The most confusing relationship I have ever had with a restaurant has to be with Mediterranean eatery “Noels” by The Mailbox in Birmingham. When they invited me to try out their new Summer menu, I was a bit apprehensive due to the fact my last visit was a disaster and the one before that was barely average.
I’ll admit when it first opened it had promise but two disappointing meals in a row left me feeling frustrated with the place and I had almost added it to my ‘never again’ blacklist. However, something was telling me to give them another chance so when Noel’s reached out to me a year after my last visit, I gave it a third shot.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I visited on a Tuesday lunchtime and it was gravely quiet. I was shown to my table and given a menu straight away. You can’t deny that Noel’s is a beautiful restaurant; chic interior throughout with pops of floral. They must get a bit frustrated with the number of guests taking photos for the ‘gram’ – I, of course, was one of them! I ordered a cocktail to start, opting for the Cherry Pop that many Instagrammers will fight over, and surprise surprise, it was pretty good!
For starter I ordered the hand-dived scallops with cauliflower purée, vin blanc sauce, caviar and salmon roe for £13.95. Cooked perfectly, fresh, and full of flavour – a great start. It took around 10 minutes for the starter to come out and the staff were pretty quick with drinks. I ordered another cocktail with my pan-fried monkfish tail in a basil and lime sauce for £23.95. I ordered the Rose Gold Gimlet which was gorgeous and very sweet! Another stunning cocktail almost too pretty to touch!
The monkfish was cooked to perfection but I could do with a bit more of a kick to the sauce! The monkfish comes on its own and for £23.95 I expected some carbs or veg but you have to order separately. I opted for the asparagus with parma ham & parmesan at £5.95 and chips at £3.95, both were great pleasant enough but when you add it up it meant the main dish was around £34 which was pretty pricey.
I was quite stuffed after my main but I was eager for a sweet fix! So, I went for the petit fours for £6 and a flat white…and if you watch my stories you’ll know what happened with me and the flat white. The petit fours were very nice, small but sweet and were just enough – I am not really a sweet fan so I could only polish off three. Perfectly fine but I feel given how much Noel’s is charging it really is lacking with that extra special quality.
Staff are polite and easy to talk to, they really made the experience for me as during my last visits the staff have been less then friendly. They always checked up on me, asked me if I needed any more drinks, they were really attentive but still gave me my space.
Overall it seems that there has been changes at Noel’s in order to improve the service and quality of food. The scallops are a must and the cocktails are fabulous here. The only negative for me is value for money. Noel’s is competing with others in the city centre that can offer the same or better-quality food for a lot less. However, I can see they are trying to improve things and this latest visit was definitely the best by far. No restaurant should be hung drawn and quartered over one sub-standard visit, or even two. I finally feel at peace with Noels and I am pretty chuffed to say that I will be going back again.
PLEASE NOTE
I recently went back to Noels due to this visit being an AD/Gifted experience I wanted to see if the experience would be the same, and it was. I recieved great customer service, food was very good and overall it was a very enjoyable dining experience. Yes Restaurants can change, they can improve! I believe in 3rd/4th chances – Call me a fool, I dont care because it was worth it.
Step into an open-world, a virtual Island where you can interact with other players, choose a game and be transported to a zombie apocalypse, become a Painter in space and climb the ruins of a fallen world. The stuff you could never in your wildest imagination think would ever happen to you, Well now it can. The best VR experience in the UK “Otherworld” has finally arrived on Bennet’s Hill in Birmingham and it’s here to give you one of the coolest experiences of your life.
I wouldn’t say I am a massive gamer; I played Spyro and Crash growing up, have fond memories of playing “Abe” and making him fart all the time. Sims is a no-brainer, I feel like the whole world is addicted to The Sims, and I have spent many tireless but thrilling hours of my life, trying to turn my Sims into the next Hollyoaks soap opera. Love, Scandal, and Tragedy… boredom kicks in and you have to remove the ladder from the swimming pool enit?Now I seem to have developed a bit of a crush on Red Dead Redemption, but I wouldn’t say I am a full-time gamer, but I get why people love games. We get a massive thrill out of them and sometimes when life has been a little rough on us escaping reality for just an hour (or all day for many people) is just what we need. VR has become the next big thing in the gaming industry. I am seeing more and more of these experiences popping up and the latest VR experience to open in Birmingham is Otherworld. A futuristic VR experience, one that has a huge following and is greatly popular in London, so to choose Birmingham as their next location is a massive win for this City.
Upon arrival you will step into an episode of Black Mirror, a long room featuring spacious seating and table areas, projector walls, a departure board (very much like you see at the airport) and a self-service bar featuring beers and cocktails that you pour. We sat down and one of the staff members sat with us and explained the whole concept and how we play the games. “You won’t have ever experienced this” I was intrigued straight away; I am always looking for something new and exciting and five minutes in, I felt like Otherworld was going to give me that. We never booked online so we had to do it there and then, so it took around five minutes to do. We waited around ten minutes and then we saw our names flicker onto the departures board and were advised that it’s time to depart for Otherworld. I made a quick dash to the bathroom which was psychedelic; neon lights, robotic toilets that you can control with a remote to spray your bum and dry it, a robotic voice telling you to relax and unwind, and I couldn’t help myself, I just thought I got to have a poo in here…Most relaxing toilet experience ever.
You walk down a couple of stairs, with the flashing otherworld logo in front of you and an A.I tanoy telling you about your journey…Bloody hell, they put some effort into this I said to James. I had to admit I was a bit nervous; I didn’t know what to expect but staff are great here and reassured me that I was going to be in for a good time…
A room full of pods, no photos allowed as they want this to remain a secret, I walked to my pod (You have to be in separate pods) and staff helped me with my equipment. I was told that if we are ever in trouble (get stuck in the game) that we can press a back button and help will come, Also there are VR helpers from London who listen in and are there to help you if you get stuck.
“Enjoy Otherworld” The pod doors shut and the floor started to vibrate and the screen went black, suddenly a palette of multi-colours opened up in front of me, I opened my eyes and indeed I was transported to Otherworld on top of a hill looking down at an Island. I looked to the right and could see James as (I think he was some kind of ninja) but what made me laugh is that he’s 6 ft 6 and it captured his height perfectly as I started to get a bad neck looking up at him all the time due to me being a 5 ft 1 shortarse. Moving the controllers up and down to run, we sprinted down to the Island…Its incredible. I could feel the heat of the sun on my face, bloody hell, don’t tell me you can catch a tan as well in this experience? Then in the winter section of the Island I almost nearly lost my bloody wig didn’t I!? as the winter winds blow through you so I legged it! Can you imagine them opening the pod to that image…
The games and adventures are spread out across the Islands (in four corners) organised by difficulty, Spring being the easiest and Winter being the most difficult. We could see other players with name tags floating around, one player floated up to James raising his fists and it was an intense stand-off between each other, I couldn’t help by shouting “Fight, IT’S A REAL FIGHT!”
People were throwing bunnies off each other and there is also a giant Ferris wheel you can ride. With an hour of gaming time it was straight to the games, Arizona Sunshine (Autumn) I was advised “It’s a bit like Call of Duty Zombies” well that’s me sold so we headed there together to play.
So in this game you have to team up with your friends and survive the Zombie Apocalypse, If you like scary VR games this one is for you and I think one of the chaps from London was very amused with my Brummie screams of “OH ITS CRAWLY FUCKER AND THIS ONE IS LIKE A BLOODY CREEPING JESUS” London interrupted a few times laughing and told me I had limited bullets so there was no need to be scared. Your based in the American South-West during a Zombie Apocalypse with nothing but guns in your hands, as the time went on it got harder and harder.
The next game was Half-life: Alyx this game took 15 YEARS to be made, and when you play it, you will see why. I don’t think I will ever experience anything like this in my life, so if you’re a gamer and want to be blown away, this is the game. You are humanity’s only chance for survival, Earth has been captured by an evil alien empire known as the combine. You are Alyx Vance, member of the anti-Combine resistance, on a mission to rescue your father. When you first enter the game, you are on top of a building looking out at a futuristic skyline with what only I can describe as a War of the worlds alien shooting down buildings. Straight away I feel myself falling into the realness of the game and I am looking around for clues. Words cannot describe how amazing this game is, every detail is just incredible for example tuning a radio and turning the wheel from one station to another and picking up items and standing on a ruined building hiding from aliens – This surpassed all my expectations of VR, I honestly don’t have the words and I know you want words from me but all I can say is, You need to try this immediantly.
Within 1 hour we played two games, we got lost in Half-life, but it was worth it. Throughout the games you pick up points which are exchanged for discounts on drinks or game time, this was proper cool, and I noticed as I was just walking round the Island or throwing bunny’s I would just pick up points. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and yes, the hour went pretty fast as we were enjoying ourselves so much. Stepping out the pods we were greeted by the staff who asked how was it? James was beaming “I need this in the flat, Like I NEED IT, I can’t describe how that felt” and me, I was speechless. I just couldn’t put in to words what I just experienced but I happily told the staff “I’m coming back next week”
The Departure lounge bar is made up of 16 tap self-serve drinks featuring Peroni, Asahi, Lucky Saint and Elephant riders and cocktails from Black Lines. We cashed in our dream coins from the games for discounts for the drinks and I got a very generous £4.50 discount off my cocktail so happy days! I love the concept of self-service, it did raise a few eyebrows at first when I saw the cocktails, I decided to go for the Spicy Margarita (£7.00) which I have to admit didn’t look much but damn, it had a satisfying kick to it.
Price wise – Prices start at £13 on weekdays obviously on weekends they are more expensive, but we paid around £27 for the two of us for one hour plus had one drink so just about £20 in which I think it’s an absolute bargain. You have to download the app to go here so I would recommend downloading before as you have to scan the codes on the bar and show the staff your code to get into the pods. I have to admit; this is one of my top experiences in Birmingham and I think Otherworld are onto something showing us a little glimpse of the future. Me and James came out thinking maybe one day the internet will be like that? I don’t know. Or maybe it’s gone to our heads, but we feel like anything is possible after that and what we do know that VR in the future will become a big part in everyone’s life.
An immersive and mind-bending VR experience, that will leave you speechless but craving for more. You don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this, Otherworld is for everyone. Transport to Otherworld for an unforgettable experience as the minutes go on you begin to forget about your everyday life and be blown away by an captivating VR experience that would only exist in your dreams but is now reality. A huge win for Birmingham.
