Overview

I happened upon Merlin’s while looking for a place to grab a late lunch. The spooky décor caught my eye as I passed, so I stopped to check out the menu and decided it looked like a good shout. The restaurant is crammed with horror memorabilia, plastic skeletons and all sorts of dark, quirky objects. They also host gigs upstairs, though there isn’t a lift. I really enjoyed my lunch and the atmosphere of the venue. I’m sure plenty of others will love it too.

Transport & Parking

There are tram stops nearby on Corporation Street and Bull Street, both just a few minutes away, and both are accessible. The closest bus stop is also located on Corporation Street. Both Snowhill Railway Station and Birmingham New Street Station are within half a mile of Merlin's. The Birmingham High Street NCP is the nearest parking facility, with 1,073 spaces, though only 6 are accessible. Please note, blue badge concessions do not apply here.

Access

The front doors were pinned open during my visit, which removed one obstacle. Inside, there are plenty of seats, though I had to ask the staff to remove a chair so I could get my wheelchair closer to the table. There’s no lowered section at the bar to order, but the staff came to me, which made things a bit easier. There’s plenty of space to move around, and at lunchtime, it wasn’t too busy. The upstairs area, which is mainly used for gigs, doesn’t have a lift, but there are rails on either side of the stairs if you can manage them. This isn’t really an issue if you’re just in for a bite to eat. There isn’t much else in the way of accessibility, and the signage is poor, so it’s not clear where the accessible toilet is.

Toilets

The accessible toilet can be found to the left of the bar, through a doorway. This toilet is for general use and is the only one on the ground floor. The door opens outwards and does not require a RADAR key for access. The toilet is small, but it could accommodate a powerchair user and a second person. There is space for a left-side transfer, and the area is kept clear. Grab rails are installed on either side of the toilet, but they do not contrast with the walls. The red cord is absent, which significantly reduces my score. The sink has a lever-style tap and a small basin. There is only a grab rail on the left side, as it appears the one on the right has broken off at some point. The toilet also has a baby change table.

Staff

The staff were really helpful and went out of their way to ensure I was comfortable.

Photos