The Old Joint Stock has had many lives. The Grade II listed Victorian building was originally built to be a library for Birmingham Cathedral across the road, but was bought by the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank before it could open. More than a century later, The Old Joint Stock is not only Birmingham’s most beautiful pub, but a 100-seat studio theatre that’s hosted everyone from Stewart Lee to Mrs Barbara Nice.
Step inside The Old Joint Stock, and you will be greeted with a glittering, golden boozer with striking period details and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As a Fuller’s pub, you probably know what to expect when it comes to the food and drinks—serving a range of refined pub classics—but you may be surprised to learn it is the UK’s highest seller of London Pride!
And to really soak up this drinking hole’s magnitude, make sure to head up to the stunning Mezzanine Balcony. Placed perfectly above the beautiful island bar, you will overlook and gawp at the ornate furnishings, glass-domed ceiling, and numerous historical busts. But if you prefer something more secluded, The Chatwin Room has its own exclusive bar for your next party.
Whether you’re after a cask ale or fish ‘n’ chips, The Old Joint Stock will more than sort you out. But I haven’t chosen to write about it because of its good pub grub, or the fact that it’s unbeatably beautiful compared to other Birmingham pubs. No, I’m here to talk about what really sets it apart from the rest, and that’s its black box studio theatre, founded in 2006.
The Old Joint Stock Theatre hosts a variety of productions all year round, with a mix of in-house productions, co-productions and visiting companies. It’s quietly become the go-to place in Birmingham for fringe theatre—with everything from musical theatre to improv comedy, while the annual Christmas production often rivals the Hippodrome for the city’s best do-not-miss festive shows.
But whether you’re a true theatre fan or just in need of a craft beer, The Old Joint Stock remains one of Birmingham city centre’s most beloved pubs that still somehow feels like a ‘hidden gem’. To grab a table, book a family function, or to see what incredible shows are coming up next at Birmingham’s only theatre-pub, head to The Old Joint Stock website here.
