Subside Bar image

Subside Bar

Bar Pub Live music bar

No-frills rock bar featuring booze & draft brews, plus pool tables & regular live music. People often mention staff, night, great, music, drinks, rock, door, nice, venue, people,


Address

57 High St, Birmingham B5 6DA, United Kingdom

Website

www.subsidebar.co.uk

Contact

+44 121 622 7090

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 5 pm to 12 am
  • Friday: 5 pm to 6 am
  • Saturday: 12 pm to 6 am
  • Sunday: 5 pm to 12 am
  • Monday: 5 pm to 12 am
  • Tuesday: 5 pm to 12 am
  • Wednesday: 5 pm to 3 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (21) night (16) great (12) music (11) drinks (10) rock (9) door (7) nice (7) venue (7) people (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 S P. 1 year ago on Google
    Rude, discriminatory door staff. I've attended Subside before with a group of largely white friends but was stopped at the door when trying to enter without them and was told to wait, which I did patiently I might add. At this point the security detail allowed white person after white person inside ahead of me for about 10 minutes at which I point I asked "Am I being refused entry or something?" to one of the bouncers who shrugged. He asked his colleague whether I was going to be let in or not and to which he replied "No, I'm afraid you didn't show enough initiative to get in." Breathtakingly condescending.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karl K. 11 months ago on Google
    Traveled from Ireland to Birmingham for a gig and popped into to this Absolute banging Rock Bar and found our new home for the weekend! staff where great and DJ was class! Shall be making a visit again! 🤘🏻
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tom W. 2 years ago on Google
    A great rock pub in the center of Brum. While it only really starts to fill up after midnight, it's good place to hang out, drinking and listening to the rock playlist. There is a nice vibe, between the staff and customers, creating a chilled mood. Lovely!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Chris S. 1 year ago on Google
    £4 each to stand at a bar for 20+mins (not busy) to not get served and watch bar staff serve their mate and totally ignore everyone else. Avoid this place at all cost. Just in case you think I'm isolated case guy nest to me asked how long I was waiting just in case he was being singled out. Tip for future Stop trying to be cool and do your job, bar staff serve drinks... Is it that hard to understand🤬
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 James T. 1 year ago on Google
    The bouncers on this place are completely power drunk. If you are in a group of more than 2 men expect to be turned away despite being NHS workers as will accuse you of being under the influence of drugs. Absolutely shocking I come here every week please put it back under bouncer management that was before because the current bouncers are completely incompetent.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jaime P. 1 year ago on Google
    I go to this venue somewhat regularly however after my experience last night I am not going to be returning. I was going to be allowed in before being told that it was cash only for entry, I went to get cash and on my return I was refused entry for my eyes being “too dilated” even though they were letting people in that were far more intoxicated than myself. My only guess as to why I was not allowed in is that the bouncer was on a power trip or he was racially bias. We then left this bar and went to a different venue and they were happy to let us in. After this experience everyone from my workplace have said they are boycotting this venue UPDATE After looking at the review you mentioned in your reply this was not the group I was with. This is worrying as it shows I was not the only person that felt this way that night. Someone came to the door (I’m assuming you) and talked to the bouncer and asked what was happening to which he replied that he wasn’t letting me in. In this instance you did not acknowledge me so there was no way you would’ve been able to tell if I was too inebriated.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karen E. 1 year ago on Google
    Very popular alt venue. We found it as a second option when the gig we went to see at the O2 was cancelled. saw 3 bands play (very enjoyable but very loud...either take earplugs of get some from the bar) good range of beers and a very inclusive vibe. A great (free) night out
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lizzie 1 year ago on Google
    The BEST alt/rock bar in Birmingham. Staff are always SO lovely and I always feel very welcome. Alternative, queer friendly and look after all their customers. I really appreciate that they keep an eye on whats happening and will kick people out if they cause a problem (eg. Someone making highly inappropriate comments about other customers). Student deals on Wednesdays are brilliant and their competitions are fab. Wheelchair accessible through the gate in the beer garden/smoking area plus Radar key wheelchair accessible toilet. The bar staff are always happy to help move things or bring drinks over to the table when we can't carry them.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fut a. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited a month ago with a few friends and I wasn’t really a fan of rock music however the environment definitely changed my mind. Great bar staff and bouncers were quick on the scene to sort out trouble. Good atmosphere, cheap drinks compared to town prices, pool and a relaxed beer garden. 5/5
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Elizabeth D. 6 months ago on Google
    I am never returning here after a VILE experience. The bouncers were rude and less than welcoming but that’s not even the worst part. My friend was groped and it took an age to get the guy kicked out. While this was all happening someone spiked my partner and the only thing the security team did was try and kick us both out even and didn’t even offer to help me carry him out or book us a cab which is standard bar procedure. This is absolutely APPALLING
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Debbie S. 1 year ago on Google
    What a cracking night on Saturday...Dan the DJ was amazing with the tunes 🤘 The drink deals are brilliant, £10 & over for card payments so with the deals you may want to take a bit of cash with you. All the staff, including the door staff are all fantastic & super friendly. It's the perfect safe space for the best night out in Brum 🤘🤘🤘 Thankyou Subside xxx
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vicky G. 8 months ago on Google
    Had a great night. Met some great people. Staff were really friendly and chatty. Will defo go back.

