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Birmingham Hotel

places|vic|fitzroy|birmingham%20hotel
Once a pub you were scared to even walk past, let alone go inside, the Birmingham has had a change of management and a change of heart. If you want to see what Fitzroy live music pubs were like back in the early 90’s when grunge punk ruled the streets, then step inside.

Editorial


Sometimes a modicum of gentrification is a good thing for the neighbourhood, but even though there’s been a welcome change of management for this old pub, the ‘Birmy’ has kept its grungy old school, Fitzroy ‘band pub’ style, hosting up to 20 bands a week, whilst kicking out some of the more unsavory clientele of its past.

The Birmingham Hotel has probably not been renovated for at least the last 30 years, so you’ll be stepping back into history upon entering this old charmer. So she may be a little tatty and peeling at the edges but a living music culture is still alive and kicking at the Birmy. The regulars range from gen-Y hipsters, to serious musicians, right though to quirky old locals who look like they’ve become part of the furniture after years of drinking here.

If you’ve got the balls, there’s a friendly pool table, some old school pinball machines and a lone token pokie machine. Beers on tap include VB and Coopers varieties, and a few bottled imports, but don’t expect too many boutique brews here – this is a worker’s pub with worker’s beer. And don’t bother asking for a Cosmopolitan or anything too fancy, because they’ll be none of that silly ‘mixology’ stuff here mate. But they do serve a wicked pizza (with a drink purchase) if you get the hungers.

Meri Harli, Citysearch

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