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Written by Keshav Sudarshan - 09 October 2023


The 11 best cocktail bars in Birmingham


Cocktails are a pretty reliable way to glitz up your standard boozing session. Birmingham is no stranger to cocktail bars that excel in bringing glitz, glamour and a whole lot of dry ice to your glass.


With an amazing array of cocktail bars, it can feel a little disorientating to decide where your hard-earned cash should be spent. For not lovers of mixed, shaken and stirred drinks – we've uncovered some of the best Birmingham cocktail bars, all you have to do is turn up and start sipping.


WARNING: the following list contains a lot of references to delicious drinks and may induce severe thirst.


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The cocktail club Birmingham cocktail bar 3
The cocktail club Birmingham cocktail bar 3

1. Birmingham's newest cocktail bar: The Cocktail Club

Birmingham

When you literally name your venue 'The Cocktail Club', you better be sure you can make a decent drink. The folks over at The Cocktail Club have fine-tuned their mixologist art accross 13 UK-based venues, bringing crowd favourites and inventive signature drinks to drinkers everywhere.


Birmingham has been chosen as their next venture: the midlands hub is getting the biggest outpost yet. Three floors and two bars will be able to service up to 450 guests, whilst the interior is promised to convey 'exy patterns, plush finishes and hot as hell animal print'; think Kat Slater with a martini in hand.


There will be plenty of opportunities for private hire, meaning you can make the most of the energetic bar staff and bewildering array of drinks without sharing it with strangers. The. Cocktail Club arrives at Birmingham's Temple street on September 30th, 2022.



Lost and found birmingham cocktail bar 1
Lost and found birmingham cocktail bar 2

2. A Birmingham cocktail bar for a sophisticated drink: Lost and Found

Birmingham

If you’re after a sophisticated cocktail in one of the coolest cocktail bars in Birmingham, look no further than Lost and Found. A Grade 2 listed building, the Victorian influence gives this spot a glamorous yet whimsical vibe.


Their menu boasts a wide array of cocktails ranging from the traditional to the more avant-garde. Crafted by expert mixologists, the originality of drinks in this cocktail bar is hard to match. A go to has to be ‘the tangled teapot’, served with dry ice - ideal for the summer heat.


Whether you choose a bottomless brunch, afternoon tea, or a relaxing catch-up with friends, Lost and Found has you covered. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the opulent surroundings whilst sipping on a cocktail (or three).



the button factory birmingham cocktail bar 1
the button factory birmingham cocktail bar 2

3. A Birmingham cocktail bar to visit for its hipster vibe: The Button Factory

Birmingham

Located in the historic Jewellery Quarter, The Button Factory is one of the trendiest hangout spots which Birmingham has to offer. With its industrial brick walls and exposed ceiling beams, the urban vibes are reminiscent of any New York location.


When it comes to cocktails, this bar is an expert in mastering the classics. The likes of Margaritas and Stormy Bananas don’t stop being poured until the early hours of the morning.


Picture this — chilling on the exclusive balcony with your best friends, a cocktail in one hand and fresh food prepared on the Robata Grill in the other (Lamb Shawarma anyone?). Not much can top that.


For any vegans out there, the bar offers plenty of alternatives such as the tasty cauliflower steak.



The botanist cocktail bar Birmingham 1
The botanist Birmingham cocktail bars 3

4. A cocktail bar to escape the busyness of everyday life in Birmingham: The Botanist

Birmingham

There’s no denying that Temple Street’s The Botanist is one of the coolest-looking cocktail bars. Like, ever. A secret garden of food and drink, expect to see plenty of amazing plants and trinkets galore.


As you may have guessed, this cocktail bar is renowned for its botanist-themed cocktails. Multi-award winning, they are split into three main categories — flowers, fruits, and roots and shoots (try saying that five times!) The aesthetic selection includes our personal favourite, the rhubarb and sage spritz.


The bar is complemented by a delicious restaurant. We recommend trying their infamous hanging kebabs. As well as being divine to eat, they make for a great picture for social media.


And if you fancy going one step further, you should try a cocktail-making masterclass for only £25. Be prepared to unleash your inner James Bond as you shake and stir with expert mixologists and botanists.



The pineapple birmingham cocktail bar 3

5. An award winning Birmingham cocktail spot that brings the aesthetics: The Pineapple Club

Birmingham

Introducing The Pineapple Club — the best present to Birmingham, post-lockdown. Located in the Great Western Arcade, this exclusive cocktail bar is a must-visit for you and your mates. And to get the important part out of the way, yes it is Instagram-friendly. With palm tree wallpaper and a cool neon sign, this cocktail bar is sure to make a great backdrop.


Their amazing mixologists certainly know how to pack a punch. Our personal favourite is the Brummie Rummy Old Fashioned. Who would’ve thought rum blended so well with banana and apple? Don’t just take our word for it though. The Pineapple has received multiple awards including the Best New International Cocktail Bar, presented by Forbes.



