Often overlooked in favour of London and Manchester, Britain’s second biggest city, Birmingham, is bursting with good spots to have a drink. Forget for a moment that this is Britain, and our weather is as erratic as it comes, with the summer months creeping in sooner than you think it might well be time you take a quick trip somewhere you might have written off in the past.
Being a vast and multicultural city, Birmingham’s bars exhibit creative spins on everything from flavours to décor. And with everything worth visiting pretty much within walking distance city-wide, it’s pretty easy to dive deep into the boroughs beyond the immediate city centre.
After spending your day discovering artists at the IKON Gallery or stuffing yourself at one of Birmingham’s many curry houses, unwind or even get the night started at one of these ten bars ahead.
Bodega
There’s no place better to look than if you want a slice of Latin America in the heart of the UK. Operating as a restaurant by day, serving everything from tacos to chilli hot chocolate, at night, Bodega’s downstairs transforms into Sugarloaf, an intimate bar with colour and graffiti littering the walls. Try the blueberry and elderflower margarita for a twist on classic British flavours, with a tang of lime.
Photo: @bodegabirm
The Electric Cinema
If you want to take the cinematic experience to a whole new level, The Electric is the place to be. Showcasing the best new independent films and the finest classics from auteurs, Britain’s oldest working cinema tops all of this off with a luxurious bar. Think signature cocktails –amusingly named Tequila Mockingbird and Midnight Expresso – and a classic French-style Parisian absinthe fountain. Just be sure not to get too tipsy whilst enjoying your movie, or you might miss some of the plot.
Photo: @tommysut
Buffalo and Rye
Taking a leaf from American speakeasies, Buffalo and Rye dedicates itself to showing off an eclectic mix of whiskeys and bourbons. Where else in Birmingham would you get a Smoked Negroni or Bourbon Honey Mule? These hearty drinks are complemented by the meat-heavy menus, featuring dishes such as beef brisket and chilli cheese fries.
Photo: @buffaloandrye
40 St Paul ’s
If you’re a gin lover, this is the bar for you. With over 58 gins currently on the menu — including the citrusy Anty Gin made from red ants! — and plans to expand that to 120, there really is something for everyone. The bar keeps it light mixer-wise, opting to use herbs, fruits, and spices that enhance and complement their gins. Even their tonic is made from wormwood as opposed to quinine.
Photo: Courtesy of 40 St Pauls
Hare and Hounds
A short bus ride away from the city centre, Kings Heath’s The Hare and Hounds doubles as a bar and concert venue. With cheap tickets, and brownies to die for, enjoy a cool IPA as you watch some of the best up and coming indie bands Birmingham (and maybe even the world) has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of The Hare & Hounds
The Jekyll & Hyde
This small and intimate Dickensian-inspired bar is tucked away in Birmingham’s financial district. Home to a cocktail menu that pays homage to the sweet treats of yesteryear, such as strawberry laces, lemon bon bons, and even pear drops, a sweet tooth would perfectly be at home here. Want to learn how to incorporate sweet shop treats in your booze? They offer cocktail masterclasses too.
Photo: Courtesy of The Jekyll & Hyde
The Lost and Found
The Lost and Found is a kitschy Victorian-style bar in the middle of the city centre. With floral vines accentuating a room flooding with light, it’s a wonder how such a botanical place could exist in the hustle and bustle of the city centre. You can treat yourself to a spot of afternoon tea or go all out with adventurous drinks such as The Kraken’s Kaipirissima or For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lost & Found
The Plough
A chilled-out spot in the suburb of Harborne, The Plough abandons the frills and expensive cocktails of the city centre with a menu that boasts its wine selection that it categorises as “decent” and “great”. The rustic yet clean cut atmosphere allows for this to be the perfect spot to wind down in after a busy day, or to meet up on a Sunday. They do a great 2 for 1 pizza deal on a Monday.
Photo: Courtesy of The Plough
The Rainbow Warehouse
A staple of historically Irish area Digbeth, The Rainbow has seen some of the word’s best electronic musicians and producers perform, from Major Lazer to Martin Buttrich. Rather than being a spot to chill out after a long day, it’s a great one to start off a long night. Grab a beer, dance your heart out, and get a taste of the real Birmingham.
Photo: Courtesy of The Rainbow Venues
The Rooftop
If you want to avoid the rowdiness and the orange hues of fake tan on Broad Street, the best place to go clubbing off this main drag is The Rooftop, with house and deep nights hosted by Cream and Twilight. The venue itself is a gorgeously updated Methodist church that has not lost any of its acoustic charm.
Website
Photo: @centralhallbirmingham
The Victoria
With a cocktail menu inspired by an old Pelican cocktail recipe book, the vast selection of drinks here boasts classics like Victorian Lemonade. However, its crown jewels are in its seasonal drinks, and you should be sure to try the Pineapple and Chilli Daiquiri. The pub also hosts a Sound and Vision quiz every week that forgoes the traditional trivia you have to secretly Google at pub quizzes, in favour of more contemporary pop culture-based questions.
Photo: Courtesy of The Victoria
Suds ’n ’ Duds
A truly innovative take on the classic speakeasy, Suds ’n’ Duds disguises itself as a laundrette, only for you to walk through and be greeted by a shabby and cosy bar with a relaxed vibe. The bar has quickly become known for its specials such as the butterscotch-flavoured Netflix and Chill, the Salted Caramel Flip, and Suds and Duds Zombie.
Photo: @gasstsudsndudsLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
THIS Is How You Nail A Phone (Or Video) Interview