Another day, another new restaurant in Brum. This time it’s Sri Lankan street food chain The Coconut Tree. It boasts a strong fan base with outlets in Cheltenham and Bournemouth and after my visit to their latest restaurant, I can see why…
You’ll find the Coconut Tree sitting comfy in a two storey building on Gas Street. As I walk up the stairs, I’m hit with Island vibes and splashes of rustic Birmingham charm featuring some enjoyable graffiti pieces. James and I sat opposite a vibrant bartender who really contributed to our Sri Lankan experience. The Coconut Tree is made up of small/large tapas-style Sri Lankan dishes with vegan and veggie options a plenty, but first… cocotails!
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I am a sucker for a good cocktail or shall we say ‘cocotail’, especially in a cute AF elephant jug. I can hear you screaming basic bitch reading this! The Drunken Sri Lankan features Ceylon Arrack, turmeric infused Cointreau, fresh lime and ginger beer, but does it taste as good as it looks? HELL YES! All I need now is the sun and the beach to complement a fully stocked Tiki bar and our fantastic bartender. James’ Sriki-Tiki was like a bonfire night display…thank god I didn’t wear my cheap Shein wig. Sriki-Tiki is made up of Captain Morgan Gold rum, Mahiki Coconut rum, raspberry, pineapple and lime. They were both a fantastic introduction to The Coconut Tree, now we are excited.Service is sharp here and staff are attentive. The whole menu was explained to us and we were asked our preferences of spice, sweetness etc. We ordered around eight dishes and was advised that should be enough…
FAT SISTER (VG)(GF) £5.95
PINEAPPLE CURRY (VG) (GF) £6.40
CHEESY COLOMBO (V) (GF) £7.95
SALMON, SAY WHAAAT? (GF) £9.95
KOTTHU WITH CURRIED CHICKEN £9.95
EGG HOPPER (V) (GF) 4.50
PAROTTA ROTI (VG) £3.95
SEENI SAMBOL (VG) (GF) £1.50
Most of the dishes were quite small, and when we first looked at our food, we thought no way will this fill us up but actually, it did. Everything went so well together, the Pineapple Curry with the Kotthu, then scooped up in a parotta roti (which may I add maybe some of the best roti I have had). Ah it was blissful! To pick a favourite dish is seemingly impossible as I just couldn’t stop licking my lips and ignoring the groans of my stomach shouting at me to calm my tits and slow down eating, but I just couldn’t stop…I am addicted to The Coconut Tree.
If I had HAD to choose it would be The Egg Hopper, which to me was a bit of a bizarre dish at first but I had heard soo much about it, I just had to have it. Basically it’s a bowl shaped coconut milk pancake served with coconut sambol, caramelised onions with a hint of cinnamon, and Sri Lankan salsa. An absolute must-try and again, it went perfect with our other dishes. The Pineapple Curry was sweet and seductive, I couldn’t help mixing it with every dish and the Kotthu was packed full of flavour. Price wise it’s very reasonable and the quality is right up there.
Food went down a treat and we thought let’s celebrate with another round of cocktails, so this time we ordered The ST.Colombo (Tanquerary Gin, Elderflower, and Lemon Soda) and Yaka (Don Julio, 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Lemon, Mint & Honey) another triumph and after four smashing cocktails, The Coconut tree has moved into my top five places for cocktails in Birmingham. They are incredible. Please note they do 2 for £10 or 2 for £12, depending on the cocktail. Staff are great here, really hands on deck. There is just this great positive vibe throughout The Coconut Tree and that’s what I loved, we really enjoyed all the staff members singing along to the music whilst shaking their cocotails, made me want to get up and join in!
All I can say is Thank god, THANK GOD for The Coconut Tree coming to Birmingham, what a win for Birmingham and win for me especially as its just around the corner from my flat. This could be dangerous for the gut, I already made a name for myself “Bab about Belch”. I could be getting myself into some real trouble here but when the food is this good, I couldn’t care less! Bring on the gas!
Authentic, full of flavour and fun throughout, The Coconut Tree have certainly brought the spirit of Sri Lanka to Birmingham. They did it perfectly, Book now for cocktails and a good vibes meal with friends.
Quite frankly organising Christmas parties can be a merry little pain in the ass from finding numbers to losing the numbers last minute as there is always a last-minute scrooge that dips out of the Christmas party. From having 50 bloody tabs open to searching deep into the Google lagoon of “Christmas parties in Birmingham” ending up on page 25 with Weatherspoons being a possible contender – Don’t let it be a contender. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have what’s going on in Birmingham at Christmas all in one place? Well, just call me Bab Claus because I have created a little guide for you to book your Christmas shenanigans from pulling crackers over a three-course meal to wearing your best frock and hanging out of a dodgem with a bottle of Moet. This is your guide to getting festive AF bab.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ARE NOT MINE – Photos have been credited to whom they belong to.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Rio Carnival 2021 THE NECThe Edgbaston Stadium
THE NEC – ASPEN ROCKS 2022 – Entertainment, Four course meal, DJ and dancefloor- Minimum booking requirement of 8 guests- Tickets available now purchase here
EDGBASTON STADIUM – Hollywood Glitz & Glamour – Live entertainment, three course meal, late bar until 1am – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchasehere
LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM – Peaky vs Gatsby -DJ & Disco, Three course meal – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchase here
ASTON VILLA PARK – Variety of themed Christmas party nights – three course meal – After dinner DJ & Disco – Tickets available now purchase here
ALOFT HOTEL/EASTSIDE ROOMS – The Greatest Christmas – Three course meal – Greatest show performance throughout dinner – Live band – Disco and DJ – Enquire now
THE GRAND HOTEL – Three course luxury lunch or Dinner – £45 or £65 depends on what menu you choose -Private dining for groups of six – Includes Christmas crackers and a glass of champagne – Book now
HOTEL DU VIN – Add a special touch to your event and dine in one of Hotel Du Vins unique private dining rooms and enjoy a delicious three course meal from £34.95 – Book now
LOVE LIFE – DIGBETH -Available from 28th November to Christmas Eve, Indulge in their authentic Mediterranean-inspired festive menu with seasonal cocktails. Lovelife invite guests to enjoy & explore their Festive Menu with 2-courses for £30 or 3-courses for £35 per person. Book your Christmas meal at Lovelife here
HAMPTON MANOR – Offering five different dining experiences this christmas -From festive lunches to private dining experiences for 10-16 guests with your very own chef and Host – Enquire about your experience now at Hampton Manor
SMOKE – Christmas Eve lunch at Smoke – Join Stu Deeley and the team at Smoke for lunch on Christmas Eve. Enjoy four-courses, including a la carte options like a proper beef wellington served up with madeira jus, and plenty of Stus legendary boulangère potatoes from £180.00 – Book your Christmas Eve lunch here
CHAKANA – Embark on a culinary journey with a set menu at Chakana in Moseley! Discover the exquisite SEA BREAM CEVICHE, a burst of fresh flavors that will awaken your palate, followed by a mouthwatering roast turkey adorned with all the festive trimmings. Chakana’s carefully curated set menu ensures a delightful dining experience that captures the essence of Peruvian cuisine at Christmas. Book your Christmas meal at Chakana.
KOI KI HARBORNE – A range of “Wave” menus available staring from £34.95 for set menus and can range up to £64.95 – perfect for large groups – Book your Christmas meal at Koi Ki
NOELS – Festive 3 course dinner for £34.95 and Festive lunch is also available – Private dining options are available – Book your Christmas meal at Noels
REVOLUCION DE CUBA – Festive Brunch from £30 pp or 2/3 course Christmas meal from £24.95 – Suitable for groups – book your christmas meal now
DIRTY MARTINI – Serving up a variety of Christmas festivities from Christmas brunches from £35 to Christmas platters priced at £25 pp for your party – Book your festive package with Dirty Martini
LASAN – Festive three Course £45.95 per person or Four Course £49.95 per person -Glass of bubbly on arrival for extra £5.50 – Book your Christmas meal at Lasan
THE ROLLING MILL – 2 courses for £26.96 and 3 courses £35.00 – To book email Info@therollingmill.co.uk andvisit their website here
THE CANAL HOUSE – Christmas party dining – 2 courses for £27.95 or 3 courses for £34.95 – menu available from 21st November to 24th December for groups of 6 or more – Private dining space is available – Book your Christmas meal now with The Canal House
BROWNS – 3 course festive menu from £29 for your whole party to enjoy – Available from 17th November – 31st December 2021- Book your Christmas meal at Browns
BODEGA – Seat and feed up to 60 people in their private bar, ‘The Sugarloaf’ offering all guests a tasty three-course meal full of the delights of south American cuisine – Can provide a Cocktail Masterclass offering guests the chance to learn, sample, and enjoy the art of cocktail making with some of the best bartenders in Birmingham – Christmas buffet is also available – Enquire about your Christmas party with Bodega
MEAL & REEL AT THE MAC BIRMINGHAM: ELF. -More family friendly Reel & Meal delights, but this time with a festive twist, courtesy of Christmas classic Elf. Ticket start from £16.00 and event is on Saturday 23rd December. Book your tickets here
ROXY BALLROOM – Festive feast plus two free drinks for £28 pp – £5 extra for a bellini reception – Great for groups – add on bowling or beer pong – Book your festive package with Roxy Ballroom
THE BOX – BRINDLEYPLACE – There’s no better place to spend the holiday season in Birmingham than at BOX, your favourite place to WATCH, PLAY and PARTY. They are the ultimate festive destination whether getting together with your mates over a game of shuffleboard or for a big Christmas night out in Birmingham.Festive Bottomless brunch is available priced at £37.95. – Book your experience with BOX now
THE GLEE CLUB – Birmingham Christmas Comedy Specials at The Glee Club offer you a superbatmosphere with four top stand-up comedians and an after party to keep celebrations going into the night – You can book tickets now
FIGHT CLUB – Darts and cocktails – Add some joy to your festive celebrations with a cocktail or two (or three) and a bit of friendly competition – Book your experience with Fight Club
Willies, Titties, strippies and Carole Baskin costumes? I have had my fair share of Hen dos in Birmingham. Some sophisticated and some that still give me nightmares to this day but planning a hen do was something that was completely new to me and even more of a nightmare! From people dropping out last minute to sending hundreds of desperate emails to venues. It’s a bloody nightmare and I wish there was a guide or something to help us poor Maid of Honours/Best men out. So I decided to put a guide together to make life a little bit easier for those who are organising a Hen/Stag do. Birmingham is great for these, perfect actually. We offer a variety of events/activities for groups to enjoy, from partying on boats to hanging from bars in the evening, having a Stag/Hen do in Birmingham is certainly the right choice and the place to be Babs! So let’s start with the top 50 hen party ideas in Birmingham and don’t worry stags, you are next!
