Nine restaurants/bars to visit in Birmingham
Birmingham is consistently voted the most popular events destination outside London and it’s your time to discover why. Here, we have a winning combination of excellent infrastructure, unparalleled accessibility and an ever-growing range of world-class venues, restaurants, hotels and attractions on our doorstep.
Whether you’re visiting the city for a day conference in the renown NEC or ICC or attending an event in one of our quirkier locations like Unique Venues Birmingham or Austin Court – your experience doesn’t have to end there.
For those eager to taste the region – quite literally – this page explores nine bars and restaurants perfect for delegates or professionals wanting to indulge in some of the city's top spots.
Orelle
Starting off on a high, and we mean literally 24 floors up in one of Birmingham’s newest additions - 103 Colmore Row. Here you will discover the Orelle cocktail bar and cafe (on the ground floor). Offering an exquisite contemporary take on classic French cuisine, the menus cater for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, À la carte and dessert.
Whether you’re visiting to dine or grab a post-meeting evening tipple, the venue boasts spectacular 360 panoramic views across Birmingham – definitely not to be missed!
Madeleine Bar
Located in The Grand Hotel Birmingham, a Grade II* listed building and one of the city’s most iconic hotels, you can expect only the highest level of opulence when visiting any of the bars or restaurants inside.
Madeleine is a cosy, intimate bar, serving up stylish cocktails and food in a glamorous environment. Decked with sparkling chandeliers, double-height windows, and luxurious furniture, you may forget that you’re seated in Birmingham's city centre! This spot is easily accessible and just a stone’s throw away from Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill Train Stations.
40 St Pauls
If you’re a Gin lover, there’s going to a bar for a gin or there’s going to a gin bar! 40 St Pauls is most definitely the latter and being voted ‘World’s Best Gin Bar’ in 2019 as well as serving 140 different gins, we don’t think any more persuasion is required to make a visit.
Tucked away in one of Birmingham’s most favourable areas – The Jewellery Quarter, as one of the city’s hidden gems, it is highly recommended to pre book a space here.
With so many drink options, you may wonder, where do you begin? Starting from £35 per person you can experience gin tasting, which takes you on a journey through the history of gin as well as exploring the breadth of flavours available, or you can take a pick from the extensive cocktail menu.
Hockley Social Club
After you’ve been suited and booted all day, there’s nothing quite like putting on your comfiest clothes and unwinding in a more relaxed setting.
Hockley Social Club is the perfect place for this, open from Thursday-Sunday. Independent and local food vendors, artists and musicians set up each week to offer various street food options and a line-up of entertainment. With three permanent kitchens and a rotating monthly resident, this makes it an exciting and unique place to eat, spotlighting the diverse cuisine available in the West Midlands.
Sky by the Water
If you’re visiting the NEC or Resorts World Arena, Sky by the Water in Resorts World is one of the best places to grab a post-event bite to eat and drink.
The seasonal menus, curated by Head Chef Aaron Darnley, focus on classic comfort food with a twist and unique cocktails.
One of the best additions to this bar is the Secret Garden Pods. They can host groups of 2-8 and are bookable for drinks and ‘light bites’ from Friday to Sunday. The pods offer an intimate experience, overlooking the spectacular rooftop garden.
Birdies Bar
Located in the heart of Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birdies Bar is a cool paradise-inspired outdoor bar and restaurant. They offer delicious street food, cocktails, and beers with live music to keep you entertained all night long! The menu includes tantalizing options such as Indian street-loaded fries, salt & pepper wings, plant-based burgers, and churros – something for everyone!
There are many fun attractions and experiences close to Birdie’s Bar, so if you feel like continuing the night, you can visit the likes of Golf Fang (directly next to Birdies), Roxy’s Ball Room, Floodgate, NQ64, and many more.
Jukeboxers Brindleyplace
If you’re looking for an electric, vibrant atmosphere, Jukeboxers Duelling Piano Bar is the place for you. Run solely on requests from the crowd means you can expect the live musicians to play everything from rock to reggae. It’s a non-stop vibe ensuring you’re ready to sing, dance, laugh and party all night long!
Jukeboxers has also collaborated with street-food vendor, ‘Hope you’re Hungry’ so alongside fantastic entertainment and drink, from Wednesday-Sunday enjoy the East-Asian inspired food on offer.
The Jam House
Another one of the Jewellery Quarter’s gems is the Jam House, an award-winning venue that provides a combination of live music, great food and drink.
Events explore all music genres from contemporary rock anthems to classic soulful rhythm and blues. And the food menu includes options such as soup, pan fried salmon, roast lamb rump and Strawberry & Passionfruit Pavlova.
Vagabond
Located in the heart of Birmingham’s business district, Colmore Row, at Vagabond, you can choose from over 100 different self-pour wines! Here you can discover your favourites with the options to try a sample, a glass, or a full bottle. Each wine has shelf talkers with tasting notes, so whether you have an acquired palate or not, the guidance is there to help you make the best decision.
Once you’re all wined out, indulge in the tasty food menu which includes a range of small plates such as truffle fries, baked camembert and hummus, as well as larger sharing plates, steaks, flatbreads and desserts.