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Detail Pages
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
Birmingham
B3 2HB
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Tidy Nicholsons, maybe a bit heavy on the dark colours. Busy, with extra noisy modern music driving the shouting even louder in a MAD style death spiral making the place echoey and a bit impersonal. About a third of the advertised cask was off; my Brew York Fennec Blonde was in very good shape though (NBSS 4). Worth taking-in on an extended crawl but I think I’ve had my fill of it now and I suspect it wouldn’t make the cut for the next couple of Brum visits unless I was around at a much quieter time. 7.5
November 2014
An imposing red brick Nicholsons outlet with impressive high Victorian stylings within. Well reviewed below so will keep it brief. Enter to the main bar with a high ceiling, up a step past a divider to a further room with a dining area off to the right. Visual highlights include; WWI wall murals, large marble fireplace, frosted leaded windows, dark wood bar and back, maroon leather banquettes, lovely gold leaf cornices, dark green walls, heavy velvet curtains. Clientèle on my 2pm visit mainly business types on late lunches - plenty of money being flashed around as this seems to be the local pub of choice of the middle-aged manager. An impressive ale selection 8+, my Adnams Ruby was in good form. Also a couple of ciders from Westons. Incongruous piped music spoiled the grandeur of the pub, as is usual in Nicholsons (why not have something a little more traditional and relaxing during the daytime at least?). The combination of interior and beer selection makes this one another Brum must-visit. Rated 8
On 24th April 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Ian Mapp left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Another visit and now in the GBG. Beers on were standard (London Pride, Ubu Purity) and some interesting cask from Northern Monk and a Red ale that I missed on first perusal and I will be back.
Beautiful inside, with a ceiling to compete with some of Edinburgh's finest.
Will come back, as it is handiest for Snow Hill station :-)
On 6th November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Operated by Nicholsons,there are some fine heritage features which I'm surprised CAMRA has not included on their listing of historic interiors,if this pub was in London it would be 3*.
The interior has three sections with a couple of steps between them. The ceiling is very high ,great cornicing and the windows are a real feature with stained glass.The corner entrance is opulent,the bar back celebrated the British Expeditionary Force from WW1 from which the pub takes their nickname,and also has impressive inlaid mirrors.The furniture is largely traditional with red leather buttoned back bench seats,the only high tables are butcher blocks to the side.The drapes are impressive ,the floor polished dark wood and many chandeliers hang down on long cords.There are two fine fireplaces in sandstone.
The main serving bar is in the lower section and was offering on my trip Fullers London Pride,St Austell Tribute,TT Landlord,Adnams/Deya Boat Trip,Devon Amber Salcombe and Purity Mad Goose (NBSS 3) with a pull reversed. However at the highest level there is a small bar with more handpumps but a notice saying you won't get served here,I missed this on the way in and the offering expanded with Salopian Gold,St Austell Nicholsons Pale,Five Points Railway Porter and Marstons Wainwright.
A full range of 10 ales is commendable although there are some ubiquitous ales on offer but what was inexcusable was the lack of a full ale menu anywhere.The chain vibe is also reinforced by mindless muzak ,two flatscreen with BBC 24 News (at least on mute) and numbered tables with corporate menus of food service tosh.If eating and wanting to get away from folk just drinking there is a small restaurant area in a large snug at the far higher end.
I've scored it high due to the heritage,and there is a charming steep staircase to first floor loos.However the chain vibe is evident and takes the gloss off.A fine building from the exterior although the upper floors look unused.Worth visiting for heritage and a wide choice of real ale.Conveniently close to the main entrance of Snow Hill station.Stick it on any crawl list.
On 9th August 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Interesting Nicholsons pub / restaurant, although the upper part of the split-level bar is slightly more modern but less interesting than the main serving area below. This has the expected traditional furniture and decor, with plenty of dark wood and a First World War mural above the bar back. After a pandemic-era slump, I found all ten handpumps back in use on this latest visit, with a reasonably diverse (if fairly mainstream) selection of real ales. Surprisingly, perhaps, the usual Nicholson's Pale Ale wasn't on, so I went for Purity's Pure UBU to finish off my evening's perambulations... Overall, remains worth a visit, and handy for the nearby Snow Hill station.
On 1st December 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Well described by MaldenMan, below, this is the sister pub to the Shakespeare, about half a mile away. We enjoyed a great team meal, well cooked and delivered by friendly, well-trained staff. Ales on were Nicholson IPA, Purity Ubu and Mad Goose, and London Pride, all in good condition. I’d be very happy to come back any time and would include in a crawl.
On 6th January 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Impressive Nicholson's pub which is very handy for Snow Hill station and I call in quite often before getting my train home. It always seems to be busy and I have never had a bad pint in here. There is also usually a good choice of beers on. I remember how bad this pub was before Nicholson's took it over! Well worth a visit in my opinion.
On 16th December 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Typical Nicholson's pub with a rather poor beer selection,only a choice of four beers, that said my Yorkshire Brewery Blackout porter was a decent beer, the food was also decent despite the best part of a half hour wait. A pub that serves its purpose but one I wouldn't rush back to.
On 8th October 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Old Contemptibles
An imposing Victorian building occupying a large corner site, the building has notably proportioned windows and elegant stonework. Named in "honour" of Kaiser Wilhems derogatory insult about the British Expeditionary Force in WW1 and celebrated by the murals of soldiers from the Great War above the bar. The main room has the bar opposite on entering, a dark wood affair that looks relatively recent, this room is an elongated L-shape and has a polished boarded floor, a blood red Lincrusta style ceiling and elaborate cornices. Leaded obscure windows with stained glass inserts, the entrance lobby has hops draped over the canopy. There is a large old looking Bass mirror and various bits of framed stuff, globe lights and fancy chandeliers hanging from chains. A ledge had seasonal daffodils in a series of glasses which looked the part, the 6 Nations flags though spoiled the rather reverent feeling interior a bit I thought. Seating at red leather button backed banquettes and the usual chairs although there is the occasional high table. Another snug like room to the rear is The Campaign Room and has more WW1 militaria but seemed to be dining only with some tables already reserved.
Being a Nicholson's pub you generally will get some decent beer choices and here was not an exception. 10 handpumps, nine were on; three from Sharp's, Two Tides, Atlantic and the ubiquitous Doom Bar, Nicholson's Pale Ale (St Austell), Purity Pure Ubu, Brain's Rev James, Blackwolf Brewery Florida Black plus Thatcher's Cheddar Valley cider and Weston's Rosie's Pig. One missing, I think a pump was unclipped or perhaps reversed.
Previous reviews are mixed, certainly regarding busy evening times but at teatime on a Monday this was a very pleasant spot indeed.
On 19th April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Old Contemptibles
2nd visit here - an once again, the beer was not in great condition. I know Purity range pretty well and the gold here was just slightly off. The Purity UBU has half turned around.
Has all the ingredients - great decor, great architecture. Maybe I've just been unlucky.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2id5KVh
On 24th December 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Old Contemptibles
Massive old Victorian pile of a pub, that was packed at 7pm on a Saturday evening. Decent beer, but the locals out on the lash somewhat spoilt the place, especially the idiot who thought it was a real laugh to urinate in the toilet wash hand basin!! Won't be rushing back.
On 28th April 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]