please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A must visit - as these sorts of pubs won't be around forever.
0.5 miles out of the City Centre - but a world apart. Increasing levels of destitution of dilapidated light industrial units and you find this pub in a most unlikely location.
Good Beer Guide 2019 entry and the Goffs Cheltenham Gold was perfect.
Single roomed - bar decorated with knick knacks and awards going back 25 years.... possibly my favourite thing was the completely empty three bottle white wine chiller.
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Seemed to be full of former regulars of the Anchor, fed up with the new regime.
Beer is cheaper than the A and don't need a step ladder to get into the pint.
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Every time I visit this pub I fall in love with it a little more. It's a gem of pubs in Birmingham.
I can not shout loud enough about this place. If you haven't yet paid it a visit then you must!
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I'd often passed this pub and never gone in as I had it down as just one of the many small Irish pubs dotted around Digbeth. However a word about the beer I was drinking in another pub way up in Aston sent me hotfoot to this tiny hostelry no distance at all from the industrial units of inner South Birmingham and the flats of Highgate. A friendly welcome ensued. And they brew their own beer! In a brewery on the roof! I am amazed that so many little pubs do persist in this area, although as many have closed down or been demolished. I hope they continue to do so for a long time and that the very palatable ale I drank here will continue to flow.
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3rd pub on a Friday in the Digbeth area and what a belter - good quality ales and friendly welcome awaits.
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Back in The Lamp again after footie and not disappointed! Great beer and they now have their own little brewery (on the roof). It's called The Rock and Roll Brewhouse and the American IPA we had was called Brew Springstein !! Brilliant.
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Super little boozer in an industrial area but only a shortish walk from New Street station and well worth it. Sells Stanney Bitter as well a three other guests and is just the place for a beer and a chat. There is a big "function room" at the back which I think stays open till 4 am!!! Don't give up if you are walking - it is worth the search and it's not too far from other great pubs in the Digbeth area.
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Great Ales, friendly landlord and jolly punters. I can't say a bad word about this pub. To date I have visited this pub twice and on both occasions I have found it hard to leave. I often have a big "ales sesh" before Blues home matches. Up until a few months ago I never really given much thought or consideration going to the Lamp before matches and tended to stick more towards Birmingham City Centre (Wellington, Post Office Vaults, etc) and Digbeth High Street (The Anchor, Old Crown). For next season, The Lamp will be one pub that I will have to visit before home matches. Just a fantastic gem of a pub in the middle of an industrial wasteland.. 10/10
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If you looked out the windows of this pub and saw rolling hills, a river, trees and fluffy little sheep (You`d probably had one too many!) then you could be in a place in Shropshire. Unfortunately it`s stuck out the way in Digbeth but so what..it`s a cracking boozer, friendly customers, landlord, good ales and a relaxed atmosphere..it`s a must visit place.
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Popped in after the festival last week. Great to see Eddie back. Pub was packed
and the new beers were excellent.
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Visited after Birmingham Beer festival. "Rock and Roll Brewery" located on the roof here is now in full production. The pub featured 4 of their beers plus the usual Stanway and a guest. Had a good conversation with the R&R brewer, who informed me that R&R refers to rhyming with "the dole".
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Went to Brum for Football (BCFC of course!) followed by a pub crawl in Digbeth and the City Centre. Always try to find a new pub and saw that the Lamp Tavern had good reviews on Beer in the Evening.
Called there on Saturday for a 'nightcap' on way back to the hotel and ended up staying until the early hours chatting to the staff and other punters. To say that Eddie made us welcome is an understatement! They had a good selection of well-kept local ales and Eddie astounded us all by bringing out an enormous pork pie for us.
Will definitely call again and tell my friends. Back in Brum with my partner in a couple of weeks but unfortunately our boys footie trip will not be for another year.
