FabSwingers.com forum: Birmingham City Centre things to do.

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

One of us is on a course next week and will be staying near Broad Street for four nights

Anything interesting niche and quirky to do or have a look at in the evenings?

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

It's not in the evenings but if you want quirky go to the Pen Museum. You can make your own fountain pen nib using the original machines.

I found it fascinating.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There is so much to do in birmingham it just depends what you are after. Tons of bars restaurants etc down broad street at the mailbox and at brindley place. If it's warmish you will find lots of bars with outside seating that are nice to sit at.

There is about 4 theatres with lots of different shows on.

Shopping is open till late in the bullring

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Away to dine is nice too which is a canal boat restaurant x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Ha not an option as will be on the train.

I have heard nice things about the centre now though. Thanks guys will pencil some of that in. Going to have a wander round the library too.

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Ha not an option as will be on the train.

I have heard nice things about the centre now though. Thanks guys will pencil some of that in. Going to have a wander round the library too. "

You can wonder around it but not inside it as its closed (well last time I heard)

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

There is the national trust back to backs museum thing, there is the free museum in the centre by the town hall there is the owl trail still going on.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Ha not an option as will be on the train.

I have heard nice things about the centre now though. Thanks guys will pencil some of that in. Going to have a wander round the library too.

You can wonder around it but not inside it as its closed (well last time I heard) "

Says it's open till 19:00?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"There is the national trust back to backs museum thing, there is the free museum in the centre by the town hall there is the owl trail still going on. "

Sounds good will have a wander.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"There is the national trust back to backs museum thing, there is the free museum in the centre by the town hall there is the owl trail still going on. "

We started the owl trail!!!

I can highly recommend Jekyll & Hyde's gin bar on Steelhouse Lane opposite No. 5 Barrister Chambers & The Lost & Found near St Philips Church for food & drink - not cheap but great quality & service

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Ha not an option as will be on the train.

I have heard nice things about the centre now though. Thanks guys will pencil some of that in. Going to have a wander round the library too.

You can wonder around it but not inside it as its closed (well last time I heard)

Says it's open till 19:00? "

It closed for a while due to staffing they built it then couldn't afford to run it but they may of reopened it now

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"There is the national trust back to backs museum thing, there is the free museum in the centre by the town hall there is the owl trail still going on.

We started the owl trail!!!

I can highly recommend Jekyll & Hyde's gin bar on Steelhouse Lane opposite No. 5 Barrister Chambers & The Lost & Found near St Philips Church for food & drink - not cheap but great quality & service "

Jekyll and Hyde is ace

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By *ldestswingerintownMan
over a year ago

Lancaster

also - of course - there are a couple of very seedy adult cinemas and some swingers clubs

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"There is the national trust back to backs museum thing, there is the free museum in the centre by the town hall there is the owl trail still going on.

We started the owl trail!!!

I can highly recommend Jekyll & Hyde's gin bar on Steelhouse Lane opposite No. 5 Barrister Chambers & The Lost & Found near St Philips Church for food & drink - not cheap but great quality & service

Jekyll and Hyde is ace

We went for my best friends 40th a few weeks ago - we were hammered, spent a fortune in Ann Summers & ended up in bed by 8pm!!!

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

Great bar in the mailbox called gas street social and another bar called botanicals something or other both so awesome cocktails

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"also - of course - there are a couple of very seedy adult cinemas and some swingers clubs"

Flying solo but will keep it in mind.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

If your hours permit it, you're close to the library. Visit it, before it runs out of cash - no new books are being purchased at the moment, but they are accepting donations, if you have any spare! Go up onto the roof and see the gardens that locals have created/maintained there.

As others say, the Broad Street bars and restaurants are ok too.

You can even use the local public transport and visit outlying Birmingham spots. Birmingham is famous for its Black Country museum, relocated in Birmingham Dudley district, but that is more of a daytime activity (sorry, posted as a windup for some of our black country cousins).

I second use of the theatres around the west midlands.

The canal walks, off from Brindley Place etc are a good way to unwind.

And the best bit - come and meet us, the locals.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"One of us is on a course next week and will be staying near Broad Street for four nights

Anything interesting niche and quirky to do or have a look at in the evenings? "

Yeah go to New street and get the train up to Liverpool

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"If your hours permit it, you're close to the library. Visit it, before it runs out of cash - no new books are being purchased at the moment, but they are accepting donations, if you have any spare! Go up onto the roof and see the gardens that locals have created/maintained there.

As others say, the Broad Street bars and restaurants are ok too.

I second use of the theatres around the west midlands.

The canal walks, off from Brindley Place etc are a good way to unwind.

