Now we don't know if anyone's told you yet, but Birmingham just so happens to have more canals than Venice. And while you may not find any gondola rowers hooting and hollering their way down the river, you will catch a great collection of bars and pubs that make for relaxed drinks in the city. Check out our recommendations for the best riverside bars in Birmingham.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 1st November 2024
Looking for riverside bars in Birmingham? Check out Slug and Lettuce, where you'll find pornstar martinis, pina coladas and coconut bombs aplenty. Its quaint outdoor seating also features string lights and pretty views of the city.
With cocktails, wine and scrumptious dinner dishes, All Bar One Birmingham is an excellent choice for those wanting a riverside bar. Along with the interior's casual ambience, you'll appreciate the deals, including 2 for £13 cocktails from Sunday to Thursday after 5pm.
A pub and restaurant right by the canal, The Distillery Birmingham has an outdoor terrace worth heading to on the weekends. Great for whiling away during the warmer months, the venue slings out crispy squid and peeping hot pizzas.
Located in Brindleyplace, The Alchemist is a bit of a no-brainer for waterside retreats. The venue slings out delicious bottomless brunches and a fabulous selection of drinks - we mean the likes of espresso martinis, bloody marys and other creative (and sometimes theatrical) cocktails.
After Birmingham canals? Pitcher and Piano is a charming watering hole poised directly over the river. Make haste for one of the patio tables or perch yourself over its second-floor balcony to get a great glimpse of the city's beaut waterways.
Overlooking the mailbox canal from its Gas Street location, Verve Lounge is a stylish cocktail bar that's housed in the same building as the famous Bobby Browns was formerly. The sleek space is decorated with minimalist interiors and a foliage feature wall, boasting a heated outdoor area too.
There are a wide variety of signature cocktails available here, on a menu that takes inspiration from all over the world and uses lots of homemade ingredients too.
On a Birmingham canal pub crawl? Felson's is a top-notch shout for those looking for activities and delish drinks. From shuffleboard to pool and the yummiest chicken wings, this late-night bar promises nothing but good vibes.
Located right next to Birmingham's bustling canal, The Malt House is a historic pub with a laid-back atmosphere. It sports a balcony overlooking the main bar and traditional, wooden awnings and a waterside seating area casting views across the city. On the menu, you'll find plenty of delicious local ales alongside hearty food such as fish and chips.
For canalside bars in Birmingham, Aluna is coming up trumps, thanks to its wide range of creative concoctions and swanky interiors. Situated near The Mailbox, the venue is ideal for summery tipples and a walk along the waterways afterward.
Located in the Mailbox over the Gas Street Canal, Pennyblacks fronts vintage furniture and exposed brickwork. In addition, the venue whips up pizzas, burgers and hotdogs, which you can enjoy alongside wine and real ale. But that's not all, as this joint also hosts live DJs from Thursday to Saturday, plus screens all major sports matches.
If you're searching for relaxed drinks, then this riverside pub in the city couldn't be more perfect. Nab a spot outside on one of Ju Ju's Cafe's patio tables and just watch the world go by. Or if you fancy a spot of grub on your visit? Go for a fry-up that comes in a quirky little frying pan.
Pretty and pink, Noel's Bar & Restaurant is a riverside eatery serving up Mediterranean bites in a pastel setting. Featuring stunning botanical decor and golden light fixtures, the interiors are just as sticking as the canal-side views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can expect to tuck into ribbons of fresh pasta here, braised beef croquettes and grilled octopus.
