Birmingham's favourite Wetherspoons pubs from old department stores to former banks

We’re taking a look at some of Birmingham's favourite Wetherspoon pubs.

These are often found in unique buildings from converted department stores to banks and warehouses.

Wetherspoons has a knack for breathing new life into old buildings.

Birmingham's Wetherspoon pubs offer more than just affordable drinks--they're rich with history and local lore.

Much like many places nowadays in Birmingham, they blend tradition and modernity seamlessly. Let's take a look at what makes these pubs stand out.

Read more: Food & Drink

The Square Peg

Our journey starts at The Square Peg, prominently located on Corporation Street.

This bustling ground-floor pub attracts a diverse crowd, especially on weekends. But for many, it remains synonymous with the iconic Lewis's department store that once graced the same spot.

Wetherspoons transformed a segment of the building into The Square Peg, opening in January 1995.

Despite the passing years, seasoned locals still refer to the 'Lewis's building' when giving directions, highlighting the store's lasting impact on the city's collective memory. Beyond its transformation from a department store, The Square Peg retains a special ambiance that harks back to its retail days.

The layout is spacious, echoing the vast floors of the former Lewis's, and old photographs of the store adorn the walls, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Many patrons appreciate the blend of its modern functionality as a pub and the historical undertones that remind them of Birmingham's vibrant past.

The Briar Rose

The Briar Rose on Bennetts Hill was opened by Wetherspoon in 2000.

This pub derives its name from the artistry of Birmingham's own Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Previously, it served the community as an Abbey National bank until it closed in 1997.

With over £1 million invested in its conversion, the pub retains fascinating remnants of its banking days, including old vaults and a chunky safe.

The impressive façade of The Briar Rose remains a key feature, with its classical stone architecture standing as a testament to its past.

The Figure Eight

Finally, we visit The Figure of Eight on Broad Street, one of two Wetherspoons on this popular nightlife stretch.

Opened in June 1996, it followed the success of The Square Peg. Before its transformation, the building housed the Top Q clothing warehouse, which suffered significant fire damage in 1986.

Wetherspoon's investment of over £2 million turned it into one of their city centre gems.

The pub's name pays homage to Birmingham's canal network, which forms a distinctive figure of eight, underscoring the city's industrial heritage and its significant waterways. Even beyond its historical significance, The Figure of Eight and the other Wetherspoons pubs dotted around the city have become a social cornerstone for many Brummies and visitors.

There are of course mixed opinions of Wetherspoons as an institution, however, it remains an incredibly popular meeting place for so many Brits.