PLEASE NOTE I DO NOT OWN ALL IMAGES – Please credit the businesses that I have tagged in this post
THE BIG BIRMINGHAM BAKE – DIGBETH
Ready, steady, BAKE! In Digbeth you will find the Big Birmingham Bake where you go against your friends/family and have 90 minutes to create your winning bake, it could be a complete masterpiece or an absolute mess! One thing is sure this is a great activity to do with all your friends and family! Prosecco provided and you can also buy a bridal apron and baking hat for the bride to be!
One of my favourite afternoon teas in Birmingham, this one is sure to make jaws drop! Step back in time and enjoy a sophisticated afternoon tea with friends and family. Choose from traditional to Laurent Perrier Rose afternoon tea from £29.50.
Get kitted out in your helmet, knee pads, gloves and safety glasses and follow the ranger deep into the jungle trails as they guide you on your quest to escape. The perfect adventure activity for families or any group celebration experience.To book or reserve your Jungle Escape adventure, just call 0121 323 1000 or head on over to their website here to book
JEWELLERY WORKSHOP AT THE WORKING CLASP
Get to make jewellery from a range of laser cut charms that have been lovingly designed and finished by Rebecca Cowley at her studio in The Old Printworks, Birmingham. The workshops suit all levels and include all materials.
Le Keux in Digbeth have a range of hen do activities for you to choose, from having a complete make over to burlesque dancing. If you are a fan of the 1950s you will love this!
If you love TJ cocktails or just cocktails in general, then come learn how to make some of your favourites with the Tonight Josephine team. They’ll give you a welcome cocktail, play games and teach you and your gang how to make two more cocktails. Various times are available and early bookings are highly recommended.
Smokey cocktails, cocktail wizards, fire and awesome food – Personally I feel this is one of the best bottomless brunches in Birmingham. Operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Book in now
Batter up Bab with some awesome games for you and the whole group to enjoy! There is also a great bar serving up plenty of delicious cocktails, street food and batting cages!
STREET FOOD, GERMAN BEER AND DRAG QUEENS AT ZUMHOF BIERGARTEN
Live music and entertainment – Think touring bands, queer cabaret, DJ’s, and drag, every weekend at the Yard! Lets not forget about their extensive beer list, the best in Birmingham street food traders and epic vibes. Great venue for groups and a definite must-visit.
Celebrate your hen do on a party boat and see the city in a whole new light. Get in touch with Central Boat Parties in Birmingham to discuss your requirements with their professional crew to create the perfect hen do!
Make your own beautiful handmade flower crown, perfect for any festival themed event, summer hen weekend, birthday party or baby shower. Everyone can select flowers to their preferred colour scheme and create crowns to their own taste. Or even matched with the season – use colourful bold silk flowers to create a statement Summer crown or more subtle foliage for a chic Spring flower crown.
ITALIAN FOOD AND COCKTAILS EXPERIENCE WITH ROSA COOKERY SCHOOL
Italian inspired cookery classes are designed to give you the skills and ideas to inspire and equip you to produce great food, with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of enjoyment – from everyday family meals to ideas for special meals to impress. Come along to one of the cookery days for an enjoyable hands on experience and leave with a host of recipes and tips. Start with coffee and homemade cake, relax and enjoy a demonstration that will include different skills and techniques, then get your pinny on and make a range of dishes yourself. Finally enjoy the fruits of your labours with a meal and a glass of wine together before heading home with some samples to remind you of your day.
Because who doesn’t love chocolate? The gourmet chocolate tasting experience involves, single origin chocolate, ganache, caramel and cacoa tasting sessions with tasting notes and a brief talk. You will learn about best ways to taste chocolate and what to look out for.
A crazy mix of traditional bingo, dance-offs, rave intervals, audience participation and countless magical moments, currently taking place in almost 50 locations around the world. Bongo’s Bingo is a wild shared social extravaganza and a night of pure nostalgic escapism, with the chance to win iconic prizes from giant pink unicorns and Henry Hoovers to mobility scooters and karaoke machines at each and every show.It’s immersive, inclusive and incredible. Everyone from 18 to 92 plays and parties together. There are no barriers and no limits.
Join Fight Club in Birmingham for their Brunch Social every Thursday to Sunday with Prosecco and bottomless pizza! If you fancy adding a competitive twist to your daytime gatherings, add 1 hour of Social Darts to your Brunch Social!
Bopottomless returns at the Old Crown with unlimited beer, cocktails or fizz for the first 90 mins of your booking and any BopKebabs main meal of your choice for £25 pp. Please check with The Crown to see when Bopottomless is back on!
NQ64 is an arcade bar located in the heart of the Custard Factory inviting gamers to relive their childhoods with classic 80s/90s arcade games and is a great place for groups to come together and get competitive!
It’s bowling like you’ve never seen it before for the very good people of Birmingham. Think walnut lanes, Beer Pong, retro arcades and shuffleboard, making it a great choice for hen parties!
Learn a Spice Girls routine with your very own dance instructor with a bottle of bubbly held in a private venue for you all to find your inner Spice Girl.
The Grand should be experienced by all, if you fancy a sophisticated evening why not book into the Madeline bar and have a couple of cocktails with friends.
One third of the Bierkeller Entertainment Complex, Bierkeller is a fantastic dining and entertainment venue in Birmingham. Long bench seating, Oompah bands, authentic Bavarian food, the finest selection of beer and much more!
The sassiest bar in Birmingham. Offering a variety of cocktails and spirits, small tapas style plates to meat and cheese sharing boards. Botanical interior, lots of pink and luxurious suede – and yes it’s very “Instagrammable”
A paradise for Instagrammers, 202 Kitchen provides plenty of photo opportunities, EXTRA cocktails, street food and more. Moving to Birmingham City centre, you can book your table now
Ever fancied being in your very own pop video? well now you can with go-experience who deliver unforgettable pop video party packages for hen parties! Before the big day, you and your friends can choose your favourite song. On the day your filmmaker and choreographer will take you through the moves and direct you every step of the way, whilst your make-up artists will make you look and feel fantastic.There’ll be a welcome glass of bubbly to help with any nerves, lots of laughs and great photo opportunities.
Spa day at The Cube is the ultimate in relaxation. You will be provided with a locker for the day. You are then free to enjoy all the facilities of the club and spa.Your day will also include a delicious lunch, or light dinner. There is a great variety of packages on offer for you to choose from So relax, You deserve it!
The Glee Clubs are a group of live comedy, music and special events venues. They are the home of stand-up comedy, with regular mixed-bill weekend shows and big names on tour with their solo shows. They also host inspiring music gigs, spoken word & talks events and cabaret & burlesque shows.
Located in the heart of The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, the Jam House occupies a traditional and Historic Georgian Building looking out on to the picturesque St Paul’s Square. The Jam House is a landmark, long standing, award-winning venue offering a unique combination of live music, good food and great times!
All the fun of a Genting casino, plus a little bit of everything you love and more from the rest of Resorts World, all under one roof. Hit the slots with your hen party and you never know, you might get lucky!
CREATE YOUR OWN PLAYLIST AND ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AT LATEST BAR OPENING JUKEBOXERS
Latest bar opening “Jukeboxers” is a new piano duelling bar where you can choose the music and listen to some fantastic live music – From Whitney to Nicki, the band can pretty much perform anything! They also have a great menu where you can order sassy cocktails and dead frog shots. This place is all about good vibes and enjoying live music again, a great place to book your hen party!
Digbeth Dining Club is one of the UK’s leading operators of street food venues and events. It’s a great place for groups to tuck into some delicious street food and have a couple of drinks. Perfect place to start pre-drinking!
For more information about Digbeth Dining Club events check here
GO ON HOLIDAY TO BIRDIES BAB
Birminghams very own tropical paradise in the heart of Digbeth. Birdies is an outdoor cocktail bar with a beach/island theme selling refreshing cocktails and bloody good BBQ food. They offer a great bottomless brunch with tacos that is definitely worth looking into!
Welcome to the upside down of Birmingham. Ghetto golf is the venue that offers a combination of a seriously twisted 18 hole crazy golf in the heart of the Custard Factory, with an exceptional cocktail bar in Birmingham. Graffiti and incredible artwork everywhere makes them a must do experience in the Birmingham scene.
Loki wine tasting events are like no other. They are trying to get away from the formal sit down wine tasting and make wine tasting more interactive and an experience rather than the more traditional style corporate wine tasting event. The format that they use gives you the advantage of having a wine tasting that focuses mainly on networking. They have five versions of cheese and wine tastings so you can explore a number of different cheese & wine combinations. These cheese and wine tastings are very popular so make sure you book in quickly!
A chance to see Birmingham from a different perspective, no previous experience required for this guided kayak tour on the canal. Their guides will lead you on a journey through the City’s heart on their kayaks that are stable and ideal for beginners and experience kayakers alike. A great experience for you to enjoy with your friends!
Pamper yourself at the Malmaison Spa at The Mailbox, enjoy relaxing with ESPA and Nimue face and body treatments and explore the great variety of Spa Packages at Malmaison.
Toboggan on real snow down the 170 metre main slope with your hen party or have a ski lesson – If the cold is not for you then you can head down to the spa and have a dip in the pool!
HAVE A COCKTAIL WITH THE GIRLS AND TAKE IN THE VIEW OF BIRMINGHAM AT THE CUBE
Cocktails and looking out on the best view of Birmingham at The Cube at the Mailbox. Its quite spectacular and you can also stay at The Cube with Hotel Indigo and I would definitely recommend the club rooms with balcony!
There are some dining experiences that will stick with you for a long time and then there are those that you’d rather sleep off and forget. My first meal at Pulperia has been on my mind constantly since I dined there last month.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located in the heart of Brindley Place, Pulperia is an Argentinian restaurant owned by Michelin starred chef Aktar Islam. Walking through the doors of Pulperia is almost like walking into another dimension – one where it is always Autumn. I was welcomed by warm interiors and beautiful botanical decor. Right away I knew I would have a great dining experience. We sat down at our table in one of the dining rooms at the back surrounded by wine bottles and rustic sculptures, which we couldn’t stop admiring.
Steak is a no brainer here, and I haven’t had a good steak in a long time so I had my fingers and toes crossed that Pulperia would deliver the steak of dreams. Jumping straight into the food menu it all sounded so appealing that I completely forget to order a drink. I flipped back to the cocktail menu to order a negroni and my chap James ordered a beer. I forgot how strong negroni was, and how I am not very good with most spirits! I am one of those terrible drunks that feels fuzzy-headed after one alcho pop. The negroni was not for me but it was my fault for picking something I knew I couldn’t handle. So then I opted for a Tomero, Carbernet Franc red wine which was just the ticket.
