Diaries out! Twenty-seven of the top venues where you can experience the very best of the city’s cocktail scene have just been announced for Birmingham Cocktail Weekend‘s summer edition this July.

They include brand-new openings for the city, some hidden gems and favourite haunts where you’ll be able to sip £6 signature cocktails, feast on delicious food and attend exclusive tastings and events.

Last year there were 45 stylish handpicked watering holes to choose from and inventive experiences including a marshmallow & whisky pairing and unique gin tasting experience at a local museum….

We can’t wait to hear what’s lined up for 2025 with more reveals to follow. Tickets are now on sale for this terrific three-day summer weekender.

Let your BCW2025 adventure begin here. We’ve highlighted the newest additions and some of top picks from the list – to help you start planning…

NEW FOR 2025

Txikiteo

The home of Spanish inspired, coal-fired small and large plates in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. This super-talented team will be bringing a little slice of Spanish sunshine with a cocktail menu exploring regions across the country from Valencia to the Canaries.

Tiger Bites Pig

A bold and vibrant eatery specialising in East Asian cuisine, specifically Taiwanese bao, made fresh on site every day. Located on Church Street in the heart of the Colmore BID, it’s a short walk from both Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill station. Grab a seat downstairs at the counter for a quick bite or head upstairs into the restaurant. It has an extensive range of beers, wines and cocktails.

Merlin’s Cafe Bar

When this alternative fantasy gothic horror-themed restaurant and cocktail bar opened on Corporation Street last summer it was described as ‘Wednesday Addams meets Stranger Things meets Beetlejuice‘. has a menu of creepy cocktails ranging from the Babadook, a spin on the original Bramble cocktail, to a Corpse Reviver, a classic gin sour.

Newhall Street Tavern

Birmingham’s go-to spot for the ultimate pub and shuffleboard experience with a lively atmosphere, interactive, digital shuffleboards and some friendly rivalry over a Salty Paloma, Spicy Margarita or Slow Gin Sour.

CITY CENTRE

Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Colmore Row

Your first stop is going to need to be Hotel Du Vin so you can grab your wristband and guide book from The Jack Daniel’s Honey Hub
at Hotel du Vin – where you also get a complimentary sample of this sweet tipple, naturally. Then you can head off on your adventure to some of the city’s best drinking holes where you can sample signature cocktails for an unbelievable £6 or an utterly delicious non-alcoholic drinks, look no further. Participating venues will each offer a £5 no-alcohol alternative.

Fox and Chance

This city centre independent was 39th in 2024’s list of Top 50 best cocktail bars in the UK with a great atmosphere, cool vibe and more than 100 world-class cocktails to choose from. The drinks menu is heaped with quirky twists alongside classics – so expect something special.

The Alchemist

This lively bar on Colmore Row with its atmospheric low mood lighting and an industrial vibe is always jam-packed with party people. Imposing vaulted ceilings provide the perfect setting for the distinctly dark artworks and suitably sinister taxidermy. Where better for some of the city’s most theatrical cocktails – think smoke, fire and even the odd explosion – to be served? Their cocktail list is inventive and extensive and the century old basement provides the perfect lab for experimentation.

Orelle

Voted Birmingham’s best restaurant in 2024, this modern French city-centre rooftop restaurant is on the 24th floor of Colmore Rowe with panoramic views across the city. It opened last year and tables fill up fast. While it’s the downstairs café that is participating in BCW2025, the restaurant maybe a good place to stop and grab a bite? Orelle’s small but beautifully designed cocktail bar offers classic and innovative cocktails. A Brumm-ble made with Wildjac Damson & Raspberry Gin, Vanilla, Rhubarb and Lillet Rosé, anyone?

The Distillery

Tucked away along Birmingham’s canals, The Distillery is a hidden gem, perfectly positioned with an expansive garden for soaking up the summer sun with a cocktail, or two. The historic waterside pub includes its own micro gin distillery based on-site – which produces small batch Roundhouse gin from copper stills served in bars across Birmingham and London. There’s a vibrant gin bar and a pub with an open kitchen downstairs.

Dishoom

Dishoom Birmingham serves a menu inspired by the history and culture of Bombay. Dine early or dine late. Or simply join them in the welcoming space of the Permit Room bar for a Daru-walla recommended Bombay Mule or perhaps an India Gim.

F1 Arcade

With a new F1 blockbuster starring Brad Pitt and co-star Damson Idris set to be released this June, recreate the vibes and enjoy some social gaming at Birmingham’s F1 Arcade. This Formula 1 simulator racing experience and activity bar has 53 full-motion racing simulators, food and cocktails with names to match – ranging from Pole Position to Sparks Will Fly. It was the second UK venue of its kind to open in 2023

THE JEWELLERY QUARTER

The Button Factory

This restored purpose-built late 19th century button factory was converted into a bar nearly a decade ago. Enjoy intimate cocktails on the roof terrace in the warmer months, or make an evening of it in their open-air Yard.

The Barrel Store, Stirchley

A cosy craft beer, barrel ageing facility and sister venue of Stirchley’s awesome Attic Brew Co. Located in the Jewellery Quarter, this little bar provides a vast selection of locally brewed vegan craft beer, cocktails, wine, coffee and amazing pizza. It opened in May 2023 after a crowdfunding campaign raised by 320 supporters – some of whom have messages displayed on the barrels. Play retro games, board games, join in the quiz night or hit up the 2-4-1 pizza offer on Wednesdays.

Arch 13 at Connolly’s

Nestled underneath the arches in Livery Street in the Jewellery Quarter Connolly’s is a family-owned and run business with a heritage dating back to the late 1800’s – a wine bar and shop showcasing wines, British cheese and meats and a range of small plates. As well having one of the broadest ranges of wines in the UK – more than 700 – it has a menu of Classic Cocktails and Martinis, gins, whiskies, brandies, liqueurs and beers/ciders.

EDGBASTON

The High Field

Gastropub with an ethos of serving seasonable, sustainable and quality local produce with a spacious garden and sunny terrace. The High Field has an enticing dessert-inspired cocktail list from a delicious sounding Cinnamon Swirl Martini with RumChata Liqueur and Kahlúa, to a Pineapple Daiquiri.

Chapter

This indie neighbourhood restaurant in Edgbaston has gorgeous views over the front terrace with bar tables looking into the open kitchen. Cocktails are made with syrups using seasonal ingredients and overseen by executive chef Nathan.

Birmingham’s best cocktails

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