Fumo birmingham cocktail bar 1
Fumo birmingham cocktail bar 2

6. A cocktail bar for an authentic taste of Italy, in Birmingham: Fumo

Birmingham

The only thing better than one Fumo cocktail bar is two Fumo cocktail bars. Yes, that’s right. Definitely no excuse not to go now.


Renowned for its impeccable service and amazing dining experience, this bar will give you a true taste of Italy. It’s modern, chic, sophisticated — like the overly romanticised love interest in a Fellini film


As well as their cocktails, you can spend hours choosing a wine from the options available.


What really sets this cocktail bar apart is the quality of their food. The delicious cicchetti-style dishes transport you straight into the hills of Italy. Although Birmingham is great, sometimes an escape from the city's rainy drear is needed.


Don’t worry if you’re in the mood to party, you can enjoy the cocktail bar’s resident DJ every weekend. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a variety of dishes washed down by wine or a cocktail of choice. Delizioso.



Aluna birmingham cocktail bar 1
Aluna birmingham cocktail bar 2

7. A Birmingham bar to visit for some magic cocktails: Aluna Birmingham

Birmingham

Hubble bubble, toil and trouble. This Mailbox gem is a cocktail bar for the adventurous. A stone’s throw from Birmingham’s canals, prepare to be on the edge of your seat.


In this cool cocktail bar, it’s impossible to choose the wrong drink. Each one is impressive in its own way. Whilst some are served with a puff of smoke, others sport a myriad of colours. If you’re feeling daring try the ‘cauldron of death’ — beware, the list of ingredients is hidden.


For a heavy drinking night, the expert mixologists also create smaller bubbling brews and potions (otherwise known as shots). This constant pushing of boundaries is what makes the experience of this cocktail bar worth a visit.


And don’t worry, we haven’t neglected the food. If you’re feeling peckish, prepare to be wowed with their Pan-Asian selection.



Ikigaib Birmingham cocktail bar 1
Ikigaib Birmingham cocktail bar 2

8. Birmingham's best Japanese cocktail bar: Ikigaib

Birmingham

Ikigaib, translated from Japanese to English, roughly means 'the thing that makes life worthwhile'. Few things tick that box more than a great cocktail. Birmingham's best Japanese cocktail bar conjures the far-eastern country's knack for aesthetics, taste and delicacy all above Birmingham staples, 1000 trades.


The drinks here are charmingly named after stops on the sprawling Tokyo subway (this fact alone should give you some notion of the wide-vairety of drinks on offer). Expect the ingredients list to feature expertly selected and prepared Japanese spirits, all manner of beautiful hues and difficult-to-pronounce names. What more could you want?



Tonight Josephine Birmingham 1
Tonight Josephine Birmingham 2

9. A Birmingham cocktail bar bathed in neon light: Tonight Josephine

Sometimes themes are good, sometimes they are bad, and sometimes they're weird. Birmingham's pinkest cocktail bar, Tonight Josephine opts for the latter.


Summoning the energy of France's Empress and Napoleon's scandalous belle, Josephine De Beauharnais, Tonight Josephine eschews subtlety in favour of being bigger, better and badder (excuse us, the alliterative urge reigns supreme) than the competition.


If you can fight your way past the photo-taking hordes, make your way to the bar and try the Sugar Daddy. It's a saccharine combination of amaretto, fruit, coke and whiskey and it works.



Gas Street Social Cocktail bar birmingham 3
Gas Street Social Cocktail bar birmingham 2

10. A cocktail bar in Birmingham with a legendary bottomless brunch: Gas Street Social

Birmingham

Bottomless brunch is a revolutionary idea. A set amount of time, a symbolic plate of food, an absurd amount of Bellinis, Mimosas and Bloody Marys.


Gas Street Social brings its A-game with an azmaing selection of brunching options to throw any plan you might have made into to dustbin of intoxicating history.


it's not all Prosecco, Tomato juice and whatever the hell goes into a Bellini, though. Their regular cocktail menu delights and entertains with Cocktails firmly located in the local vernacular history of Birmingham. Try the Pineapple road for a blast of Birmingham's homage to Jamacia, or, if you wanna get weird order the Baltida – yes inspired by that classic cocktail ingredient, the Balti.



Bodega Birmingham cocktail bar 1
Bodega Birmingham cocktail bar 2

11. Birmingham's South American cocktail bar: Bodega Cantina Birmingham

Birmingham

No, we're not talking about New York's answer to Budgens. Instead, this Birmingham cocktail bar gets its inspiration from the cantina's of South America.


Fittingly, the menu leans heavily on tequila and mezcal, pairing the infamous spirits with novel ingredients like ginger beer, blueberry and that all-time classic, Ting.


Bodega also offers venue hire for those wanting the amazing vibes all to themselves. This includes buffet food and, if you fancy it, a cocktail-making masterclass that you can use to impress your mates.



