The Shakespeare Inn in Birmingham

Best pint of Guinness in Birmingham

A really nice city pub, located well and with a handy outdoor space too. A good selection of quality beers - though perhaps a little more variety would top up the score to 5*

Had a great afternoon in this great pub The food was beautiful and fresh Great beer The staff were friendly and swift Perfect location for the Uttilia arena I would fully recommend this place

Been using this pub on various occasions for a few years. Seen it became busier as time passes. Our pre booked table was ready for us, even though the pub was rammed! Ale was top drawer quality, food superb, service brilliant. Love it!!

The service was fantastic and the buffet / platters were very nice and well presented

Great service from Lorna on a very busy Friday evening ,her attentive service enabled us to enjoy a relaxing meal before our concert . Beer was in fine condition ( Nicholson’s Pale ) and the food was excellent quality served very punctually. Thks again to all the staff ,see you all again soon 👍👍.

Excellent meet and greet , and we quickly established we needed to order food quickly,. The waitress serving us read nothing short of brilliant. She took a time of our need for departure and everything worked round that. I have to say no we are regular attendees but different names

Always great drinks and service

Full of character, places Sports and dishes up quality food. Good wines and lots of beer to drink in the very big beer garden. Maybe a bit pricy,but worth the money. Won't be disappointed.

We were a group of five and were made very welcome. We had a great lunch of sandwiches, which were really good and well presented, along with some nice ales and friendly staff.

Visited as a rather large group that were a little worse for wear when we arrived. Food and staff were top notch. What a great little pub. Will definitely go again ( I want to try all of the pies)

Incredible pub, had one of the best evenings ever, food, ambience/ music. service. SO helpful and peronis, what else can you ask for! thanks to all :)

Great atmosphere for the first Villa game on Wednesday, plenty of screens and good range of drinks!

Lovely old charming, traditional pub on edge of city centre. Cozy restaurant area, separate bar area, good well laid out rear garden outside area. Well located next to hotel, which didn't have restaurant service But also a good stop off as so many places of interest close by. Staff very friendly and helpful, very willing to assist. Very good choice.

Good food, great beer, a very chilled Sunday afternoon

Fantastic Experience all round.. exceptional food, great selection of drinks and wonderful staff.

Fantastic traditional pub with good atmosphere. Great food,beer selection and good service. Always try to pop in when in Birmingham.

Top-Notch Pub I recently visited the Shakespeare Inn in Birmingham, and it’s hands down one of the best pub experiences I’ve had. From the moment I walked in, the traditional, cozy atmosphere made me feel right at home. But what truly made the experience special were the fantastic staff—genuinely warm, friendly, and always happy to help. They went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The menu offers a fantastic selection of classic pub dishes with a twist. I opted for the steak and ale pie, and it was absolutely delicious—the pastry was perfectly flaky, and the filling was rich and flavorful. My companion had the fish and chips, and it was spot-on: crispy batter, fresh fish, and generous portions. The food is hearty, satisfying, and clearly made with care. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! As for the beer selection, it’s impressive. They have a wide range of local ales and craft beers, as well as all the classic pub favorites. I tried a couple of their cask ales, and each one was well-kept and full of character. It’s clear they take their beer seriously, and the staff were happy to recommend brews based on our preferences. Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal, a perfectly poured pint, or just an enjoyable evening in a welcoming setting, the Shakespeare Inn is the place to be. With amazing food, great beer, and a wonderful team of staff who make you feel like part of the family, it’s an absolute gem in Birmingham. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors!

Fabulous pub. Great atmosphere and fantastic staff. After a long journey this place was exactly what I needed and I will certainly be back!

What a find this pub was. Great range of drinks and the food was excellent. You will find the staff pleasant and very helpful I can't speak highly enough of this establishment. The beer garden is lovely and an added bonus with large screen Tvs showing Skysports.

