Eight alternative nights out in Birmingham

Looking for a fun alternative to a night out down Broad Street? If mainstream clubs aren’t your scene, we’ve got you covered with eight activities that not only make for a great alternative, but in our opinion, an even better night out!

Posted 08 January 2024

1. NQ64

Imagine as much neon as your eyes can take and as many retro arcade games as you can play. NQ64 is a great place to blow off some steam and have hours of fun.

2. The Night Owl

The Night Owl in Digbeth is a soul and retro nightclub throwing some of the best soul, funk and disco parties in town! Expect great music, great people and a lot of dancing.

3. Hockley Social Club

Great street food and great vibes, what more could you want? A whole range of street food vendors gather at Hockley Social Club every weekend with a live DJ, drinks and a quirky setting. You’ll soon become a regular.

4. Jam House salsa nights

If you still want to get on the dance floor why not head to Jam House on the last Thursday of every month? Their live salsa band plays till late and even teaches you how to salsa along! Don’t worry if you’re a complete novice, you’ll love it regardless.

5. Chance and Counters

If you love a good board game, get to Chance and Counters in the Custard Factory. With spacious indoor and outdoor drinking areas, you can spend all night gaming and order some filthy food too.

6. Lane 7

Lane 7 has everything from ten-pin bowling to arcade games, but isn’t your average bowling alley. Accompany your games with great food and drinks and even book a game of shuffleboard or beer pong.

7. Dead Wax Digbeth

At Dead Wax Digbeth they only play vinyl and with a 4,000-strong record collection, the tunes just keep on coming. You’re welcome to dig through the shelves or even bring your own records along.

8. Bongos Bingo

Not what you’d find in your typical bingo hall, Bongo's Bingo includes raves, obscure characters and ridiculous prizes. Expect audience participation, dancing on tables and men in wigs. And that’s not all, you’re in with a chance of winning cereal multipacks, a Henry Hoover or a mobility scooter, but play your cards right and you could be going home with a life-size cut out of Phillip Schofield.

Student life in Birmingham

Birmingham has everything: bars, restaurants, theatre, music, nightlife, street food. We're one of the most cost-effective cities for students in the UK and with five universities there's so much here to see and do. Find out why Birmingham has the UK's largest student population outside London!

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