A traditional pub with a red brick facade, arched windows, and corner entrance at The Old Contemptibles.
A dining room in a pub with a wooden bar, blue walls, chandeliers, and framed artwork at The Old Contemptibles.
A dining room with wood-paneled walls, framed art, patterned rug, and long wooden tables at The Old Contemptibles.
A pub dining room with blue walls, large arched windows, wooden floors, and vintage chandeliers at The Old Contemptibles.
A pub dining room with blue walls, wooden floors, vintage chandeliers, and round tables at The Old Contemptibles.
A pub dining room with blue walls, framed vintage art, a tufted red banquette, and wooden tables at The Old Contemptibles.
A dining room in a pub with dark wood paneling, framed art, and wooden tables at The Old Contemptibles.
A pub dining room with dark wood paneling, framed artwork, chalkboard menus, and wooden tables at The Old Contemptibles.
A pub dining room with wooden paneling, framed artwork, long tables, and skylight at The Old Contemptibles.
A traditional pub with a wooden bar, hanging greenery, high stools, and framed artwork at The Old Contemptibles.

The Old Contemptibles

Pub

#1 of 220 Birthday Party venues in Birmingham
#7 of 208 30th Birthday Party venues in Birmingham
  11 reviews  – 
176 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2HB –
Birmingham City Centre
From £500
min. spend
Up to 50
seats
Up to 64
standing
Venue offers catering
British
cuisine
Parking available
Manager's avatar
Bookings Manager
Supervenue badge #Supervenue
Your Personal Event Manager from Mitchells & Butlers
Response rate: 90%
Response time: Within 2 hours
Message host
Newly partnered with Tagvenue

This manager has quickly become a trusted partner of Tagvenue, recognised by customers for their reliability and helpfulness.

Excellent communication - 4.8/5
1818 verified clients rated their communication with the venue manager as 4.8. They appreciated the manager's professionalism and quick response times.
Message host

Spaces for hire at The Old Contemptibles

The Expedition Room at The Old Contemptibles

The Expedition Room
Dining Room
·
Private space
50 seats
64 standing
A Versatile space for every occasion Tucked above the historic Old Contemptibles pub, The Expedition Room is a self-contained private space full of character, charm, and flexibility. Named in honour of The British Expeditionary Force, this upstairs room blends traditional British pub atmosphere with the comfort and privacy needed for a wide variet...
Alcohol licence until 23:00
Unavailable: Alcohol licence extension
PA system / music speakers
Unavailable: Play your own music
from £500 minimum spend
Pricing updated by venue 7 months ago
Enquire now
The Campaign Room at The Old Contemptibles

The Campaign Room
Dining Room
·
Semi-private area
28 seats
40 standing
The Campaign Room is a semi-private dining room inside a historic pub defined by original oak panelling and WWI memorabilia. Design: The room has a low beamed ceiling with inset light panels, teal-painted upper walls, a patterned carpet and solid wooden dining furniture that presents a traditional, restrained look. Features: The room provides Wi‑...
Alcohol licence until 23:00
Unavailable: Alcohol licence extension
Unavailable: PA system / music speakers
Unavailable: Play your own music
from £500 minimum spend
Pricing updated by venue 7 months ago
Enquire now

Event offers

Christmas Party Offers

Premium Festive Buffet – The Expedition Room – The Expedition Room

£25 per person

• Premium festive buffet selection
• Served with ketchup, BBQ sauce and mayonnaise
• Optional add-ons: pigs in blankets, mini mince pies, grilled chicken breast, grilled salmon fillet, sandwich sharing board, trio of desserts
BUFFET ITEMS
1. Cheeseburger or spiced falafel (V) sliders
2. Mini British steak & Nicholson's pale ale pie
3. Padron peppers (VE)
4. Grilled chicken & red pepper skewers*
5. Grilled salmon fillet
6. Mushroom & black garlic arancini* (V)
7. King prawn cocktail cup*
8. Spiced grains salad (VE)
9. Tomato & red onion salad (VE)
10. Skin-on fries (V)
See full offer

Reviews and ratings

5.0
3 new reviews from verified users within the last 6 months
3 recent guests highly rated amenities, cleanliness, location, service quality and catering
Amenities
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Location
5.0
Service quality
5.0
Value for money
5.0
Catering
5.0
Communication
5.0

Verified reviews come from Tagvenue users. All reviews are checked by our team to uphold our trust and safety standards.

