Cool and Quirky Bars in Birmingham
Nurturing quite the creative spirit, Birmingham isn't only known for its stellar clubbing scene. You'll find a collection of super secret hideaways, tiki dens and pubs brimming with quirky character in this Midlands city. Find the cool places to drink and discover some of the best hidden or underrated gems this city has to offer. So without further ado, here's our collection of the cool and quirky bars in Birmingham.
Last updated on 14th June 2017
Known to be some of the best bartenders in the bizniz, Be At One don't mess about when it comes to cocktails. Championing good times, this cool Birmingham bar will complete your night with great music, fun atmospheres and a serious happy hour. Piccadilly Arcade never looked so good.
Part-pub, part-gin palace, The Distillery is one of the coolest bars in Birmingham. Sitting prettily on the canal and offering up a series of great gins and craft beers, it’s pretty much one of the best hangouts in the city. But add in a food menu of delicious robata grilled food and wood-fired pizzas, and you’ve got something great.
The Birmingham Bierkeller has everything you could want from a German themed beer hall. Steins of beers, long tables and staff decked out in traditional clothing. And to top it all off? An Oompah band will provide all the music – you’ve never had this much fun yet.
What with The Jekyll and Hyde's beer garden covered in Alice in Wonderland interpretations, it's no surprise that this pub feels like falling down the rabbit's hole. From their bespoke and tailored cocktail lists to the Victorian gin parlour upstairs, this pub is fun and frivolous. Make sure that you visit that Gin Parlour too; from vintage nit-bits to over 50 different gins, it's one of the most unique places to drink in Birmingham.
There's something about refurbished pub furniture, stained glass windows and mounted antlers that suit a spot like the Rose Villa Tavern. Based in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, this venue certainly isn't short of character. From classic cocktails lists and global beers to comedy nights and festivals, The RVT is not only a hubbub of activity but a thriving mix of young and creative locals.
The Island Bar is at the heart of Birmingham's cocktail scene and mixology movement. A two floored tiki bar with exotic charm and cocktails to match, it's adorned with hula girls, paradise props and palm trees galore. Known for their rowdy Saturdays and cocktail masterclasses, Island Bar is unique, boasting plenty of charm and with an alluring attitude.
Nostalgic by nature, the Night Owl in Digbeth hopes to bring Funk and Soul back to the foreground of Birmingham's nightlife scene. Beautifully decorated with vintage records, retro disco balls and classic typewriters, the venue's resident DJs play all the best 60s, 70s and 80s tracks.
Industrial hanging lights go head to head with the interiors of a classic grade II listed building at the Nosh & Quaff. Answering Glasgow's call for all things seafood, the venue is a huge space of stone archways, ambient dining and a menu favouring the crustacean species. Chow down with big plates of Canadian lobster and some seriously strong cocktails at this unique Birmingham restaurant bar.
Taking on the style of an American diner, Buffalo & Rye serves up beefy bourbons and hearty foods in their cool Birmingham restaurant-bar. Decked out with raw woodwork and exposed brick walls, this place is a Birmingham must for some hella punchy, Southern inspired cocktails and laid back atmospheres.
The city's urban hangout for killer cocktails and communal dining, Gas Street Social is undoubtedly one of Birmingham's coolest places to drink. Brought to you from the Shaker & Co collective, this place specialises in innovative mixology, bar banter and a buzzing atmosphere making it one of the hottest neighbourhood kitchens about.
Pinball and pints? YES! The newest member of the City Arcade block, Tilt is a quaint little cafe by day and lively bar by night. Serving hot coffees to get you through the day and craft beers to keep you happy after work, it very much nurtures a community spirit for people to come and socialise whilst enjoying a game of retro pinball on one of their many machines. Hoping to wash a wave of nostalgia over their guests, Tilt is arguably the coolest bar in Birmingham.
A pretty suave destination where mixology peaks to innovative and expert heights, The Edgbaston is a collection of cocktail lounges in a traditional Georgian building on Highfield Road. This stylish hotel has become a haven for inventive bartending and a favourite watering hole on Birmingham's cool bar scene.
Found in Birmingham's creative Digbeth area, Spotlight is a warehouse haven enviable to any London bar. With its rough charm and quirky attitude, Spotlight blends everything from atmosphere and DJ nights to vintage sofa's and retro luggage trunk tables, creating a buzzing cool Birmingham bar that's become a favourite for late nights and raucous parties.
Named after the elevated public park that twists and turns through the heart of Manhattan, the High Line lounge bar is one mighty fine spot for after-work drinks or grabbing a bite to eat. Popular with young professionals who get all dressed up for the experience, there’s a drinks menu laced with NYC-inspired cocktails, resident DJs, an outdoor terrace and regular prohibition parties to look forward to here.
Inspired by the ancient traditions of Japanese culture, discovering Geisha is like stepping into a mystical realm at this unusual Birmingham bar. With the attitude of a luxe drinking den, Geisha feels like an exclusive hangout without the pretence. There's VIP areas, dedicated bars and a dance floor open to those who have knocked back a few of their punchy Asian concoctions.
In the heart of one of Birmingham's nightlife and creative institutions comes the Mockingbird Theatre. A cultural hub for socialising, eating, drinking and even screening films, The Mockingbird is a cool and casual joint with a community spirit where you can see an array of dazzling performances and amazing entertainment.
An unassuming launderette by day, something else entirely by night. Possibly one of the last remaining of Birmingham's secret speakeasy bars, Suds & Duds lies behind the façade of a laundromat to bring you strong liquor-infused libations in an eclectic styled setting. Knock back some of their signature cocktails to a soundtrack of retro funk, soul, motown and blues tunes at this cool and quirky Birmingham bar.
When it comes to craft beers in Birmingham, Brewdog are not only the city's main proprietors, but possibly even the country's. From their popular Punk IPA to their downright dastardly Hardcode IPA, Brewdog are leading the independent front when it comes to unique places to drink in Birmingham. Grab a pint, unwind and sink into a tall glass of hop-based bliss.
If history is your thing and your throat thrives on mixology then a visit to Birmingham city centre's The Lost and Found goes without saying. Adorned in vintage botanical treats and Victorian themed ventures, The Lost and Found is a unique cocktail bar based around the adventurous exploits of explorer Hettie. G Watson.
In and amongst the back streets of Birmingham City Centre lies The Victoria, a cool and quirky pub in the Bitters 'n' Twisted chain. Home to cocktail creations and a tasty food menu to rival any Deep South Diner, young professionals and students alike fill this pub in Birmingham week in week out. Host to lively DJ nights come the weekend, The Victoria becomes more a club space ideal for an alternative Saturday night in Birmingham.
Where has this place been hiding and why didn't we hear about it earlier? With a cocktail lounge, cigar shop/humidor and garden tiki bar under their wings, The Prince of Wales in Moseley is more than meets the eye when it comes to quirky bars in Birmingham. So much so that the crazy-cool lady in pop, Lady Gaga, has even made a visit.
The World Bar offers “the ultimate craft beer experience in the Midlands”. With over 40 different types of beer from around the world, and plenty of original ciders, fine wines and global spirits to sample, this cool bar in Birmingham caters to everyone's taste. Delicious street food is served both inside and on the lovely lakeside terrace, and there’s regular live music throughout the week! The ideal spot to check out on the ground floor of Brum’s Resorts World complex.
