Perhaps Birmingham's most eye-catching bar, Bacchus is located underneath the luxurious Burlington Hotel. Its interior consists of a gaudy mish-mash of styles, ranging from Egyptian to Gothic, that is truly breathtaking. Some excellent, if pricey, food is served all day. Go, if only to sit in a wrought iron cage and be eyeballed by a suit of armor.
The Jam House is backed by ex-Squeeze keyboarder and TV presenter Jools Holland. The club is spread over three airy floors, the top one being an open-plan restaurant serving modern world cuisine. The menu is set, although it changes regularly. Music, however, is the driving force with live acts nightly, and even a traditional Louisiana gospel brunch on Sundays.
A flashy, stylish bar and restaurant for the new millennium, Sobar brings utilitarian chic to the Arcadian Centre. It calls itself a Noodle Bar, a phenomenon springing up more widely these days, and serves deliciously spicy, genuinely fast food to business people and the fashionably lazy alike. It has a bright, clean and nice interior and you can choose to eat at tables or at the well-stocked bar. Either way, you can see your meal being cooked and it arrives with frightening haste.
As the name suggests, this is an Australasian theme bar, with accompanying nightclub downstairs. Plenty of Aussie lagers are available, as well as some European imports for the less adventurous. It's usually frequented by twenty somethings, attracted by the cheerful ambience, cheap food and live sports shown on a big screen. It can get very busy and very loud at weekends, especially if there is a band playing, so it is best to get in early.
Queen's Hall is a spacious entertainment venue in Nuneaton. It largely promotes bands playing various music. It is extremely popular with upcoming as well as established bands. The two bars are well stocked with an extensive cocktail list. Several events of Music festivals like Bloodstock Open Air, The Rock and Blues Custom Show are held at this venue. It can hold approximately two-fifty people. The website lists the event details.
Egon Ronay recommended this 18th-century pub—a pub where there is every chance of rubbing shoulders with Shakespearean actors and that is only 100 yards from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This two-name pub has two separate areas. The Black Swan side is very like a pub would have been in the 1700s: a rather austere drinking-bar look preserved with simple tables and old settles. The Dirty Duck side of the pub—the name by which the Black Swan is affectionately known throughout the world—is also a restaurant with bar snacks available.
If there happens to be one such pub in all of Birmingham where the lovers of rock can unite and bang their heads away to glory; it is here at Scruffy Murhphy's. Since its opening in 2001, Scruffy Murhphy's has only gone onto become Birmingham's 'Best Premium Bar' and rock pub. In tune with the rock and metal of yesterday, today and the days to come; the place frequently hosts live mic nights and gigs by known and upcoming bands. Entry is restricted to only those above 18 and also you might want to restrict yourself from going in if you are not a fan of rock, because if you are used to head banging, then you might just get a headache.
Taking a leaf out of the literary classic of the same name is this quirky joint situated in Birmingham. The Jekyll and Hyde is sectioned into two similar yet characteristically different areas - while one of them is an edgy bar named Mr Hyde's Bar which serves eccentric cocktails made with gin, the more composed version of Dr. Jekyll resides upstairs and presents to you aesthetically crafted gin cocktails in tea-cups, watering cans or whatever the bartenders can get their hands on. Food makes an appearance too, with gourmet burgers and delicious pies soaking up this gin obsession. Even if you are not a gin lover, go to this place for the thrill of the theme. Who knows, you may discover that your alter ego is a hardcore gin lover!
The Square Peg is a good stop for a budget meal, cocktail or drink and a good start to a night out. It offers sandwiches, steaks and has variety in its liquor menu. The staff is friendly and equally quick in serving a more or less crowded place. Located in the heart of the city, The Square Peg is surely a place that at once is classy and spells home comfort.
Nestled in the city's heart, the Loki Wine Merchant & Tasting House offers authentic wine tasting experience. Acclaimed with several awards, the tasting house and retail shop is considered to be one of the finest in the city. Large wooden shelves and barrels housing a wide variety of wines will transport one back into UK's distant wine cellars. However, the contemporary setting takes over with vibrant green interiors of the tasting room. While you can shop a variety of wines, the place hosts exclusive wine and cheese tasting events. From red to white, the Loki Wine is a spectacular assortment of the finest wines from all over the world.
This is a city center bar that's far more inviting on the inside than it is on the out, where it looks like a run-of-the-mill drinking den. The entrance opens on to a large room with an island bar serving the standard range of local beer, packed with office types at lunchtimes and playing fairly loud music. It looks like a cross between a Paris salon of the 1920s and a gentleman's club, but without the atmosphere of either. Still, it's perfectly comfortable and uncomplicated food is served, such as steak and ale pie. As good, at least, as any other bar in the area.
Old Contemptibles, one of the finest pub names in Brum, is a quiet, traditional bar in Victorian style near to St Philip's Cathedral. There are bigger, more popular pubs nearby but few share the relaxed atmosphere of this one, or they've still yet to dispel the whiff of fresh paint. The usual range of Bass ales is served, but guest beers are usually on offer too. Food is cheap and cheerful.