The Wellington Reviews Summary

Beer Selection

Pros:

• "An absolute gargantuan gaggle of real ales!"
• "When I visited after attending a match at Villa Park they had 19 beers - and 3 ciders/perries - on handpump including a number of stouts and porters."
• "This place has an outstanding range of ale and whisky."
• "At least 15 real ales on tap at any one time alongside draft lagers and ciders and bottled ciders too."
• "Ale-oriented bar with 16 dedicated taps. A good selection and quite a few not had before."
• "There are a huge amount of ales which regularly rotate with a few core ales."
• "Always at least 16 hand pull ales on offer including old favourites and ever changing guests as well as many ciders and a huge selection of spirits."

Cons:

• "Beer prices aren't the cheapest in Birmingham, but the quality and selection are outstanding indeed."
• "Unless you do halves, the beer offering is so vast, you'll never be able to sample everything."
• "Visited last night ..no plum porter downstairs even tho it's advertised."
• "It was a little disturbing to see so few people drinking the ales."
• "However these don't change very often. I am also yet to have a beer I like in here."
• "The only thing missing were tasting notes."
• "But, you might not find exactly the beer you're looking for and that's okay."

Ambiance & Atmosphere

Pros:

• "A brilliant old fashioned pub with fantastic beer."
• "Love, love love! No annoying wannabe types who encroach on your space whilst trying to have a nice night out."
• "The atmosphere is relaxed, not crowded but I've never seen it empty either."
• "It's a classic English pub with great variety of constantly changing real ales. Really friendly atmosphere."
• "Great atmosphere with a warm welcome."
• "A great cosy and friendly real ale pub in the centre of town."
• "Comfortable and lovely atmosphere."

Cons:

• "Just be prepared for the smell of old men."
• "The pub doesn't smell great, it is often packed and the decor could do with a refresh."
• "Smells of old men's trumps."
• "Sadly this experience was poor. Yes Its covid and only available space was upstairs."
• "Place does get crowded in the evenings but that brings this place alive."
• "I would give it 5 stars but there is sometimes a bit of a pong about the place."
• "The place itself felt a little tired the last time I was in there. It might just need to up its game if it's going to stay ahead."

Service & Staff

Pros:

• "The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable, and, most importantly, even though I’m only an occasional visitor these days, can engage in conversation as though I’d been there yesterday."
• "Extremely hard-working and on-the-ball bar staff."
• "Bar staff were willing to help and assist in selection."
• "Staff are so welcoming and polite."
• "Super friendly staff."
• "Staff knowledgeable and helpful without being overbearing."
• "Knowledgeable and friendly staff."

Cons:

• "Cheeky barman following me around, then asked if I was begging for money!"
• "Agree with the moody woman behind the bar comment, can be very difficult to deal with at times."
• "The bar staff are not that friendly."
• "bar woman with long dark hair desperately needs a holiday or something... really strange and rude."
• "Went in Easter Sunday as a group of 5 couples and I have to say the barmaid with the green hair is the most unpleasant and unwelcoming barperson I have ever come across."
• "Staff could do with a serious refresher in customer service."
• "Barman curt and unwelcoming."

Facilities & Features

Pros:

• "Has more seating upstairs with and outside area and another small bar."
• "Also really well looked after, clean toilets for a city pub."
• "Good clean toilets."
• "Upstairs is where you'll find a small function room (max I'd guess around 20?), a small bar and that all important outdoor terrace."
• "Well fitted out with comfy seating & plenty of power points with USB for mobile charging."
• "Ladies loos have free sanitary products :-D"
• "Downstairs out back there's a few outdoor seats too."

Cons:

• "The roof terrace upstairs has big heaters, but they are not turned on during cold afternoons when I attended."
• "Access to upstairs is, I guess, almost impossible for anyone with ambulatory difficulties: steep, narrow staircase, bar and stepped terrace renders upstairs off limits."
• "Can feel a little cramped inside."
• "But small bar in a busy town. Had no seating available and no where to stand, so unfortunately I did a one and gone."
• "Difficult to get to the bar downstairs when it's busy."
• "Sadly this experience was poor. Yes Its covid and only available space was upstairs."
• "It's not really exciting for children but who really *likes* children anyway."

Food & Drink Policy

Pros:

• "Bring your own food, Bo's says bring it eat it whatever."
• "Does not provide food but you can take it in and they provide plates, cutlery etc."
• "They don't serve food but they will let you bring your own."
• "You can bring in your own food which is a bonus."
• "They don't serve food but you can grab a take out and eat in the Wellington (they will even give you a plate, cutlery and condiments)."
• "No food is served but you can take your own or have it delivered and eat in the pub."
• "They do allow in fact promote you can bring food in."

Cons:

• "They offer only Chips, and no kitchen."
• "Doesn't serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own and they even supply knives and forks."
• "Doesn't serve food but you can take your own in."
• "They don't do food but allow you to bring food in."
• "No food available apart from crisps etc but you can take your own food in to eat while there."
• "Unlike the way most of our pubs have become pub diners the Wellington does not do food."
• "Astronomically expensive for a city centre ale pub."

Unique Features

Pros:

• "I met the 2 resident pub cats which are called Malt and Hops!"
• "The cats were the added attraction."
• "Watch out for cheese night...simply check on the dates for the evening, turn up with a block of cheese."
• "They have no issues with you bringing in your own food. I know of people have pizzas delivered to the pub."
• "Darts can be played for free with a £10 deposit behind the bar and they have a cheese night which is a great addition."
• "A fantastic array of different British beers on tap and in bottles."
• "Great community pub in the centre of Birmingham. Cheese and Beer nights, folk nights."

Cons:

• "Cheeky barman following me around, then asked if I was begging for money!"
• "Just be prepared for the smell of old men."
• "Some locals banter is very stinky."
• "It can be cliquey in there at times."
• "Unfortunately an argument that became a fight started. It was broken up quickly by another member of their party but then they started shouting at us because they jostled the table and we commented mind the drinks. Not sure we will return again, but the atmosphere was not great."
• "Cats are fantastic, but don't expect them to stick around."
• "Sadly this experience was poor. Yes Its covid and only available space was upstairs."