Birmingham in the noughties is an absolute contrast to how it was in the eighties and large swathes of the nineties, as it really is a hip and happening kind of place.
Of course this befits England’s Second City and the much derided city council has made some good decisions in terms of regeneration alongside some bang average ones (as Keith Lemon might say).
One massive improvement is the arrival of many trendy funky new bars whilst still retaining some old skool corkers, particularly in the Digbeth area of town.
Purity are a fairly modern brewery and deliver some decent beers with UBU and Longhorn being particular favourites of mine and, being based in Warwickshire, took a punt on opening their bar in central Birmingham.
It’s a fantastic Grade II listed building that they restored from a state of degradation after nine years of lying empty and, with it being in the business district, then it has a captive audience.
(It’s close to the Town Hall)
237 – Purecraft Bar And Kitchen B2 5TJ ticks all the boxes and I have been here before with Mrs BB (who is a fan) and with the lads and it a veritable smorgasbord of beer and food.
(like the pub sign!)
However, I like the fact it still has beermats and we liked it so much that, during our stag party in Birmingham, we decided to indulge in a beermat flipping challenge.
Those Purity ones aren’t easy in their star shapes so when the Stag reached 24 it, quite rightly in my opinion, earned a ripple of applause and a throaty roar (from three other people).
Bearing in mind this was still relatively early on our journey towards the Jewellery Quarter then the noise levels were moderate at worst. However, when the stag meandered up the bar to buy a round he was told that the noise levels weren’t appropriate and could we please keep it down!
I nearly fell off my high stool/chair as I wasn’t aware of a sign when I walked in asking us to whisper/talk quietly/be cool/don’t flip beermats/look earnest/grow a beard…in no particular order.
Putting this in perspective…I’ve been here before and it sells excellent beer and also good food. There were four of us being noisy, but not ridiculous and I don’t see why you should be quiet in a pub unless it is annoying punters.
This wasn’t annoying any punters apart from one member of the bar staff (possibly) and if this is the future of City Centre craft bars then I’m not sure I can cope!!!
I had a fantastic pint of Cwtch (Tiny Rebel)…
as recommended by one of the barmen so, I’m going to put the fact that one of them grumbled down to a minor blip, and the fact we were arguably being louder than many of their earnest punters.
(funky signage)
Nonetheless, we spent a fair bit of cash in the pub and we had a really good time for around 45 minutes….
(Postman Pat was apparently inside…)
To summarise, great beer, great concept and ticks all the boxes apart from one…not sure I’m going to be rushing back.
(Should I Stay Or Should I Go…)
I wasn’t keen, and my better half’s opinion included several expletives.
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Ha! I guess it depends on when you go and what you’re after as the beer is decent but not a fan of dentists waiting rooms👍
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I’ve just read it and laughed out loud!!!! Top stuff
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Not one of one my favourite Brum pubs (there are so many other good ones) but agree the city’s regeneration is mostly impressive. I never complain about having to revisit!
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The city’s regeneration is ace. It still amazes me, as a local, to see so many tourists. So many great pubs, as you say.
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I agree I’m an exiled local in Derby and love going back as often as possible!!! What are your favourite five in Brum?
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Agreed! There are still some good survivors from the old days but city is much better and a few new good additions…just need a couple more by st Andrews now😀
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Just to be different, must say I liked the place despite high stools and noisy beermat flippers. Good beer, and normally Purity a sign od dullness.
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I like Purity’s beers. They’re probably not the most exciting, but they’re usually consistently drinkable. I think Purecraft just offends my hipster alarm, and when we visited it was full of arseholes, which sadly is also a problem you get at the likes of the OCs, an otherwise great pub.
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Contemptibles is well named.
There’s a certain sort of gastro pub in the wider Midlands with Purity Goose, Wye Valley HPA and e.g. Doom on that always disappoints as they’re only actually selling Carling or Perroni.
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I’m going to be contrary here as always had a good time in contemptibles with good atmosphere but….not been there that often. Agree re pseudo drinking ale pubs
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Actually I take that back. Just a lot of well behaved suits when I went in, it’s the Nicholson corporate feel I don’t like, and the dimpled mugs.
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Both in great buildings that are well renovated! I like purity beers as like you say, generally consistent and a decent range
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I like a different viewpoint 👍if I went in on my own or with Mrs BB it is a different experience but honestly we weren’t rowdy and I’m not a fan of pubs in big city centres that don’t like noise
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I’ve seen the photos of your weekly “stag nights” 😱
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All very tame!!!! Honest guv’nor!
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Wise choice going for the Cwtch. I’m not a fan of Purity beers nor rowdy stag parties.
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I’ll make sure you are invited to my next one pal to ensure it’s more civilised! Don’t mind purity beers as a decent range but Cwtch is too good to ignore 🍻🍻🍻
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Nicholsons pubs in Brum tend to be housed in amazing buildings which can put a positive spin on them, .. are they more palatable than Ember Inns in the Taylor book?
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“(like the pub sign!)”
I see. It’s their logo so to speak. 🙂
“and could we please keep it down!”
Good Lord!
“I’m going to put the fact that one of them grumbled down to a minor blip, ”
Fair point. Makes for a good excuse to go back and see if it happens again. 😉
“(Postman Pat was apparently inside…)”
Makes sense. He’s been a mailman for so long by seniority he gets the plum routes now. 🙂
“not sure I’m going to be rushing back.”
Agreed. Not struck off completely, but not in a hurry to do it again.
Cheers
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I’m not sure Jess is still working with Pat though? Apparently the Cat Defence League complained about working hours so he may have retired….decent beer and gorgeous building so always worth another visit!
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