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The Prince of Wales, Birmingham
Birmingham
B1 2NP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about The Prince of Wales
This struck me as a pretty basic boozer, with a selection of 8 ales from all over (including Sussex, and very good it was, too!). Benefits from offering reasonably-priced food all day, too (well, it was a benefit to me come 5:00 anyway). Considering it was right after work, though, and it's in the city centre, I was surprised (and rather disconcerted) by the poor turn-out. That meant peace & quiet for me but I'm sure the management could have done with a few more punters - I'd say it's worth the visit and I'd be happy to return next time in Brum.
On 7th October 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Prince of Wales
UPDATE: I thought it was about time i updated my review of here. The frontage is now painted in a dark red/purple colour, which should please the Goths. The interior is the same shape, but is now a mix of dark red, grey, choclate and patterned wallpaper, with a wood floor, a fireplace at one end - and with the bogs turned into a log cabin with views of the Canadian Rockies and big bears, as you pee into indutrial tubing (for some daft reason). Anyhow, the main room again - it has less of the old historical memorabilia, but it is still there, and the place still has decent service and a good mixed clientele. The music was general and at an ok level, the TV showing some silent quiz show. Beer; usual tap stuff with Tim Taylor, Doombar, Tribute, Enville Ale, Black Sheep Bitter, a reasonable Tetley MILD and a decent enough Hook Norton Lion. The place has sadly lost something for me, but i will continue to visit for one.
*************************************
Sep 2009: This is a very good pub. A cottage style detached place, with red and cream exterior.
The interior is open plan around a central bar. The pub is traditional, with good historic photos and memorabilia. I have always found the staff, busy, or not, just do their job, neither friendly, or miserable.
The beer choice is good, but on the real ale side, half of what they put on are safe bets; Timothy Taylor Landlord, Wells Bombardier, Fuller's London Pride, Deuchars IPA. The others include St Austell Tribute, Brains Bitter and Golden Hare. They also do an excellent Ansells' MILD.
At the end of the day, i would never say no to a visit and it is the best place near to the fake-tan mile that is Broad St. It frustrates me a little, it should be better than it is, it lets itself down a bit
On 16th June 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Prince of Wales
Popped in for a swift lunchtime pint,there are eight handpumps of which seven were dispensing TT Landlord,St Austell Tribute,Brain's SA,Bombadier,Deuchars IPA,Purity Mad Goose and Ansells Mild,which I chose and have to agree with Ray that it's a fine ale.A little disappointing to see so many other ales that are nationally available ,aside the Mad Goose a slightly predictable selection.
The interior is reasonably open plan with quite a lot of wooden booths,a central bar and partially carpeted .A little of the Victoria character has been lost with this layout and the bric a brac around the walls doesn't seem to relate to the pub but is merely victoriana.
Pub grub is available between 12-2pm lunchtime and not 3pm as indicated on the chalk board,while evening food starts at 5pm.
There are open mic nights and a "use it or loose it" plea on the board describing future events ,but there does seem to be a loyal band of regulars and compared with most of the venues nearby this place has retained its pub credibility.Service was friendly and efficient,and being close to the canal this will also be on my list for a quick one.
On 27th July 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Prince of Wales
Great pub, had the best pint of Mild in years (Ansells). Another gem of a pub in Brum. Eva was behind the bar on the day I visited and was a great sport. Very good choice of ales here.
On 12th February 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Prince of Wales
This was the friendliest pub as far as staff goes as we had a chat with them while drinking the ale. No-one else in while we were there but imagine it will be busy when the various entertainment locations around are open. Decor looks in need of a boost, and probably will wait now till its future is known. Beers were fine but not an imaginative range. Brains bitter, Taylor Landlord, Ansells Mild, Caley Deuchers, Wells Bombardier, Purity Mad Goose, St Austell Tribute.
On 21st October 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Andy Ven left this review about The Prince of Wales
I targeted this pub early on a Friday lunchtime to avoid the rush. I’ve been in before a gig at the NIA and it gets packed and also looked fairly busy when I photographed the outside during one lunchtime a few weeks back. There were 3 customers in when I arrived today but it didn’t take long before there were 20 or so. It’s situated in an odd place in between the NIA and some residential blocks of flats and, based on today’s visit, seems to appeal to office workers and Czech Republic athletes.
8 handpulls were on the bar offering Brains Bitter, Ansell’s MILD, Deuchars IPA, Bombardier, Purity Mad Goose, Cornish Tribute, Wyre Piddle Frosty Piddle and something else I forgot to note. On tap there was Stella, Carling, Tetley Smoothflow, Strongbow, Carlsberg and Guinness.
I didn’t eat (other than a packet of crisps to go with 2 pints of ale, coming to a reasonable £5.80 in total) but the chalk board offered baguettes etc at reasonable prices.
Floor half wooden and half carpet seemed to determine the line where this place used to be a two-roomed pub. Etched leaded windows give it the traditional look but the ‘worn’ interior reminded me of a Firkin pub but without the students.
I hope that the For Sale sign outside isn’t an indicator of a struggling retail business because they are obviously making an effort in terms of the choice of real ales on offer and I liked the place.
On 23rd April 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 244 recommendations about 240 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Prince of Wales
The last time I was in here until yesterday was 2 years ago and I'm pretty sure the same beers were on then as they were yesterday. It's got a good looking exterior and inside it's full of decent wood panelling, wood partitions and glass. There are loads of interesting things hanging on the walls and sat on the numerous ledges. The barmaid was very efficient despite having to deal with a load of girlies calling in for Blue WKDs whilst queuing for a concert at the ICC nearby. They have live bands on a Sunday usually jazz and swing. There are eight handpumps Ansell's Mild, Deuchars, Pride, TT Landlord, Brains SA, St Austell Tribute, Adnam's Regatta and Bombardier. I had a pint of the mild which was excellent as usual. It's a good pub which sadly appears to be up for sale.
On 1st July 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Horton left this review about The Prince of Wales
Super pub near National Indoor Area & Symphony Hall. Forget pubs on Broad St & be a little adventurous by walking around the corner to this place. 4 very good real ales in basic though comfortable surroundings. Can get very crowded with people in the know. Best pub in this part of Brum.
On 14th July 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 148 recommendations about 148 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales had been recommended to me previously but it was only on my recent visit to Birmingham that I was able to search it out. It is close to the Broad St area but didn't seem to have the chav like clientele that abounds there most evenings. The National Indoor Arena is also close by. The pub itself is an uncomplicated traditional boozer that has moved with the times but managed to retain its charm. One of those pubs where its character comes from its regulars not the décor. Excellent choice and quality of real ales, I believe it is GBG listed. Great pub and I'll go there again.
On 27th October 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]