Birmingham is a haven for a darn good cocktail. Whether it’s a mighty mojito or something more extravagant, this list of the city’s hidden hideouts and most-loved bars will have you planning your next night out ASAP.
Island Bar
Bar, Pub Grub
Island Bar is Birmingham’s very own exotic paradise. The Tiki-themed cocktail bar is slap bang in the centre of the city and tends to be a popular pit stop on any bar crawl. Head upstairs for their beach-themed hideout and kick back.
The Bureau
Bar, British, Cocktails, Wine, Beer
Nestled in Birmingham’s bustling business district, The Bureau is a vintage-style cocktail haven. Set in a vintage 20th-century building and armed with its own rooftop mezzanine and terrace, The Bureau offers its own take on a wealth of classic cocktails with a twist.
The Alchemist
As you can probably guess from the name, cocktails at The Alchemist are all about alchemy, mixology and quite frankly, bizarreness – in a good way. The cocktails on offer here all have their unique traits; forget the mojito – here you’ll be blown away by the fizzing, smoking and bubbling traits their cocktails possess.
The Sky Bar
Bar, Restaurant, Cocktails
For cocktails with a view, head over to The Sky Bar at Birmingham’s Resorts World entertainment complex. Situated next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) & Genting Arena, this bar overlooks Pendigo Lake and their cocktails are served with a signature Asian presentation.
Turtle Bay
Restaurant, Caribbean
Happy hour happens every day at Turtle Bay; not that you need an excuse to visit this popular Caribbean restaurant. Using only the finest rum from across the world – including the lethal Wray & Nephew overproof rum – try these cocktails at your peril…
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Be At One
Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub
With well over 150 drink options on offer, Be At One is an essential Birmingham bar. One of the latest to open in the city, the Piccadilly Arcade haven offers an experience rivaled by few others, including their very own mixing school. The experience is topped off with an app you can download which has a random cocktail generator on and also allows you to top up your account and use it as payment in the bar!
The Botanist
Another bar with a giveaway in its name; The Botanist blends a horticultural theme into its range of cocktails on offer. This quirky Temple Street venue carries its garden theme from the entrance through to its drinks which are served in watering cans and plant pots!
The Jekyll & Hyde
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub, Contemporary
The Jekyll & Hyde is a Brum bar with many quirks. Not only does it have a gin parlour named after Dr. Jekyll upstairs, the bar also pays homage to Alice in Wonderland with its themed courtyard and main bar which is named after Dr. Hyde. With one of the largest varieties of gin on offer in the city and unique cocktails served in miniature bathtubs, you’d do well to check this bar out.
St. Paul’s
Cocktail Bar, Bar, Cocktails
Speaking of gin, 40 St. Paul’s is a hidden gin emporium in the Jewellery Quarter. Situated just off the famous St. Paul’s Square, this quaint gin paradise offers the largest selection of gin in Birmingham, with table service to the 24 people the bar can cater for. If you love gin cocktails, this is the place for you – they’ve even got their own tonic water – The Hockley Tonic.
San Carlo Fumo
Bar, Restaurant, Italian
Fumo is an Italian restaurant and bar based on Waterloo Street in the city centre, a stone’s throw from St Philip’s Cathedral. This popular Italian venue serves up a range of Italian tapas to match their extensive cocktail list. Try the Old Fashioned — it comes highly recommended.
Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.