Unique bar with bags of personality

The first time I went to Bacchus I was completely fascinated by the interior. This bar/ restaurant is big on first impressions, but it still has a really great feel the tenth time you visit. To enter the bar you have to descend a rather imposing staircase, with several intricate murals and medieval features, and the grand styling does not end there.

Inside, the high ceiling provides a feeling of spaciousness but doesn’t lose the place’s warm ambience: you’re surrounded by cosy booths, over-sized armchairs and sofas. The dining hall contains unusual feature tables and mismatched chairs, and the medieval styled curtains and carvings also stand out. Bacchus has its own knight in shining armour guarding the toilets, which are distinguished by a small wooden Rapunzel for the ladies and a Knight for the gents. Since this is sometimes a bit too subtle for those who’d had one too many Magners, they helped us out by painting the doors blue and pink.

Food is served in the week and Bacchus is frequented by a wide variety of people popping in after work, but at weekends the bar is pretty busy, before people inevitably move on to the heady heights of Oceana and Broad Street. The food is pretty good value, and includes dishes such as the classic burger, steak, hunters chicken, pies, calamari and duck breast as well as fish and meat platters to share. There is also a roast on Sundays.

Wines by the glass range from £3-5, and beer is reasonably priced. Low lighting and the odd imitation flickering ‘candle’ light create the mood but there is no music in the bar. This isn’t really noticeable on the weekends as the bar is so popular and noisy, but it is a real blessing when you want a quiet drink and a chat midweek. This is a strangely ‘local’ pub in the centre of town, conveniently located just by New Street station.

Bacchus Bar
2 New Street,
Birmingham,
B2 4RF