  • 4/5 Jade 7 months ago on Google
    Great music and reasonably priced drinks makes for a fun night out! My first visit here and I would happily visit again as I felt safe (bouncers on the door) and everyone seemed to respect everyone else in there. There is a covered outdoor seated area. Toliet facilities available.

  • 5/5 Korey K. 9 months ago on Google
    Had a lovely day loving the vibes and tunes also one of the safest rock venues I've ever been in door staff 10/10 and the bar staff fast service 3 deep bar and didn't have to wait very long to be served now that's a rock bar worth going to highly recommend going on a Wednesday night student deals on and you don't have to be a student to get the deals Keep up the great work subside I'll be back

  • 4/5 harrison d. 4 months ago on Google
    Nice little bar. Bar staff were friendly. The bouncer who pushed me into the middle of the road however should seriously consider a job outside of security very insecure. I was asked to leave I followed no questions asked then was shoved out of the back gates.

  • 5/5 Ria S. 8 months ago on Google
    I can't comment on food as I have only ever gone there for the music and atmosphere at night. As soon as I walk through the door, I'm greeted with friendly smiles, awesome welcomes and amazing music. This is always one of my first choice of venues. Never fail to have an amazing evening.. Each time I go, I walk out the following morning tired.. Aching.. But smiling. The staff are fantastic and always try to serve as fast as possible despot the crowds.

  • 5/5 deva 4 months ago on Google
    Me and my boyfriends favourite. Great atmosphere great drinks reasonable prices. Love a night out there and can’t wait to return

  • 4/5 Neil H. 9 months ago on Google
    OK, let me say this first, I'm 49 years old 🤣🤣 but I have kept up to date with the music scene, give or take lol The atmosphere in there is great, the drinks are quite cheap considering it's in town. The dj wasn't very good I'm afraid, hence a empty dance floor most the night. The crowd I was with were alot younger, and they said the same.

  • 4/5 Leon M. 6 months ago on Google
    Yer standard scuzzy metal bar 🤟 in a rough part of town, altho just a short walk from the Bullring centre. The bar staff are nice and friendly, which is unusual for this scene 😂 Beer prices were good for 2023, at about a fiver a pint. Has a beer "garden" for smoking in.

  • 5/5 Bryan Q. 10 months ago on Google
    One of the best rock, alt, metal bars that Birmingham has to offer. Great mix of music from old to new, decent drink prices, big outdoor smoking area, two pool tables and a great crowd!

  • 5/5 Bex P. 11 months ago on Google
    I have had MANY a night out here, and I'm very happy to declare it the only bar I've ever been to (I know, somewhat sad but we move). All of the staff are absolutely wonderful and have always been welcoming, you're greeted with a smile when you're at the bar and it's always nice to see familiar faces. I'm glad that I got dragged here for the first time last year, I've met some amazing people, made some amazing memories and I'll forever be thankful for that!

  • 5/5 Thomas S. 11 months ago on Google
    Awesome rock bar, wide range of drinks (particularly beers and spirits) at reasonable prices for Birmingham. Quality music on the speakers whenever there isn't a band on stage. The two pool tables are a great feature, with plenty of space throughout the bar. Visited in the afternoon on Easter Sunday to see Awaiting Ends play live as part of the Zombie Jesus Birthday Bash. Great show!

  • 3/5 Shannon W. 1 year ago on Google
    Don't serve some popular alcohols and there was a snotty drunk lady who was rude and suddenly wanted to play pool when our group started playing. I know public places can't control what people come in and out but it was a bad experience.

  • 3/5 Andrew H. 1 year ago on Google
    This was my first return to the former Barrel Organ, my favourite Digbeth venue in the 70's since that time. Much changed with no live music on a Sunday (when we visited) and not particularly welcoming staff. However 2 good pool tables and some nice beers, we spent a couple of nice hours in there. Worth trying on a music night.

  • 5/5 Chloe K. 1 year ago on Google
    Such a cool bar! Drinks are a good price and staff are welcome - great venue for live bands and a night out

  • 5/5 Alex N. 1 year ago on Google
    Best alternative pub/club in Birmingham. You meet all kinds of people in the smoking shelter without being worried that you'll get spiked. Cool gigs and events on, what more can you want?

  • 3/5 Karl 1 year ago on Google
    Decent rock venue let down by very slow bar experience. Be prepared to spend half your night waiting to be served. Also minimum £10 spend if using a credit card!!!

  • 4/5 Jo T. 1 year ago on Google
    Alright place for music night to until early morning But 10 pounds or more on card for less then 3 drinks is bit eh And not enough hand wash in the loos but other then those two things It was a nice bar to meet other alt people and nice bar staff who tried helping find my mates hoodie

  • 5/5 psyko s. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great place! Just like the places I used to go and party when I was younger. Pool tables, well priced drinks, fantastic soundtrack and a top selection of snacks.

  • 5/5 Hannah 1 year ago on Google
    🖤 typical dive bar, friendly staff, cheapest drinks in Birmingham. Rock/metal music but anything can be requested really. It can get very busy on Saturday nights after payday but other than that a fantastic place to go if you're into alternative culture

  • 5/5 Alastair H. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing. Staff were lovely and when a friend was being an pain to the staff due to misfortunate events earlier in the day they were chill despite how unreasonable he was being. He later lost his phone and the bar staff had stored it to the side for him so all around amazing job guys!


Call +44 121 622 7090 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Outside food allowed
  • Service options
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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