The Jewellery Quarter is home to over 700 jewellers and independent retailers, with a thriving food and drink scene the district has an incredible history, from the industrial pioneers of James Watt and Matthew Boulton’s place of worship in St Paul’s Church to the 19th century pen trade which helped spread literacy around the world through cheap mass manufacturing techniques.
These days, it’s a great night out with some fantastic jewellery shopping options during the day, and with easy tram access from New Street Station or Snow Hill, we take a look at some of The Jewellery Quarter’s best bars and restaurants and if you’re looking to buy a valuable gem, make sure you utilise a website like Legitgrails to help with authentication.
Saint Pauls House
Saint Pauls House is a boutique hotel, bar & restaurant situated in the historic Jewellery Quarter. The venue encompasses a restaurant, bar and boutique hotel. The design and concept suggest a nod to the casual yet contemporary buzz of Shoreditch. With opulent finishes throughout, a vibrant food and drink offer and a carefully selected team, top notch cuisine and a gorgeous outdoor terrace.
The Actress & Bishop
The Actress & Bishop is one of the city’s most established live music bars, The Actress & Bishop remains a solid indie venue with DJs and live musicians performing regularly and opening until late most nights of the week. The outside seating offers a perfect location to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of St Pauls Square, busy on weekends and more chilled during the week.
Hockley Social Club
Digbeth Dining Club has left its home on Trinity Street and has invested in a 10 000 sq ft warehouse which has been converted into a bar and food court area with outside beer garden. Hockley Social Club will be showcasing a rotation of weekly street food vendors as well as serving cocktails, wines, and beers. Punters can expect the usual suspects like Strip Club street food, Flying Cows, Budhha Belly, Kebab Cartel, Fat Snags, and Urban Cheesecake.
1000 Trades
1000 Trades is a cosy little bar which exists inside a beautiful old Victorian workshop, with exposed brick walls, a log fire, and function room upstairs. Gaffer John, has a keen ear for a good tune and hosts regular weekend DJ nights on a permanent vinyl/CD setup from indie, to acid jazz, house and balearic vibes.. week nights are cool playlists of the same ilk and live contemporary jazz takes place weekends. There are pop-up kitchens on rotation serving great cuisine and a fab selection of craft ales and wines.
40 St Paul’s
40 St Paul’s has gradually built up a second to none reputation based on its stylish presentation of gin. Recently voted the world’s Best Gin Bar 2019, this intimate cool space offers 140 gins which are served in a relaxed and exclusive environment. Booking is highly recommended with table service only.
Ana Rocha Bar & Gallery
If you are looking for opulent decor, and a stylish clientele then Ana Rocha takes some beating. Not only does it offer fab cocktail and tapas, it also doubles as a fascinating antique shop and art gallery. The Spanish owner often DJs playing jazzy disco and house with occasional live jazz acts – truly unique!
Grain & Glass
Formally known as The Birmingham Whisky Club, Grain & Glass is a whisky bar, lounge and tasting room. Serving 350 whiskies, cocktails, craft beer, wine and other spirits. Grain & Glass focus on bringing people to enjoy whisky (and other drinks) in a warm and friendly environment, with knowledgable and approachable staff.
Lasan
Lasan opened in 2002, quickly establishing itself by serving the city’s finest contemporary Indian cuisine. The restaurant later rose to fame when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay featured this already popular culinary destination on national TV. Lasan is now widely considered as one of the UK’s finest Indian restaurants, presenting award-winning cuisine in warm, sumptuous surroundings from its Jewellery Quarter location, the artisanal heart of Birmingham.
Viceroy Tandoori
The Viceroy is consistently ranked highly on Trip Advisor as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham, perhaps not the cheapest but this modern establishment with stripped floors, serves authentic traditional Indian/Bangladeshi cuisine and is a firm favourite with Brummies and those venturing around the historic Jewellery Quarter. Expect signature dishes alongside classic curry house favourites with great ambiance and service.
The Button Factory
The Button Factory has a large roof terrace, but it also now boasts two ground level beer gardens to help guests lap up the sun – if you’re lucky! Pobably the bar with the largest outdoor seating area in the JQ? Not the cheapest for a drink but food is good and occasional DJs and good pub menu.
The Church Inn
There are only a hand full of rooftop beer gardens in the city, and this medium sized space above the Victorian Church Inn, Hockley, is ideal for an afternoon drink in the sun. It’s perfectly situated to soak up the rays until sun sets over what was once and possibly still is, the jewellery making capital of the world. The whole building has a very authentic feel with arty decor and some of the finest cocktails and ales served anywhere in the Midlands.
