Birmingham may surprise you if you are searching for a modern and vibrant LGBT-friendly community. Centred along the traditional Hurst Street, the Birmingham Gay Village is a thriving force of businesses, entertainment, and culture all at once. Why does it have thousands of visitors every week? Let's take a closer look and find out!

Hurst Street: A fit location hosts a fit celebration

Situated in Central Birmingham and next to the Chinese Quarter, Birmingham's Gay Village parades in the hottest spot: Hurst Street. You can find some of Birminghams best restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels there. However, long before the main street hosted the annual celebration of Birmingham Pride, it was first nurtured by history, architecture, and automobile design. Here’s a fun fact not every tourist knows about! Hurst Street was home to the Fisher & Ludlow factory from the 1930s, a well-known British automobile manufacturer.

A bit of history for a bit of fun

The Birmingham Gay Village, as we know it, was first popular back in the 1990s. But it had to come a long way before becoming the renowned district it is today! Before karaoke bars and drag queen shows, the entire area was a small warehouse district with a few businesses in the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of the revolutionary 1980s that everything started to find its unique place and purpose. And Hurst Street was at the heart of it all. Along with gay rights and liberation movements came freedom and lots of celebration. Thus, the Gay Village was born for all the world to enjoy.

Always Pride, never prejudice

Not many neighbourhoods, or ‘gaybourhoods’, can say they are the top choice to host a gay pride festival. There’s far too much to be proud of in the Birmingham Gay Village! Birmingham Pride is the UK’s largest two-day gay pride festival in the world. This annual festival offers a weekend filled with celebration, expression, and acceptance. The mood is set with plenty of music, dance and street performances that captivate everyone and everything. It’s estimated that this major event will bring roughly £15 million to the city's economy. Not too shabby for an economic boost of confidence!

Are you up for it?

Due to its popularity and charm amongst the growing LGBT community, friends, and supporters, the Birmingham Gay Village is up for major improvements to enhance outdoor and indoor entertainment. You can find everything for a fun and enticing night or day, from historically acclaimed bars such as The Nightingale (A.k.a. The Gale, for over 50 years) to the biggest Pride parties in the world. It’s a scene you definitely do not want to miss!

Far from being just a fun place to be around, the Gay Village has proven that cultural values and initiatives are always celebrated. There are lots of things to do and experience! Some of the surrounding attractions are the Bull Ring shopping centre, the Birmingham Hippodrome (a theatre in the Chinese Quarter and the home stage of the Birmingham Royal Ballet), and of course, the Chinese Quarter itself. Tourists love taking pictures at The Pagoda in Holloway Circus, a traditional landmark. You can visit it on your way to your favourite pub!

And let’s not forget about the Balls!

Sure, the Gay Village offers coffee shops, late-night pubs, ace drag shows, and cabarets. But it hosts two other major Pride events! The Gay and Lesbian Pride Ball has taken place every spring since 1998. It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity and love whilst raising awareness and funds for AIDS and HIV charities. It’s important to remind ourselves of these valuable causes and carry on with these social initiatives.

Now, if you are all about Christmas, you cannot miss the Christmas Ball! This ball represents another exciting event to support gay rights and fundraising activities, all in good fun and with a Christmasy spirit.

Where to Meet & Cheers

Whether you fancy an easy night at a pub or an exuberant dance at a nightclub, the Gay Village has plenty of options to choose from. Let’s have a quick look at some of most famous venues to visit when Going Out in Birmingham!

The Nightingale:

As previously mentioned, ‘The Gale’ has lots of history within its walls. As the oldest gay nightclub in Birmingham, some consider it to be a sort of right of passage. It’s a must! Impressive music shows, disco-themed bingo nights, and an ambience ready to enjoy a drink on the terrace. Not to mention its unique artwork created by local queer artists, which gives it an extra allure.

The Missing Bar:

For a top-of-the-notch night, you simply must get to the Missing! An intimate yet full of personality small venue that hosts DJ nights and major drag shows. Its Victorian design brings us back to the 1800s and makes it a proper party bar to join in and celebrate life. If you love mojitos and daiquiris, you can create your own right there!

Equator Bar:

If partying is not your cup of tea, but you still wish to have fun, this lounge bar is for you. A welcoming and relaxed atmosphere surrounds every person that visits the Equator. It’s truly where comfort and style meet at their best! Perfect for meeting people, friends, and home to the trans community.

Sidewalk:

As one of the first openly gay bars, the Sidewalk building had had many names since its creation in the 1930s, when it used to be a car showroom. Now it offers diversity in and out! As a restaurant and bar, it’s also the proper place for conferences and fundraising events. Certainly the best of both worlds!

