Country pubs and high street bars spanning from Staffordshire to Shropshire and Worcestershire to Warwickshire are up for the National Pub and Bar of the Year titleInside the beer hallOnly one Birmingham venue made it through the nomination round

The best pubs and bars in the West Midlands have been revealed by the National Pub and Bar Awards and only one Birmingham venue made the cut.

The Pub and Bar magazine has confirmed the boozers in the running for the 2025 grand title and it features 18 names from across the West Midlands, spanning from Shropshire to Worcestershire.

This year’s nominees include The Aviary, a trendy cocktail bar in the penthouse of a French restaurant in Rugby, and the cosy Fitzherbert Arms in the Staffordshire village of Swynnerton, which sources the key ingredients for its pub grub from local suppliers.

Read more: Inside one of UK’s smallest pubs – in the front room of a Midland house

Family-friendly The Pillar of Salt in Droitwich was also highlighted, alongside scenic Herefordshire countryside retreat The Riverside at Aymestrey, whose beer garden runs alongside the River Lugg.

Albert’s Schloss was the only Birmingham establishment to make it through the nomination process.

The Alpine-inspired restaurant and beer hall opened in Chamberlain Square in 2021 and has attracted rave reviews for its exuberant atmosphere of an evening and top notch casual food.

Find the full list of West Midlands nominees below.

West Midlands nominees for National Pub and Bar of the Year 2025

  • Prince of Wales, Ledbury, Herefordshire
  • The Oak Inn Staplow, Herefordshire
  • The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire
  • The Acton At Morville, Shropshire
  • The Huntsman of Little Wenlock, Shropshire
  • The Tally Ho Inn, Shropshire
  • Fitzherbert Arms, Staffordshire
  • The Duncombe Arms, Staffordshire
  • The Tamworth Tap, Staffordshire
  • The Aviary Bar, Warwickshire
  • The Drawing Board, Warwickshire
  • The Red Lion, Long Compton, Warwickshire
  • Albert’s Schloss, Birmingham
  • The Queens, Walsall
  • The Tamworth Arms, Tamworth
  • The Pillar Of Salt Droitwich, Worcestershire
  • The Wildmoor Oak, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
  • Ye Olde Black Cross, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Regional winners will be selected in June before the overall National Pub and Bar of the Year is announced.