For starter, I ordered the gambas – wild argentine prawns stuffed with tomato confit and aji Molleda. It was perfect. Usually ripping prawns apart makes me squirm and I get a bit frustrated but there was plenty of prawns to eat so I was pretty satisfied. James ordered ceviche with bass, citrus, shallots avocado and radish. A refreshing dish, not exactly a go-to starter for me but definitely one that impressed.
For our mains, our eyes lit up at the 400g Herefordshire Chateaubriand steak. I ordered it rare and it was quite possibly the best steak I have ever tasted. The conversation between me and James suddenly went silent. The only sounds escaping our mouths were “Mmm” and “Oh my god”. James suddenly started bopping his head and rolling his eyes back. I should have felt uncomfortable, especially in a packed restaurant, but I understood. That was the best steak orgasm ever. Costing £45 and coming with a very generous portion of chips, when you see the size and taste the steak it’s worth the price and more. Juicy, bursting with flavour and partnered perfectly with chimichurri – could this be the best steak in Birmingham?
For dessert we were torn between the cheese board and the panqueues (pancakes) so we decided to get both. Not the biggest cheese board I have had, however, don’t let the size fool you. The selection of flavours was a first for me and we were both all for it. The panqueues were gorgeous, orange and hesperidina caramel with dulce ice cream, it was to die for.
The service was flawless, our waitress was fantastic and she went that extra mile to help us by explaining each of the dishes. Everyone was friendly and the staff really made our experience at Pulperia memorable. We finished with tea and coffee and leaned back in our seats sulking, we did not want to leave.
From experiencing some of the best customer service ever to tasting the best steak in Birmingham, Pulperia was a dream. The steak was just unbelievable and I waved goodbye to my dreadful dates with steaks over the past few months – I have finally found the one. From start to finish, it was perfection, a dining experience that must be experienced. Whatever you do this coming September, make sure you book Pulperia.
It seems like Winter has been forever, ever since the pandemic hit last year we have had to wave goodbye to Summer events such as music festivals but now it looks like Summer will be returning. You will see all over social media that there is a swarm of summer events popping up from foodie festivals to Pride. Yes, Summer is back baby! So I have put together a little guide full of fantastic events that are taking place in Birmingham and beyond this Summer.
I will continue to update this blog post with new events, I am still waiting on a few to confirm but when they do I’ll make sure to pop them on, don’t forget to subscribe for updates!
JUNE 2021 EVENTS
ALFRESCO FEST AT THE ORANGERY
Available to book now from Apil-June 2021 – Ipsley – Redditch
The Orangery in Redditch have launched their fantastic alfresco experiences, introducing ALFRESCOfest a beautiful botanical festival full of botanical themed cocktails and tasty tapas taking place in an enchanted garden. Tickets are on sale now and you can book out the cute potting sheds or greenhouses. You can book your tickets here
ADVENTURE CINEMA AT AVERY FIELDS
11th – 12th June 2021 – Avery Fields – Birmingham – Tickets one sale now
This is the greatest show! An amazing Sing-A-Long outdoor cinema experience at Avery Fields in Birmingham on 11th June 2021 with a showing of the movie that has sold out cinemas all over the world and what about a classic? Dirty Dancing will be showing on 12th June 2021. You can book your tickets here
BIG FOOT FESTIVAL
18th-20th June at Ragley Hall In Warwickshire.
Big Foot Festival is a three day summer music festival celebrating the best in music, food and beer. The line up is pretty class with big bands such as Primal Scream headlining along with an incredible line up of street food and craft beer. Tickets on sale now and can be purchased here
FOODIES FESTIVAL AT CANNON HILL PARK
25th-27th June 2021 – Cannon Hill Park – Birmingham
The UK’S largest food and drink festival is back this year in Cannon Hill Park with top Chefs serving up some insanely good food, live music and fun activities to be enjoyed by the whole family! Currently awaiting more information however you can check for all updates here
JULY 2021 EVENTS
BEER CENTRAL FESTIVAL-MOVED TO 17TH AND 28TH SEPTEMBER
2nd-3rd July 2021-The Mill in Digbeth
The Craft beer festival, Beer Central is returning to Birmingham this year to bring the best in beer, food, and music. You can expect over 30 word-class breweries such as Attic Brew Co and Digbrew Co, and lets not forget the awesome goodie line up including Dishoom, Baked in Brick and more. You can buy your tickets here
BURGER FEST
3rd July 2021 – Aston Hall – Birmingham – Tickets on sale now
For all you burger lovers out there this festival is for you, Introducing Seasonal Markets Burger Fest that is taking place at Aston Hall this year. The line up is one not to miss with Flying Cows, Libertine Burger, Yardbirds and newcomers such as Meat Meets Bun and more! Live bands and DJ sets aswell as cocktails, beer and more will be flowing through out the day, DON’T MISS OUT! Purchase your tickets here
COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL
3rd-4th July2021– Colmore Row
Colmore Food Festival is an annual celebration of Colmore Business District restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. Awaiting more information about this event to be confirmed please refer to Visit Birminghams website for updates here
BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL-CANCELLED
3rd-4th July 2021 – The Custard Factory – Digbeth
This one is for all you coffee lovers out there! The Birmingham Coffee Festival is back, these two days will bring together the top 40 independent coffee shops and coffee culture experiences from the local area and beyond. Tickets are £8 online (£10 on the door) and you get a cute coffee tote bag included! Head on over to their website here to purchase your tickets
LICHFIELD MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
8th-18th July 2021– Lichfield town centre
The Lichfield Festival is hoping to return this year inspiring multi-arts experiences for anyone and everyone in the Midlands and beyond. Full of amazing performances and activities for the whole family to enjoy running from 8th to 18th July 2021. You can find more information about the festival here
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL
9th-11th July 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham
A 3-day celebration of Jazz, Funk & Soul in Moseley Park, expect amazing live performances from The Wailers, Neneh Cherry and more. Tickets are on sale now but they are selling quickly! You can purchase your tickets here
GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL
16th-17th July 2021 – Edgbaston Cricket Club – Birmingham
The Uk’s biggest Gin & Rum Festival is touring across the UK and coming to Birmingham. Sample and discover new favourites from hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at their themed gin and rum bars and let your hair down with your friends! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
IBIZA PROMS IN THE PARK
22nd July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now
Classic Ibiza anthems performed by a 50 piece live Orchestra at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull. Awaiting further information but priority tickets are now on sale and can be brought here
COVENTRY FOOD FESTIVAL
23rd-25th July 2021-Coventry Town Centre
The Coventry festival is returning this year celebrating all things food, drink and culture. Celebrity chefs will be showcasing their cooking skills, fantastic street food will be available and live music. The Festival is free and you can find more information here
GOOD TIMES FESTIVAL
24th July 2021 – Mill Gardens – Leamington Spa – Tickets on sale now
Lets welcome Summer events back, while making great memories with Friends and Family. The theme of this one day festival is to have a GOOD TIME while supporting local performers, food vendors, and drink suppliers. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
SOLIHULL SUMMER FESTIVAL
24th and 25th July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now
The Solihull Summer Fest returns for its 5th year running on the 24th – 25th July 2021. A 2 day festival in the heart of Solihull with a diverse mix of genres across the weekend. Summer Fest has previously featured The Human League, Level 42, The Vamps, UB40, Busted, The Proclaimers, Sister Sledge, Razorlight, 10cc, Scouting for Girls, Feeder and many more star-studded names. Each day runs from 12 midday until 10.30pm with live music, street food vendors, bars, entertainment and an exclusive VIP area. You can buy tickerts here
AUGUST 2021 EVENTS
WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL
1st August 2021– Market Place- Warwick – Free Entry
The Warwick Food Festival is back, come and join in the celebration of the best in local food and drink. There’ll be around 100 traders cooking up a variety for you all to try aswell as bars and produce exhibitors. Live music will be on through out the day and if you head to the website here you can see what traders you’ll find there, great event for the whole family, don’t miss it!
THE INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL
14th-15th August 2021– Aston Hall – Birmingham – SOLD OUT
The Independent Birmingham Festival At Aston Hall Returns bringing you an amazing line up of Brum’s very best restaurants and street food traders serving delicious food all weekend long, washed down with craft beers, delicious cocktails, and natural wine from Birmingham’s finest bars and microbreweries. For more information head on over to their website here
SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENTS
MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL
3rd-5th September 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham
The Moseley Folk & Arts is a family-friendly music festival with a great mix of traditional, contemporary and downright experimental folk and acoustic music. Live performances from amazing artists and bands such as The Waterboy’s, Frank Turner and Richard Hawley. Tickets are now available to purchase here
MIDLANDS WHISKY FESTIVAL
11th September 2021 – The Studio – Cannon Street – Birmingham
Any whisky fans out there? This festival is definitely for you! celebrating 10 years of Midlands Whisky Festival at the Studio on Cannon Street in Birmingham. Sample 400+ whiskies paired up with some delicious food such as cheese, cured meats and more! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD FESTIVAL
11th-12th September 2021 – Pump Room Gardens – Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa food festival is returning this year with live kitchen with local chefs showcasing their culinary skills as well as live music, plenty of street food vendors serving up awesome food and plenty of fun for the whole family. This is a free event and you can check out their website here for more information
SOLIHULL FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
24th-26th September 2021 – Mell Square – Solihull
Bringing a huge selection of food and drink traders in the town centre, you will be spoilt for choice with the best of worldwide cuisine. There will be family entertainment, the much-loved demo kitchen with local celebrity chefs showcasing their cookery skills, and live music. For more information head on over to the Solihull Bid website here
BIRMINGHAM PRIDE FESTIVAL
25th-26th September 2021– Birmingham Gay Village – Birmingham
Yas Bab, Pride is back! Welcoming all to our LGBTQ village, Pride is going to be quite big this year with live performances by Cheryl, Katy B and more! There will be four stages and tickets are selling fast. There will also be a community event on Friday (24th) that is free and will include community stalls, street food, keynote speakers and more! You can buy tickets here
Located in the heart of Birmingham in The Mailbox where you have restaurants, bars, shops and the picturesque canals of Birmingham on your doorstep, you will find The AC Hotel which is part of the Marriott hotel group. Well designed throughout, with plenty to offer and drawing in guests that are looking for something a bit more than just staying in a “chained hotel”
I have stayed in many Marriott hotels, all have been very disappointing except for AC Hotel which doesn’t strike me as a typical “chained” old-fashioned Marriott hotel, it’s quite literally the opposite. As I step through the doors of the hotel I am greeted with Modernisation, sleek design throughout and CLASS. No victorian patterned chairs, no worn-out carpets and certainly no mahogany, It was almost like stepping into an upmarket business class lounge at the airport which, I really liked!