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A treat to visit such a good pub which has survived here despite the odds, and long may it do so. The landlord opened up for us when we arrived at 12.00, declaring that he did not expect any custom until 13.00. By the time we left an hour later, the pub was busy with a real mix of customers. 5 mainly local ales on tap, and the 2 we tried were in good condition. The landlord proved to be a mine of information regarding the history of local brewing, reeling off the ownership history of a number of breweries, many of which are now defunct. A top place to drink for those to whom good beer matters. Looking forward to another visit.
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Just read in the local CAMRA magazine that Eddie the landlord was attacked during the riots. Glad to see this wonderful open pub again.
For those who have never been there, you are missing a treat.
A great pub and a great landlord
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Excellent pub in grim, post industial area. Good pint of Aston Mild, decent selection of others.
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Tremendous survivor in an industrial wasteland. Excellent beers and convivial landlord making for a brilliant atmosphere. Well worth finding, only a few minutes walk from the town centre.
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Visited last night - final pub on Brum crawl.
The Lamp has undergone a refurbishment and appears much brighter indoors than under the original decor. Five beers on plus Westons, Guinness and a good sprits range. Still, remarkably under the same landlord Eddie Fitzpatrick who continues to afford all a decent welcome. As always everything was "happening" around the bar, and last night free ham and cheese sandwiches were on offer. I had three different pints including Stanway Stanney last night, but found myself a little disappointed taste-wise on all of them, hoping this was just a "blip".
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7th pub on Weekend pub crawl. A little hard to find but well worth a visit. Friendly landlord and great selection of local beers while watching the rugby including ABC - Aston Dark, Stanway - Bitter & Two Towers - Chamberlain Pale. This local is convienently situated for the Markets.
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Tucked away in a desolate area of Birmingham, not too far from Digbeth, this pub sits like an oasis in a desert. In fact, with so many people inside the pub and nobody on the streets around, I was wondering if there was a secret entrance for the crowds to enter and to disperse. After moving the furniture to get through the front door, we walked into a packed bar and were met with a good range of beers - Hobsons Mild, Pictish Mount Good, Everards Tiger, Cottage Winston Churchill Ale and Stanway Stanney Bitter. The cider of choice is Westons Stowford Press. The function room at the back was closed. So everybody crowded into the main bar with all seats taken. The atmosphere was cosy and friendly, with plenty of football fans from different clubs happily discussing the day's activity. There are plenty of objects behind the bar for your perusal. How does that girl do that with a bottle of beer?!
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I was going to pop in last week for a quickie but it was closed, it was before midday though!
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Not been back for a couple of years due to no visits to Brum but I had a couple of good pints in here again served by the friendly but not overly-friendly Irish landlord.
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Snug clean pub, in run down bit of Brum. Bit dull and quiet to spend a whole evening there, but 5 or so minutes walk from the Anchor and White Swan in Digbeth, so worth dropping in for a couple on a crawl or when the Anchor has ticker festivals on. Decent beer, clean customers. Also a bit like a Tardis (you'll have to go to find out).
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Without a doubt the most likeable and unpretrentious pub i have encountered for sometime. Run by the genial and knowlegable landlord Eddie, the Lamp is a boozer reminiscent of a bygone era. The smallish bar is cosy and welcoming, a true local in an area that is now a shell of its once proud industrial past.
Sampled the Stanway Bitter, rather thin and insipid i have to say. The offerings from Elland and Everards were better and made my visit all the more enjoyable.
Visit before it is consigned to the scrapheap!
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Comfy relaxed ittle alehouse - deserves praise.
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Always great to visit the Lamp when in Brum. Stayed much longer than we should have done. Long may it continue.
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The Lamp shines in the gloom of this part of rundown industrial Birmingham.
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Small, traditional, cosy single bar pub situated in a rather run down light industrial area of the city where many buildings appear to have been abandoned. The Lamp Tavern is a seemingly amazing survivor in these surroundings.