SM
Sam M.
Verified review
Private Dining · 20 guests · September 2026 · The Expedition Room

We hired The Old Contemptibles for our friend’s birthday and honestly couldn’t have been happier with how everything went. The private room was perfect for the occasion and gave us plenty of space to relax, celebrate and enjoy ourselves. The food was really good, and there was definitely more than enough to go around — the portions were much more generous than we expected! The staff were also fantastic: so friendly, warm and helpful throughout, which made such a difference. Everyone had a brilliant time and really enjoyed themselves. A massive thank you to the whole team at The Old Contemptibles for hosting the event and for making us feel so welcome. We really appreciated everything and would definitely recommend the venue to anyone looking to host a celebration or event! ❤️

N/a

5.0
EP
Emilia P.
Verified review
30th Birthday Party · 60 guests · October 2026 · The Expedition Room

Everything was great - the staff, food, drinks, speakers. Allowed to play your own music. Great sized room too.

Nothing

5.0
AP
Amy P.
Verified review
Event Space · 50 guests · July 2026 · The Expedition Room

Great communication, good sized room, we didnt have to worry about anything throughout the night.

5.0
AP
Amy P.
Verified review
Excellent communication

Super helpful throughout and made planning so easy

5.0

Prices and opening hours

Monday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Tuesday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Wednesday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Thursday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Friday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Saturday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Sunday
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Expedition Room
12:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
The Campaign Room
11:00 – 23:30
from £500 min. spend
Pricing updated by venue 7 months ago
Pricing rated as accurate by 4 verified users

Best Price guarantee: you will always pay the same price as booking directly with the venue, and we never add hidden or processing fees.

Facilities and catering options

Up to 64
standing
Up to 50
seats
In-house catering
British
cuisine
Parking available
Alcohol provided
Unavailable: External catering allowed
Unavailable: Accommodation available
Unavailable: Promoted / ticketed events
Unavailable: BYO alcohol

About The Old Contemptibles

The Old Contemptibles is a Trusted Tagvenue Partner, validated by the Tagvenue team with a record of successful bookings on the platform.

The Old Contemptibles is a grand Victorian street-corner pub characterised by original oak panelling, a high‑ceilinged bar and period fixtures.

Venue highlights: The pub's long wooden bar serves a wide selection of real ales and cask beers alongside an in-house catering menu of British pub dishes. Interlinked wood‑panelled rooms and alcoves allow hosts to separate reception, dining and drinks during a private hire.

Best for: After-work drinks and corporate networking; group lunches and commemorative gatherings; private dining and casual celebrations.

Location: Birmingham city centre places the pub amid the city's office and hospitality districts, providing easy options for post-event dining and nightlife nearby.

What guests say: The service is attentive and well organised for group bookings. The kitchen produces traditional British pub dishes that suit group lunches and casual private meals. The bar pours a broad range of ales and cask beers and delivers well-conditioned pints.

Usually booked for
Private Dining

Typically for 20-30 guests and costs about £500.

"The staff were also fantastic: so friendly, warm and helpful throughout, which made such a difference."

- Sam M. Sep 2026

FAQ

Yes. All food on the buffet table will be clearly signposted so guests can choose appropriately.

Children under 18 are welcome with no time restrictions. They should stay in the room with their accompanying adults and not enter the pub alone, as it can get busy.

Cancellations 30 days in advance will receive a full refund.

Cancellations 30 days to 7 days in advance will receive a 50% refund.

Cancellations for events starting within 7 days are non-refundable.

At The Old Contemptibles, the following catering options are available:

  • In-house catering service is available

  • Paid parking facilities are available nearby

Here are some event spends from guests who recently held events at The Old Contemptibles:

  • The Expedition Room hosting 18 guests: £519.44

For detailed pricing tailored to your event, please contact the venue.

The Old Contemptibles is located at 176 Edmund Street, in Birmingham City Centre.

Yes! Here's what guests who have hosted their birthdays at this venue say:

  • Emilia P. rated it 5/5 stars
    'Everything was great - the staff, food, drinks, speakers. Allowed to play your own music. Great sized room too.'

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176 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2HB

The Old Contemptibles is popular for

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