**Review of The Shakespeare** The Shakespeare is truly an exceptional place that never fails to impress. From the moment you step inside, the astonishing decor creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is beautifully set up, making it a fantastic spot to relax. I particularly love the convenience of ordering drinks online and having them delivered straight to your table—it's a brilliant touch. The drink selection is impressive, offering a vast array of options that are sure to please any palate. We find ourselves returning once, twice, sometimes even three times a week. The food is another highlight—each dish is presented with care and tastes absolutely superb. It's real value for money, and everything we've tried has been simply gorgeous. A special shout-out to Big John in the kitchen, who occasionally comes out to serve guests; he’s a polite gentleman with top-notch culinary skills. The staff at The Shakespeare are outstanding. Lorna, who often serves us, always greets us with a smile and takes the time to chat, which my 76-year-old mother really appreciates. The management team is equally fantastic, always up for a laugh and genuinely attentive to customers. Every staff member we've met has been brilliant, contributing to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Overall, if you're looking for a place with superb food, a fantastic drink selection, and a welcoming vibe where you can unwind and enjoy yourself, The Shakespeare is definitely the place to be. It has quickly become one of my favourite spots, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Traditional pub with a good atmosphere. Has a nice outdoor area with booths and heaters.

Lovely pub with good food and friendly staff

Had a wonderful experience, came here for a birthday meal and they went above and beyond to ensure I was happy for my birthday. The food was quick and fabulous we have recommended to all of our friends. Can't wait to come back and visit. Thank you all again amazing environment and lovely staff members.

I loved it, I had the best burger I have ever had there! The service was great and the waiter was nice. Even the manager asked if we were enjoying the food. Definetly going again next time we are in Birmingham! I recommend the signature burger!

Great atmosphere with a real traditional feel to it, food was fab and service was second to none.

Friendly staff good food and ale efficient service.

Always worth a visit when in Birmingham. Great food, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. Highly recommend a visit if you’re in the city and looking for some good grub.

brilliant food, great atmosphere… 10/10 would recommend… great service from bar staff alicia

A short stop from where we were staying and it ticked every box. Great, quick service, incredible food and a really nice vibe.

This was a very relaxing pub in Birmingham and the bar staff were very welcoming

Had lunch there. Very attentive staff and food served quickly.

Nathan and the team are fantastic… we’re always made to feel welcome.

The 2nd Shakespeare and old since 1700 and away from the hustle and bustle A good first pub before the crawl and it has Palander on draught and the barstaff had a smile on their faces and chatty

Our staff had a wonderful team lunch together. Tasty food and a very warm welcome. We'll be back!

Real proper pub, Guinness is good, I go there couple of times a month, It's worth a visit 😀

Thank you for a great lunchtime meal, food was amazing and the staff were really helpful.when dealing with my Allergy's

Great atmosphere great staff love the rustic set the chicken bacon and avocado salad is not to be missed. Can’t wait to go back.

5 Stars, always lovely to have a meal or drink here

The Shakespeare Inn has got a surprisingly nice outdoor seating area. Friendly staff, good service

Gorgeous English pub with big outdoor area with booths and heaters. Extremely tasty menu, especially the bar snacks. Has a St Germain Spritz too.

Great service nice outdoor area

Came in for the opening ceremony for the Olympics and despite there being other sporting events on, Ryan and Nathan put it on for us. Nothing is ever too much trouble for this fantastic team. Shout-out to Lorna and the Kitchen team for fantastic service and a lovely mac and cheese. Highly recommend this lovely little venue with a cracking beer garden which is rare for Bham city centre.

Great experience, traditional style pub, food looked great. Beer was good, service was good. Big thanks to Lorna for a great service and experience overall.

This is a regular pub and we love it. They are kind to our dogs, friendly and hospitable and the food is great. Thank you.

Great old fashioned pub, good atmosphere, great service. Big thank you to Nathan for great service and sorting out a table for the parents.

Beautiful pub, great service by Nathan, will definetley return.

Just wanted to say thanks to Lorna for making us feel welcome and for a quick service. Nice style pub too, nice Guinness, great service. All bar staff provide a good service.

Old style pub with great garden. Beer was good, food smelled great. Great service by Nathan who sorted us out a seat. Will be back. Cheers Nathan.

Quick stop off on the way home after work, thought it would be busier for the football, but gladly it wasn’t - meant I could have a seat to enjoy my drink. Would usually opt for a Guinness, but it was quite warm in the pub so went for a cold cider. Always enjoy my visit to The Shakespeare.

I visited this place for the first time on Saturday, 29/06/2024, with some friends. We liked the location and the furniture, and we decided to sit outside. An older gentleman, probably the manager, came to our table to deliver a pint we had ordered and asked for an ID. I'm 26 and likely look older, so I was surprised. When I looked at him for options as I didn't have my ID on me, he responded rudely, leaving a bitter impression. I went inside to seek help from other waiters after asking people sitting nearby about the ID rule, which apparently was only applied to us. The same older gentleman asked for my ID again. Smiling, I asked if I had a teenage face, and he repeated his request with a serious expression. My friends and I were visibly frustrated by the situation.Then, the older gentleman laughed and said it was all a joke. He walked away and spoke to a colleague with a disgruntled look. I understood what he said but won’t share it here. Free advice to him (hope you won't take that as a joke): Remember, money is the same no matter who spends it. Professionalism is essential when someone pays for it. Save the grumbling and frustration for home.