The CAMRA GBG, in which this pub appears year on year, tells us that the pub is the only regular outlet in Birmingham for Stanway beers. Sod's law being what it is, these were not available on my recent early afternoon visit, although I did enjoy a fine pint of Springhead Liberty and a warm welcome from the engaging Eddie. Other beers on included Tunnel End Pale Ale, Everards Tiger and beers from Buxton Brewery and ABC Pride Of Aston.
The pub is traditional and cosy with fixed seating round the wall and circular tables and bar stools. There's a function room at the back used by local clubs and societies.
A framed chronological history of the pub on the wall is well worth reading and tells us that Eddie has been at the pub since 1993. Also worthy of note is an old framed Mitchells and Butlers price list dated July 1962 showing beer prices of 9 1/2 d for a half pint and 1s7d for a pint.
Only a shortish walk out from the City Centre, this pub is well worth seeking out and can be easily combined with visits to The Anchor and The White Swan in nearby Digbeth.
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Lovely atmosphere in the Lamp on 17th. Really busy and a great atmosphere. Enjoyed the Springhead Liberty and ABC Celtic Pride. Can't miss Eddie's out when we come into town.
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First visit here on Tuesday night and wasn't disapointed. Old school pub, old school landlord. Great selection of ale, much of it local - The Aston Dark was very good. Huge TV screen showing channel 4 news of all things. Will now be added to my must visit pubs when I'm in Brum.
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This is probably one of the best little pubs in Birmingham. I love the place and visit as often as I can when Im in the city centre.
first visited it about 10 years ago and it hasn't changed a great deal!
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Enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere in this pub while drinking my Kelham Island Its all Over, but afraid to say the peace was disrupted by the loud TV when the racing was due to start. We are not usually in on a Saturday, but always call in on our way for a bus home when we have been in Brum as we never know what guest we can pick up in this excellent pub.
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You may mock Lees latest entry in regards to the Lamp, however not so long ago I had cause to call Eddie on the telephone (he sometimes holds strange hours with regard to bank holidays) and was dismayed to find that the number rang out, i (probaby irrationaly) feared the worst. Luckily by the time i got to the Lamp all was well however I had by that point forgotten that I was phoning Eddie and didn't question him on the matter. I have now deleted the previous number from my mobile telephone and replaced with the correct one.
Anyway, as stated by many people The Lamp is one of the best pubs in Birmingham by a lnng way, a good changing range of well kept beer, a cosy small bar, a great atmosphere and a great welcome by Eddie or the new recruit (his grandson? i've never got round to asking) every time you call in?
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Thanks Lee. Loss of sleep avoided yet again. You're a diamond.
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The BITE telephone number is out of date. Do not call as you will not be connected and may be charged. The pub has a new telephone number 0121 6881220.
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Small unassuming place in a desolate semi-industrial area just South of the city centre. Well worth finding for it's well kept range of beers including a proper dark mild (Church End, Gravediggers on this occasion) which was quaffed quite rapidly.
anonymous - 13 Dec 2009 15:03 |
Had a great time here last night with beers from local breweries supplementing the Stanway Stanney bitter and Everards Tiger. They had Birmingham BMA, a mild beer, Weatheroak Hill IPA and Terrace End Pale Ale and they were as usual in great condition. Pub was packed yet it still retains a friendly atmosphere.
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Nice small pub, good beer, friendly landlord.
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I returned to The Lamp Tavern on friday after a long hiatus. In these dark days of pub closures it was good to see that The Lamp Tavern is as good as ever. We found That's What I Call Hops 2 and Sword were on tap as well as the ever reliable Stanway. If you haven't made it to the Lamp, then make the effort - it's a gem.
