144 High Street, Aston, Birmingham
0121 3335988
Built by architects James and Lister Lea in 1901, the Grade II listed Mitchells & Butlers pub was reopened in 2003 by the Oakham Brewery and now serves authentic Thai food at reasonable prices, as well as hosting a number of beer festivals.
While the brick-and-stone exterior features an imposing clocktower, the interior is the epitome of Victorian decorative grandeur, with its mahogany woodworkings, stained and engraved windows and sweeping wrought-iron staircase. The pub also won the Campaign for Real Ale's Pub of the Year in 2004.
Manager Andy Smart says: 'We are not what you would call a locals' local pub we attract mainly business people in the week and a complete mixture of people at the weekend, including lots of people who've travelled to us from outside the area.
Live music takes place every Saturday night, as well as a number of comedy-club nights. A full table-service restaurant offers food cooked by four Thai chefs and includes dishes such as vegetarian red curry with Thai fries or rice, Massaman beef curry, or Oriental duck.
There is also a function suite that can be hired for weddings, private parties or business dinners, and a boardroom which is suitable for smaller meetings and sits 22 people.
The Bartons Arms stocks a selection of Oakham's award-winning ales, guest ales from across the country, as well as what it claims is Birmingham's best range of imported bottled beers.