The UK is losing between 5 and 7 pubs a week, right now, and the historic Anchor pub in Digbeth was just one of those many closures back in June 2025. It’s a miracle then that the iconic Irish Quarter boozer whose licence dates back to 1797 will celebrate 12 months since reopening later this month (on Saturday, October 31, 2025).
To celebrate, the team behind the much-loved Birmingham pub will host a seven-day programme of special events between Monday, October 27 and Sunday, November 1—with help from everyone from social historian Carl Chinn to Balti restaurant Shabab’s, traditional Irish session musicians Comhaltas, and many more.
“In an era of experience-led bars and augmented reality, sometimes all you need is just a really good pub; and that’s what The Anchor is about,” said Peter Connolly, landlord of Anchor, Digbeth. “No gimmicks, no messing about, just a really good pub featuring pints, cobs and the craic.
“A year later and there’s still work being done, but if you have a passion for hospitality and keeping the place looking the best for our regulars and visitors, that’s always going to be the case. We updated the beer garden over the summer and invested in some gorgeous olive trees and comfortable furniture outside.
“We’ve also upholstered what we call “The Galway Room”—our traditional snug—making it the perfect location for private parties and meetings, especially over the winter months, and we’ve got a few other bits and pieces up our sleeves for 2027.”
What is happening at the Anchor Digbeth?
Start on Monday, October 27 with a specially commissioned new illustrated talk delivered from behind the bar by respected Birmingham social historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE, entitled ‘Round About The Bullring’, which will explore the history of the Bull Ring, Digbeth and Deritend, as well as the origins of the Anchor itself.
On Tuesday, October 28, Anchor Digbeth will host a guided wine tasting and cheese board evening, showcasing their revamped wine menu, while the Spirit of Birmingham, the city’s first and only whiskey distillery, will headline an Irish Whiskey tasting session on Wednesday, October 29, exploring the history of ‘uisce beatha’.
The reputation of Anchor Digbeth as a traditional Irish music venue will see the launch of a free, weekly live session from some of Birmingham’s most talented musicians, launching on Thursday, October 29. The inaugural session will feature Vince Jordan, former president of Comhaltas, alongside Patsy Maloney.
Head down on Friday, October 30, for the Anchor Pen and Paper Quiz (no phones!), giving locals and regulars a chance to test their trivia knowledge in a classic pub quiz atmosphere in the back room, led by The Anchor’s own Peter Connolly and Paul Beirne.
Meanwhile, notable Irish singer-songwriter Peter Coughlan will return to the Rea and Bradford Streets corner venue for acoustic tunes throughout the evening, before returning for a more lively anniversary performance on Saturday, October 31, at 8 pm, joined by Birmingham musicians.
Finally, on Sunday, November 1, a Cask & Local Beer Talk and tasting session—featuring award-winning brews from Church End and Attic Brew Co.—will explore the heritage and craftsmanship of regional brewing. Followed by an informal Sunday music session from Peter Coughlan, with the ‘Anchor Trade Night’ reborn later on in the evening:
Designed specially for hospitality workers from across the city, the event will give Birmingham’s night-time economy workforce a regular place to unwind with DJ sets, £1 mystery shots, beer pong and hand-stretched pizza cooked at 500 degrees and served by the slice, from the smallest kitchen in Digbeth.
Throughout the week, a special ‘cheese and onion bhaji’ crusty cob, created in collaboration with Shabab’s, will be on sale at Anchor Digbeth. In addition, as part of the Halloween and Samhain festivities, the pub will host a week-long Pumpkin Competition where guests can enter a carved pumpkin for £5 and cast their vote with every pint purchased, culminating in a £100 bar tab prize awarded on Sunday.
Anchor Digbeth celebrates one year on from reopening between Monday, October 27, and Sunday, November 1. Tickets for all events are available via the Anchor Digbeth website.