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This is a cracking little pub. I hadn�t been in for about 2 years until last week and the only thing that has changed is that there is a large roll down screen for the TV. Eddie says this is only used when it�s quiet as he likes to watch the TV but his eyes are going so he couldn�t see the small screen!! The front room has red covered seating around the wall with small tables, there are also some barstools. The alcove above the bar is full of trophies. There are 6 handpumps serving Stanway Stanney bitter and Churchend Gravediggers mild and up to 4 changing guests, these included Summer Wine brewery�s Helios when I called which was excellent. There�s a further room at the back that is used for functions, but I couldn�t have a proper look as the local Morris Men were in there practising. It�s a very good pub with a friendly landlord and locals, not to be missed whilst in Digbeth.
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Always worth calling in on any trip round Birmingham, not just if in Digbeth. Eddie and the locals make this place what it is, and always a suprise from the choice of guest beers. First rate quality pub.
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Totally top class end to my Birmingham crawl last night! Eddy was on his best form and, I must say looking very well, too. Very friendly "Captain Pugwash" chap at the bar telling great jokes at 16 to the dozen and keeping the pub in fits of laughter. By complete chance, a Wenlock regular was in the pub as well, and great chatting with "Neill".
Church End "Gravediggers" and Stanway "Stanney" their usual good form, and "Monkey Business", not dark but pale, was exquisite.
Well done Eddie, keep it up! Well worthy of the top marks for simply being a superb "proper" pub.
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What a great pub this is. It looks from the outside like it's pub from Minder but inside it's ace. It's so very small but that really helps with the appeal of the place. Five bang on ales (no Pedigree here, proper decent intresting ales) an impressive back bar selection and the best gaffer i've met in a long time. Obviously MRLONDON hasn't been here or he would know that it is something special to go to Birmingham for, just to have a chat with Eddie would be worth the trip, how many pubs in lo*ndon is it worth going to that hole for.
This pub ticks all the boxes, good beer, friendly gaffer, friendly locals... and the other boxes, whatever they are. This is my new favourite pub. I thought I'd been to the best pub in Digbeth with the Anchor, but next time i'm in Digbeth i'm heading for the Lamp. I know for sure i'll be in Digbeth a lot more in the future than i have in the past.
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I wonder if kiwiphil has ever been to Birmingham, never mind The Lamp!?
It's not the sort of pub you'd make a special visit to Birmingham for but, if you're in the area, it's well worth checking out. It's small, quirky, cosy and the ale is excellent.
Take in The Lamp on your way from Digbeth to The Chinese Quarter where the range and quality of the food is fantatstic
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the rating surprises me.
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Nothing special to go to Birmingham for.
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Definitely worth a visit.
Sadly our visit to this pub was after our visit to the Bartons Arms in Aston and anything after that was an anticlimax. THat doesnt detract from this place. A very cosy pub with a good and well earned reputation.
The beers are of good quailty and certainly drinkable.
The atmosphere was busy but not uncomforable.
As I said, its defitely worth a visit.
I rate this pub 8/10 but sorry, if its a choice between here and the Bartons then theres only one place I am going..
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A proper boozer. What I like is the atmospheric environment in which the pub can be found, in the industrial warehouses of Digbeth, 10 minutes walk from the City Centre. This area is unspoilt, sorry, unaffected by 'progress' and the wine bars, yuppies and cheap fizz that comes with it. No lager louts or posers in here. I visited on a cold foggy evening and what a pleasure it was to receive the warm welcome and excellent beer that I did. A small place that is a bit off the beaten track and none the worse for it. Worth taking the detour if visiting the Anchor or White Swan.
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Not a pub you would just "happen upon" as it is nestled in a back street on the edge of the edge of the city centre, some effort and stout heartedness is needeed to find it amongst the warehouses and the two ferocious looking pubs that are the Lamp's near neighbours. For my visits the resident ales, Tiger and Church End, are always on form which are nicely complimented by the regular appearence of another two or three guest beers. It's one of the smallest bars around, so thankfully most of the regulars are friendly (exceptionally so in some cases). The landlord is quietly charismatic, a little unpredictable and without doubt in full authority over his little domain, which I find refreshing. The large unfolding tv screen can be a little dominating when showing footie, racing or even Songs of Praise (!) but a minor quibble in an otherwise relaxed, charming, quality boozer.