Enjoyed our short stay. The ale was well kept and the food was tasty. The bar felt welcoming in the middle of the day and the service was good. it only droped a point as I thought the food portion sizes were smaller than I thought they should be for the price tag.

Delicious, hearty food - “simple” but excellently made. I cleaned my plates completely (vegan cottage pie, then a crumble). Partly because I was hungry; Partly because it was such good food. Friendly service from everyone we interacted with.

Didn't have food but staff were so friendly. We drank outside but there was a weird smell of fish that made us leave.

Good food, friendly staff, good atmosphere 👌.

Favourite pub. Top quality food and great selection of drinks.

Good selection of quality spirits and beers

Staff fantastic - friendly and very helpful Food was fabulous Really enjoyed our visit

We arrived for an early dinner on Saturday and were blown away by the quality of the food and the staff were also really friendly. We had a starter to share and then two main courses. My husband had the Beef Shin Pie and I had chicken and chorizo with baby potato wedges - Both were very tasty and of high quality. Would really recommend popping in for food and drinks the next time you are in town.

We arrived for an early dinner on Saturday and were blown away by the quality of the food and the staff were also really friendly. We had a starter to share and then two main courses. My husband had the Beef Shin Pie and I had chicken and chorizo with baby potato wedges - Both were very tasty and of high quality. Would really recommend popping in for food and drinks the next time you are in town.

Nice pub with good selection of craft ales and friendly atmosphere

Came here with a group of friends. What a lovely place. Nice bright and airy bar area. Very clean and a good pint. There's some seating out the back which we didn't use and some tables out the front which we did use, probably because it was closer to the bar.

Amazing pub with the nicest decor I know of in any pub.

Really nice beers great selection and amazing garden

Traditional pub. Great real ales and excellent food.

Really nice pub, small but a good atmosphere.

The staff were very friendly and helpful. We had a reserved table and it was ready for us. They had a really good menu of pub classics . I had the chicken pie and it was delicious and served with lovely creamy mash, roasted carrots and some broccoli. My husband had a burger. We enjoyed our food very much and would definitely return if we are back in the area.

Went here for the first time with some friends, lovely food sausage and mash was delicious! Friendly service, definately will be back!

Amazing food- pies and starters were unreal. Brilliant service from all staff but the lady who served us was particularly brilliant. Funny, friendly and fast service (didnt get her name)

Cracking place for lunch, with good staff. Stopped by and had a pint of Guinness with steak and ale pie. Probably quite heavy for lunch but it was needed. Will be back if I’m ever in Birmingham

Decent selection of beers at competitive prices.

Had a great time here Sunday, staff were brilliant, we both had pies for lunch they were delicious. Great pub with the added rarity, clean toilets.

Good place for a beer. There is an atmosphere.

Came here for the first time today and will definitely return. Gem of a place that has a cozy and relaxed feel to it. Option to eat inside or outside, which is nice too. Staff really friendly, you can tell they are genuinely nice people and very attentive. Nothing was too much trouble and we didn't feel rushed to order, eat and then leave like you do at some places-solid 10/10 for service. Good variety on both the food and drinks menus and all was really tasty, good quality and generous portion sizes. Best service and food we have had in a long time!

Lovely atmosphere and decor. Not too loud, so their dining room is a great place for a relaxed meal. The food was mostly great, but the burgers were burnt. The staff was not paying attention to us at all, it took an hour to get our mains.

We visited as a group before a show at the Utilita Arena. The pub's within approx. 5-10 mins walk along the canal. The pub was busy, and there was a good atmosphere. The waiter promptly came and took our drinks order once we were seated. I ordered the beef rib, shin, and pulled brisket pie, and when it arrived, it was massive! The meat was tender, and the pie was delicious, however it it was only a pie lid. You can choose from mash and veg, or chips.

Possibly the best food I've ever eaten. When I ordered, I thought it was a little overpriced. I couldn't be more wrong. Would have paid double for the Lamb Shank Shepherds pie. Will definitely go again.

