Bacchus Bar

You'll find this Victorian survivor squeezed into Burlington Arcade, where it's been serving pints since long before New Street became the shopping thoroughfare it is today. The dark wood panelling and etched glass give it that proper old-school pub feel that's increasingly rare in the city centre. The beer selection is solid – they know their way around a pint of bitter – and the food goes well beyond typical pub fare without trying too hard to be fancy. It's become a reliable spot for office workers escaping the concrete jungle outside, though it picks up a mixed crowd of shoppers and tourists given the location. The staff actually seem to care about what they're doing, which makes all the difference when you're after a proper drink in town.