Bacchus Bar

Bacchus Bar is a pretty safe bet if you’re looking to grab a drink and a fairly decent chain-​pub meal. The interior design is its USP, as every room is done out in a different era, such as Egyptian, Victorian, Renaissance etc., though in a very obviously fake kind of way, a bit like Las Vegas. It’s also underground and tucked away in a small shopping arcade, so there is a definite appeal to feeling like you’ve been let in on a secret.
I would stress, however, that it isn’t a very well kept secret, and, as with most Birmingham bars, is always packed out from Thursday evening through ’til Sunday. If you can get a seat however it’s a cosy place to pass a couple of hours, and the food is a bit better than your average chain pub meal. The drinks aren’t extortionate but they’re also not particularly cheap, though they do have a good selection, particularly of gins.
The staff have been mostly friendly on my visits, and the atmosphere is always great, so Bacchus is definitely worth trying and, as it’s so close to New Street, can be a life-​saver in the day-​time if you want to get away from the busy-​ness of the streets above.

Nice relaxed pub in a different to normal setting.
Bacchus was once described to me by a friend as «the most romantic place in Birmingham», he was wrong about that, but there is an undeniable charm to going down into the old wine cellar (thus Bacchus) with its dim lighting chilled out vibe and, of course, Egyptian Zone (seriously, turn right at the bar).
It’s a Nicholson owned pub so everything tends to be of a slightly higher quality than the average brewery owned pub you might go to, there’s a good selection of beer and you’ll be able to get nice gin to go with your tonic. Food is all tasty stuff, again better than standard pub grub but not all that much more expensive.
Overall a nice spot to go and relax over some decent food and drink and have a natter, keep in mind that it gets very busy on a Saturday lunch time though.

A regular stop for food for me and the girlfriend… again.
I love Bacchus, it looks and feels how a traditional pub should be, set in a sort of cellar just outside of new street it feels like you are in a different place. It’s so traditional and the décor is lovely and really makes it feel classy and traditional.
We went for valentine’s day, and the menu was so good! A 2 course menu for around 10 pounds from what I remember and it isn’t that different on a regular basis. The food is also divine, I always love things covered in barbeque sauce and, boy, they know how to do a good bbq chicken! Staff are always nice and the atmosphere is friendly and never too loud.
My girlfriend is a vegetarian and she would not shut up about how good the mac and cheese is there, so it must be good!
For me this place just has everything, a traditional, classy feel and atmosphere with food and drink that is just lovely! A very romantic stop and great for groups.
Never had a bad experience, I would book in advance incase they are busy but try it!

The interior of the bar is really nice although a little too fake. (Even though I do still like it)
When I’ve been there it’s been very busy even though it was a Tuesday night. It is just a few minutes walk from new street under the Burlington hotel.
I’ve been on date nights there and we just about got a table. I’ve found myself talking to numerous strangers at the bar and they’ve always been really friendly including the staff there.
I haven had food here just drinks but may go back although I normally don’t like chain pubs/​restaurants. The drinks aren’t ridiculously expensive and for somebody looking for somewhere to go in town I’d recommend it as it is a little different from everywhere else.

I’ve been to this bar a few times and had both food and just drinks. This is a hidden gem, It’s like a secret underground Tudor/​Roman/​ancient Egyptian hideout. The atmosphere is lively, cosy and the bar itself has a quirky, unique and interesting vibe. It’s such a beautiful place filled with stunning artwork, It’s a great bar with unique furniture and décor.
The bar can get very busy and crowded, making it hard to get served during busy times but I would highly recommend a place to try out.

A hidden place in Birmingham city core which you should definitely go and see!
Quite funny, someone told me that it’s known as the perfect bar to have an affair: D It does somehow make sense though… You go down some stairs into a dark but cosy lighted place and don’t have any phone signal! The décor is impressive and can’t be captured good enough on a picture to imagine how it really looks like. They offer a menu with pub food which has quite a big choice of dishes. My only minor is that we sat in a light draft which made it cold. I will go again though and highly recommend you to try it.

Exceptionally friendly staff and great find for a large hungry group of us on a hockey tour of the UK

Bacchus is somewhere i try and take people who have either never been or are new too Birmingham, initially I want to say if you haven’t been you need to go just to understand the awesomeness that is a medievil themed bar under one of Birmingham’s nicest hotels’. The bar itself is bigger than it appears having a sperate dining area but can still be busy post work on a thursday and friday.
One other important thing to note, you will not have phone signal down there, I have on many an occasion lost track of time drinking and emerged to several calls and texts from people.
If you are looking for an out the way quiet drink where you aren’t going to be disturbed this is definitely the place to go.