The Loft:

If you have ever wondered where to enjoy an open-all-year garden, the answer is right here. Located on Bromsgrove Street, this venue is perfect to start your day with a delicious cocktail and homemade nibbles. The Loft offers an award-winning and weatherproof garden! You might even try their ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ cocktail, featuring whisky, amaretto, and cherry brandy. What a delight!

Good change is always fit.

As most of its buildings and venues have shown over the decades, the Birmingham Gay Village is living proof that good change is always positive and inviting. No matter the name or the origin, a building can be leveraged by willing people trying to express themselves and help others do the same. This is the case of the Gay Village, right in the centre of Birmingham. Next time you’re in the second-largest city in the UK, make sure to stop by. There are plenty of options for every quid and taste. And it's certainly a pleasure to experience it amongst friends and loved ones!

Have you ever been to Birmingham or the West Midlands part of the UK? Then you should probably have heard about Birmingham cuisine. Birmingham's culinary reputation is well-known worldwide, with restaurants representing 27 cultures and no less than five Michelin-starred establishments.

It was also the birthplace of Typhoo Tea, Cadbury's chocolate, HP Sauce, and Bird's Custard. With such a rich culinary history, it's no surprise that the city and its neighboring Black Country have produced numerous traditional recipes over the years, some of which are unique to the area and cannot be found elsewhere.

If you plan to visit this magnificent region, we've compiled a list of popular dishes among residents and visitors so that you can enjoy your dining experience in the UK's second-largest city.

Birmingham is famous for Balti

Balti is a traditional Pakistani curry meal, but it is one of the best foods to try whilst out visiting Restaurants in Birmingham because it was invented here during the 1970s. It is made with native Kashmiri influences but with a flavor twist to appeal to western palates. Birmingham Balti is frequently prepared with meats such as lamb or goat and served in a steel Balti dish.

To be considered a Birmingham Balti, the dish must contain spices such as turmeric, garlic puree, garam masala, and fresh ginger. There are a number of restaurants serving excellent Birmingham Balti across The Balti Triangle. The area, which includes Stratford Road, Ladypool Road, and Stoney Lane, has some of the finest Balti eateries in the city, with Shabab topping the list.

Birmingham is famous for Sushi

While sushi emerged as a simple, fast food alternative in Japan, it is now one of the most renowned cuisines in the world, so much so that you may be spoiled for choice. Sushi and other Pan Asian recipes are becoming even more popular in the United Kingdom. With more than 277 Japanese restaurants in London alone, it's safe to speculate that sushi is taking over the country.

Brits are learning to master proper sushi etiquette and chopsticks when tucking into delightful fish dishes. There are many healthy alternatives, from Maki to Sashimi and Nigiri. Always go to a restaurant that sells fresh fish to get the best flavors!

Birmingham is famous for Faggots

This type of meatball is thought to have originated in Coventry. It got its name because it was initially made with offal and fatty bits of meat that had to be used before they spoiled.

The meatball was discovered by accident when a woman attempted to prepare an Italian meal with minced beef. The result was a tasty dish that has remained popular in the West Midlands ever since! Faggots are traditionally made with pig offal and liver. It can also be combined with minced cut-offs and rolled up in onions, bacon, and breadcrumbs.

Shrewsbury Cakes

These traditional desserts, which originated in nearby Shrewsbury and were quickly adopted by Birmingham residents, are a cross between a biscuit and a cake and bear some resemblance to shortbread.

Many ingredients include dried fruits and a dash of lemon zest for extra flavor, and you can also add a dash of rosewater or a couple of caraway seeds. Several recipes for Shrewsbury cakes from the 18th and 19th centuries have been discovered, though references to the cakes were featured in literature and manuscripts much earlier.

Birmingham is famous for Pork Scratchings

Pork scratchings have always been a popular meal all over the world for centuries. Nevertheless, the British version is believed to have originated in the Black Country.

Families used to rear pigs in their backyards and feed them scraps and cereals to build them up for later meals. No part of the rind was discarded, and everyone had their recipe for it, but it evolved into the crunchy, salty munch we know today.

They have become part of the bar experience since they were first introduced. Due to their energy content, they have even been used on excursions to the North and South Poles, so they can easily sort you out for a night at the neighborhood pub.

Birmingham is famous for Pikelets

Pikelets are thin pancakes popular in many restaurants in Birmingham as well as the entire West Midlands. Non-locals frequently mistake this meal for a crumpet because it is cooked over a slim pan and left to bubble before being spun and flipped to cook on the other side.

