A pre-match drink is a staple in British football, and that is no different in Birmingham. Below is a guide to the best pubs near Villa Park, including those designated for away fans. The guide includes everything you need to know about drinking near the ground, as well as providing you with some alternative options.
Best pubs near Villa Park for Aston Villa fans
There are many pub destinations on matchdays for Villa fans, so we have whittled down the list to four. First on this list is The Aston Tavern, which is only a five-minute walk away from the ground.
It is a traditional pub known for its pre-match atmosphere, and it often gets busy, so make sure you arrive early. The beers and food are also affordable, so it is worth visiting if you’re planning to watch a game at Villa Park.
Other options include The Yew Tree, The Holte Pub, and Sacret Heart Club. The pick of the bunch is The Holte Pub, which has a wide range of draught beers and ales, along with live music and large TV screens showing live football.
ASTON VILLA FC @AVFCOfficial
The Holte pub , Trinity Road, Aston in 1990 pic.twitter.com/JElEJSKHAX— FootballRetroPlus (@robertmdaws) March 4, 2024
- The Aston Tavern, 10 Aston Hall Rd, Birmingham B6 7FF
- The Yew Tree, 23 Brookvale Road, Witton, Birmingham, B6 7AR
- The Holte Pub, Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE
- Sacred Heart Club, Witton Lane, Birmingham B6 6HN
Best pubs near Villa Park for away fans
The selection of pubs near Villa Park for away fans is much less varied, but there are still some notable options. Previously, The Witton Arms, which is only a two-minute walk to the stadium, was a popular venue for away fans in years gone by. However, in recent times, it has now become a pub only for home fans.
Forza Garibaldi provided the following advance for travelling Nottingham Forest fans in February 2024:
“The Witton Arms pub is just across the road from Witton Station and has traditionally been the main place for away fans around the ground. However, this has apparently now become a home-only pub.
“The Yew Tree is a little further away, and we have drunk in here before, but it seems to have now got a little tighter on letting away fans in. If you are not in colours, you might have a chance.
“There now doesn’t appear to be a designated away pub around the ground, so you may be best drinking further afield unless you want to take a chance on pubs nearer the ground.
“For those who might be taking kids and therefore might be looking for something a little different to a pub, then last year we found ourselves at the Family Fun Zone inside the Villa Academy building very close to Villa Park. There are various football activities inside, even free training sessions run by coaches. Even though our kids were dressed in Forest gear, they were made to feel very welcome and it’s a great alternative to the usual pre-match. For those who might need it, there is also a bar inside.”
- The Yew Tree, 23 Brookvale Road, Witton, Birmingham, B6 7AR
Drinking at Villa Park
Alcohol is sold all around Villa Park, with the exception of the upper tier of the Doug Ellis Stand. This section is where half the away allocation is located at the stadium, but fans located in the other half, in the lower tier of the same stand, do have access to alcohol.
The alcohol options at Villa Park include Carlsberg, Somersby Cider and Greene King IPA, with prices starting at £5.20
Drinking in Birmingham
Due to the transport links between Birmingham city centre and Villa Park, many fans choose to drink here before making their way to the stadium closer to kick-off. As one of the biggest cities in the UK, there are countless bars and pubs on almost every street, so you won't be short of options.
One of the most popular meeting spots for away fans in the Second City is Broad Street, which contains plenty of bars and pubs for supporters ahead of a big Premier League match, or perhaps a massive night of European football.
There are two Wetherspoons pubs on Broad Street: The Solomon Cutler and The Figure of Eight, with the latter containing a beer garden at the back of the venue suited for summer away days at the end of August, or alternatively near the end of the campaign in May.
The Solomon Cutler has multiple floors and is dubbed ‘Disco Spoons' due to its dancefloor on the ground level, which could be to some supporters' taste on a Saturday night after a huge away victory.
Other options on Broad Street include O'Neills and a number of independent bars in Brindley Place, as well as Slug and Lettuce and All Bar One.