Where is The Ruin?

The Ruin is at 92 Floodgate Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SR. It's on the corner with Little Ann Street

 

In brief

There has been a pub on this site in Digbeth since at least the late 18th century. For most of the 19th and 20th centuries it was a pub called The Floodgate Tavern. But since 2017 it has been called The Ruin.

The Ruin at the corner of Floodgate Street and Little Ann Street in Digbeth (October 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Ruin - history

Trade directories from 1785 show a public house on the site, but was too late to appear on Thomas Hanson's 'Plan of Birmingham' map.

But it can be seen on an 1808 map by John Kempson called 'Town of Birmingham' map.

At this time it was called Spring Gardens.

Into the 19th Century it became known as The Floodgate Tavern.

In 1978 it was renamed to The White Swan, but this didn't last too long.

At some point it was renamed back to The Floodgate Tavern, but it had this name until around 2010.

In it's later years it was an Irish pub.

For a short period it was The Eagle from 2012, then Bernie Blanco's from 2014.

Bernie Blanco's on Little Ann Street, Digbeth (August 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

That was a short lived milkshake and coffee bar. 

At one point it had Digbeth Jelly painted on the side of the building.

Bernie Blanco's on Little Ann Street, Digbeth (August 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It has been The Ruin since 2017.

The Ruin at the corner of Floodgate Street and Little Ann Street in Digbeth (October 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Digbeth Dozen

Map of venues in Digbeth painted on the wall next to The Ruin in 2018.

Digbeth Dozen on Little Ann Street next to The Ruin (April 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was still there a year later in 2019.

Digbeth Dozen on Little Ann Street next to The Ruin (April 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Digbeth Nightlife map

A new map was painted on the wall in February 2020, to be tilted Digbeth Nightlife.

Digbeth Nightlife map on Little Ann Street next to The Ruin (February 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was complete by early March 2020 (before the first lockdown).

Digbeth Nightlife map on Little Ann Street next to The Ruin (March 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

And a double yellow line was painted on this side of Little Ann Street to prevent parking.

Digbeth Nightlife map on Little Ann Street next to The Ruin (March 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

The Ruin

92 Floodgate Street

Digbeth

Birmingham,

B5 5SR