This time of year is the perfect opportunity to enjoy Bacchus Bar. Tucked away downstairs beneath the Burlington Hotel, it is a welcome retreat from the cold, drab evenings and a welcome environment to relax with a drink after a long day!
It’s medieval décor makes it more interesting than your average city centre pub and you are completely cut off from the bustle of the high street so there’s little to distract you from your present company, drinks and food, if you are eating. There is a varied selection of decent beers and wines but nothing too unusual. There is always plenty of people in here to provide ambience which is a must for me! I see no point in sitting in a stylish bar with zero atmosphere because it is near empty.
The food here is standard British fayre and I have never been disappointed. Being a bit of pie connoisseur I usually opt for one of the pies and each one I have tried has left me feeling satisfied! The service has always been brilliant and I have never had a negative experience. The next time I am in the city centre, cold and bothered, I will escape to Bacchus Bar once again for some really decent food, drink and service!

I like the adventure of going underground (okay, the lower ground of the Burlington Hotel) is part of the fun because it feels like a hidden gem. It is however not a hidden gem as the crowds on a Friday night prove otherwise! The décor is charming and slightly odd (my favourite kind) with Egyptian and Medieval vibes but the queues get heaving and with only two tills per bar (there are two bars) it takes a while to get a drink. The staff are really lovely though

With the exception of my undying love for Mr. W.H.Spoons I’ve never been a huge fan of chains. However Bacchus Bar, another square cut from the Nicholson’s cloth has a lot more individuality to offer than your average franchise.
Situated in the underground of the Burlington Arcade and taking inspiration from the Greek god of wine, the initial experience feels like a visit to the underworld but with the added delight of dulcet brummy tones.
Unless you get there for last orders on a Tuesday the bar is always busy and buzzing but with enough comfy seats to still allow intimacy to the occasion. The menu is full of your standard British pub classics and the bar stocks a good selection of wine. It’s not the cheapest but with a Nicholson’s Gourmet Burger for a tenner it’s not bank breaking either.
The main thing to say about Bacchus is that the staff are nice — I mean really nice. I once went there on a first date and managed to get my bag nicked from under the table by a tramp (true story) and while I was busy running round trying to sort my life out they gave us a bottle of wine on the house and personally got in touch with the police on my behalf. On a following occasion I took a hen party of 16 ravenous females, had to turn up and hour and a half late due to transport issues and they not only kept the table for us but waited on us hand on foot. Then the fire alarm went off, we waited outside and they were so shocked that we paid up instead of doing a runner that then invited us back that evening for drinks on the house — not bad for a busy Birmingham bar!
Busy at the weekends but great for a chilled mid week catch up. Great date spot too (you’re literally jumping distance from New Street if they turn out to be a douche) just keep hold of your bag.

Bacchus bar is known as a hidden gem in Birmingham however I would strongly disagree.
The initial surprise factor of the bar very quickly wears off. The bar is hidden down a flight of stairs, the interior is pin pointed of an old historical feel.
The bar suits the standard alcohol selection, nothing too fancy.
I went for a lunch, i chose a classic Chicken pie. Unfortunately the food isn’t great, it’s bog standard pub grub but highly priced for its worth. I would have much rather gone to a weather-​spoons.
However it’s great for socialising if there’s a group of mates just finished work, need a few pints. But the food really lets it down.
Definitely not in a hurry to pop back anytime soon — Sorry Guys!

Oh, Bacchus Bar. I attend regular meet-​ups at this place, and it’s pretty solid as far as pubs go– reasonably priced drinks, usually something new on tap, incredibly lively décor. The staff are absolutely fantastic– some of the friendliest pub staff I’ve encountered in the city centre.
The food and drink is alright, but not particularly special. The only dish I’ve ordered at Bacchus that I’d order again is the nachos. The ‘small’ portion is really quite generous and absolutely loaded with toppings.
That said, it’s definitely worth going in just to look around! Some people describe it as having a ‘historic vibe’, and it does, but in a very tacky vegas-​esque sort of way that you can’t find anywhere else in Birmingham. It’s really fun to wander around all of the different themed rooms (e.g. the Egypt room, the Library).
*Note: Bacchus is an absolutely wonderful place for large groups!*

Bacchus Bar is a great little gem situated underneath The Burlington Hotel, really close to New Street Station. It’s part of the Nicholson’s brewery, but it has it’s own unique style. I really like going there in winter especially, as its underground in an old railway tunnel, but feels really warm and cosy. It is decorated with all sorts of wonderful items such as armour, retro/​old paintings and even an Egyptian room! I love the high-​backed chairs too. The food menu is pretty good– they do a nice wild boar burger. Getting a seat in the dining area isn’t too hard. However, after work it can be hard to find a seat in the main bar. Also, it’s worth mentioning that there is no mobile phone coverage in 95% of the bar, so don’t use this as a meeting place unless your friends are reliable on time;)

I really liked Bacchus, as did a whole heap of other people on this particular Tuesday night I found myself in B’ham because it was rammed!
I like that it is underground and the décor has to be seen to be properly appreciated, given the suits of armour, flags, and some faux stone masonry.
Service was good, and once we finally found some seats/​tables they were quite comfortable in our little corner.
Good prices unsurprisingly (Midlands) and an fun atmosphere of post-​work drinks and random drinkers :)
I’m defo going back!