Because pikelets lack yeast, they are much flatter than traditional pancakes. Many Birmingham residents enjoy it as a piping hot snack straight from the grill. You may spread butter on your pikelets for extra flavor!

Birmingham is famous for Doner Kebab

Doner kebab, also known as kebabs, is a meat dish derived from a vertical rotisserie. It's generally served as a wrap or stuffed in pita bread to make a sandwich. It goes well with a variety of vegetables, including sliced tomatoes, cabbage, onions, and pickles. It comes with a drizzle of homemade sauces for added flavor.

Doner kebab, originally a Turkish dish, has recently grown in popularity with people Going Out in Birmingham thanks to its easy availability in the city center. It's reasonably priced, especially when you're traveling on a tight budget. It's also convenient to eat on the go because it comes in a wrap.

Malvern Cheese

The Malvern Hills are well known for their stunning surroundings, but they also have another accomplishment to their name. This is due to the west midlands producing some of England's best cheese! The cheese, sold in various stores and supermarkets throughout the county, is made with milk from nearby farmers. The cheese is popular throughout England and has even received recognition for its exceptional flavor!

Finn Cheese

Finn is a double cream cheese produced by Neal's Yard Creamery. Finn is a soft British cheese with a firm texture and a fresh creamy acidity when new. As it ages, Finn softens and develops a more mushroomy flavor from the rind. This rich and tasty white cheese is one of Birmingham's favorites.

Finn cheese is very popular in Stourbridge, an area near Birmingham. It has an unusual appearance due to the holes inside it! It was accidentally created when milk seeped through a tiny opening in an old metal container, causing bubbles to form inside the cheese! The cheese is now made with a unique method that allows the rind to form these tiny holes.

Now that you know all about Birmingham and the West Midlands' most famous dishes, why not plan an excursion to the area to experience them for yourself? This neighborhood has numerous bakeries, cafes, and restaurants where you can sample these delectable treats. They might even motivate you to recreate these regional delicacies at home!

Birmingham is a huge and multicultural city, with people from many different ethnic backgrounds living across the city. This certainly means that there are endless options for any person to find the perfect place for dinner be it for Chinese, Italian or a delicious Indian cuisine. Whether you are looking for fine dining restaurants, contemporary causal dining or an ideal place for a family dinner, Birmingham offers you a vast variety of restaurants to visit for dinner. We will provide you with a list below of some of the best Restaurants in Birmingham.

Bill's Birmingham Restaurant

If you are touring and shopping around central Birmingham, Bills Birmingham restaurant is the ideal contemporary European restaurant chain to visit for a delicious dinner. Situated in Bullring, in the heart of Birmingham City centre, it is the ideal place to visit for dinner after a long shopping trip, you can also reserve a table, so no waiting for a table! Bills Restaurant offers a broad Dinner menu, from Tuna Tacos to Crispy Calamari, you name it. If you are a burger fan, Bills Restaurant a good selection of burgers ranging from Halloumi & Avocado Burger V, a classic Beef Burger, and a Dirty Vegan Burger ideal if you only go for vegan food. Worried about your diet? No worries, because Bills Restaurant offers a great deal of salad bowl options specifically Bill’s Chicken Caesar or Smashed Avocado, Feta and Poached Eggs V bowl. Bills provides customers with a nice selection of mains that include Pan Fried Chicken with Wild Mushrooms, Bill’s Fish Pie and more!

For those in search for a cheeky dessert after dinner, Bill’s restaurant offers a lovely choice of dessert. Desserts range from; Bill’s Flowerpot V; a pretty sight indeed, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Tart VG, Warm Gooseberry to Apple and Elderflower Crumble V. Bill’s Restaurant is ideal for a dinner date or a lovely evening out with friends for dinner. So, if you are in central Birmingham, you should definitely try out Bills Restaurant.

Opening times & Closing times:

Monday 8am–9:30pm
Tuesday 8am–9:30pm
Wednesday 8am–10pm
Thursday 8am–10pm
Friday 8am–10pm
Saturday 8am–10pm
Sunday 9am–10pm

Simpsons Restaurant

If fine dining and elegance is what you are looking for, Simpsons Restaurant is the right place for you. Simpsons Restaurant situated in Birmingham is a contemporary fine dining restaurant that offers its customers the best seasonal foods and high-quality food and services. Simpsons is known for holding a Michelin star since 2000, making it a restaurant of culinary excellence.

We all love a bit of wine tasting and we are happy to tell you all that Simpsons Restaurant offers its customers with sample wine pairing which is ideal to taste several different wines and find one that suits your taste buds, how exciting does that sound!?

