13 Best Nightlife Experiences in Birmingham
Where to Go at Night in Birmingham?
Nightlife in Birmingham is a real highlight of the city. Thanks to one of the youngest populations in Europe and 3 esteemed universities, the people of Birmingham like to play as hard as they work, with plenty of different scenes to enjoy.
If you’re looking for family-friendly fun or some more boisterous adults-only escapades, you’ll find the right place for you in Birmingham. Take a look at the different after-dinner experiences waiting for you, most of which are within the city centre or just a short taxi cab ride away.
What are the best things to do at night in Birmingham?
1. The Mailbox
Top pick for fine dining and fancy cocktails in Birmingham
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Luxury
The Mailbox – the old central mail office – features high-end restaurants, bars, fashion boutiques, and the BBC television studios. There’s also a row of around 20 venues serving fancy beverages and dishes from across the globe.
Popular bars at Mailbox include Bar Epernay and Aluna, both of which enjoy open views over the canal. Look out for Zizzi, a highly rated Italian restaurant, and Indico Street Kitchen, a restaurant that pays tribute to India’s street food vendors and the glamor of Indian movie theater. Head to Indico between noon and 5 pm from Monday to Friday to grab your choice of curry with naan or plain rice for under a tenner.
Location: 7 Commercial St, Birmingham B1 1RS, UK
Phone: +44 (0)121 632 1000
The Mailbox
2. Arcadian
Trendy bar hopping close to China Town
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Arcadian is a trendy courtyard packed with pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants and the Glee Club – Birmingham’s legendary comedy venue. It attracts a cool crowd of young professionals who like to go bar hopping. It’s especially fun on summer evenings when people spill out of the bars and into the courtyard to mix and mingle.
The most enduring and popular bars in Arcadian Birmingham include Sobar and Levana Bar. Just across the road from the Arcadian, you will find Bambu – one of the city’s finest dance clubs for funky and vocal house music. Read more
Location: 70 Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Arcadian
3. Broad Street
A bustling night out in Birmingham with your friends
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Broad Street is a long thoroughfare in the city centre that’s lined with bars and clubs. Long known as nightlife center of Birmingham, it attracts a young crowd who are looking to party into the night at places like Pitcher & Piano, O’Neill’s Irish Bar, and Revolution Birmingham.
You’ll also find plenty of places to eat along Broad Street, with several highly rated Indian restaurants serving Birmingham’s famed dish, the Balti curry. Check out Pushkar for great food and imaginative cocktails, and Varanasi for modern takes on Indian cuisine.
Broad Street
4. Star City
Plenty of evening activities for families
Good for: Families, Food, Nightlife
Star City is a huge leisure complex around 5 miles from Birmingham city centre that’s home to the best movie theater in the city – 25 screens including V.I.P. theaters. You can find plenty of family-friendly restaurants here, serving a range of regional cuisines, before enjoying a movie, a game of 10-pin bowling or even mini golf at Adventure Island.
Other family-friendly activities include laser tag and an escape room. There’s also a dedicated family fun zone – a soft play area for toddlers with viewing neighborhoods for parents and grandparents. Read more
Location: 32 Watson Rd, Nechells, Birmingham B7 5SA, UK
Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm
Phone: +44 (0)121 270 4455
Star City
5. Digbeth
Cool clubbing in Birmingham’s creative district
Good for: Nightlife
Birmingham’s creative types can be found in Digbeth. Just a short walk from the Bullring, this post-industrial neighbourhood really comes alive in the evenings. You can expect pop-up street food markets, urban art, and some of the city’s best nightlife, held in renovated warehouses. Adding to the eclectic vibe, old boozers and humble cafes offer a glimpse into the past.
From Thursday to Saturday evenings, Digbeth Dining Club is a fun street food event that brings together up to 50 stalls selling regional cuisines and craft beers. If you’re up for some late-night clubbing, head to the Custard Factory for socializing or the Institute for pumping bass. Read more
Location: Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6BH, UK
Digbeth
6. Everyman Theater
Magnificent historic theater and opera house
Good for: History, Nightlife
Everyman Theater was first opened in 1891 and features a lavish auditorium decorated with frescoes of cherubs and gold curlicues. A refurbishment in 2011 restored many original features, including the theatre’s beautiful Scagliola marble. The venue hosts operas and plays, along with dance performances, comedy nights and the ever-popular annual pantomime.
