The top five weird and wonderful bars in Birmingham

Last year, having temporarily relocated far, far further north than I ever envisaged myself living (look, Birmingham is north to Londoners, ok?) one of the first questions I had about my new surroundings was where the best bars are.

London has everything. Gin in teacups served in a lingerie shop.
Secret speakeasies only accessed through dark, unmarked doors.
Bars that have proper Germans serving proper German beer in proper German lederhosen.

In fact, anything you want, London has. Even THOSE bars. You know the ones I mean. Weirdo. Anyway,  this was a genuine concern, because as much I love staying in for a cool glass of wine on hot summer nights, nothing beast the buzz of a good bar. Even my hometown of Brentwood is packed to the rafters with swanky drinking courtyards and oh-so-much bling.

But the guys and girls at DesignMyNight have reassured that my now-nearest town has loads to offer, and Katie has suggested five places that bring a bit of crazy unique to the West Midlands.

The Lost and Found | 8 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS 

We’re all explorers at heart, with The Lost and Found in Birmingham city centre being no exception. A botanical themed bar based around the adventures and discoveries of Victorian explorer Hettie G. Watson, The Lost and Found is a fairytale of whimsical floral decor and mass cocktail appeal. With cocktails tailored around this explorer’s very own findings, The Lost and Found have a crafty menu of flavours that come in anything from a jam jar to a milk bottle. And shh, don’t tell anyone, but there’s an elusive secret bar to be discovered too…

The Jekyll and Hyde |  28 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6BJ

With the world’s best bars and restaurants seeing a grand mixology takeover these past few years, Birmingham wasn’t going to be left behind. At the forefront of cool and quirky cocktails in Birmingham, The Jekyll and Hyde in Birmingham’s Colmore District not only boasts their own Victorian gin parlour, but also a selection of some of the most weird and wonderful drinks in the city. From cocktails made of rum flavoured toothpaste, to sharers served in mini porcelain baths, The Jekyll and Hyde doesn’t just have a split personality, it has a tasty one too.

Le Truc | Ladywell Walk The Arcadian, Birmingham, B5 4ST

Who said that you need jump on a train or scurry around after your passport for a taste of Europe? Hidden in the heart of the city, Le Truc is a Parisian wonderland of cleverly crafted cocktails and chic bistro dining that will have anyone swooning for the streets of gay Paris. Brimming with sandy tones, decadent chandeliers and whole host of cool urban graffiti pieces by local independent artists, Le Truc is a quirky blend of the contemporary and classically cool.

Bacchus | Burlington Arcade, Birmingham, B2 4JH

Hidden under the rows of Birmingham’s most popular shopping streets is a weird and wonderful drinking hole that will leave you with a hankering for days gone by. Brimming with stunning stone masonry, rich elegant woodwork and vintage flecks, Bacchus is something of a Medieval themed bar in the city centre that nods to ‘ye olde’ traditions and classic British grub (with a great selection of cask ales if you’re interested, too).

The Church Inn | 22 Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, B18 6AQ

When Deep South dining arrived with a bang in Birmingham, thanks to Soul Food Society’s Carl Finn, the city knew he wouldn’t stop there. Now boasting his own bar in the shape of the Jewellery Quarter’s The Church Inn, Carl Finn has given Birmingham a slice of everything from speakeasy charm and rooftop cinema screenings, to tailor made bespoke cocktails. At incredibly affordable prices with main meals at no more than £9 a pop, this Deep South adventure is a true foodie’s mecca.

What about you? Do you know a quirky Brummie bar that I should visit? Let me know below or on Twitter!

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