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Detail Pages
The White Swan, Birmingham
Digbeth
Postal town: Birmingham
B12 0QY
Pub Type
Tenanted (Marstons)Reviews (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 White Swan
Another great pub visited on the PuG tour as mentioned below and like Steve below didn't hang around too long as train departure time was looming, had time for a nice Blue Bee Parkwood Porter. I would like to visit again in a more relaxed condition, as it happened we missed the train anyway.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The White Swan
This was also my last pub on the recent PuG crawl of Birmingham and was sadly only a fleeting visit due to my train time out of the nearby New Street Station (Google Maps has it as 13 minutes, I did it in 10), but I saw enough of this fine interior two room pub that it was a great move saving this one from possible permanent closure. Well described by others I wont try to add anything except to say that my final half of the day of the Church End What The Fox's Hat was a good one.
On 24th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The White Swan
I can't add much to that below. One item on display is a large photo showing the comparison between the pub in its former, vandalised state and how it appears now; it just goes to show what can be done when all seems lost.
I had an excellent half of Blue Bee Parkwood Porter for a reasonable £2.00.
This is a must-visit if in Birmingham and was the final and favourite of my 10-pub crawl.
On 22nd October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The White Swan
Very traditional two-room pub, with many items of heritage interest inside (earning it a place in Camra's National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors). 'L'-shaped main bar with a gantried counter and a fine bar-back, with an ornately-tiled corridor beyond. We found a rather better selection of real ales than on my previous visit in 2015, with four available from the two banks of three handpumps on the main counter, including an excellent pint of Hobson's Best (£4.00), and rating increased accordingly.
On 20th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The White Swan
As well-described in the previous review, this shows what can be achieved by restoring and enhancing the original features of a pub which happily avoided being 'modernised' in the past. Perhaps there are some advantages to being closed for a period after all, and it certainly provides an example for those looking at reopening an old pub. As well as the good selection of beers, it is worth mentioning the friendliness of the staff, who helpfully pointed out that one of the ales was just being changed and brought it over to us when it was ready.
On 17th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The White Swan
Recently reopened after a very long closure by the people behind the Wellington,this pub has some of the most exquisite glazed tiling in the corridor leading to the loos and back lounge,this area also inludes a serving hatch and fomer jug & bottle.The tap room is the largest section with it's radiator foot stand running below the bar.Original features abound,it's worth drifting around to appreciate fully.
This used to be a Marston's tied house,these days it's free of tie and was serving 4 real ales on my trip Stubee M8,Blue Bee Parkwood Porter (NBSS 4),Hobson's Best Bitter and Church End What The Fox's Hat (NBSS 4).
This was my final venue after an extensive crawl and I lingered a while to soak up the atmosphere.My favourite of the three heritage pubs nearby (the others being The Anchor and Spotted Dog) and it will certainly be getting a return visit.Well done to everyboby who has been involved in bring this pub back to life.
On 16th October 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The White Swan
Fantastic old pub that has reopened, and I was served on Saturday by Nigel from the Wellington. Great beer range now and we enjoyed our beers from Little Critters and Neepsend. They are part of a Birmingham Pub Stroll involving The Wellington, Post Office Vaults, Bull, and Woodman. Certainly well worth including on a Birmingham visit.
On 21st September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The White Swan
Fantastic old pub with outstanding architecture. The only beer on during our visit was a range of Banks's, which was perfectly kept. Just stopped for a half and moved on. well worth a visit for the interior alone.
On 28th April 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The White Swan
Open on a Saturday afternoon - not that there were too many punters.
Beautiful inside - A victorian treasure - Long, ornate wooden bar. A couple of real ales on - and I went local with the Banks's. It was wonderful.
Some photos of my Digbeth pub crawl at - http://bit.ly/1NuhI8Y
On 23rd August 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The White Swan
The White Swan definitely lives up to all expectations, we really enjoyed visiting this stunning heritage pub. We received a good friendly welcome from the barmaid. As it was late on Sunday eve when we visited and the pub was fairly quiet, our friendly bar person showed us around the pub and explained her family ties and the history of the pub.
We were told that when the area was in its heyday, the bar would have been four deep at lunchtimes. The pub also used to have an off-licence, which was situated at the far end of the bar area and is now used for storage. The main entrance corridor on the left was most impressive. The lounge also has tiles up to ceiling height and the now painted ceiling is originally pressed copper tiles.
Beer wise, I went for the Banks Sunbeam, which was very well kept. Unfortunately we missed out on their hot pies and cobs, will have to call again to give them a go.
On 16th July 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]