Recent hits have included a production of Dial M for Murder, a musical version of Sleepy Hollow, and the exuberant children’s show Giraffes Can’t Dance. The Circle Bar on the first floor has a fine menu of wines and whiskeys, while bright and airy Matcham’s Restaurant on the 2nd floor serves 2-course meals before evening performances. Read more
Location: 7-10 Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1242 572573
Everyman Theater
7. Brindley Place
Spend your evening enjoying the canal-side restaurants and bars
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Brindley Place is the best place to see the waterways around Birmingham. The whole area is alive with trendy bars, restaurants, and attractions.
Simply stroll along and stop when a bar or restaurant takes your fancy, be it a German beer hall or demure cocktail lounge. Just next to Brindley Place you’ll also find Ikon Gallery, the National Sea Life aquarium, and the Arena Birmingham concert hall – many prominent rock and pop acts perform here when they tour the UK. Read more
Location: Brunswick Street, Brindley Pl, Birmingham B1 2JF, UK
Brindley Place
8. O2 Institute
Catch the world’s biggest acts at this landmark music venue
Good for: Nightlife, Group
The O2 Institute in Birmingham is considered one of the UK’s top live music venues. Originally opened in 1908, the complex consists of 3 main rooms, with the largest auditorium featuring a stellar 1,500 capacity and 2 seated balcony levels. Alongside 2 smaller stages, the venue often packs out whenever a must-see act is in town.
The O2 Institute has hosted deafening gigs for the last 30 years. Some of the biggest names in the business that have graced the stage include Pink Floyd, The Cure, and the Arctic Monkeys. There’s a good chance a headline performer is lighting up the O2 Institute when you’re in town. Read more
Location: 78 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DY, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1214 374150
O2 Institute
9. Gay Village
The center of LGBT+ culture in Birmingham
Good for: Nightlife
Birmingham’s self-titled Gay Village is made up of bars and clubs, shops and restaurants, all celebrating the cosmopolitan and free-thinking nature of the city. To find it, simply follow the rainbow flag flying along Hurst Street, past landmarks like the Hippodrome and Arcadian. It’s easy to walk from New Street station.
Notable venues include the longtime favorite, Nightingale Club, along with newer places like Cloud and Genepool. Head to The Village Inn to see an excellent drag and cabaret show in Birmingham.
Gay Village
10. The Hippodrome Theater Birmingham
A family-friendly live theater
Good for: Families, Nightlife
The Hippodrome is a live theater that stages a diverse range of live performances, many of which are suitable for families. There are regular matinee performances on weekends. Popular shows on at Birmingham Hippodrome have included Matilda The Musical and Kinky Boots.
Around the festive period, the Hippodrome hosts many Christmas pantomimes, which are great fun for kids of all ages. Located on Hurst Street, it’s walking distance from New Street station and close to the Arcadian, a collection of fancy bars and restaurants.
Location: Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB, UK
Open: Hours vary by showtime
Phone: +44 (0)844 338 5000
The Hippodrome Theater Birmingham
11. Arena Birmingham
Huge live events space hosting the biggest stars in the world
Good for: Nightlife
Arena Birmingham is a huge event space that hosts world-class rock and pop artists, along with sporting events. Musicians to have played here include Rod Stewart, Backstreet Boys, and Cher, among many others. Keep an eye on the upcoming concerts at Arena Birmingham as shows often sell out ahead of time.
You can find Arena Birmingham close to Brindley Place, about a 10-minute walk from the New Street railroad station. It’s also surrounded by restaurants, bars and other attractions, including the National Sea Life aquarium. Read more
Location: King Edwards Rd, Birmingham B1 2AA, UK
Phone: +44 (0)121 780 4141
Arena Birmingham
12. Birmingham Symphony Hall
Birmingham’s center of arts and culture
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Birmingham Symphony Hall hosts a range of cultural events most evenings, including classical music, children’s theater, and visiting performances by such varied artists as Bollywood singers and African vocal choirs. The interior of the Symphony Hall is decked out in pale wood and the acoustics are incredible.
You can find Birmingham Symphony Hall at the top of Broad Street, the closest end to the city centre. It’s next door to Birmingham Library and The International Convention Center. Keep an eye on future events as most events sell out ahead of time. Read more
Location: Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA, UK
Open: Hours vary by showtime
Phone: +44 (0)121 780 3333
Birmingham Symphony Hall
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