Checking into the hotel is very quick and easy, I found the staff very pleasant, informative and welcoming, I spoke to a young girl at the reception who was ever so lovely and accommodating. I was checking in for two nights (Thursday to Saturday) in a Canal view superior guest room with a queen bed for £126.48.
The hotel oozed sleek modern decor throughout the hotel and it didn’t stop when I got to the room. I noticed straight away that the room was big and had plenty of space, you could fit a party of twenty in there easily. Simple, modern and classy, straight away I felt relaxed and comfortable. The room as well as the hotel was completely spotless, it was so clean I could see my reflection in the sink and there was not a coffee smear in sight!
The queen bed was huge and was big enough to fit my 6 ft 6 partner which was a huge success as sometimes he does struggle to fit in beds [Insert troll face] The room provided all the useful facilities that you would expect and more including a very fancy Nespresso machine, Sky TV, bathrobes and slippers. The room also provided a lovely view of the Canal that was stunning to see at night, lovely to watch Birmingham glistering at night. The room was right on the front just above the restaurants and bars in which I did wonder, would I be able to sleep at all as Birmingham nightlife is quite animated…however I didn’t hear one single Birmingham accent nor clinking of glasses/bottles BUT it might be a different story on a Saturday night…
The only thing that was missing from the room was wine glasses and of course, this is not essential but after a busy day at work It was time for wine so I contacted reception and within five minutes two wine glasses were delivered to the door.
In regard’s to CO-VID restriction’s, there is a list of rule’s and information guides from the hotel which inform’s guest’s of all the health and safety procedure’s the hotel has taken to provide a safe stay to all guest’s. There are sign’s to tell guest’s to wear mask’s, hand sanitiser station’s and social distancing rule’s carried out throughout the hotel. There was not one time I felt uncomfortable or unsafe in this hotel.
At the Hotel, they have a hotel bar and the AC lounge area where they serve breakfast, an array of tapas, afternoon teas and signature cocktail’s. I didn’t get to explore the lounge due to CO-VID restriction’s however I have tried out the tapas and cocktail’s in the lounge on a previous Blogger’s event which was superb! If you like to read my review please check it out here. They do have an on-site Starbucks if you’re a busy bee in the morning’s and need a caffeine pick me up, however, if you’re not a fan of Starbucks there is plenty of Independent coffees shops within a five-minute walking distance from the AC Hotel such as Medicine Bakery and Cocoa by Ali. In regards to travelling to the Hotel, They do not have a hotel car park however The Mailbox doe’s have one and AC Hotel guests receive a 15% discount. Grand Central Station is about a 5-10 minute walk and there are also bus stops nearby.
View from our room
Overall I had a really lovely stay at The AC Hotel, I couldn’t fault it and although certain service’s were not available due to CO-VID I still managed to have an enjoyable stay as well as importantly, a safe stay. The staff are hard-working and strive to take care of their guest’s, I have to say this is some of the best customer service I have ever experienced at a hotel. A two-night stay for £126.48 in the heart of Birmingham surrounded by great hospitality and shopping facilities with excellent customer service and a spacious and functional room is certainly nothing to frown about, I was more than satisfied. I left feeling refreshed, full of energy and pretty darn happy with my stay with AC and I continue to look forward to my next visit with AC.
The 12th of April is coming, and The UK will slowly start to emerge from Lockdown following the UK governments Roadmap to recovery. Restaurant’s and other hospitality venue’s will open however only providing Al fresco dining but many will be cheering about the news of the curfew and the substantial meal rule being scrapped. I have put together a list of restaurants that are now taking bookings and planning to open from the 12th of April 2021 in the North of Birmingham. Many are booked up already so be quick if you want to get out of the house and dine outside huddling together under a heated outdoor lamp.
I will be updating this list every week, so please check back!
It’s that time again Babs, V-DAY is coming. Many businesses have already been promoting their Valentines day meals, gifts and hampers, and I thought it would be a great idea to feature some amazing independents and their Valentines day offers. As we cant celebrate outside our homes, don’t just give up on celebrating! This guide is full of some lovely ideas to spend with your loved ones or have a night in with yourself! From afternoon teas to five-course fine dining meals, this guide will surely get you in the mood for some Ol’ loving, HIT IT BARRY!
DINING IN SET MENU’S
Here is a list of restaurants and foodie small businesses who have put together awesome Valentines day meals for you and your loved one to enjoy in your own homes this V-Day. Simple and stress-free cooking, leaving you with plenty of time to snuggle on the sofa or strangle each other after a heated discussion about who used the last loo roll…
Birmingham-Pre-order by midday on Tuesday 9th Feb for Nationwide delivery on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February 2021
From £60 for Vegetarian-From £90 for non-vegetarian-Five Course meal for two-Order via their website here
COPPICE/THE FIG & OLIVE
Sutton Goldfield-Collection only
£50-£70 V-Day Steak boxes for two-One Course Steak and wine-Please contact via telephone 0121 308 7197 and head to their website for more information here
THE CORNERSTONE KITCHEN
Sutton Coldfield-Birmingham
£45 pp non-Vegetarian five course and £35 pp for vegetarian five course– Email James@thecornerstonekitche.com to order and head to their website here to check out menu options
BAKED IN BRICK
Home Delivery-15 miles from B23 Birmingham
£30 per person-Vegan options are available-Three course menu-Please download the app to order, you can check out the menu here
LIBERTINE BURGER
Leamington Spa/Rugeley-Nationwide delivery on 12th February 2021
Teaming up with Urban Cheesecake and NICE wines for their Valentines kits for £49.95-2 burgers + sides + cheese cake + wine- order your kit via their website here
OPUS
Home Delivery from Birmingham up to 10 miles radius on 13th February 2021-Collection also available on 13th February-please check times on website.
Five course menu with complimentary half bottle of Champagne per person-£75 per person-Vegetarian options available-Order via their website here
DUBBERLEY DELICIOUS
Staffordshire-Free delivery within 10 miles radius/Collection options available
Dine at home packages-Five course set menu for £45 PP–Vegetarian options available-Order via their website here
MAKE IT REALLY SPECIAL: SET MENUS OVER £100
CANARY & KITCHEN
Birmingham/Solihull area (Please check the website to see if they cover your area)
Love in Lockdown set menu for £42.50 pp-delivery on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th-Please order via their website here
BARE BONES PIZZA
Nationwide Delivery
Valentines Day DIY Pizza kits for two with a bottle of wine from Wine Freedom in Digbeth and two milk chocolate hearts from Bloom for £34.99-Pepperoni or Vegetarian option available-Order by 7th February for delivery on 12th or 13th- Order here
LAND
Birmingham-Local delivery within 8 miles radius on 14th February and nationwide delivery available on 13th February 2021
Three/Five course vegan set menus for one or two people from £27 to £70-Wine can be paired up with meals-Order via their website here
PULPERIA/AKTAR AT HOME
Nationwide delivery-order by the end of Wednesday 10th Feb and will be shipped on 12th February 2021. Collection available from Opheem in Birmingham
£150 for five course menu with wine-South American inspired menu-Nationwide Delivery- Order via their website here
670 GRAMS
Birmingham-Collection only from 670 Grams in Digbeth
£195 set menu for two-A special V-day menu like no other-Modern fine-dining at its best including champagne/gin cocktails-Email reservations to reservations@670grams.com and you check out the menu here
THE PLOUGH HARBORNE
Collection only
Valentines Three-Course meal for £125 with wine, cheese, and ice-cream-Collection on 13th February 2021-Order via their website here
AFTERNOON TEAS
THE EARLY BIRD BAKERY
Kings Heath-Birmingham-Collection options are available too!
£45 for vegetarian afternoon tea and £50 for non-vegetarian there is also an option to have mixed for £47.50– From Savoury to Sweet options-Please order via their website here
ROCHERS PATISSERIE
Sutton Coldfield to Lichfield delivery only
£25 per person–Vegetarian afternoon tea is also available for £25-Sweet & Savoury-Add ons are available such as Spa gifts from Heaven Sent in Boldmere/Lichfield-Please email your orders to info@rochers.co.uk and you can head to their instagram here to check the menu.
VALENTINES HAMPERS
GRACE + JAMES
Kings Heath-Birmingham-Check postcodes on G+J Website
G+J popular hamper with a Valentines twist for £50-Wine/Cheese/Meats/Chutney/Crackers-Order via their website here
MISS MACAROON
Nationwide Deliveries or click and collect option available
Chocolate Lovers hamper with sparkling wine for £60-Macaroons/Chocolate/Sparkling Wine-Miss Macaroon also provide vegan hampers-order via their website here
TASTY VALENTINES DAY GIFTS
BETHEL BAKERY
Delivery to Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Walmley, Walsall, Wednesbury and Tamworth. Collection is also available.
Various V-Day treat boxes from £18 to £30-Biscuits/Cakepops/Cupcakes-order via their website here
BEKI’S BROWNIES
Nationwide Delivery-Boxes delivered on 11th February 2021
Going live today at 6pm Beki’s Brownies Valentines treat boxes for £20-Order via their website here
COOKIE MUMSTER
Nationwide Delivery
Don’t mind if I FONDUE BOX for £20-28 pieces of cookies and brownies with sauces to dip-Special message option-order via their website here
BROWNIES BY US
Coventry-Delivery to Birmingham/Solihull/Sutton Coldfield
The His & Hers Valentines box for £25-Gooey Brownies/2 bottles of Prosecco/A Box of Lindt/and a Rose-Order via their Instagram here
BOSTIN BAKERY
Free UK Delivery
Box of seven Valentines cookies for your loved ones for £16.50-Variety of flavours available-Suitable for Vegetarians-Order via their website here
Veganism is growing bigger every year especially at the start of the year where Carnivores are stuffed full of turkey, buffet leftovers and so much booze they end up turning into a blooming brewery. Many like to start the new year detoxing and taking part in Veganuary. Many stick with the vegan diet, or limit down their meat content as they find their health has improved, they have done their research and don’t agree with the exploitation of animals, or maybe because January is a bleak month with nothing going on, so what else is there to do?! I have so many people asking me about vegan restaurants in Birmingham, vegan brands in Brum and independent shops with a great variety of vegan products, It’s all about VEGAN BABY and, I’m all for it. This will also be my very first year of doing Veganuary and so I thought it would be very handy and helpful to put a little guide together featuring some great businesses that sell/serve fantastic vegan products, food, and more in Birmingham and Beyond.