And the best bit - come and meet us, the locals.

Thanks hopefully the weather will be good so I can sun myself on a walk.

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By *moothies.Couple
over a year ago

Woodthorpe

We've eaten at red pepper in the mailbox when we've visited and would recommend it

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"We've eaten at red pepper in the mailbox when we've visited and would recommend it"

Amazing along with gas street social has got good reviews for food

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Just not Coalville

Personally Birmingham is fantastic! xx

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I do like Birmingham but I'm there everyday....so sometimes it's nice to get out of there after work..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"also - of course - there are a couple of very seedy adult cinemas and some swingers clubs

Flying solo but will keep it in mind. "

Have a social with someone local and get them to take you to the Custard Factory x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"also - of course - there are a couple of very seedy adult cinemas and some swingers clubs

Flying solo but will keep it in mind.

Have a social with someone local and get them to take you to the Custard Factory x"

Custard factory?

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By *ocketrocket80Man
over a year ago

Walsall

Custard factory isn't that great now although the crown does quite nice food.

I'll volunteer to take you to crazy golf at star city if you'd like.

Lots of nice bars around Colmore Row and Jewellery Quarter to.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Custard factory isn't that great now although the crown does quite nice food.

I'll volunteer to take you to crazy golf at star city if you'd like.

Lots of nice bars around Colmore Row and Jewellery Quarter to."

Ha I'm not a crazy golfer type of person but thanks for the offer. Jewellery quarter sounds my kind of place.

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By *ocketrocket80Man
over a year ago

Walsall

"Custard factory isn't that great now although the crown does quite nice food.

I'll volunteer to take you to crazy golf at star city if you'd like.

Lots of nice bars around Colmore Row and Jewellery Quarter to.

Ha I'm not a crazy golfer type of person but thanks for the offer. Jewellery quarter sounds my kind of place. "

There is laser quest and bowling to haha

Lots of nice restaurants in the Jewellery Quarter to

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By *ivinefoxWoman
over a year ago

Coventry

Chameleons is open all day...

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By *entaur_UKMan
over a year ago

Cannock

Shopping in the Bull ring shopping centre, also Birmingham is the lap dancing and balti house capital of england, lap dance in legs 11, then go for a nice curry. Xtasia and chams a short drive away.

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By *moothies.Couple
over a year ago

Woodthorpe

"Custard factory isn't that great now although the crown does quite nice food.

I'll volunteer to take you to crazy golf at star city if you'd like.

Lots of nice bars around Colmore Row and Jewellery Quarter to.

Ha I'm not a crazy golfer type of person but thanks for the offer. Jewellery quarter sounds my kind of place. "

Do the jewellery quarter have late night opening?

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By *ark074Man
over a year ago

nottingham

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Lock the door and wait for the week to end.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 10/09/15 02:13:44]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Ha I'm not a crazy golfer type of person but thanks for the offer. Jewellery quarter sounds my kind of place. "

The Rose Villa Tavern on the corner by the roundabout does a weekday special on cocktails in decent surroundings..

There's a sandos opposite which does the same as nandos but better and cheaper lol...

The Brown Bear just down the road is a friends pub but don't tell them where you found out about it

and of course Xtasia is just a 500 metres walk from West Bromwich central tram station if you fancy a drink and game of pool in Flirts bar...

Have fun

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By *evaquitCouple
over a year ago

Catthorpe

[Removed by poster at 10/09/15 02:57:48]

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By *evaquitCouple
over a year ago

Catthorpe

There's a stack of things to do in Birmingham, try grabbing a copy of the METRO newspaper whilst there for things to do.

The mailbox is a favourite of ours and the food and drink at Riddizio Rico serves some great Brazilian grub and very good wines. You've also got the comedy club with tickets still available, unfortunately nothing at the Symphony Hall next week though. There's also the Jam House for a bit of Jazz and food and for something a little different the Electric Cinema is good too, order food and wine whilst watching a movie on a sofa. We took some old fashioned sweets into the cinema from an old fashioned sweet shop in the indoor market around the corner, fitting we thought as the cinema is like stepping back into the 80s. Some good times to be had in Brum, we're there often.

Him

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By *oo hotCouple
over a year ago

North West

Not sure if it is still there but around 20 years ago there was a restaurant on Broad Street called Shimla Pink and it was the very first of the now very popular boutique style Indian Restaurants that gave proliferated right across the UK. It was great back then although I don't know if it is even still there these days?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Why do so many small town people hate on Birmingham, we've lived here 20 years ands it's developed in to a modern metropolis.

Wouldn't swap it for anywhere, certainly not armpit towns like Coalville or bromsgrove lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you are staying round brindley place it's nice walking along the canals if that is your thing.