Rose Villa Tavern
Another beautiful old pub saved from a more commercial use is the Rose Villa Tavern. Taken on by Bitters N’ Twisted the Victorian interior has been retained and brought out in a sympathetic and stylish way with a cool edge, from the unique wallpaper to the red telephone box, antlers hanging in the snug with the stunningly tiled fireplace to the large stained glass windows, this pub is something quite special. Great bar menu and drinks selection with nice outdoor seating.
Opheem
Opheem is a modern, Michelin starred, opulent Indian restaurant which strives to push the boundaries with Indian flavours, but with cooking techniques from all over the world. Expect some traditional, and some very modern Indian plates alongside shaken cocktails & wine. The seasonal menu gives you the choice of three, five or seven courses depending on how long you want your adventure to last with tantalising signature cuisine by Aktar Islam.
Asha’s
In the heart of central Birmingham, an authentic taste of India’s North-West frontier. With a knowledgeable, discerning and populous local clientele, Birmingham is indisputably the UK’s spiritual home of Indian food in all its wonderful diversity. A fusion of regional classics with spectacular contemporary signature dishes, Asha’s blends street food simplicity with the magnificence of a maharaja’s banquet.
Indian Brewery Snowhill
An offering second to none and unique. Different, innovative and delicious. Indian Street Food and Craft Beer, the official outlet for Indian Brewery’s very own Birmingham brewed beers including “Birmingham Lager” on tap. Here you will find a cool and youthful take on Indian streetfood in a very modern trendy British style.
The Wilderness
The Wilderness offers a fine dining, in a Michelin recommended venue that serves tasting menus and carefully paired drink flights. Their 5-10 course menus focus on exceptional produce and can be found here for their reopening; https://www.wearethewilderness.co.uk/menus.. tempted? Most likely!
Restaurant Folium
Restaurant Folium is a Modern British Restaurant, situated just off St Paul’s Square, on Caroline Street. Opened in November 2017, the restaurant is co-owned and run by Ben Tesh and partner, Lucy Hanlon. Bringing an innovative and exciting food style to Birmingham, within a relaxed space with personal, informed service. The cooking style is simple, with clean flavours using the highest quality of ingredients from sustainable and ethical suppliers. Plates are simple in appearance but full of flavour and respect for the best produce from Britain.
Craft Inn Jewellery Quarter
Craft Inn are a small chain of independent Craft Beer tasting room’s & lounge bars with a wide selection of the worlds greatest beers and beverages including some of the great beers the West Midlands has to offer. We love craft beer and great beverages in general. The team serve a range of Craft beer, gins, organic wine, rum and other tasty beverages.
Rock and Roll Brewhouse Bar
Rock and Roll Brewhouse are a 100% vegan microbrewery based in the historic Jewellery Quarter with their own bar selling the beers brewed on the premises. The Brewery Tap is open:Fridays 5.00-9.00p.m. and Saturdays 1.00-7.00p.m. Cash bar. No lager (unless they’ve brewed it themselves!), no spirits, no cocktails! Just 3 regularly changing hand-crafted beers, made on the premises. Oh, and a bit of cider if you’re darn tooting!
24 Carat Bistro
A warm and welcoming, family-owned venue with a menu to suit all tastes. Good home-cooked Jamaican food at a reasonable price. 24 Carat Bistro can be reached by walking down a quaint tiled walkway. Discover a homely welcoming venue, and sample their mouthwatering delights! Oh, and check out their popular Caribbean evenings.
The Clifden
Featuring a brilliant range of craft beers from local Birmingham brewers as well as fab beers from Beavertown and Laine Brew Co. The Clifden’s beer garden is legendary and underwent a make-over after the sale from U.A.B. Good local pub food, the best craft beer with music and Sunday Roasts still at the heart of this historic boozer!
Damascena Coffee House
In-House freshly baked pastries, coffees and teas. Damascene inspired Coffee House. “Your Local, Far-Away Coffee House”. Damascena (meaning “Damascus Rose”) reflects not only the city that inspires the food, but also the beautifully themed coffee house. Damascena Coffee House offers food that is incredibly healthy, and there is a large vegetarian menu available to give you plenty of selection. Stop by for a coffee and escape to the magical, mythical world in this friendly café and delicatessen.
The Red Lion
Another of the former U.A.B. pubs is The Red Lion. This cool little boozer is tucked away in the heart of Jewellery Quarter and has some refreshing real ales on tap. The pub is music orientated with DJs and occasional events up stairs. The beer garden out back is small but a sneaky little hide-away and a perfect spot to enjoy the mid day sun.
Otto Pizza
Wood Fired Pizza in the Jewellery Quarter. Otto Pizza‘s focus and intention is to use only the finest produce from across the UK and Europe supporting independent producers and delivering the best flavour as result. It’s a real locals place with a friendly vibe and of course delicious pizza.