VEGAN BRUNCH
Although some of these may not be entirely all vegan they do supply a variety of good vegan options for Breakfast/Brunch!
CHERRY REDS-Birmingham-Cherry Reds is one of the best places maybe even the best for Vegan breakfast and brunches, They have a fantastic variety from Pancakes to Vegan fry ups at great prices – Instagram
MEDICINE BAKERY-Birmingham-Although Medicine Bakery is not a vegan bakery it still has some great vegan and vegetarian options as well as delicious vegan bakes to take out! Visit their Instagram here
MORRIDGE-Birmingham-For a nice hearty breakfast/brunch I would 100% recommend Morridge, although not entirely vegan they can cater for vegans with some fantastic dishes and let’s not forget about their coffee, that is just amazing! Visit their Instagram here
JU JU’S CAFE-Birmingham-Another great place with fantastic vegan options from Breakfast to Dinner, Ju Ju’s is a cracking vegan winner, The veggie hash dish is a much-loved favourite of mine! Keep up to date with the latest here
WAYLANDS YARD-Birmingham Bull Street-Another favourite of mine is, of course, Waylands Yard with some great vegan dishes such as the vegan brunch, one thing I love about Waylands is that they know how to feed you! Great flavours and very generous portions! Keep up to date with the latest here
DISHOOM – Birmingham – One of my favourites and a great place for vegans from breakfast to dinner – They have great VG available here and yes, you can get your vegan naan roll! – Website
THE HIVE CAFE & BAKERY – Jewellery Quarter – A great Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant offering one of the best Vegan brunches in the City – Instagram
LAND-Great Western Arcade-Vegan/Vegetarian based restaurant where all dishes are plant-focused and based on ingredients that are best at the time, the menu is changed seasonally and LAND would be the perfect choice if you’re looking for something a little bit special. Head on over to their Instagram to find more.
BA-HA-The Rainbow pub in Digbeth-Award Winning, and well deserved, BA-HA create humane, plant-based food that changes with the season. They do coffee, bakes and sensational brunches and dinners. Find them at The Rainbow in Digbeth venue and check outtheir Instagram
PHO – Grand Central Station – Vietnamese Street food restaurant have some great vegan dishes and is a lunchtime favourite of many in Birmingham!
RUDYS – Bennets Hill – Rudy’s have a great vegan pizza range for Veganuary! Check them out here
TAMATANGA – Birmingham – Tamatanga has a great vegan menu from curry bowls to vegan naan and puddings – Instagram
THE COVERED WAGON – Moseley – specialising in traditional authentic Punjabi food and they offer a great vegan menu – Instagram
THE IVY – Birmingham – Feeling fancy? You can dine in The Ivy and try out their vegan menu offering a great variety of dishes from starters to puddings – Instagram
HOTEL DU VIN-Birmingham-Last year I tried one of my first vegan afternoon teas and, it was quite spectacular! Hotel Du Vin does a pretty grand Vegan afternoon tea priced at £22.50 with an impressive selection of vegan savoury bites and mouth-watering bakes – Instagram
MALMAISON– The Mailbox Birmingham-at £19.95 its a fantastic vegan afternoon tea that must be tried by all, even non-vegans! Great variety of vegan options, plenty of savoury and sweet to satisfy those pesky tums of ours! – Instagram
HARVEY NICHOLS-The Mailbox Birmingham-Just announced for 2021 Harvey Nichols are celebrating vegan dining and have introduced their brand new afternoon tea from £22 which looks pretty tasty! You can book online on their website.
KILO ZIRO BAR – Digbeth – The UK’s First Zero Waste Cafe Bar & Refill Taproom serves up possibly the best afternoon tea in Birmingham – Their Afternoon Tea’s are a mix of vegetarian and vegan pieces – if you would like just the vegan only option this can be requested from £26 – Website
THE OLD CROWN-Digbeth-Because no one should go without a roast dinner, right? The Old Crown offer a delicious sweet potato wellington for just £11.
BA-HA – The Rainbow pub in Digbeth – Let’s start 2022 with a BANG with a bangin’ roast, BA-HA offer a fantastic variety from Jack Mc Guinness to King of roasts to Lentil loaf all priced at £13 and available from 12 to 8pm on Sundays
1000 TRADES-Jewellery Quarter-Anyone for a cracking vegetable Wellington?! 1000 Trades have created a Vegan option for they’re Welly stuffed with mushroom and smoked tofu with all the glorious veg and carbs, that sounds pretty amazing for £15.
THE RED LION-Jewellery Quarter-The Red Lion is another pub that provides great vegan meal options as well as a vegan roast too!
THE HIGH FIELD-Edgbaston-Going for something a little bit different how about a VE pie roast instead?! Sounds like a new trend, The High field have a great spiced sweet potato and kale pie dish for vegans to enjoy on their Sundays!
THE WOLF-Birmingham- The Wolf have a set Sunday menu where vegans can choose a two/three course meal. The main is a Mushroom and Spinach Wellington with butternut squash mash and season roast veg for £13
LA POP!-Edgbaston-I was quite surprised to find out that LA POP actually have vegan options! They have dairy-free gelato and sorbets available for you to takeaway HOORAH!
MISS MACAROON-The Great Western Arcade/Birmingham-Offering a great selection of vegan macaroons/hampers to gift yourself or your loved ones this January and you can order online!
FACULTY COFFEE-Piccadilly Arcade/Birmingham-Speciality Coffee and tea shop that have a great selection of vegan bakes and cakes for your to choose from, and they taste pretty darn great!
Birmingham Brewing Company-Stirchley-Multi award-winning Brewery serving high quality and VEGAN beer, they are also all gluten-free and taste amazing Bab – Instagram
Attic Brew Co-Stirchley-New world beers that embody old school pub culture and taste pretty god-damn good Bab! Great Tap-room and meeting place for pals to come and relax with a good strong pint of Attic in hand – Instagram
DIGBREW CO-Birmingham-The vast majority of Digbrews beer is vegan, there is the odd occasion where they have used lactose however they are very clear when they do this! The beer is awesome and its a personal favourite of mine so SHOP BABS – Instagram
ROCK AND ROLL BREWHOUSE BAR-Jewellery Quarter-A much loved Brewery by all vegans and non-vegans, The Rock and Roll Brewhouse sell awesome hand crafted vegan beer that is brewed on the premises and its blooming lovely Bab!
THE INDIAN BREWERY CO.-Birmingham-Not strictly Vegan but The Indian Brewery do have an amazing lager on tap and in can called Birmingham Lager, and it’s a banger Bab – Instagram
ZUMHOF BIERGARTEN – Digbeth – Offering a variety of German beer and cocktails with a few vegan options – Instagram
NORTH TAPROOM – Snowhill – New Taproom have a good variety of Vegan beers available aswell as good vegan food options – Instagram
VEGAN SHOP/TREATS/ESSENTIALS
THE CLEAN KILO-Digbeth-Zero waste supermarket is a great place for vegans to pick up some great vegan essentials, also if you care about the environment The Clean Kilo are plastic-free so its great way to shop well and protect the environment!
INDIGO WHOLEFOODS-Moseley-Another great store is Indigo Wholefoods which stock a range of fantastic vegan food and household products. They recently launched an online store and currently have Veganuary offers on!
XOVER NUTRITION-Kings Heath-Xover Nutrition is a natural health food and organic beauty store that sell a wide variety of vegan-friendly products to fill up your kitchen and bathroom cupboards! They also have a great Zero waste refill weigh and pay station!
PIPS HOT SAUCE – Birmingham – Pip offers a great variety of hot sauces from mild to EXTRA SPICY! Seriously need one of these sauces in your food cupboard!
Last year I did a post on some of my favourite spots in Birmingham to take my camera, nearly a year has passed and, there is no surprise that there are even more spots in Birmingham to snap! This year I haven’t really been out a lot due to CO-VID ( as the same for every one else!) isolating for two-three months wore my creativity down until I had the green light to go back to work in Birmingham. I spent one day just walking around Birmingham and I couldn’t believe there were so many locations that I have never discovered before… From Digbeth to Chinatown, when it comes to photography, Birmingham is the perfect City to imagine and create. Some spots I found don’t even look like your in Birmingham but, more so you’re in Paris, Japan or maybe even a futuristic Birmingham, Yes Birmingham is a pretty fantastic city for creatives to CREATE and take imagination/creativity to the next level! Here’s just a few new spots that I have found that you may want to check out yourselves AND use them for photo opportunities!
I have mentioned quite a few businesses in this post that are great for photographers (very open to letting photographers in and doing shoots) HOWEVER please ask before you snap AND, don’t just snap and dash! I always ask permission and, I like to give back, buy a drink/some grub and remember to tag them in your photos!
CHINA TOWN/BATH PASSAGE
Located in China Town(right next to China Court takeaway) Bath Passage is full of amazing street art by the talented Gent 48. Bath Passage has become one of my favourite places to do photoshoots in the City! Making my photos POP and stand out!
VICTORIA SQUARE FOUNTAINS
Now covered in lavender blooms making photos pop with gorgeous lilac colours, victoria square over the years seems to be coming along quite nicely! I usually take many of the bloggers here for photoshoots and take photos against the lavender, also the architecture on the Town Hall is pretty cool to shoot against.
THE MAILBOX
The Mailbox is a lovely setting for a photo shoot with beautiful interior and stunning view’s of The Canal and The Cube It’s especially beautiful at Christmas time when they put up all the lights and the Christmas tree, really gets you in the Christmas mood and creates beautiful festive photos!
Looking for somewhere to stop off for coffee? why about stopping off for coffee and tuck into a delicious brunch as well as getting in a few more photos? Located just underneath the bridge from The Cube to The Canals (on way to Brindley Place) you will find Cocoa By Ali. A very popular spot for bloggers to snap with all the beautiful pink interior and blooms but don’t just Snap and Dash, this place has some beautiful and delicious dishes on offer for you try too (definitely recommend the french toast :P)
TOP OF THE CUBE/HOTEL INDIGO
So you can either buy a room with a view for the night or head on up to Marco Pierre White’s restaurant on 25th Floor for a pretty cool panoramic view of Birmingham. Beautiful in the day and beautiful at night, take your pick! The shot is going to be awesome any time of day.
