent condition. Thatcher's Gold cider was available as part of a fairly mainstream keg range. The landlady was very friendly and I found there was a really nice, laid back feel to the place.
I really liked this cosy, homely pub and would happily have stayed here much longer had I not needed to head off to St Andrews to watch my team beat the Brum 8-0. There's lots going on here which repeat visits will reward so I'm sure I'll be back here before too long.
On 17th November 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Bull
An old two bar pub on two levels, bursting with character in an area that otherwise looks rather run-down. Terms like ‘country pub in the city’ or ‘your nan’s living room’ bandied around elsewhere to try and sum up the atmosphere and décor are quite correct. Enter through a lovely old part-lobby, complete with ‘cuts of a cow’ stained glass illustration (see photo). Hundreds (thousands?) of old jugs, crockery and plates hanging and leaning from all angles, as well as an impressive thimble collection. It’s an unashamed old mans kind of place along with (on my visit) a few blokes in suits who had sloped off from the office for a liquid lunch with no intention of returning. No music or electronic bleeps, just the hubbub of conversation. Three ales; Adnams Broadside, Marston Pedigree and Banks MILD (ok but a bit flat - what is it with Brum and flat beer?). Hot food served, huge portions and I’d definitely be up for getting lunch in there next time. Overall, it’s a lovely little place well worth seeking out (although the walk there is a bit grim, not one I’d fancy on a dark night).
On 13th November 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5108 recommendations about 5091 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Bull
A famous and well reviewed old pub in the Gun Quarter next to the A38 dual carriageway but a long way from it in time. Built on a corner with a bar to each side and a snug like area at the back on one side. The two rooms are separated by the servery and one is at a higher floor level, the door of the upper room says Lounge and the etched window of the other says Smoking Room. This room also has some stained glass including a picture of a bull showing cuts of meat in the style of old butcher's shops, however the names are unexpected. Furnished in traditional pub manner the striking thing is the sheer quantity of china hanging all round the servery, ceiling beams and even from window frames. More occupies shelves, tables and mantelpieces while the walls are covered in prints and pictures of various subjects. Three handpulls serve beers from Adnams, Marstons and a micro I've never heard of but wont be searching out again, the Adnams Broadside was a much better made pint and superbly kept. The pubs looks fairly reliant on food but it's a great place for a drink.
On 16th September 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3276 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Bull
Good traditional pub and well worth a visit. This is a friendly well run pub serving three decent ales on handpump. I went for the Adnams Broadside, which was excellent. Also there's a very large collection of jugs hanging from the beams. Landlady was very friendly and it was no trouble for her to phone us a cab back into town.
On 10th October 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Bull
Very traditional pub in the Gun Quarter.
Lots of pottery jugs hanging around the bar which is centrally located. Its a quiet unassuming, homely place, a bit of a granny's house. There is a small parlour sofa'd area up the step behind the curtain in the one corner. Lovely place really.
Extra mark for the quality of the beer, but its never been an adventurous choice here - 3 real ales Adnams Broadside, Wadworths and Pedigree.
A bit out of the way tucked in the north east corner of the city centre and the wrong side of Birmingham's inner ring road, but still only a short walk from the centre or the Jewellery Quarter or Aston University and a great place to make the effort to visit - its also near the revitalised Gunmakers Arms for a mini crawl of this historic area.
The food looked a bit special, limited choice but home comfort style.
On 29th August 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Bull
Great little victorian boozer, well off the beaten track, serving excellent beer. Worth checking out if you are in the city, easy walk from the centre. Will probably call again when in town.
On 30th July 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
JohnWarks 'tache left this review about The Bull
Thank you for BITE for making me aware of this pub whilst I spent a week in Brum working and staying in an area apparently devoid of other establishments. A little oasis in a seemingly rundown area just off a very main road. A warm welcome from Rose to a pub split in 2, with a slightly raised level which was geared towards dining. Don't take this as a negative comment, but reminded me of a Grandmother's living room, with the walls adorned with ceramics and commerative china. The landlady would bring out meals to the regulars, who seemed as grateful for it as you would when going round to your Gran's for Sunday roast. Small garden out the back seemed very popular. Slightly overloud discussions & opining at bar from the regulars on topics of the day reminds you of how pubs used to be before big screens and flashing lights. Well worth a visit if alone in Birmingham on business
On 2nd July 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 20 recommendations about 20 pubs]