The Shakespeare (Lower Temple Street) - A Birmingham Gem!

The Shakespeare is a public house on Lower Temple Street. It opened in 1911, but had origins at the Theatre Royal, existing from 1774 until the rebuilding of the theatre in 1904.


Where is The Shakespeare?

The Shakespeare is at Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, B2 4JD. It is a short walk away from Birmingham New Street Station.

 

In brief

There had been a Shakespeare Tavern from when the Theatre Royal opened on New Street in 1774, until the 1904 rebuild of the theatre. The Shakespeare relocated to Lower Temple Street in 1911. It was owned by Mitchells & Butlers until 2010, then Nicholson's from 2011.

The ShakespeareThe Shakespeare on Lower Temple Street (October 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Shakespeare, Lower Temple Street - history

There had been a Shakespeare Tavern from the opening of the original Theatre Royal on New Street in 1774.

It survived through the next century, even when the theatre was rebuilt a couple of times.

By the 1900s it was known as the Pit Bar of the Theatre Royal, but this closed when the theatre was rebuilt in 1904.

The Shakespeare was built from 1910 to 1911 by Arthur Edwards in the Neo-Georgian style.

Before the pub was built, the Theatre Royal ran to Lower Temple Street here.

For many years, until at least 2010, the pub was owned by Mitchells & Butlers.

The ShakespeareThe Shakespeare on Lower Temple Street (October 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The old Mitchells & Butlers pub sign survived until late into 2010.

The ShakespeareThe Shakespeare on Lower Temple Street (October 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Shakespeare was refurbished early in 2011 by new owners Nicholson's who still owns the pub today.

The Shakespeare

 

At the same time, Nicholson's took over the pub's namesake at Summer Row, near the Jewellery Quarter.

The ShakespeareThe Shakespeare on Lower Temple Street (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

The Shakespeare

Lower Temple Street

Birmingham

West Midlands

B2 4JD

Tel: 0121 616 2196

Project dates

12 May 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Food & drink, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com