What is there to do in Birmingham?

Coming to the UK from another country might mean that you don’t know much about Birmingham, or what is on offer here in the UK’s second city. From entertainment to shopping, restaurants and bars, socialising and culture, Birmingham has so much to offer no matter what mood you’re in. Fancy going bowling? Tick. Want to eat at a Michelin restaurant or try some street food? Tick. Interested in catching the latest theatre shows? Tick. Birmingham has it all! Wondering where exactly Birmingham is located and some suggested day trips you can take? We’ve got information on that for you, too.

Entertainment

For music fans, Birmingham is full to the brim of music venues - from bigger arenas to small bars and pubs, there’s no end to options to see the big names and up and coming stars across the city. If festivals are more your thing, Moseley Folk Festival is on every year, with jazz and classic festivals to be found, too. You can also see some great musicians at The Glee Club, who also put on comedy acts. If your brand of entertainment is more film-based, there are plenty of cinemas in Birmingham, from Cineworld on Broad Street offering a 4D experience for all the latest blockbusters, to the Mockingbird an independent which shows all the latest films as well as holding some great events. 

Shopping

If you love to shop, Birmingham is definitely the place for you. The Bullring is the biggest shopping centre in Europe, and it’s connected to another shopping centre – Grand Central! What could be better? There’s also The Mailbox for more upmarket buys at Harvey Nichols, the Jewellery Quarter for your accessories, and Digbeth for something independent and unique. Find out more on why Birmingham is a shopper's paradise.

Restaurants and bars

Birmingham is renowned for its restaurant scene. We’ve got the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside of London, but we’ve also got some great up-and-coming street food traders that can be found at Digbeth Dining Club. The independent restaurants and bars in the city have been growing steadily in number, so there’s a wealth of places to visit for a great meal or an exciting cocktail. Make sure you go during happy hour so you can sample more and find your favourite!

Socialising

There’s no end to the fun stuff you can get to in Birmingham with your new-found friends. There’s bowling in Lane7 in The Mailbox, Golf Fang in Digbeth, escape rooms all over the city, Flight Club darts in the city centre, arcade games and table tennis at Drop Shot and pinball at Tilt Bar.

Culture

If you’re more interested in cultural escapades, Birmingham has a lot of history which you can explore at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. They also have an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and a wonderful tea shop! For more modern art, try the Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace – best visited in spring so you can witness the blossom on the trees in front of the gallery. For theatre fans, the Hippodrome boasts all the top shows straight from the West End, whilst the Alexandra puts on comedy and musicals. You can also catch a play at The Rep after exploring the Library of Birmingham, which is right next door.