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A bit out of the way, but worth making a detour to. Good beer and a unique atmosphere.
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A friendly, small and very quaint pub. Always make a point of visiting the pub everytime i am down Digbeth way. Saying that, it is not the highlight of the trip- feeling it has never quite delivered in some way.
I generally go for the Gravediggers Mild, whereas JB and Mumfieman will also go for the real ales. Generally its a decent enough pint, though last night it was warm.
I would always recommend the pub. Comparing it to the Queen's over the road it is brilliant, but i dont share the enthusiam of the other posters here.
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Wouldn't win any pub beauty contests, but indeed a great place for a quiet pint of good ale.
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I agree with the other reviewers. Great little boozer with great beer. Well worth a visit!
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I can't believe that I have never made the effort to get across to this pub before, its a little belter, with the emphasis on little. Tight bar area with a good range of beers including a couple of guests, the Landlord obviously has a passion for his pub and the beers, because the whole package is welcoming and friendly. We will definitely go back here, very enjoyable.
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Enjoyed an early evening visit to this delightful friendly pub. A couple of guest beers were enjoyed in tip top condition from Elland and Howards Town breweries.
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Another nice visit here last night. It was a bit cramped but the Churchdown Ale was in great form.
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Ultimate top pub. The service and welcome is superb, very intimate as others have noted and Eddie is a fine host. A really cosy place, a great place to have a session.
ChurchEnd Gravedigger is usually great and a mention for the always palate friendly Tiger bitter must be made. A session must be had by discerning ale drinkers here.
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Splendid late session on 28/12/07. Adam was in charge while Eddie was on holiday in Ireland. The best beer on this time was a refreshing, dry Salamander beer of 3.8%, with Church End Gravediggers being a good No.2.
Pub completely unchanged since my visit of a year ago - just a perfect pub.
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Another excellent Digbeth pub. Around eight ales, reasonably quiet in the afternoons when I was there, lovely interior and a friendly Landlord.
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Lovely friendly pub with well kept beers and cosy atmosphere. The guest beers can turn up something out of the ordinary.
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Top boozer - what a great pub should be. Eddie Fitzpatrick is what you would want every landlord to be like - proud of his beer, friendly, recognises and welcomes you even after an extended period of absence, had the best back catalogue of 1 line humour and ripostes in the whole of Digbeth. His hospitality is outstanding. Great friendly atmosphere allround. I start to pine for this place if I go too long without a Friday night visit.
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World Class Boozer!!!
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Another memorable night here on 29th December. The reliable Stanway Stanney bitter was on good form albeit slightly toned-down from the extreme bitterness it once had. Church End Gravedigger was also on good form as was one of the guest beers - Bank Top "Sir Mordred", which, at 3.6%, was very flavoursome for its strength.
The locals here are a friendly bunch of down-to-earth, positive-minded "real" people with no hang-ups or constant moans, creating an atmosphere that rocks. (Mike - if you need any more "lynx" I'll bring some again next time!)
This is a pub that you can visit once a year and still be recognised - Eddie Fitzpatrick is one of the friendliest, most warm-hearted landlords there is - long may this continue. To publicans up and down the country - pay a visit here for the best "training course" you'll need!
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An excellent hidy hole, compact and friendly, a must on a crawl if doing the anchor down the road, this pub has a good local following and the owner is known to look after his regular clients well. comfy and a beer drinkers pub, a small stage and entertaiment section at the side. well worth a visit
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Small place with good welcoming small-place atmosphere. Beer was nice.
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Update to my last post and before the trolls spot it.
It should of course have read in my intro: 'Welsh Marches'.
Damn that MSoft auto spell checker.
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A train ride out from the Welsh Marshes found one in this quaint post-industrial part of Birmingham.
