Best Student Pubs Near University of Birmingham
The best pubs near the University of Birmingham. Real picks near campus and in Selly Oak.
The University of Birmingham sits on a large campus in Edgbaston with Selly Oak directly to the south. The pub infrastructure around both areas is solid and offers a range from cheap student standby to decent gastropub. Here are the ones that matter.
The Goose, Selly Oak
The Goose on Bristol Road in Selly Oak is the defining student pub near the University of Birmingham. It is a Wetherspoons, which means cheap pints, cheap food, and the kind of environment that does not require any social navigation. It fills up fast on Wednesday sports nights and weekend evenings. Not aspirational but consistently functional. Every University of Birmingham student knows it whether they like it or not.
The Victoria, John Bright Street
A step up in the city centre. The Victoria is a Victorian gin palace that has been carefully maintained and takes its beer and spirits list seriously. It is not a student pub in the traditional sense but it attracts students who want something with more quality and atmosphere than the standard Selly Oak options. Good for an evening when you want a proper drink rather than just a cheap one. On John Bright Street near New Street station.
The Bristol Pear, Bristol Road
In the middle of Selly Oak, the Bristol Pear is a more standard community pub that attracts a mix of students and locals. Real ale on cask, food that is better than it needs to be, and quiz nights through the week. Less hectic than the Goose on big nights and a better option for a quieter evening.
Old Joe’s Bar, Guild of Students
The bar in the Guild of Students is the obvious on-campus option. Named after the iconic clock tower, it runs events throughout the year and is the default pre-night starting point for most students. The prices are the best in the immediate area and you do not have to walk in the rain to get there.
The Plough, Harborne
A bus ride from the main campus but worth knowing. The Plough in Harborne is one of the better pubs in the city and popular with older students and postgraduates. Good food, a decent terrace, and a more adult atmosphere than the Selly Oak options. The kind of pub that starts to appeal in second and third year when the novelty of cheap lager wears off.