I just spotted I hadn’t rewritten my review since the refurbishment! How remiss of me!
Bacchus Bar shocked the people of Birmingham by «closing for refurbishment» around the middle of the year. This bar has been here since the dawn of time, so when it reopened it’s doors… I entered with trepidation to see what new mysteries laid inside…
What ACTUALLY happened was that the venue received a deep clean and didn’t actually change, but that revisit did rekindle my love for this place and mean that I’ve been back many times in 2014.
First thing of note, I reckon the food has improved. With a diverse menu and «wild boar» sausages now on offer, it’s a great little place to grab an ale or a glass of wine and a spot of lunch on a lazy Saturday/​Sunday. Second thing of note, their cheapest wine is pretty spot on! At around £13/£14 a bottle, a glass with the crew is not going to mean remortgaging your house.
Other than that, I stand by my original review. It’s a secret hideaway in plain sight. Underneath a hotel, through an arcade and off New Street — this place is technically one of the most centrally located bars in Birmingham, but if you don’t know where, you’ll miss it!
High backed chairs, suits of armour and luxurious red velvet make every visit a treat! A good place to go to wind down after a long day of work. A good selection of both bottled beers and ales on tap, as well as a large wine and spirit selection make it a top «first date» or «catching up» location!
Why not discover your favourite place on New Street that you didn’t know existed?

While on date. date «Let’s go to Bacchus Bar», me «Where is that, never heard of it», date «Burlington Arcade». I’ve walked through Burlington a gazillion times, I never knew this place existed.
This is a place you have to visit for the experience. It is not overly expensive, and the food and drink on offer isn’t anything special, but the décor (faux as it is) makes all that become secondary.
Just visit, if it is not your thing at least you tried. I’ll be going back, it feels like a getaway from many of the drab and predictable bars in the city centre.

Who needs a time machine when you got this place. I love going go Bachus Bar for a good cup of tea/​coffee and a slice of warm chocolate brownie, relax and do my work or just surf the internet.
This is the place to go when you want to get away from the loud cafes or pubs in town. Need to have a nice chat with friends or just relax and do your work next to armor suit, this is your spot. It’s below the Burlington Hotel, so network can be tricky to get. I mostly never get signal on my phone, could be just my carrier. But they do have an O2 free wifi spot so yay to internet and away from people calling for your entire time.
I love the art work and sculptures they have all over the place. The interior is beautiful and just makes you feel like you in a movie set or went back in time to Rome. High backed chairs and comfy sofa seats. Lighting is just perfect for me as I hate places that are too bright and loud.
I’ve never had meal here so I can’t comment on their food. I’ve had onion rings and wasn’t good, too crunchy and oily. Their Chocolate brownie is beautiful, sad they no longer have apple crumble with custard anymore on menu. It is a little pricey but not too much.

Where else will you find such an ‘historical’ infusion of faux medieval, Egyptian, Victorian and Rome décor?
Bacchus is an expansive pub, situated in the fairly grand Burlington Arcade. Underground, it feels a bit like entering a converted film set, featuring suits of armour, a library and fake stone masonry.
It’s part of the Nicholson’s (Mitchell and Butler’s) chain, with the kind of food selection you’d expect to see there: ‘Classic’ pub mains, burgers and grill. It’s not badly priced though, the quality is decent and honestly I think it’s worth it just to pretend you’re totally out of Birmingham.
It’s quite a busy pub and despite its size, it can be difficult to get a table on a weekend. They do tend to keep the library and Egyptian area diners only though, so it’s always worth a shot. The bustle means you’re never short of a bustling atmosphere though. It’s not a pub to miss.

I’m not sure if this should be 3 or 4 stars, but let’s err on the side of caution.
Here the staff are lovely, food is OK (but it’s chain-​style food now as it has been taken over by Nicholson Pubs) but nothing to write home about as it doesn’t have that «one-​of-​a-​kind» homemade taste. The prices are not amazingly cheap and the wifi is patchy at best, however, the décor is what makes this place fantastic!
I’d recommend don’t go on the weekend as it is so busy most people end up standing, but instead go in the week or early evening as you can get a bottle of wine and a lovely hidden corner table and spend hours that way. I think it’s a must-​see at least once when you’re in Birmingham!