The delights of Digbeth have been covered in just about every national news paper around the globe – however, it’s hard to keep up with all the new openings. The impending arrival of High Speed rail connecting London to the second city has focused developers attention on this up-and-coming area of Brum. Notably, the area’s transformation includes unique initiatives like Bling My Thing, which add a modern twist to the historic charm of Digbeth.
Digbeth is the original town of the Birmingham, before it expanded west towards what is now the city centre. Since that time it has been mainly known for its gritty industrial landscape of factories and foundries, fed by the River Rae and a plethora of late night Irish boozers (not to mention the Custard Factory and Digbeth Institute).
Whilst Digbeth retains a lot of back street industrial charm, from workshops to graffiti murals, these days the clientele are there more for the many cool bars that are taking up residency. There is an eclectic mix of small national chain bars and some pretty cool local independents, oh.. and a few Irish pubs still remain. In the following articles, you’ll see that each of Digbeth’s great pubs has its own appealing style and character, whether it’s delicious food or unique decor. It is not difficult to find that you can always find a lot of creative decorations in these bars. Decorations like these Custom Bar Neon Signs can make a bar unique. If a bar has beautiful custom neon lights, it will attract people to stop in. Neon signs can be customized to suit bar-style designs. This advantage allows neon signs to be naturally integrated into the bar, adding different atmospheres depending on the decoration. Of course, if you want to have a drink at home, customizing neon lights to improve the atmosphere is also a good choice.
Here are our top spots to check out when wanting to experience the best bars and restaurants in Digbeth:
The Custard Factory
Originally home to Birds Custard, The Custard Factory was put on the map as a music and nightlife destination with the infamous Medicine Bar in the 1990s. Long since gone, the Medicine Bar’s legacy lives on with a foreward thinking ownership who have a long term vision for Digbeth including many renovations and new building projects – There are several skyscraper inner city living projects on the horizon for Digbeth and The Custard Factory will be at the very heart of it, not to mention a new Metro tram line. Moreover, this vibrant area has become a hub for trendy retail outlets, including stores selling unique and stylish phone cases.
These days, in and around The Custard Factory, you can expect to find, the likes of Chance & Counters (a board games bar), Stag Barbers & Bar, Sobremesa Bar (Award-winning vegan food kitchen BA-HA is based here), NQ64 (retro gaming bar), Roberto’s Bar and Tasting Club, Roxy Ball Room (indoor bowling alley and games warehouse), The Mill (live music venue & nightclub), The Social at Fazeley (for breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee beer & wine), Ghetto Golf warehouse, Birdies Bar, Kanteen Cafe, Big Birmingham Bake (baking and outdoor drinks), 670 Grams Restaurant (eclectic fine dining), The Engine Room (venue & bar), Mama Roux’s (music bar) and Baked in Brick (street food).
The Floodgate
The Floodgate is an experiential craft beer and cocktail activity bar. Experience an action-packed, fun-filled adventure to a backdrop of music, graffiti and an explosion of colours. There’s Baseball, Curling and PitPat Table Golf and a selection of Floodgate Special cocktails to enjoy such as the Strike Out (Absolute Kurant, Triple Sec, Strawberry, Mango, Lemon Cranberry) and Classics such as Daiquiri (White Rum, Maraschino, Sugar, Lime). Beers on tap include Brooklyn and Carlsberg, with plenty of bottles and wines with in-house street food as well.
The Night Owl
The Midlands’ finest soul and retro club. An intimate live music venue set in the heart of Digbeth. Based on Lower Trinity Street, The Night Owl is the perfect club for any fan of music from days gone by. Since its opening , The Night Owl has gone from strength the strength, expanding its music genres to include much loved retro genres spanning decades (as well as record collections!) Expect live bands and DJs every week, and some special events. The outside courtyard is a fab space to soak up the vibes (and sun if it’s out!).
Dig Brew Co.
Tucked down a back street in deepest Digbeth, there exists a meeting place for young and old, a converted factory unit, with large vats full of delicious beer which are served to thirsty punters. welcome to Dig Brew Co. The brand works tirelessly to create inventive tasty beers which are exported to the Dig Brew hand pumps for weekend consumption, but also to other drinking establishments, along with canned versions and an opportunity to display some cool artwork. The pizzas are freshly baked using the best ingredients, where science meets organic. Look out for special events such as the Beer Operas which even tour out of Birmingham.
