St Andrew's parking, busses, trains, food & boozing (1 Viewer)

Liquid Gold said:

What is everybody going to do?

I'm thinking of driving up and parking around Digbeth. Any idea of good spots and pubs on the way up to the ground?

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When I park going shopping in Brum, there's a road or two behind the old Barfly (think its now called the Institute) where parking is free. The aptly named Coventry Street is where I ususally try but it's busy and spots aren't always available. I'll be getting the train across and walking down. Dig Brew is worth checking out, and the bar where the Digbeth Dining Club occurs is also decent but not sure if it's open on matchdays.

Not a clue. Hoping to drive up and back as quick as possible with a 9yo in tow. Any advice greatly appreciated.

I haven't even looked yet, should probably plan where to park.

Parking nearer to the centre than the local side streets would be better than risking it until you get to know the area. I live in Bromsgrove Street in China town and I'm at the ground in 15-20 minutes. There are loads of parking places around here and some great eating places. If you parked in the Arcadian we have fish and chips, kebabs, chinese, vietnamese, load of places and possibly 10 pubs between here and the ground. The reason I say this car park is that it has 24 hour security and is a good 'first option' when you don't know the place.
No one has said how Brum chavs view this ground share and may see it as a way to show their manhood every other week. (said with tongue firmly in cheek)

Considering the train from Nuneaton and then walking from New Street? Looks like a half an hour walk...

Was thinking of parking off the Coventry road in Small Heath. But son in law (copper) thinks it’s too risky. Got 2 young kids with me,so don’t want to walk em to far.

Can't make this one but Should be at the Bristol game, Probably get the train and head to Dig Brew Co. Near the custard factory, Looks a bit like the Twisted barrel set up at Fargo.

Train i think, then take it from there

I just used the JustPark app for parking. £5 for three hours on a random driveway

I'm coming up from London for the game. The old man has decided to book us on one of the official coaches, which I'm not a huge fan of. Means we can both have a drink but I'd much rather have booked a car park spot on someone's drive and be able to arrive and leave when we please.

Johnnythespider said:

Train i think, then take it from there

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Same for me

skyblue93 said:

I'm coming up from London for the game. The old man has decided to book us on one of the official coaches, which I'm not a huge fan of. Means we can both have a drink but I'd much rather have booked a car park spot on someone's drive and be able to arrive and leave when we please.

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I’ve got the meter running on a babysitter so will need to be away ASAP otherwise I’d take the train and make a day of it.

The routine at the Ricoh was the Greyhound followed by a walk down the canal tow path. The pub will be difficult to replicate due to it’s rotating choice of guest ales and excellent food.

Our plan to St Andrews is the train, followed by a walk to the ground via a pub or two for an ale and food.

Digbeth has a great choice of pubs for ale drinkers. My favourites are:

The Anchor
The Spotted Dog
Dig Brew
The Lamp Tavern
Clink / Beer Digbeth

Plus, Digbeth Dining tends to have a good selection.

Not sure which of the above will become the new pre match routine, especially as a few aren’t really food places. But the selection is impressive!

Great_Expectations said:

The routine at the Ricoh was the Greyhound followed by a walk down the canal tow path. The pub will be difficult to replicate due to it’s rotating choice of guest ales and excellent food.

Our plan to St Andrews is the train, followed by a walk to the ground via a pub or two for an ale and food.

Digbeth has a great choice of pubs for ale drinkers. My favourites are:

The Anchor
The Spotted Dog
Dig Brew
The Lamp Tavern
Clink / Beer Digbeth

Plus, Digbeth Dining tends to have a good selection.

Not sure which of the above will become the new pre match routine, especially as a few aren’t really food places. But the selection is impressive!

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Appreciate the list being an ale drinker myself, thanks.

Off the train at New Street. Quick pint in the Shakespeare then taxi to the ground.

vow said:

Appreciate the list being an ale drinker myself, thanks.

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The Lamp Tavern is a fantastic old school traditional pub (they don’t even accept card), with a real locals feel, without being a ‘locals only’ pub. It’s a bit out of the way though.

The Anchor is probably the best as it’s on route and a fantastic pub, usually with a good range. Spotted Dog is a good choice too and very similar.

Clink and Dig Brew are a lot more craft oriented, with a more modern vibe.

I like the concept of Digbeth Dining, but it’s always been too rammed to be a comfortable choice whenever I’ve been. However the food selection is impressive so I imagine that will either be our destination or at least a pit stop.

The Ruin on Floodgate Street just up from Dig Brew is a cracking boozer.
Walking down from the train station is Kilder (craft beer selection) in one of the arches next door to OPM and on the Digbeth high street The Old Crown.

Great_Expectations said:

The routine at the Ricoh was the Greyhound followed by a walk down the canal tow path. The pub will be difficult to replicate due to it’s rotating choice of guest ales and excellent food.