Broad Street is vil;e and best avoided unless you have a thing for soulless chainbars. In addition to suggestions already made there are some good bars on Hurst Street which is the gay area where Pride is held

Centaur is right about the Balti but head out of the city centre for one and get a taxi to the Ladypool Road

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Buy my flat in the Jewellery Qtr.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 10/09/15 08:42:15]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Personally I'd get on the M42 and go somewhere else!

Just not Coalville

I agree. Coalville is a dire place, full of toothless inbreds whose favourite instrument is the banjo!

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I love Birmingham there is actually so much to do

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If I'm honest my biggest issue with Birmingham is the road network. It can be incredibly confusing and stressful to navigate. I'd probably visit more often if it were easier.

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"If I'm honest my biggest issue with Birmingham is the road network. It can be incredibly confusing and stressful to navigate. I'd probably visit more often if it were easier."

Take the train

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If I'm honest my biggest issue with Birmingham is the road network. It can be incredibly confusing and stressful to navigate. I'd probably visit more often if it were easier.

Take the train

Darling I cannot be seen on public transport...

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"If I'm honest my biggest issue with Birmingham is the road network. It can be incredibly confusing and stressful to navigate. I'd probably visit more often if it were easier.

Take the train

Darling I cannot be seen on public transport...

Snob

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"One of us is on a course next week and will be staying near Broad Street for four nights

Anything interesting niche and quirky to do or have a look at in the evenings? "

The centre of gravity for cool nights out in Birmingham has shifted a bit. The bars around Waterloo St, Colmore Row and Bennets Hill (near the council house) are excellent. Purecraft Bar, Gingers (for cocktails), Cosy club, Lost and Found, Botanist (on Temple St). All very close to each other. Bars on John Bright St are good too (try Cherry Reds). All are good for food too. Joint Stock ne'er the cathedral isn't bad either.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why do so many small town people hate on Birmingham, we've lived here 20 years ands it's developed in to a modern metropolis.

Wouldn't swap it for anywhere, certainly not armpit towns like Coalville or bromsgrove lol."

As a brummie by birth I regularly visit and am very proud of the way the city is geing redeveloped.

Always have a good night out.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Why do so many small town people hate on Birmingham, we've lived here 20 years ands it's developed in to a modern metropolis.

Wouldn't swap it for anywhere, certainly not armpit towns like Coalville or bromsgrove lol."

I wasn't suggesting anyone came to Coalville...

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By *elvet RopeMan
over a year ago

by the big field

"Why do so many small town people hate on Birmingham, we've lived here 20 years ands it's developed in to a modern metropolis.

Short answer, the main problem is 40 years of the media portraying anyone from Brum and the surrounding areas as comedy simpletons. From the days of Benny in Crossroads, through Barry in Auf Wiedersehen and the classic advert proclaiming 'we want to be togevver!' It's been fairly relentless.

Basically, if they portrayed any minority group in the same manner, there would be P45's flying out at a great rate. If you look at the history of this area and what it provided, along with the other northern industrial centres- then compare it to what London has given the British Isles, the perception might be changed.

Brum has it's faults, like everywhere else, but having travelled the country extensively, it provides pretty much everything you need from a city in a nice compact footprint (you can walk accross the city in less than an hour)- with a whole lot of friendly people

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We absolutely adore birmingham and I Shel am not from the area, ive lived all over the country and it's my fave place. So much to do, the real brummies are very friendly. Lots of quirky places and some bloody amazing cocktails.

As well as 3 very good swing clubs near by - chams, xtasia and Libs, all are very different style clubs too which is great.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I must admit I did have concernsnbut after googling some of the things people have suggested on here I'm very much looking forward to it.

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By *he Milf ClubCouple
over a year ago

Peterborough

I Mrs stayed at the malmaison a couple of months ago. Didn't go out

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

"Custard factory isn't that great now although the crown does quite nice food.

I'll volunteer to take you to crazy golf at star city if you'd like.

Lots of nice bars around Colmore Row and Jewellery Quarter to.

Ha I'm not a crazy golfer type of person but thanks for the offer. Jewellery quarter sounds my kind of place.

Do the jewellery quarter have late night opening?"

Sorry, it's not typically a late night place for Jewellery shopping, but great if you manage a bit of spare time: as if, whilst working!! You can pretty much get to the JQ via the canal walks.

As you're by Broad St, you'll see the library building, open or not, as it's right there. Pretty outstanding.

I feel we've not come up with enough quirky things for you to do whilst there though. For some fun, you could try a comedy club, if there's anyone good on.

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