And let’s not forget about the bottom of The Cube where you can get some pretty epic low angle shots of the “uplifted” sculpture. At Christmas time The Cube’s Christmas tree appears and it’s a lovely sight to snap!
DIGBETH/STREET ART/VENUES
Home of the future creatives, an ultimate favourite of mine and I bet it is of soo many other photographers as well! It’s like the upside-down of Birmingham, endless possible shots to take in this colourful area full of talented street artist’s work, with exciting possibilities for all creatives. Everyone knows I love Digbeth, the one reason why I love it so much is it’s always changing, there is always something new around the corner. New artwork, new venue’s, new opportunities for creatives to get stuck in and exhibit their talents. Of course, one of my favourite walls in Digbeth is The NightOwl, retro, cool and just makes a killer backdrop.
Let’s talk about the venues where you can get some awesome shots:
FloodGate Birmingham: Full of Neon, quirky artwork and rammed with photographers. I see photoshoots going on in there all the time so photographers are welcome to create!
NQ64: NQ64 to me is like stepping back in time, into the 80s, Stranger Things style. Glow in the dark, street art and retro gaming, what’s not to love?
Birdies Bar: Tropical vibes, fantastic for those cocktail photos!
Zumhof Biergarten: Quirky and different, Digbeths very only little Glastonbury, take a few photos here and convince your pals your THAT BITCH.
SELFRIDGES CAR PARK: TOP LEVEL
I am always on the hunt for views of the City, on the Selfridges car park I have view’s of Digbeth way and up-close views of the Bullring which is pretty stunning at night!
BRINDLEY PLACE/CANALS
Take a walk amongst the canals towards the Utilita Arena and, you will come across bridges with floral just like the bridges in Amsterdam layered with bikes, Birmingham to Amsterdam and I didn’t have to get the EURO?!…BARGAIN!
The trees in Brindley Place by Ikon are a must in the Spring and Autumn, The beautiful pink blossom is to die for and, then in the Autumn the splash of orange from the Autumn leaves create’s stunning images!
THE BOTANICAL WALLS
These walls make fantastic backdrops for photoshoots and you will find them near Grand Central and Snowhill Station! I use these a lot with my blogger and couple photoshoots and they always make awesome photos!
GRAND CENTRAL TOP LEVEL CAR PARK
The car park for Grand Central is amazing to take photos of The Rotunda and John Lewis (RIP!) Its an open-top car park and its on the top level, and you can grab Grand Central and The Rotunda in one shot!
GREAT WESTERN ARCADE
In my last blog, I hardly touched on the Great Western Arcade and, for most of this year, it has been the number one place for me to do photoshoots. A very popular location for photographers and it’s perfect for a couple’s photoshoot especially engagement/wedding day photoshoot’s in which, the scenery is just simply stunning to capture!
A few new neighbours have arrived since the last blog post including the very vibrant Pineapple Club. Neon, botanical, and just oozing Beverly Hills hotel-style makes it a beautiful place for those blogger/model photos as well of course, for dining and having a cocktail or two with friends.
JEWELLERY QUARTER/ST PAULS CHURCH
Unfortunately due to CO-VID I had to cancel my family shoots in Birmingham, ST Pauls Church in the Jewellery Quarter was going to be the first location as it’s so beautiful especially in Autumn with all the leaves, just look at those beautiful Autumn colours! I always find it such a peaceful location to photograph and there is just so much you can do with it!
MOOR STREET STATION/EPIC SHOTS OF THE BULLRING
Moor Street to me is one of the most beautiful train stations I have ever stepped foot in, every time I am there my mind is flooded with happy childhood memories coming to this station. The beautiful victorian interior, the old school feel you get it almost transports me back to being a child thinking I was going on some amazing holiday (that holiday being just Solihull for Christmas shopping) and the amazing photo opportunities make its quite a fabulous location for photoshoots. I mainly come to Moor Street to catch the train to Leamington Spa(usually platform 3 or 4) but, I also come here to get some fantastic shots of The Bullring too!
EDGBASTON/ THE EDGBASTON HOTEL
The Edgbaston Hotel is well-known for its beautiful Art deco interior design and especially at Christmas, where many call it “The house with the Bow that everyone wants!” Around Christmas time I will often walk past and find people outside taking photos of this gorgeous house, however, it’s even more gorgeous inside! I would 100% recommend to book for Christmas and get into the Christmas spirit and snap some beautiful seasonal photos for the gram!
Can you believe it’s that time again? Where everyone is rushing around like headless chickens carrying 50 Primark bags, middle-aged women are crying out George Micheal’s Last Christmas and everyone is sodding off their diets?! URM…CORRECTION! Everyone is rushing round in masks carrying 50 Primark bags, middle-aged women screaming out George Micheal’s Last Christmas from across the road from one and other and everyone is sodding off their YEAR LONG LOCKDOWN diets, 2020 goes down in the history of being the most wanky year ever. I know it’s not just me who still thinks is 2020 a nightmare or not? It’s been a rollercoaster (the crappy wooden one’s that you find on the side of a dirt road in a foreign country) of a year, so I thought why not bring a little bit of joy and get everyone in the festive mood by creating a Christmas gift guide to Independent shopping in and around Birmingham. The Autumn gift guide was a big success so I decided to give the Christmas gift guide a go, you may be thinking…Bab, Its November?! You are correct, but TKMAXX had their Christmas decorations out in September and to be honest, 2020 keeps fucking up my plans so I have decided to start early!
The Midland’s has an impressive list of independents, from competitive fashion brands to quirky giftware stores, and I really want to show them off to you all! It’s of course, been a very tough year for independent’s and this year I have done my best to support as many as I can so here is to the last hurrah of 2020 supporting my Midlands independents! All these businesses deliver across the Midland’s, so you may not even need to leave your house to do Christmas shopping this year! From gifts for the kids to gifts for that someone special in your life…that’s the dog of course! My Independent Christmas guide is here to deliver and I am hoping it will make Christmas shopping a little bit easier for households across the Midlands.
This blog post will cover gifts for your loved ones to secret Santas for your work colleagues, all colour coordinated to help you out…It’s quite a big guide!
GIFTS FOR COUPLES GIFTS FOR YOUR GAL GIFTS FOR YOUR CHAPPY GIFTS FOR FOODIES -CHEEKY BEVVY GIFTS -HAMPERS -COFFEE GIFTS -FOOD & DRINK VOUCHERS GIFTS FOR THE LITTLE ONES GIFTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY GIFTS FOR THE PROUD BRUMMIES GIFTS FOR THE CRIB BLOOMING LOVELY GIFTS-PLANTS & FLORALS LETTERBOX GIFTS SECRET SANTAS £10 & UNDER CARDS & GIFT WRAP
GIFTS FOR COUPLES
-EXPERIENCES
THE EDGBASTON HOTEL
Cocktails for two and an overnight stay at the Boutique hotel from £250
Stratford-Upon-Avon’s first-ever Michelin star restaurant is offering cookery classes and gift vouchers offering 6-8 course taster sessions for you and your partner!
Make your own! Working Clasp offer gorgeous jewellery as well as DIY Jewellery kits such as the Christmas wreath earrings and necklace colouring set from £27.00
Hart + Co are offering gift vouchers for you to buy to give the ultimate FEMME experience! All you need to do is message Hart + Co on Instagram, Facebook or send them an email reservations@hartrestaurants.co.uk Vouchers can also be posted out or a digital copy can be sent instead! Merry Christmas Gurl!!!
Purity Brewing Co offer some fantastic gifts to keep the chap happy this Christmas from Picking your mixed case of beers to these exclusive Aston Villa Purity Pale Can case for £23.90.
THE STAFFORDSHIRE CRAFT HAMPER COMPANYFROM £37 TO £43
The Staffordshire Craft Hamper Co offers contemporary, seasonal, limited edition hampers filled with artisan foods and beverages from the Midlands. Many of the items are award winning and these small batch treats aren’t freely available to buy from mainstream shops. Support local producers, through this local hamper company!
Birmingham Museum offer a range of memberships for the whole family to enjoy this includes NINE Birmingham museum sites for you all to visit for 12 months-entry FREE. Family Memberships start at £95.00
Festive alcohol truffle box of 12 for £9.95 or for 50p over your budget you can get trio collection of Kneals chocolates offering a variety of flavours with gift message
Located in the iconic Cube building in the Mailbox you will find Hotel Indigo, offering sleek and stylish modern boutique rooms with stunning panoramic views of Birmingham. If there is one place to stay and see what Brum has to offer, it is definitely Hotel Indigo, get ready for a fabulous experience that won’t burn a hole in your wallet and will make you fall in love with Brum more!
Hotel Indigo boasts an impressive selection of rooms on the 24th floor of The Cube, from standard comfortable doubles to eye-dropping feature rooms with skyline views of Birmingham. I have been lucky enough to stay in both room’s in the past month, I have been living the suite life baby and here is how I found it! For my Birthday I decided to stay in one of Hotel Indigo’s Superior King Rooms with a balcony which was purchased via Booking.com for £122.
Arriving at Hotel Indigo, straight away you know you are in a prime location. Surrounded by bars, restaurants and retail, convenience at its best. If you’re arriving by train it’s only a 10-minute walk through the gorgeous Mailbox. For guests who are travelling by car, Hotel Indigo does not have a car park however when staying with the Hotel you do receive a 15% discount at The Mailbox car park which is a short 5-minute walk away. Checking in is very simple here, a few little scribbles and show off a card and you’re on your way to your room. The lady at the reception desk was very lovely, she noticed it was my birthday and wished me a Happy Birthday as well as giving me two complimentary drinks token’s in the Marco Pierre Restaurant on 25th Floor to celebrate, what a treat!
CO-VID measures have been put in place here, hand sanitising stations are provided around the hotel, face coverings are required, deep cleaning off rooms and social distancing measures are all put in place, and I have to say I felt very safe and comfortable at all times in the hotel. The hotel rooms are on the 24th floor, and there are lifts or if you really want a workout…the dreaded stairs, in which I wouldn’t recommend!
Please note that The Club Spa is not open due to CO-VID
SUPERIOR KING FEATURE ROOM WITH BALCONY
As I opened the door, my jaw dropped…Wow, now this is unique. The room oozes coolness throughout, it’s quirky, different and oh wait…EVEN PROVIDES BALLOONS AND COOKIES?!
That’s right people, I got birthday balloons, cookies and even a lovely birthday card from the staff, what a lovely gesture and had me beaming with joy when I read it.
