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Sunday 14 February 2021

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

 My recent posts may have given the impression that all is doom and gloom with regard to the pub/drinking scene in Digbeth. Whilst it is true that, of the 33 pubs I originally photographed in 1998, only 16 are still going there are quite a few new venues that have opened in recent times!

I discovered this piece of street art on the wall of The Ruin.

The Ruin, Floodgate Street, Digbeth, Birmingham 
 
Assuming that the pandemic doesn't wipe them all out, here's a quick run through the 'new' drinking venues in Digbeth (in Pink).
 
Digbeth Works
Describes itself as, "A fusion of a coffee shop, bar and pub; with a comfy, cosy and quirky philosophy." Doesn't look like a place for real ale, but apart from that it looks good - website here.
 
The Berlin Bar
Definitely not my cup of tea, but it apparently is the "first techno bar in the UK". Like many venues in Digbeth it relies on music to draw in the crowds. Find out more here.
 
Stag
Now, this is a new one for me - Bar, Coffee, Barber - whatever will these young people come up with next? Situated in the courtyard within the Custard Factory - website here.
 
Birdie's Bar
Seemingly part of a small chain (there's another one in Liverpool), Birdie's is described as, "an outdoor cocktail bar in the heart of Digbeth's Custard Factory that offers visitors a taste of paradise that will make you think that you're sipping drinks in a tropical hideaway rather than in the centre of Brum!" Looks like it could be fun...but not really my sort of place - website here.
 
Wine Freedom
Yes, you've guessed it - it's a wine bar! But a modern venue situated in an industrial unit and offering, "Natural wine in a language you understand. Less chemicals, cleaner drinking. Authentic wine with a sense of place. Wine the way it’s supposed to be." - website here.
 
Dig Brew
This is Digbeth's own microbrewery which some of us visited on the Proper Pubs Day Out in July 2018 (I watched the first half of England vs Croatia World Cup semi-final, before my ninth pint caught up with me and I had to get a cab home!) It is exactly as you'd expect a microbrewery in an industrial unit to be - website here.
 
Kilder
Describes itself as a Craft Beer Bar and is situated under railway arches close to Moor Street Station. It opened in 2018, but somehow didn't find its way onto our itinerary for that day (despite the good reviews on Trip Advisor!) Website here.
 
Nortons
Although primarily set up as a music venue, it is a family run venture that opens with the line, "Welcome to NOT another Irish Bar!" Unfortunately, it opened shortly before the first lockdown - website here.
 
Hennessey's
Probably the closest to being a 'proper pub' out of this list and has been around for longer as well. No real ale, apparently, but I'm sure that the Carling will be good! Website here.
 
It will be interesting to see how many survive the pandemic, but once it is over there will be other new ventures to take their place/add to the number of venues.
 
It would seem that the future is moving away from traditional pubs and towards venues that have additional attractions over and above just drinks (food, music, games, sport). Much as we 'old codgers' lament the closing of traditional pubs it is still good to see new places opening to 'take up the reins' and keep drinking alive!

2 comments:

  1. Eine der beliebtesten Bars im Jahr 1070 in Wien ist das „Plutzer Bräu“ für bier trinken wien. Es wurde Anfang der 90er Jahre mit dem leidenschaftlichen Ziel gegründet, Bier mit der Kunst des Brauens herzustellen und es den Gästen neben traditionellem österreichischem Essen in einer gemütlichen Atmosphäre in der Nähe der Burggasse zu servieren.

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    1. This is the English translation (via Google) - maybe it will make sense to somebody!

      One of the most popular bars in Vienna in 1070 is the “Plutzer Bräu” for drinking beer in Vienna. It was founded in the early 90s with the passionate goal of producing beer with the art of brewing and serving it to guests alongside traditional Austrian food in a cozy atmosphere near Burggasse.

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