Historic Birmingham community pub and venue Anchor, Digbeth is marking one year on from being saved from closure with a special week of events.
The Anchor, Digbeth. Photograph: hankandmargot
The iconic Birmingham Irish Quarter terracotta building has a license dating back to 1797. It re-opened on Saturday, 31st October, 2025.
The team behind the much-loved boozer will host a seven-day programme between Monday, 27th October, and Sunday, 1st November, working with notable figures and independent city brands.
There will be collaborations with Midlands craft beer producers Attic Brew Co and Church End, popular Birmingham social historian Prof Carl Chinn MBE, traditional Irish session musicians via Comhaltas, Balti restaurant Shabab’s, and independent city distillery Spirit of Birmingham. on a series of events and offers around its celebrations.
“In an era of experience-led bars and augmented reality, sometimes all you need is just a really good pub,” said Peter Connolly, landlord of Anchor, Digbeth. “And that’s what the Anchor is about. No gimmicks, no messing about, just a really good pub featuring pints, cobs, and the craic.
“A year later and there’s still work being done, but if you have a passion for hospitality and keeping the place looking the best for our regulars and visitors, that’s always going to be the case.”
Anchor landlord Peter Connolly. Photograph: Lee Allen
He added: “We updated the beer garden over the summer and invested in some gorgeous olive trees and comfortable furniture outside. We’ve also upholstered what we call The Galway Room — our traditional snug — making it the perfect location for private parties and meetings, especially over the winter months, and we’ve got a few other bits and pieces up our sleeves for 2027.”
The week of events start on Monday (27th October) with a specially-commissioned illustrated talk, delivered from behind the bar by respected Birmingham social historian Prof Carl Chinn MBE. Round About The Bullring will explore the history of the Bull Ring, Digbeth, and Deritend, as well as the origins of the Anchor itself. It starts at 7pm and willcost £10, plus booking fee.
The next day, Anchor, Digbeth will host a guided wine tasting and cheese board evening, showcasing four choices from their revamped wine menu. These will be paired with four cheeses, alongside what might be Digbeth’s first vegan cheese board. (7pm, ticketed, £10 plus booking fee).
Spirit of Birmingham, the city’s first and only whiskey distillery, will headline an Irish Whiskey tasting session on Wednesday, 29th October, exploring the history of ‘uisce beatha’. There will be four whiskies from Ireland, as well as Birmingham’s first single malt. (7pm, ticketed, £10 plus booking fee).
On Friday, 30th October, the pub will host the Anchor Pen and Paper Quiz, giving locals and regulars a chance to test their trivia knowledge in a classic pub quiz atmosphere. This will be led by The Anchor’s own Peter Connolly and Paul Beirne (7pm, free entry).
Notable Irish singer-songwriter Peter Coughlan, who helped to mark the reopening of Anchor. Digbeth in 2025, will return on Friday for acoustic tunes before a lively anniversary performance on Saturday, 31st October (8pm, free admission), joined by Birmingham musicians. Guests throughout Saturday can also enjoy freshly baked pizzas.
On Sunday, 1st November, Attic Brew Co and Church End Brewery will host a cask and local beer talk and tasting session. Featuring award-winning brews from Church End — such as What The Fox, Fallen Angel, and Gravediggers — alongside Attic’s Lighter, Ingot, Clasp, and a special edition Anchor and Attic collaboration, the afternoon will explore the heritage and craftsmanship of regional brewing. (2.30pm, ticketed, £10 plus booking fee).
An informal Sunday music session from Peter Coughland will take place following the tastings, with the Anchor Trade Night reborn later on in the evening. Designed specially for hospitality workers from across the city, the event will give Birmingham’s night-time economy workforce a regular place to unwind, with DJ sets, £1 mystery shots, beer pong and pizza. (From 11pm, free admission)
Throughout the week, a special cheese and onion bhaji crusty cob, created in collaboration with popular city Balti restaurant Shabab’s, will be on sale, marking the first time the two iconic Birmingham brands have joined forces.
In addition, as part of the Halloween and Samhain festivities, the pub will host a week-long pumpkin competition. Guests can enter a carved pumpkin for £5 and cast their vote with every pint purchased. A £100 bar tab prize will be awarded on Sunday, 1st November.
Tickets for all events are available via the Anchor Digbeth website.
