Gunmakers Arms, Birmingham
A historic corner pub in Birmingham’s Gun Quarter, once a payhouse for gunmakers and later a community arts and brewery hub, now closed but deeply woven into the city’s industrial story.
Tucked in the heart of Birmingham’s historic Gun Quarter, the Gunmakers Arms is a Grade II–listed pub with deep roots in the city’s industrial past. Built around 1820 as three houses merged into a corner pub, it long served as a payhouse and social hub for gunmakers and workers. Known originally as the Pike and Musket, it later became a community and arts space, housing Two Towers Brewery and hosting local artists and musicians. Though now permanently closed, its Regency-era architecture and layered history as a working-class tavern, industrial landmark, and cultural venue make it a poignant symbol of Birmingham’s manufacturing heritage and changing urban landscape.
A brief summary to Gunmakers Arms
- 93 Bath St, Birmingham, B4 6HG, GB
- +441212368486
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Budget
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit the exterior to appreciate the Grade II–listed Regency architecture and imagine the pub’s role as a payhouse and social hub in the Gun Quarter’s industrial heyday.
- Combine a visit with a walk through the Gun Quarter to see other surviving industrial buildings and learn about Birmingham’s global role in 18th–19th century arms manufacturing.
- Look for historical markers or plaques in the area that explain the pub’s connection to the gun trade and its later life as a brewery taproom and arts space.
- Respect that the pub is now permanently closed; treat the site as a historic landmark rather than an active venue, and avoid disturbing any private areas or signage.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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On foot from Birmingham New Street
From Birmingham New Street station, walk north along Stephenson Street and then onto Great Charles Street Queensway. Continue into the Gun Quarter area, turning onto Bath Street; the Gunmakers Arms is on the corner of Bath Street and Little Shadwell Street. The walk takes about 10–15 minutes on flat, paved urban streets with clear signage.
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By bus from Birmingham city centre
Several local bus routes serve the Gun Quarter area, stopping within a 5–10 minute walk of the pub. Alight at a stop on Great Charles Street Queensway or nearby streets, then follow signs or maps to Bath Street. The exact stop and walking time depend on the route, but most journeys from the city centre take 10–20 minutes.
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By car with parking
Drive to the Gun Quarter via the A38(M) or local roads, then follow signs to central Birmingham parking. The nearest public car parks are a 5–10 minute walk away; parking is paid and can be limited during peak hours. From the car park, walk along Great Charles Street Queensway and turn onto Bath Street to reach the pub.
Gunmakers Arms location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Gunmakers Arms
A Corner Pub with Industrial Roots
Standing at the junction of Bath Street and Little Shadwell Street, the Gunmakers Arms occupies a distinctive corner building that dates back to around 1820. Originally three separate houses, they were combined into a single pub with a classic Regency bow-fronted facade, sash windows, and a characterful street presence. The building’s architecture reflects Birmingham’s early 19th-century urban fabric, where homes, workshops, and taverns existed side by side in the dense Gun Quarter. For over two centuries, this corner was more than just a drinking house; it was a place where the rhythms of industrial life played out, from paydays to disputes, celebrations to quiet evenings after long shifts in nearby gun workshops.Heart of the Gun Quarter
The pub sits in what was once the world’s largest centre of gun manufacturing, the Gun Quarter, where Birmingham supplied arms for the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, and both World Wars. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area buzzed with specialist workshops producing barrels, locks, and other components, with finished guns assembled and marketed by local makers. The Gunmakers Arms became closely associated with this trade, serving as a traditional payhouse where the "gun gaffer" would distribute wages to workers. The sawdust-covered floor and lively atmosphere were legendary, with brawls not uncommon after payday, sometimes settled by the local priest rather than the police.From Payhouse to Community Hub
Over time, the pub evolved from a rough-and-ready workers’ tavern into a cherished local institution. In the 20th and early 21st centuries, it retained its historic character while adapting to changing times. From 2010, it functioned as the taproom for Two Towers Brewery, becoming a hub for craft beer, live music, and local art. Exhibitions by Birmingham artists, gigs by emerging musicians, and community gatherings gave the pub a second life as a cultural and social space, distinct from the city centre’s chain bars. This blend of industrial heritage and grassroots creativity made it a rare gem: a place that honoured its past while actively contributing to the city’s contemporary cultural life.Architecture and Atmosphere
The building itself is a Grade II–listed structure, a testament to its architectural and historical significance. The Regency-era design, with its elegant proportions and corner location, stands out even among the Gun Quarter’s surviving industrial buildings. Inside, the layout preserved much of its original charm, with low ceilings, intimate rooms, and a sense of stepping back in time. The atmosphere was warm and unpretentious, appealing to locals, history enthusiasts, and visitors drawn to Birmingham’s industrial story. Even after its closure, the exterior remains a striking reminder of the city’s layered past, where commerce, craftsmanship, and community once converged in a single corner pub.Legacy in a Changing City
The Gunmakers Arms closed permanently in 2025, a victim of rising rents, declining footfall, and the economic pressures facing small independent pubs. Its closure adds to the broader story of Birmingham’s evolving urban landscape, where historic districts like the Gun Quarter have been reshaped by postwar redevelopment and modern pressures. Yet the pub’s legacy endures: as a symbol of the city’s industrial might, as a payhouse for generations of gunmakers, and as a later hub for local art and brewing. For those interested in Birmingham’s social and industrial history, the site remains a powerful point of reflection on how communities, trades, and public spaces change over time.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Historic
- Quirky
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- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
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- Vintage Styles
- Industrial Designs
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For the architecture buff
- Historic
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
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- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