A pub for one to relax in, with the decor and ambience of a bygone and somewhat tranquil and less brutal age.
Sorry chaps, but Chavs, lager louts and the oh so politically correct will be disappointed, so best stay away old beans and not have your sensibilities offended somewhat.
An excellent Churchend Gravedigger MILD on tap.
No doubt the range of bitters were also of top quality for those that like to imbibe that sort of thing.
No danger of one walking out of this pub and one will definitely visit again.
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It's thanks to reading Ladnewton's reviews of London pubs on our recent London MILD trail that I stumbled across his review of this amazing little pub. Quickly made up our own Birmingham mini MILD trail which began at The Wellington beer festival with 5 MILDS brought us here, took us on to the nearby Anchor then back to the Wellington.
Church End Gravedigger 3.8% MILD, I love it, it has its own very distinctive flavour. The pub has a very homely feel about it with proper round pub tables. Everyone should come here to sample the "old friend" style of friendly atmosphere. Its little more than a 10 minute walk through Chinatown and well worth the effort.
Besides the regular MILD there are several regular drinks for the bitter drinker - Stanway Stanney Bitter, Everards Tiger, Greene King IPA, Nottingham Brewery Extra Pale Ale. The guest yesterday was Humpty Dumpty Brief Encounter and this will be followed by Ridleys Prospect Golden Ale. And then there's Stowford Press Cider.
Will certainly be visiting again.
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There is a narrow front bar, which can get very smokey,
and large back room used for live music and private functions.
Two guest beers change regularly. Busiest early eves with
local workers. It is not clear from the GBG, but this pub
is very near the Anchor in Digbeth, making a good mini-crawl.
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And a privilege and an honour to meet Adam Hogshaw of Ladies In The Radiator who will play NYE
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Unchanged since last visit. Nice to see the food at the bar. Like Collingbourne, below, I ended up drinking a little more than intended last night because the Lamp is almost impossible to leave.
Phoenix "Snowbound" was the best beer on, and locals made for friendly company at the end of a very cold day in the "Brum". Still 10/10!
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I have to agree. Nothing but good times in this pub. I always make a beeline for it whenever in the Brum. Hope the tornado last month left it in one piece!
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The Lamp is worth visiting if only for the Stanway Bitter. In addition to this is the Landlord, Eddie, who is one of the most sociable licensees in Birmingham. I always drink more than I had planned because he just makes you feel so welcome. I sometimes have a problem paying for a drink and I often wonder how the pub makes a profit, because whenever I am in, a significant number of customers are bought a pint by mine host.
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Update. All readers should note that the pub only opens at lunchtimes on a bank holiday, irrespective of what day of the week the bank holiday falls. I had the misfortune of finding the pub shut last night (28/12/04). Eddie still runs the pub well, and was kind enough to explain his opening times, so check before visiting - it's a good pub when it's open!
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A good session on 29/12/03! Stanway Stanney as good as ever, and Church End Gravedigger was exquisite. Also, congratulations to the pub landlord's 10th anniversary, noted in Camra's What's Brewing.
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this is the music scene in birmingham
Ciar�n mclaughlin - 9 Sep 2003 10:43 |
Back street gem. Seek out the Stanway Stanney Bitter from the Cotswalds - one of the uk's best, and most bitter, beers.
Simonf - 11 Jun 2003 12:53 |
A low-ceilinged intimate friendly local within 15 minutes from New Street Station. This is a very friendly boozer, if you make more than one visit you're almost a VIP! Church End beers feature regularly, and a major attraction for beer-lovers is Stanway's Stanney Bitter which is always in excellent condition. Indeed this is Birmingham's only outlet for the beer. The pub features a back room for occasional live music, and is, along with the Anchor Inn round the corner, a must for any discerning drinker on a crawl in the city or anyone finding themselves in Birmingham for any reason. I make a point of going there if I'm ever in Birmingham!
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