Our plan to St Andrews is the train, followed by a walk to the ground via a pub or two for an ale and food.

Digbeth has a great choice of pubs for ale drinkers. My favourites are:

The Anchor
The Spotted Dog
Dig Brew
The Lamp Tavern
Clink / Beer Digbeth

Plus, Digbeth Dining tends to have a good selection.

Not sure which of the above will become the new pre match routine, especially as a few aren’t really food places. But the selection is impressive!

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I'll be trying a few of these I'm sure.... if I can drag my Dad out of the Wellington that is.

Timperley said:

I'll be trying a few of these I'm sure.... if I can drag my Dad out of the Wellington that is.

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To be fair, once you get over the constant smell of BO, it’s a great pub for ale drinkers - 15/20 pumps!

Vow/Timperley have got me started now, and I’m in a lengthy queue at the barbers so I’ve got time on my hands....

For those wanting a drink nearer to the station before a taxi to the ground. There’s a number of good ale pubs a few minutes walk from New Street:

Bacchus Bar (literally opposite New Street) - underground pub; great environment but only a handful of ales.
The Wellington - massive range of ales on tap, but be prepared for the BO smell.
Pure Bar - Purity’s own bar/pub (you can pretend you’re at the Ricoh drinking an Ubu...).
The Victoria - Old traditional pub with a great selection, albeit the atmosphere can range from studenty/trendy to dark/quiet. Depends on the day.
BrewDog - doesn’t need much explanation - good craft ale choice.
Pint Shop - fairy new ale pub, next to the Wellington with a good choice.
The Briar Rose - the nearest spoons!

Lost & Found / Old Joint Stock - good ale bars, albeit usually busy on a Saturday afternoon due to their nice interiors and setting. Probably not ideal pre match pubs.

There’s a few more around, but the above are the ones which spring to mind and I’m about to be called to the chair (finally).

Warwickshire lad said:

Was thinking of parking off the Coventry road in Small Heath. But son in law (copper) thinks it’s too risky. Got 2 young kids with me,so don’t want to walk em to far.

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Only been once to a CCFC game late season about ten years ago. Parked in a school off Coventry Rd for £5. It was safe enough but it took ages to get back onto main road after game

The Roost is openly promoting itself as a venue for us on match day. Food, drink, beer garden. Kids welcome. DJ on etc.

Can anyone tell me what time the coach leaves St Andrews on a Saturday. A mate is in the posh seats and is arranging a taxi to collect us at 5.30 but as Im in the non corporate seats I dont want to be hanging around for a cab if the coach goes earlier.

christonabike said:

Can anyone tell me what time the coach leaves St Andrews on a Saturday. A mate is in the posh seats and is arranging a taxi to collect us at 5.30 but as Im in the non corporate seats I dont want to be hanging around for a cab if the coach goes earlier.

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Which coach, COAB?

Dhillons
The Roost or
Official?

Official for Satdee but a mate wants to organise a regular cab which is fine but once the game is over the corporate lounges might be open but the ground will be shut.

Its normally easy enough to park around Digbeth on a Blues matchday if you get there at a reasonable time so with the crowds we'll be expecting I can't see it being a problem. There are some really good places to drink in Digbeth on the way to the ground, be sure to check out Digbrew, The Anchor, The Ruin and the Old Crown. Clink (now called Beer Digbeth) is a nice bottle shop with a few beers on draft but is a very small place so not great for big numbers. For food Digbeth Dining Club is a good place for cheap quick food after the game, it does normally get quite busy but only from 7.00ish onwards.

There are a few more pubs very close to the ground but these are all pretty hardcore Blues pubs so never really been in there.

christonabike said:

Official for Satdee but a mate wants to organise a regular cab which is fine but once the game is over the corporate lounges might be open but the ground will be shut.

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Check this out coab.
Coventry City v Southend United | Ricoh Arena Official Parking Off-site

vow said:

Check this out coab.
Coventry City v Southend United | Ricoh Arena Official Parking Off-site

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Ive looked I gather 5.30?

Great_Expectations said:

The routine at the Ricoh was the Greyhound followed by a walk down the canal tow path. The pub will be difficult to replicate due to it’s rotating choice of guest ales and excellent food.

Our plan to St Andrews is the train, followed by a walk to the ground via a pub or two for an ale and food.

Digbeth has a great choice of pubs for ale drinkers. My favourites are:

The Anchor
The Spotted Dog
Dig Brew
The Lamp Tavern
Clink / Beer Digbeth

Plus, Digbeth Dining tends to have a good selection.

Not sure which of the above will become the new pre match routine, especially as a few aren’t really food places. But the selection is impressive!

Click to expand...

Cheers, can't go Saturday but if I do I look forward to at last having a decent choice of ale near the ground!

christonabike said:

Ive looked I gather 5.30?

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Looks that way.

Trains and pubs will be packed early doors as the Ashes is on in Edgbaston.