Simpsons Restaurant also provides private dinning for parties, special events and even corporate events. The restaurant is surrounded by a beautiful garden, ideal for those looking for a relaxing view and perfect for people bringing along children.

Simpsons gives its customers a delightful dinner menu which includes Monkfish, Cured Salmon, Herefordshire Beef fillet and Chocolate Delice as one of the desserts, these are just some of the mains, and starters mentioned in the sample menu. As the restaurant is led by the Chef director Luke Tipping, who has enabled the restaurant to be known as the best dining experiences in Birmingham, we are sure to say that whatever is on the menu will taste absolutely pleasant. Simpsons also offer 3 course meals, so if you are looking for a modern, yet bright and spacious fine dinning experience, Simpsons is the one of the best restaurants to go to for dinner in Birmingham.

Opening & Closing times:

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–2pm, 7–9pm
Thursday 12–2pm, 7–9pm
Friday 12–2pm, 7–9pm
Saturday 12–2pm, 7–9pm
Sunday 12–3pm

Buonissimo Restaurant Birmingham

As said once by someone ‘There's nothing more romantic than Italian food’ and we totally agree! Italian food truly does bring you into the settings of Romeo and Juliet, so if you want to bring your dear one out for dinner, what better place than Buonissimo? Buonissimo is a modern Italian cuisine restaurant that offers its customers a new menu each season, meaning there will always be something new to try out.

Buonissimo is an ideal restaurant if you are planning a dinner with you and your partner as it offers a relaxed ambiance filled space to enjoy your food in. Buonissimo offers 2 course meals and 3 course meals also, so you can choose your preference. You can also reserve a table for two, making it the perfect surprise for your loved one! Some items of the menu are namely: Garganelli con Crema Zucchine V, Nasello con Ceci Spinaci Limone e Peperoncino, and Cheesecake ai Fichi, if this sounds good to you, then go ahead a reserve a table for two at Buonissimo in Birmingham for dinner.

Opening & Closing times:

Lunch 12pm to 2.15pm (Last orders) Tue-Sat
Dinner 6pm to 10.15pm (Last orders) Mon-Sat
Closed Bank Holidays

Tattu Restaurant and Bar

There are some days we all fancy a bit of Chinese, takeaway or dine out, either way Chinese always tastes banging! Tattu Restaurant & Bar is a contemporary style and dim-lit restaurant which offers you a unique selection of Chinese dishes and snacks as well as an amazing bar, and is a restaurant situated in the heart of central Birmingham.

Tattu delivers its customers with traditional Chinese food but with a modern cooking style that ensures to gives eater a unique taste. Tattu offers a range of foods from small bites, Dim Sum, small plates, large plates, ideal for a group or a family sharing plates, Rice, noodles, vegetables, and a nice variety of desserts.

Tattu offers 3 types of menus namely the: Classic Tasting menu, The Modern Chinese menu, or the Emperors Choice menu. All of these menus have an interesting selection of foods that will surely make your experience at Tattu Birmingham a memorable one.

Opening & Closing times:

Monday 5pm–12am
Tuesday 5pm–12am
Wednesday 5pm–12am
Thursday 12pm–12am
Friday 12pm–1am
Saturday 12pm–1am
Sunday 12pm–12am

If you are planning on Going Out in Birmingham, these venues are some of the best ones to visit in central Birmingham and around Birmingham, be it with your family, partner or friends.

We take a trip into the pubs and bars of Birmingham in the beating heart of the West Midlands. We are looking to find the best bars in Birmingham so that when you are next going out in Birmingham for food, or on a big night out, you know exactly which bars to head to for your favourite drinks, food and music.

We've got the flame on Birmingham's most eccentric drinking spots, whether you're looking for bold decor or vibrant cocktails. There are hidden jewels galore in this city we call home, from cosy pubs with legendary history to the area's most unique pubs and watering holes, Birmingham has it all. So if you are looking to relax after work or take your partner out on a date night, we have all the quirky bars in Birmingham covered.

If you're looking for a cheeky half of a local brew, some delectable gourmet fare, pints of local beer, wine or artisan coffee, these fantastic pubs in Birmingham are the venues to head to.

The Lost & Found - the best bars in Birmingham

If you enjoy history and creative cocktails, The Lost and Found should be on your list of places to visit. The Lost & Found in Birmingham City Centre is a one-of-a-kind botanical-themed pub that will enchant your senses. For those seeking for something a little different, this is a must-visit bar. This fascinating and quirky Birmingham pub is centred on one particularly adventurous explorer, Hettie G. Watson, and is not merely based on the Victorian era as a whole.