The room was spotless, couldn’t fault it at all. The bathroom is big with a rainfall shower in which you could fit the rule of six in there and offers luxurious spa toiletries. The room also included a fancy coffee machine with coffee pods…my own coffee machine for the night? this could be dangerous…but so worth it! The room also provides tea facilities, robes and slippers, complimentary bottled water, massive plasma screen with a media hub (YouTube on tap Bab) and lots of wardrobe space. Plenty of towels and they also mentioned that if we needed any more there is a phone in the room to use and the staff can bring some more up. Plastic cups for drinks are supplied as well as take away cups if we fancied taking our coffee away with us or drink it outside on the balcony.
Let’s get to the best bit, the Balcony and wow, this is just sensational. Our private balcony showcases panoramic views of Birmingham (Get those EXTRA Instagram photos) chairs are provided so it was perfect at night in our robes, drinking our espressos watching Birmingham at night. Living the life of luxury for one night for just £122 for two people with a balcony offering beautiful skyline views of Birmingham is quite hard to find in Birmingham, However, Hotel Indigo provides this.
We headed out for Dinner and came back to the Marco Pierre Restaurant on level 25 to spend our drinks vouchers, it was quite quiet on Sunday, they offered outdoor seating that was of course, spaced out from other diners and heaters were provided. The view from the restaurant is also spectacular, and personally I think this is one of the best views of Birmingham. A variety of drinks are offer here from sassy cocktails to spicy spirits, a drink with a view at Marco Pierre’s is a must.
We did have an option of booking into the restaurant however we already had plans on the night to go elsewhere and already booked in for breakfast at another restaurant, The option is there for you when you check-in if you want to book breakfast which will cost £12.95 to add on to your stay.
Heading back to the room we decided to get in our robes and enjoy more of the view with our espressos then headed in for a film in our King size bed that was just glorious to sleep in. No noise disturbance, we both had a very fantastic and peaceful night’s sleep. I will metion that I do struggle a lot sleeping and getting comfortable due to back problems however I had no problems and I felt so comfortable, I wanted to live in it forever!
VERDICT
Living the luxury suite life on a budget at Hotel Indigo is something that will stay with me for a long time, for what you get for the money it is astounding, we all deserve treats especially with this crazy pandemic and so, I would recommend treating yourselves to a stay at Hotel Indigo especially in the feature/balcony rooms. Value for money is astounding, I have stayed in a couple of hotel’s in Birmingham for around about the £130 mark, and they do not come close to what Hotel Indigo offers to their guests. Smaller rooms, no luxuries and certainly no views that come close to this hotel so staying at Hotel Indigo you’re guaranteed amazing value for your money.
A massive thank you to the staff at the hotel for making my birthday so magical this year especially with the current circumstances, they still managed to deliver above and beyond. Hats off to you all for delivering exceptional service, sticking to Co-vid guidelines and ensuring the safety of their guests. A stay at Hotel Indigo is essential when visiting Birmingham, guaranteed to give all guests a stunning and memorable experience without burning a hole in their pocket!
Thank you to Hotel Indigo in Birmingham, I’ll be back again very soon!
If you would like to book a stay at Hotel Indigo please head to their website here
If you would like to see more of the room I stayed in then you can head to my Instagram where I made a IG Reel of my stay
Given the current climate and the massive impact the virus has had on small businesses not just in Birmingham, but across the whole world, I have been doing my best to shop independently in my city. Birmingham has an impressive list of independents, from competitive fashion brands to quirky giftware stores, so I have put this blog post together to show off some of my top picks for gifts this Autumn. The past few months have been extremely tough for our beloved indies, with some struggling to make ends meet. So as a local bab and supporter of Birmingham, I want to showcase a seasonal gift guide for encouraging independent shopping. From buying for your loved ones to treating yourself, you’ll find a good few Brummie gems in this guide.
FOR THE BABS
ISHER WOOD & CO
THE OCTOBER BOUQUET
For that Special Bab who deserves some beautiful blooms to remind her how much of a beautiful Bab she is! From Isherwood and Co, located in Stirchley and priced from £45+
Because you can’t have enough bags right? Especially these classy every day tote and backpack, that are spacious, 65% recycled cotton canvas and fit right in this Autumn season!
Let’s get organised ORGANISED! Fabolous little organiser from Folk like these that sell creative goods and serve up some pretty decent coffee and sarnies! Priced at £20
Joining forces with Birmingham Pride and Artist Hannah Dickins to create this AWESOME Proud Bab tee for just £24.99 and 20% of sales from the tee will be donated to Birmingham LGBT, Bloody FABOLOUS!
Spoil your Bubba with an awesome Flipped to Death tote AND a box of beers of your Bubbas choice, with a mad variety of craft beers to choose from, you’ll be in your partner’s good books for LIFE! Tote bag £10 Build a Box £30+
Every lad needs a fresh pair of white trainers to be messed up by Autumn leaves right?! Ideal in The Custard Factory sell some pretty cool skatewear from hoodies to decks! £59.95
Because coffee makes the world a better place and keeps the chappy very happy! 200 Degrees sell a range of high-quality coffee on their website including home brewing equipment and in-store barista classes. It’s not all about the coffee here, they also offer an impressive selection of teas, seasonal drinks, bakes and more! A gift voucher would be perfect and this can be purchased online, happy day’s!
A hamper full of premium meats, cheeses, snacks condiments and drinks?! personalised to your taste and the highest quality, That’s a deal done there Bab, priced from £29.95.
Classic ribbed beanies for you and your partner to match in, You know your both the coolest couple out there with these bad boy hats on your heads! Priced at £22
We can’t forget about the matching Yes Bab top too?! Punks and Chancers have brought out this little stripey number which is perfect for you and your partner to match in! £32.00
Have a night in and have a cheeky G&Tea online experience perfect for those tipsy couples! This G&Tea edition curated by Loki Wine’s in-house gin raconteur Carl Hawkins features 5 gin combinations and canned gin cocktail to complement this traditional English pastime. In addition to the booze, your pack will contain a selection of tasting cards, fact sheets, mini etiquette quiz, Fortnum & Mason Gin and Tonic tea bag, and Pinkster Gin jam for £40.00!
A romantic night in with cheese and wine…Oh, and your other half for just £50. Choose from white, red or fizz with fine cheese, salami and crackers for the ultimate night in treat!
INDIAN INSPIRED AFTERNOON TEA WITH CHAI INFUSED PROSECCO
Looking for something a little bit different to your traditional afternoon tea? Zindiya has got you covered with their Indian inspired afternoon tea with chai infused prosecco for £22.95!
The cutest clutch you ever will see, but not only can it be used as a clutch but as a toy house too for your Babbas to play and carry their most prized possessions…LEGO.
Because who doesn’t love pugs? Smithsonia located in the Piccadilly Arcade has got some great giftware from beautiful jewellery to quirky homeware gifts. These vases are my favourite and priced at £22.95
Ikon Gallery has a lovely gift section on their website and of course, I spotted this adorable vase that would make the cutest gift IN THE WORLD! It can be your’s for £14.95
Introducing a vibrant new independent to Birmingham located in the Great Western Arcade you’ll find The Pineapple Club, A new bar that is currently slaying the Birmingham bar scene. Neon lights, pink interior, art deco furniture and the Basic Bitch photo opportunities to be had here, The Pineapple Club is bringing the EXTRA that Birmingham so badly needs!
Opened in September, bookings are filling up quite fast so I managed to book in for early October on a Friday from 5.30 pm to 7 pm for drinks and food. Arriving at The Pineapple Club you enter into the shop where they sell a variety of wines and cheeky alcohol beverages, looking a little bare yes, but its quality over quantity here Bab and there is quite the impressive selection of booze on offer. Walking up the stairs you are hit with botanical and pink neon scenes that is sure to make you eye lit up!
Straight away, this place oozes sexiness and style, So stylish with the 1920s interior with art deco styled furniture throwing in a bit of futuristic neon creating those Instagram photo shoots opportunities. We all are a sucker for a little of neon and pink so straight away my eyes lit up to this and got me quite excited!
Sitting down at our table we took a look at the drinks menu which is very impressive, you got your basic bitch cocktails like Pornstar Martini but then you got your fancy and creative cocktails such as candy club punch and Kawaii Milk. If you don’t fancy a cocktail you can always opt for Wine and beer. They also provide non-alcohol cocktails and soft drinks for those who fancy a quiet one or don’t drink alcohol. In regards to the food menu, they do a good selection of Spanish tapas inspired small plates from meat dishes such as chorizo to vegetarian dishes such as Colombian Arepas with guacamole. We did worry a bit with the amount of food we were going to order as the table was quite small so we did ask if we could change tables however this was not allowed as all tables were booked up.
For the drinks, I ordered a Candy club Punch, Beefeater pink gin, fruit wine, cranberry and vintage candy cordial, so fruity, so sweet and so satisfying. Very easy to drink too however could be going down the dangerous route as I was drinking it like fruit juice! For food, we ordered Gambas al Ajillo (prawns), chorizo, chicken skewers, Colombian Arepas with guacamole and the cheese board for two. The lady who served us was very informative, one of my friends only eats Halal meat so she was very helpful in advising which dishes would be best to eat such as vegetarian dishes.
The food came within 15 minutes, and it was quite the squeeze fitting it on the table however we managed it. The chorizo dish was beautiful but it never came with sliced bread in what the menu said (however we did ask for this and it came straight away, no problem)The prawns were cooked to perfection, couldn’t fault them and full of flavor. Colombian Arepas was surprisingly delicious (it was the least dish I was looking forward to) and the portion was pretty generous!
Unfortunately, the cheeseboard was a little bit disappointing in regards to size and variety, I expected more cheese’s and more meats HOWEVER what was there was delicious, just could do with a bit more variety. The cheeseboard also came with pickles and breadsticks, there was nothing to dip the breadsticks in so to me, it was quite random, it would have been better to have a dip (aioli) or freshly baked bread to put the cheese and meats on top. Early days of course for Pineapple Club but maybe these things can be considered.
The meal came to £60 between three £20 each, which I was very happy to pay and really enjoyed the meal. If you’re looking to improve your Instagram game and chill out with a couple of cocktails and eat some good food hit this place up! It is really thriving and quite busy in there, but no wonder, they got it right, Brum needed something like this. We need more neon, botanical, fancy pink interior and basic bitch vibes because let’s face it, we all have a basic bitch in us and we bloody love it!
There is no doubt in my mind that The Pineapple Club will continue to succeed and become a much loved independent in Birmingham by Brummies and travellers to our City. Thank you to The Pineapple Club for having us and Welcome to Brum Babs!
