Whether it's an all important first date or a regular date night with that special someone, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to bars, restaurants and cafés in Birmingham. But if you're looking for something a bit different, and let's face it, easy on the wallet, here's our list of alternative student dates on offer in Brum.
The Mockingbird
Enjoy a cinema date, but looking for something with a slight twist? Then the Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen is for you. This fully independent cinema is in the heart of Digbeth’s Custard Factory. They show all the latest releases but the pinnacle here are there themed events, quiz and movie double headers, and marathons. This month they're hosting the ultimate 24 hour Harry Potter movie marathon (maybe a movie marathon is more for date four or five affair). Keep an eye on their Facebook for events suited to all tastes.
Tilt
Want to go for a drink but don’t fancy sitting across from each other reaching for conversation? Tilt is a bar and café kitted out with pinball machine after pinball machine. They feature some classics including Twilight Zone and Addams Family as well as newer Star Wars and Dialed In machines. When you get bored of their array of pinball machines you can get stuck in to their many craft beer or coffee options.
Check out our BCU Bingo vlog featuring Tilt and Cannon Hill park mini golf!
A spot of golf
Cannon Hill park
Cannon Hill is home to the Golden Putter, which features two 18 hole courses of different difficulties. The courses include many water features running around the holes as well as great views of the park. Cannon Hill also has various coffee shops and picnic areas to grab some food and drink after, whilst totting up the score. At £6.50 for a round it’s likely you’ll be able to pay for your date's as well.
If it’s bit of a cold day however moving indoors to the next course may be a better option…
Golf Fang
What’s better than a game of mini golf? A game of mini golf with BBQ food. What’s better than a game of mini golf with BBQ food? A game of mini golf with BBQ food and cocktails! This is exactly what Golf Fang offers. Formerly known as Ghetto Golf, each hole has a different theme including the likes of retro gaming and Blockbusters video rental store. The holes combine street art and theatre to give you a fully immersive golfing experience. Oh yeah, they bring cocktails to you as well. It fills up quickly so booking ahead is highly recommended.
Rush
What better way to get to know your date than having an hour jumping around on trampoline after trampoline? Rush is a new trampoline park to Birmingham. Featuring a main court of over 100 interconnected trampolines as well as dodge ball courts, battle beams, assault course and foam pit. They also have themed evenings featuring DJs and laser shows. So get your sports gear on and bounce the night away.
Birmingham Conservation Park
Birmingham Conservation Park is home to a wide collection of animals from across the world. It offers an up close experience that many bigger zoos don’t. Making it perfect for a more intimate date. The park has a wide variety of reptiles, lemurs, wallabies, meerkats and their headliners the red pandas. As well as less well known animals such as the south Asian Binturong. The centre do lots of work in helping endangered animals and your cash will go to help supporting that. So it’ll be a good deed as well as a good date. It’s also a stones throw from Cannon Hill park mini golf, offering the potential for a double header!
Roxy Ballroom
Booze and ball games, what more could you want? One of the new kids on the block in Digbeth, Roxy Ballroom lets you bring a bit of friendly competition to your date with a selection of games including bowling, pool, shuffleboard and pong (both beer and ping). There's also a great menu of pizza and cocktails to enjoy as you savour your victories.
Board game cafés
How about coffee with a difference? That difference being board games… Meeple Mayhem opened its board game café doors in May last year. Situated in Edgbaston, it’s quickly developing a reputation as a great destination for lovers of gaming. They offer 170 board games alongside homemade burgers and cake. If it’s a laid back afternoon you’re after this could be perfect!
Closer to the city centre lies Chance and Counters in the Custard factory. Founded in 2016, the Birmingham café is their third branch after Bristol and Cardiff. With over 500 games to choose from, you'll be spoiled for choice.
Comedy
Away from the big arenas and TV touring comics Birmingham is a bit of comedy hot bed. With several venues and comedy nights operating all over the city. The Glee Club is probably the highest profile venue offering the best comedians on the circuit as well as smaller sets from more well-known names. Cherry Reds on John Bright Street offers comedy in their cosy upstairs café. Often promoting the brightest new names in comedy. Finally Mac Birmingham often hosts the hottest comedians touring their acclaimed Edinburgh shows. Whichever night you pick laughs are guaranteed!
Got any other recommendations? Let us know!
