Something A Little Different in Birmingham
Bored of your local boozer, bogged down by your local bar? Let Birmingham be your evening pick me up with one of the country's best selection of cool and quirky bars. From Victorian gin parlours and tiki-themed cocktail bars to medieval hideaways fit for any king or queen, Birmingham is a hubbub of unique venues and mind boggling bars. To impress your friends, family and out of town visitors, check out our recommendations for something a little different to do in Birmingham.
Last updated on 4th January 2018
Charming and elegantly decorated, the Rose Villa Tavern has to be one of the most characterful pubs in the entire Midlands, let alone Birmingham. With quaint telephone boxes, comforting fairy lights and a real tree sprawling across the entire bar, guests can enjoy all their favourite drinks in an idyllic setting. On top of the brilliant range of cocktails and craft beers on offer, the venue's many comedy nights and live entertainment will continue to draw in crowds from across the city. Far from the ordinary, this intriguing spot is perfect for anyone looking to try something a little different in Birmingham.
Taking between 2-3 hours, this treasure hunt is a great way to get to know Birmingham or fill an afternoon with friends and family.
If you want one of the best nights in comedy, look no further than Snap Comedy! With some of the best names in comedy taking to the stage and their spectacular MC keeping things going, you’re guaranteed to laugh through the night.
The Night Owl strives to bring back the golden days of the Soul and Motown movement and attracts fans from all generations with its commitment to good music and great fun. They play only original vinyl tracks to create a truly authentic musical experience, while the funky interior sets the scene for one of the best alternative nightlife spots in Birmingham.
Styled as a bustling American diner, the team behind Buffalo & Rye have worked hard to create a venue that offers stunning food and drinks in a characterful setting. Rare woodwork, exposed brick and diner furniture create a sort of lazy ambience that's usually accustomed to the sun-drenched South, while the menu of condiment filled hot dogs, succulent burgers and flavoursome sides will leave you beaming with a huge smile. Offering an unique culinary experience in an idyllic setting, Buffalo & Rye is perfect for anyone that fancies pushing the boat out a bit and trying something different.
At the heart of Birmingham's mixology scene is quirky Victorian themed bar The Jekyll and Hyde. From their Alice in Wonderland themed beer garden and tailor made cocktails, to their historic Gin Cocktail Lounge hidden in the upper levels of this building, the team behind this bar have latched onto a romantic and intriguing niche, serving the city's revellers something a little different.
Bodega is a quirky restaurant bar in Birmingham that's dedicated to the very best of South American culture. There's no time to siesta in the fiesta party atmosphere as global beers and Latin flavours keep customers happy all night long. And once you're done with dinner, head downstairs to club Sugarloaf for a fun-filled DJ night.
Close enough to being recognised as a 'secret' bar in Birmingham, Bacchus by the way of Birmingham's city centre is a hidden basement retreat with an impressive selections of drinks and bagfuls of attitude. Doused in stone masonry, quirky Medieval upholstery and wrought iron in abundance, Bacchus will have you playing at Medieval royalty thanks to their banquet-styled seating areas.
The Prince of Wales has been waiting for a category like this since it opened; 'something a little different' seems to be the perfect description for this quaint spot. You'll be surprised at what this pub in Birmingham has to offer. Everything from a cigar shop/humidor and cocktail lounge to a tiki bar seems to have made a home in this hubbub of alternative.
You’ll struggle to get as big a taste of the American south as the Texan Roadhouse. They’ve got 17 different screens and a 12ft wide HD projector for sports, huge American bites (think ribs, burgers), tonnes of beer – and it’s all served by waitresses dressed as cowgirls. Yee-haw.
Although not strictly a bar in Birmingham, The Electric Cinema does promise something a little different, well, a lot different actually. One of the oldest working cinemas in the UK, it has become something of a indie movie haven. Imagine horror film marathons, thrilling action movies and stunning blockbuster stories, all framed by delicious alcoholic drinks.
Paying tribute to a simpler time, and adding a bit of quirk to Birmingham's burgeoning nightlife scene, Tilt is a cafe-cum-bar that thrives off its frivolous atmosphere. The bar's menu boasts an impressive line-up of craft beer, real ales, fine wines and international spirits. But the real attraction here is the venue's pin-ball machines. Bring out your inner gamer and challenge your friends at this quirky bar in Birmingham.
Refreshingly simply meets wonderfully bizarre at the Gas Street Social in Birmingham. The bar itself is distinctively rustic; with wooden floors, plain wood tables and simple stools spread out across the venue, giving it an industrial quality. But kicking things up a notch is the bar's intriguing cocktail menu. Produced in creative ways with imaginative ingredients, the team of mixologists serve up an impressive range of spirit and spice infused cocktails to the city's thirsty revellers.
Famous for its warehouse parties, Digbeth has offered another storeroom party venue in Spotlight. Full of gritty charm and a trendy edge, Spotlight brings in hordes of Birmingham's young and creative minds thanks to its cool chesterfield sofas and vintage trunk tables. DJs feel right at home at this venue, with an eclectic mix of music and stunning sound system at their disposal.
One of Birmingham's only botanical themed bars, The Lost and Found is a stunning and quirky Victorian retreat. Themed around Victorian explorer Hettie G. Watson, the bar is decorated with floral brilliance and horticultural charm. Oh and psssssst, just between us, there's a little secret hidden behind one of Lost and Found's many bookcases. Let us know if you find it!
Tucked away behind the streets of Digbeth is this unique, unusual and somewhat traditional Polish restaurant bar. Fur throws adorn the venue's dining benches and bar stools, whilst traditional Polish artwork hangs effortlessly on the bar's walls. Ideal for a family day out, years of proud heritage and tradition wash over this quirky Birmingham bar.
Poised as one of the biggest, best and only tiki bars in Birmingham, the two floor venue is doused in exotic finery, paradise themed props and a team of stunning hula girls, transporting all its guests to the idyllic beaches of the South Pacific. Their cocktails are not to be missed either with mixology and creativity running through the heart of Island Bar and at the weekend, they embrace that tiki spirit and throw one of the biggest parties in Birmingham.
Ready for a bar in Birmingham with a more than unique theme? Hitting the nail on the head when it comes to quirky target audience, join COGS for a unique drinking experience as they blend all things steampunk with a mighty selection of cocktails and pints.