The Lost and Found has something for everyone, whether it is sitting beautifully in their raised and very quaint garden trellis, comfortable in their broody bookcases, or cuddled in the rich purple comforts of their raised boudoir booths. A secret bar can also be found in The Lost and Found if you look closely enough.

Menu:
The Lost and Found tailors 20 unique drinks to cater to every person and occasion, with a drink from Hettie G. Watson’s very own menu!
Few that might catch your eye at first glance include:

• THE TANGLED TEAPOT
• ESPRESSO MARTINI
• SEEDLIP ICED TEA
• HAYMAN’S SMALL GIN & TONIC
• SAINT CLAIR, SAUVIGNON BLANC New Zealand 13.0%
• MOËT & CHANDON BRUT IMPÉRIAL NV, France 12.0%

Besides having a stunning array of drinks, if you’re up for a quick meal, this Birmingham bar offers a great range of food from Glazed Duck Breast to Bang Bang Cauliflower.

Location:
8 Bennetts Hill,
Birmingham B2 5RS,
United Kingdom.

The Botanist - bars in Temple Street, Birmingham

This Birmingham bar and restaurant, which is decorated with vintage knickknacks and lush vegetation, serves up great nibbles and some really unique cocktails. We're sure you've heard of The Botanist, which has sites all throughout the country, but if you haven't, you're in for a real treat. If you enjoy plants, this is the place to visit the next time you're looking for something unusual. There’s even an entire menu crafted for children if you happen to bring a child along, that’s right, if you are looking for the best bars I Birmingham that you can take the kids too, we even have that covered!

Menu:
The Botanist in Birmingham turns out Mediterranean delicacies and Turkish-inspired fare, serving soothing soulful dishes and freshly prepared plates, as well as a selection of beverages.

• Their food menu includes:
• Roast Lamb
• Baked Shakshuka
• Smoked Trout and Salmon Pâté
• Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Their liquid options appear to be endless, and their drink menu is quirkily constructed into:

• Fruit and Floral
• Fresh and Herbaceous
• Citrus and Spice

If you find yourself wandering the streets of Birmingham looking for a bar or restaurant, a little hungry before a few drinks, you can help yourself to crafted boards, starters or a range of fantastic meals offered at The Botanist.

Location:
House 14, Cheltenham,
16 Temple St,
Birmingham B2 5BG,
United Kingdom. 

Luna Springs – the Birmingham bar scene:

If you've got a lot on your plate, including bottomless boozy brunches, exquisite beverages, ice cold craft beers, and live DJs, and you're looking for the perfect drink, there's no better location than Luna Springs in Birmingham to quench your thirst. The outdoor location, which is located under the railway arches and directly across the street from Mama Roux's on Lower Trinity Street, is ideal for pitching a tent and enjoying some rays.

Menu:
The menu at Luna Springs ranges from exotic drinks to street foods.

• The menu includes:
• Meantime Anytime IPA (4.7%) Cheeky Burger
• Cider
• Pig Mac
• Veuve Clicquot
• Cluck You
• Miami Vegan Burger

Location:
Digbeth Arena,
Lower Trinity Street,
Birmingham B9 4AG,
United Kingdom.

Tilt – is one of best bars in Birmingham

The bars in Birmingham are so varied and Tilt is no exception. Are you feeling in the mood for a bubble dedicated to pinball and retro gaming whilst you sip on your chosen beverage? When visiting Tilt, a well-known bar in Birmingham, you arrive at another surprise destination which houses 20+ arcade machines, both modern and retro!

Tilt is a charming little café by day and a bustling bar by night, providing hot coffee till 5 p.m. and a wide range of post-work cocktails. Tilt has you covered whether you want to have a casual conversation or compete with a friend.

Menu:
When it comes to eating, Tilt is open to the idea of individuals bringing their own food, to which they will cater to you by offering a list of all the finest nearby delicacies and how to get them if you haven't already.
And in drinks, Tilt only offers coffees made with the finest 5% of coffee beans produced in the world, alongside craft beer.
The menu includes:

• 10 Different Loose-Leaf Teas
• 5 Different Hot Chocolates
• Selection of High Quality Spirits
• Range of Soft Drinks
• Wines

Location:
City Arcade,
2 Union St,
Birmingham B2 4TX,
United Kingdom.

If you are looking for the best bars in Birmingham, using the Going Out website is a great way to search for a venue, shortlist several and enjoy your night out visiting the bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs of the vibrant and bustling city. Birmingham really does have something to offer to everybody, no matter what your taste in pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants the city of Birmingham has a multicultural, multinational offering to ensure that everybody finds exactly what they want and has a good time.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading about the best bars in Birmingham.