Historic Birmingham pub The Bartons Arms opens new live venue The Palace of Varieties

The owners of the Bartons Arms were shocked to find a Palace of Varieties sign above the entrance to the 120 seat upstairs room of the pub. Inspired by the vintage sign and unique name the owners decided to refigure the room and open a much needed new live venue in the north side of the city.

Friday nights will be for live music giving local new and upcoming outfits the chance to attract a following with bands being booked until the summer.Saturday nights will see a variety of acts, from comedians to established singers. 

The opening night of the Palace of Varieties was a Freddie Star and Neil Diamond Tribute Acton Saturday. 

The pub was saved from closure last summer by a consortium of local business people determined not to see the beloved Victorian premises follow so many others into oblivion.

Angela Nelson, part of the ownership group, said: "When we were removing the rendering we could not believe what we saw - a vintage sign proclaiming The Palace of Varieties."We have always wanted to hold events in the upstairs room as it is such an impressive space. We were unsure what to brand the venue as we wanted it separate to the Bartons Arms but in step with the unique and beautiful setting which the pub offers.

"So after seeing the sign we could only call it one thing, The Palace of Varieties. And we already have a variety of acts and shows in the book.

"We had an hilarious Freddie Starr tribute act by Mick Chambers on Saturday who also doubled as a Neil Diamond singer too."

Slap bang in the middle of Black Sabbath country and with its fair share of Ozzy Osbourne anecdotes from when the megastar raised hell, it is fitting the stage will grace blues artists in its first month.

Angela said: "We have got Rick Dickinson's Driving Force on Friday, May 23 and Just Doin It the following week."

Operations manager Nathan O'Neil said: "Fridays are all about live music which we believe people want in Birmingham but have to really search for decent bands, whatever the quality.

"We also want to give new up and coming bands a place to make a name and build an audience."

The pub has pulled off a coup by booking Black Sabbath tribute Sabbra Cadabra for the night before the return of the Prince Darkness at Villa Park in the first weekend in July.

Angela said: "Almost every rock star in the world is descending on Villa Park that weekend to pay tribute to Ozzy so there might be a few famous faces checking out Sabbra Cadabra before seeing the real thing for the last time the next day."

In the first half of the 20th century the public flocked to venues called Palace of Varieties to see acts which would have packed music halls in the previous century.

The Bartons Arms, which was opposite the old Aston Hippodrome, hosted Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.For more information about Palace of Varieties at the Bartons Arms follow its Facebook pages