Pub at the heart of the community. and other Birmingham, United Kingdom Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: The Patrick Kavanagh

The Patrick Kavanagh (or "PK's" to the locals) is an Irish pub, but only really in that it is owned and run by Irish people - we aren't looking at one of these terrible corporate affairs where they force the bar staff to dance on the bar at the end of the night to YMCA by The Village People (you know who you are). They have live football on and a pretty good atmosphere, as well as a function room upstairs that features some of the local DJing talent from this very bohemian district of Birmingham. If you are after something a bit different and want to experience what the locals get up to at the weekend, go here.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: No dress code.
Phone: +44 (0) 121 449 2598
Address: 142 Trafalgar Road, Moseley, BIRMINGHAM
Directions: Just off the main strip in Moseley Village

Nightlife Spot: Flashback

Perhaps the original Old Skool night in Britain, Flashback has been going for years now and Jimmy and Mo do a fine job with it. If you want a bit of a flavour of what the old rave scene was like then this is your best bet. They have a plethora of rooms including an Old Skool room (of course), Hardcore Techno room, Drum and Bass and a guest sound system room that plays anything from House to ambient - I played at one in November '02 and a mighty fine night it was too - not that I'm biased or anything!

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: None as such, but if you bring a fluorescent jacket, white gloves and a glow stick, you'll fit in just fine!
Phone: +44 (0)121 472 0777
Address: The Sanctuary
Directions: Opposite Digbeth coach station.
Website: http://www.flashback96.com/

Nightlife Spot: Midlands Art Centre

The Midlands Art Centre (or MAC as it's known locally) has a small cinema which shows films that are often overlooked by bigger, Multiplex cinemas. It also has a number of stage productions, both amateur and professional put on on it's indoor and outdoor stages. Furthermore, it has a bar and a cafe. When I was a kid, I used to go to classes there. I'm fairly sure they still run them... everything from Judo to Music and Pottery.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: None as such
Phone: 0121 440 3838
Address: MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
Directions: MAC is situated in Cannon Hill Park opposite the Country Cricket Ground on Edgbaston Road off Pershore Road (A441) and Bristol Road (A38).
Website: http://www.mac-birmingham.org.uk/
Other Contact: enquiries@mac-birmingham.org.uk

Nightlife Spot: The Academy

Cavernous venue for seeing live acts in Birmingham - seems like a lot of big name artists are playing here now, including Beck, The Gorillaz, Dido, Robert Plant, Primal Scream, Pap Roach and Groove Armada.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: No dress code.
Phone: 0121 262 3000
Address: 52-54 Dale End, Birmingham
Directions: In the city centre opposite Toys 'R' Us.
Website: http://www.birmingham-academy.co.uk

Nightlife Spot: The Village Inn

Terry and Zul provide a friendly welcome to this little gem of the underground dance scene in Birmingham. Although it is actually a gay venue, plenty of straight people go here and the atmosphere is very open minded - homophobes beware! Nights go on 'til 4am and usually cost no more than £5 - not bad for a near all-nighter! The music is usually Deep House or Trance and Hard House. Check it out.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: None as such but traveller chic may leave you feeling a little out of placce. I've been in jeans and a t-shirt and it's been fine.
Phone: +44 (0)121 622 4742
Address: 152 Hurst Street
Directions: On the edge of the Gay Quarter down the road from the Arcadian