Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Midlands Arts Centre,
in Cannon Hill Park (
&
0121/446-3200;
www.
macarts.co.uk), is close to the Edgbaston Cricket Ground and reached by bus num-
bers 1, 45, or 47. The MAC houses three performance areas and stages a lively range
of drama, dance, and musical performances, as well as films. The box office is open
daily from 9am to 8:45pm.
The
New Alexandra Theatre,
Station Street (
&
0121/643-5536;
www.alexandra
theatre.org.uk), hosts national touring companies, including productions from Lon-
don's West End. Contact the box office for show details.
Note:
Tickets for all Birmingham theatres are available through Birmingham visi-
tor offices.
THE PUB & BAR SCENE
As befits England's second city, Birmingham boasts a varied and energy-charged
nightlife with clusters of bars and venues in a wide range of neighborhoods. Most
visitors are content with the traditional nightlife hub concentrated along Broad Street
and Brindleyplace in the city center, but you should also check out the clubs and bars
in the flourishing Eastside and Digbeth districts. It's here you'll also find Birming-
ham's oldest pub, the
Old Crown,
188 High St., Deritend (
&
0121/248-1368;
www.theoldcrown.com). The pub has roots back in 1368, and is open daily noon to
11pm. The Jewellery Quarter is also home to some atmospheric pubs, notably
The
Lord Clifden
, 34 Great Hampton St., Hockley (
&
0121/523-7515;
www.the
lordclifden.com), celebrated for its collection of street art, including pieces by
Banksy. It's open daily 10am to 2am. Farther out in Moseley (south of the center), the
Prince of Wales
, at 118 Alcester Rd. (
&
0121/449-4198;
www.theprince
moseley.co.uk), is a congenial local watering-hole with an inviting beer garden (Lady
Gaga popped in for a drink in 2010). It's open Monday to Thursday noon to 11pm,
Friday and Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10:30pm.
If pubs are not your thing,
Revolution,
back on Broad Street (
&
0121/665-
6508;
www.revolution-bars.co.uk), is a vodka bar drawing a hip under-40 crowd
(Mon-Wed 11:30am-midnight, Thurs-Sat 11:30am-3am, Sun noon-2am). Cocktail
lovers should check out
Island Bar
, 14-16 Suffolk St., (
&
0121/632-5296;
www.bar-island.co.uk), with live music and club nights at the weekend, and a Tiki Bar
every Thursday.
THE CLUB & MUSIC SCENE
The live music scene is especially strong in Birmingham, with alternative venues such
as the
Hare and Hounds
pub, 106 High St. (
&
0121/444-2081;
hareandhounds
kingsheath.co.uk), in Kings Heath featuring a healthy roster of everything from hip-
hop DJs to protest folk rock and poetry nights. The
02 Academy
, 16-18 Horsefair,
Bristol St. (
&
0121/622-8247;
www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk), also hosts a
wide range of live acts as well as club nights like
Propaganda
every Friday, the U.K.'s
biggest indie dance night.
Live music and especially stand-up
comedy
dominates at the
Glee Club
in the
Arcadian on Hurst Street.
(
&
0871/472-0400;
www.glee.co.uk/birmingham). The
Jam House,
3-5 St. Paul's Square (
&
0121/200-3030;
www.thejamhouse.com), is
a popular live music bar directed by Jools Holland with an emphasis on blues, soul,
and boogie-woogie. Jazz also has a following in the city, with
Jazz Club
(www.
birminghamjazz.co.uk) at
The Rainbow,
160 High St., in Digbeth, a key gig to show-
case new and established British musicians. Visit the website for dates.
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