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Beer of the Week (w/e 13th October 2019) with london calling
on the Pub Forum
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Submitted on Thursday, 9th March 2017
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Detail Pages
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham Central, Birmingham
Birmingham
B3 2HB
Old Contemptibles
ESTHER TURNER TONIGHT FROM 7:15!!!!! https://t.co/KyXUdZtQwV
6:39 PM Sep 21st from Instagram
Reviews of The Old Contemptibles (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
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 906 recommendations about 876 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 1284 recommendations about 1272 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 1682 recommendations about 1659 pubs]
View more reviews of The Old Contemptibles (22)
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- Official pages of The Old Contemptibles, contains menus and real ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk
- Facebook - The Old Contemptibles
- Twitter - Old Contemptibles
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Old Contemptibles - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
- Jukebox : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 13 November 2014 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes - O2 wifi - last updated 02 August 2015 by hondo .