More of the best cocktail bars in Birmingham

What's your cocktail of choice? Shaken or stirred, over ice or neat? Whatever tipple you fancy, check out our top selection of the best cocktail bars Birmingham has to offer. From rooftop bars to underground venues, hidden speakeasies to famous cocktail bars with the best mixologists - hire out your own room, or even the entire venue, without any hassle. Order your favourite classic cocktail or try out some tasty mocktails at one of these Birmingham venues near you. Book one of these Birmingham cocktail bars for your next event for a guaranteed good time. Cheers.

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Your Guide to Hiring a Cocktail Bar in Birmingham

Cocktails were first defined by Harry Croswell who termed the concoction as 'a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters'. The term has broadened out in the proceeding years, and can now encapsulate a huge variety of ingenious drinks alcoholic or not. Birmingham's cocktail bars have taken up this etymological origin story and ran with it. The midlands mecca has mastered the cocktail bar, and booking your very own private space is easier than ever.

So let's muddle those Mojitos, stir the Sangria and think of more cocktail-based alliterative puns. It's HeadBox's guide to booking Birmingham's best cocktail bars.

Get your priorities straight

There's a lot more to Birmingham's cocktails bars than just the array of delicious drinks. Other things to consider range from decor and entertainment, to food options and seating style. If you're planning a private cocktail bar event then you'll want the reality to match up to the idealised party in your head.

Luckily, Birmingham's cocktail bars have you covered on all fronts. If you want a venue with a quirky and original ambience then you could do worse than heading to Birmingham's coolest quarter, Digbeth. This old industrial locale has traded in its manufacturing roots for a plethora of quirky cocktail bars. Digbeth is also fortunate to be within the limits of Birmingham's city centre, so getting there and back won't be an issue.

It's important to think about your guest's comfort as well as their enjoyment. Birmingham's modern cocktail bars often mix style and comfort, which makes them the ideal place to go for a drink after work, or on a weekend evening.

It's worth checking that you'll be able to fit all your guests in without the bar looking too crowded and uncomfortable, and also that drinks will flow easily enough for a long party. If you're planning a birthday party, for example, then you'll want to make sure that you'll be able to dance and enjoy yourself without having to stand in an awkward position to avoid obstructing other guests.

Booking in Birmingham

So you've ruminated on what kind of Birmingham cocktail bar you'd like, considered the drinks, aesthetics and amenities and you're ready to get on with the booking process. There are a few options. You can approach the cocktail bar directly – by submitting a request over the phone or sending an email. But what if you don't have a specific menu in mind? Don't panic. You can now submit your ideal cocktail bar event to multiple venues across Birmingham. That way only the right venues will get back to you, and you're free to choose from the very best.

Safe travels

The chances are that a cocktail event in Birmingham is going to entail some level of drinking. Four Sex on the Beaches down is not a good place to suddenly be faced with travel issues. Make sure to plot out your guests' access to and from the venue (this shouldn't be too difficult – Birmingham has a comprehensive public transport system that can get you across the city and country in comfort - just make sure you don't miss the last bus home). For those sensible souls staying sober, it's worth enquiring after the cocktail bar's non-alcoholic drinks (often called 'mocktails'). Many of Birmingham's best cocktail bars will have an equally impressive mocktail menu, and this way you'll have accommodated everyone's choices.

Running on fumes

Time for some practical advice. Eat something more substantial than a canapé:

Birmingham is full of top-quality restaurants and the city's food culture is one of the most exciting in the country. Before your event, take the time to scout out some of the best places to eat. There are certain to be a few to match the style and price of your event. Alternatively, ask if your cocktail bar also provides food - many of Birmingham's best will have a food menu to go alongside the Mai Tais and Manhattans.

That's entertainment

In our opinion, watching a mixologist at work is a pretty thrilling experience. That said, you may want to book extra entertainment for your private Birmingham cocktail event. Many of Birmingham's cocktail bars will have affiliated DJs or acts that will joyfully elevate your soirée. So if you want an acrobatic fire-breathing magician complementing your Long Island Ice Tea, ask... you never know."

Frequently asked questions

For cocktail bars in Birmingham, you're spoilt for choice. Here are a few extra special ones that we vouch for:

Tonight Josephine - It's the pinkest, and one of the most popular cocktail bars in Birmingham, and for good reason.

The Pineapple Club - An award-winning bar that's well worth a visit. Their amazing mixologists certainly know how to pack a punch.

There really is no one answer to this question: so many variables come into play when understanding the cost of hiring a cocktail bar in Birmingham. How many guests are you planning for? Is the venue for the day, the night or a weekend? The good news is that you can find a venue for pretty much any budget (okay, almost any budget). Instead of letting the venue take the initiative, our advice is to be proactive and set a budget that you feel comfortable with – this way the right venues will reach out to you.

There are lots of ways to book a Birmingham cocktail bar. You can do the old-fashioned thing and pick up the phone, or email the venue directly. Unfortunately, lots of venues are busy and may not get back to you in time. That's where we come in. Give us your enquiry and we'll reach out to the best cocktail bars in Birmingham and let you enjoy your free time. Easy.

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