Wow - it’s such a refreshing change to get consistent, friendly, spot on service. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we received brilliant service. We were welcomed by Nathan who showed us to our table. He gave us the option of another but we were happy with the table allocated, he explained someone would be over to take our drinks order. He then informed us that all options on the menu were available. Throughout our stay he was very engaging, light hearted and attentive. The food was fabulous and tasty, we had the brisket beef and red wine pie, steak and nicholsons ale pie, shepherd pie and seabass fillets. The pub had a lovely relaxed atmosphere although it was busy, with a mix of ages and groups. I would definitely recommend a visit, the best pub I’ve been in to for along time for the all round package.

Centrally located, our daughter recommended here and we joined her for food and drinks. As titled , it is a proper boozer, inside and out. Folks after work having a few pints , people meeting later for our out, couples on dates. Really good atmosphere n secret garden bit too. The food on a nice simple menu is excellent. Brisket burgers for us and the pies looked great. We dropped lucky grabbing a table in the corner but I’m not sure if you can book?… parking is also a problem if your from out of town n in a car , but hey we’ll be back . Highly recommend.

A great pub, really good prices and loads of seating.

Good pub food. Tasty, good portions, sensible prices. Disappointed with the beer selection

Friendly staff, great food. Everything was perfect for us and we are fussy, a child, a vegetarian and a gluten free

Been here a few times recently. My new favourite place to drink! Food is fabulous and staff are lovely! Highly recommended

Service was very good both the manager and waitress were brilliant, food was also very good, will definitely come back when we are in town for a show.

Nicholson's. Fine, expensive at £6/pint, but where isn't? Good real ale choice, with a couple of locals.

Delicious pie and an awesome Guinness

Good old tradition pub Good atmosphere, food was really nice good portions everything like 👍

Staying in Birmingham for the weekend. Came to this pub at lunch time menu looked good so went for a meal later on in the evening. Great staff all friendly and accommodating. Lovely building and atmosphere. Food was fantastic, recommend the lamb shanks hotpot and garlic chicken schnitzel. Reasonable price. Great garden. Will definitely come again.

Me and my fella went for a pub date. The interior is really nicely done out, traditional pub with an elegant twist. We were shown to our table on arrival by the friendly bar manager. We ordered the chicken and mushroom, and the fish pie, halloumi fries and brownie with ice cream. Food came in good time, and all was perfect, tasted fresh and was hot on arrival, only tiny minor critique was the broccoli was a bit on the salty side for me, but really everything else was delicious. Decent value for money as you could pay similar and get a boring, reheated pub lunch somewhere else. Save your money and come here instead. Our waitress and waiter were both very friendly, attentive and helpful. We'll be back again!

I hadn’t been in for years and thought I’d pop in for a quick pint before meeting friends. Good service at the bar but very busy, as it would be for a Friday night. Found a table in the back bar, which is clearly booked for 7pm - fine, it’s 5.30pm, I’m on my own and I’m only staying for one drink. Oh no, we can’t have that! Apparently the table is set for the later booking so literally nobody is allowed to sit there. Farcical. The only place I can find to perch with a drink is by the toilets as it’s raining outside. Lovely looking pub, service clearly lacking in common sense. Will not be coming back.

Food was tasty with generous portions at a reasonable price. Decent real ales and cocktail menu. Not earth shatteringly amazing but very happy, would go again.

Nice environment. Quite good variety of food. Not many vegetarian options.

We didn't eat here. This is a lovely trad pub which helps you quit smoking by making you want to sit and take in the superb interior. The beer was very good with a decent selection, though the chap serving didn't seem to be having the best of days. Not an issue, just not as pleasant as numerous others nearby.

Visited for the first time for family get together. Great service for our waiter and first class food and selection of drinks. Lovely high quality pub food. Excellent all round

Visit this pub and restaurant on a regular basis before concerts in the area.,lt never fails to deliver cosy busy pub , with excellent helpful staff and consistent quality of food and drink . This time Tori ( Victoria);looked after us made sure we were served quickly and efficiently so we could get to our concert in time, look forward to seeing you again soon .

Cracking little traditional Victorian style pub near the Jewellery Quarter. Nicholson's ales too - highly recommend

Went in for a pint, it was fairly busy inside by the bar, didn't check the back garden. The atmosphere was ok and the tennis was just starting to I decided to stay for a bit longer. The staff always polite and helpful.

Beautiful old bar staff were excellent drinks choices were varied and quality and pricing for a city centre venue were great

Great local pub with good food.

Decent pint of Taylor's Landlord