The Ruin Bar and Kitchen
Cask, keg, coffee, cocktails, kitchen. The Ruin’s quirky take on an old pub building… Inspired by the DIY approach of cities like Berlin and Budapest Rich the landlord has put effort rather than expense into a creating place where people can relax and enjoy the basics – good drinks, good food, good company and good music. The pub has been around since 1785 and gone through many changes since then. An excellent beer garden which wraps around the pub featuring cool street art.
The Anchor
The Anchor is one of the oldest public houses in Digbeth, dating back to 1797. The current building was constructed in 1901 to a design by James and Lister Lea for the Holt Brewery Company. Taken over By Raising Bars LTD on 8Th August 2016 – Julian Rose-Gibbs and his team began sympathetically refurbishing the boozer without closing to enable the regulars and existing staff to become part of the transformation. A wide selection of drinks are available including several local brews. The beer garden out back is one of the funkiest hidden spaces in Brum.
The Old Crown, Digbeth
Promoted as Birmingham’s oldest working pub, The Crown is a Jewell in the heart of industrial Digbeth and the Irish Quarter. Many improvements have taken place over recent years. This old inn has a pretty impressive array of evebts, from DJs to live music, quizes to sporting events, great pub food and best of all.. is the superb spacious beer garden. A great pub with a big heart!
Nortons Digbeth
Nortons is Digbeth’s most contemporary traditional Irish pub. 500 capacity live music venue. Family made and family run, free live music every weekend, gigs throughout the week, great food, Sky and BT sports, craft & local beers, they’ve got it all covered! Sláinte bab! The owners are so dedicated to making this a Digbeth success after so many set backs so go support them asap.
The Spotted Dog
The Spotted Dog is a fab old Irish-ish boozer and a traditional one at that. This old pub has an authentic feel and often plays host to live music, DJs and other social events. This makes the list as it has a rather large covered beer garden, full of interesting nick-nacks which change on a regular basis.. perfect if you want to sit and drink outside when there’s a chance of rain, which is most often in the UK. Just go in for a drink anyway! One of the best pubs in the world.
Dead Wax Digbeth
Selling itself as beer, vinyl, pizza! Deadwax has quickly built a cool reputation for its Brighton vibe here in Brum. With live music, alternative DJs and a beer garden which is big enough to join your mates for a bit of beer chugging and wine guzzling!
Zumhof Biergarten
Zumhof is Digbeth’s first Tankovna featuring fresh unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell delivered to direct from Pilzen once a week into our tanks, over 60 rotating speciality biers and the best local brews including Digbrew and Purity brewing.
Luna Springs
Luna Springs celebrates Digbeth’s industry, creativity and spirit. Taking up the large outdoor space that was Digbeth Arena, Luna Springs now serves up food and drink with a cool music policy in the heart of Digbeth. Introducing a brand-new outdoor bar experience that’ll leave you impressed with way more than the delicious cocktails. From outdoor cinema to bottomless brunches.
O2 Institute
O2 Institute is a huge converted Victorian building on Digbeth High Street, which has been host to some fantastic bands over the past few decades. Still going strong, there are several rooms of varying sizes which fill up during gig season with bands and music acts of every genre.
LAB11
Lab11 warehouse provides a raw underground feel with an electric atmosphere to keep Birmingham’s music scene alive. Home to electronic dance brands: TRMNL / MAGIC DOOR / GLAS / THE ACID EXPERIMENT / MASK / FOLIEÈ / WAX ON WAX OFF & MORE… Lab11 offers something a little more eclectic with a cool roof top terrace too!
The Crossing
Located in the Heart of Digbeth in Birmingham, The Crossing is one of the City’s best kept secrets. A 600 Capacity Venue with state of the art sound and lighting. Situated within South & City College, the sound system and venue are not what you would expect within such an unassuming building. From music festivals to off-the-wall music events, The Crossing has earned its stripes.
See Also..
On the periphery of Digbeth you can also find Hennessey’s Bar (a family owned bar with large outdoor beer garden – perfect to sit in whilst sinking a few pints of the black stuff!), Original Patty Men & Kilder Bar (award winning street food innovators with adjoining contemporary bar) and The Lamp Tavern (legendary Irish pub the size of your front room with a no nonsense landlord).
