Once Birmingham’s industrial quarter, Digbeth’s factory buildings have been transformed in recent years. Today, the area is a hub of culture and creative enterprise with galleries, nightclubs, pubs and restaurants waiting to be discovered. No trip to Birmingham would be complete without exploring Digbeth; we list 10 must-dos while you’re here.
If you are looking for a dining experience in Birmingham, we suggest you hit up the Digbeth Dining Club. This place draws a lively crowd and for good reason; its the place to find great bars and street food stands. Parts of the outdoor space are covered, so it is pleasant no matter the weather. Choose between Caribbean food, vegetarian dishes, Malaysian cuisine, sandwiches, waffles, crêpes, pizza and seafood, all within a small radius.
The Rainbow
Pub
Digbeth has made a name for itself in Birmingham for its eclectic and alternative nightlife. The Rainbow is a set of venues, many of them converted from warehouses, that vary from nightclubs and music halls to pubs and lounges. The first floor serves primarily as a pub, and there is live rock music in the basement. http://instagram.com/p/BE7DK8dOfn4/?tagged=therainbowbirmingham
Eastside Projects
Art Gallery
Eastside Projects is a free, public, artist-run space that is mainly comprised of galleries and studios. There are ongoing works at Eastside Projects in addition to temporary showcases, and constant displays of work by both local and international artists. Consider stopping by on the first Friday of every month, as the artists’ collective teams up with other groups in the area to deliver special events.
Digbeth First Friday
The first Friday of each month is a special time in Digbeth; this event began as a way to revitalize one of Birmingham’s oldest inner city districts and to take advantage of the expanse of vacant factory space. As such, on these Fridays you will find a lively mix of street food, late-night gallery exhibitions, festivals, cultural events and much more.
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The Old Crown
Pub
Located in the heart of Digbeth, The Old Crown is Birmingham’s oldest pub. First opened in 1368, The Old Crown, with its black and white timber frame, is located on a street corner, making it pretty hard to miss. The interior is charming and historic with exposed wooden beams lining the ceiling, and a good selections of draught ales. http://instagram.com/p/PiEvVDtpA0/?taken-by=theoldcrown
Warehouse Café
Cafe, Restaurant
The Warehouse Café is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant with a homely interior. The dining area is filled with mismatched antique wooden tables and chairs. The daily menu is posted on a large chalkboard and serves a variety of hearty dishes at very reasonable prices. http://instagram.com/p/8Xn8tDKylG/?taken-by=thewarehousecafe
The Custard Factory
Art Gallery
The Custard Factory’s name might be a bit deceiving. There is no custard here, or at least not anymore. The former powdered custard factory is now a complex of different buildings, spanning 15 acres, comprised of independent shops, restaurants, event spaces and digital enterprises. For this reason, it is nicknamed Birmingham’s ‘creative quarter’. http://instagram.com/p/BFYpr3yAoUC/?taken-at=14498186
Fazeley Studios
Building
Located within The Custard Factory creative complex, Fazeley Studios is an event space and collaborative workplace housed in a restored 19th-century factory building and the former Unitarian Chapel. The reception hall is decorated with Victorian furnishings to reflect the period design of the buildings themselves. Meanwhile, the offices are spacious and full of industrial chic. http://instagram.com/p/BE-5Zz9AUW6/?taken-at=578612178
The Irish Quarter
Bar
Digbeth has deep Irish cultural roots that date back to its foundation. In fact, Digbeth is often known as Birmingham’s Irish Quarter. There are plenty of ways to get a flavour of this side of the district. Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day Parade here if you’re in Birmingham during March; the parade often attracts crowds reaching up to 100,000. Digbeth’s Irish Centre is also a great venue and gathering space complete with a sports bar that hosts comedy shows and live music. http://instagram.com/p/8XaydEPw5o/?tagged=irishcentrebirmingham
The O2 Institute & AIR
Also known as the Digbeth Institute, The O2 Institute was originally a Methodist chapel, and later one of Birmingham’s civic halls. Since the early 1990s, however, it has served as an edgy event venue, which played an important role in England’s electronic music and rave scene. AIR too played its part in this scene and is often called Digbeth’s super club. Today, AIR also holds outdoor raves, with top DJs and dance artists known to perform here.
Lily is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed social activist who recently moved to Berlin for love. You can find out more about her work at lilycichanowicz.com or via Twitter @liliaceaeflora.
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