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.
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!
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!
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!
Come on through Roxy Ball Room, another brand new addition to Digbeth that is guaranteed to be a popular attraction for all in Birmingham. Located on Heath Mill Lane just right next door to Birdies bar and just round the corner from Digbeth Dining Club, Digbeth is thriving lately with more independents and attractions opening up every month, so why not throw another one into the mix hey?! I was invited to the launch night of Roxy Ball Room, a venue offering a variety of thrilling games for all to enjoy. From bowling, beer pong to arcade games, there’s plenty to explore in this adult version of Disneyland.
Arriving at 6.15 pm the venue was already getting packed out, the sound of bowling strikes, the clinking of glasses and the cheers from groups of people already enjoying themselves and its only 15 minutes into opening time?! The venue is pretty big offering a good selection of games that are spread out on two floors. The ground floor offers bowling, arcade games, bar and a few beer pong tables whereas upstairs offers more games such as ping pong, pool tables, shuffleboards and well, even more beer pong! Right next to the bar on the ground floor is the games desk where you would book your games.
The bar offers a variety of craft beers, wines and flashy cocktails, with all that on offer we pulled the basic bitch move, glass of prosecco, please! The first thing that caught my eye when you walk into Roxy is the Arcadian basketball machines. Pumped up to shoot some hoops, like an absolute klutz I spilt my prosecco over the machine-For god sake, you silly bugga Amy. Filling up with embarrassment as I had only been here no more than 15 minutes, one of the staff members came out of nowhere advising me not to worry, cleaned up the prosecco and then like a knight in shining armour brought me another prosecco with a smile within a minute, now that’s a bloody good service right there.
After shooting some hoops we made our way to the games desk and booked the bowling, straight away we were offered a lane. The game was set up already for us and also a staff member was there ready and waiting for any drinks or food orders. It’s £8 per person per game which is cheaper than my local. The bowling is just good solid fun, I haven’t played bowling in years and the thought of juggling heavy balls for the night doesn’t really excite me, but I absolutely loved it. My friend and I were howling with laughter, I managed to pull it out of the bag and get myself a strike, however, being all “Billy big balls” from my strike, soon landed me in the gutter and losing the game. Now, If you don’t fancy bowling there is plenty of fun-filled games to get that competitive streak out of you! Why not fancy a bit of beer pong? Balls, Brummies and booze? Now that’s a cocktail I’ll have any time of the day.
Talking of cocktails, there is a variety on offer behind the bar from signature cocktails, craft beers and for groups, they provide drink packages for reasonable prices. For those who fancy a quiet night (lolz) or still participating in “Dry January” there is a good selection of mocktails and soft drinks on offer. The service is pretty sharp here, I didn’t wait long at all to order a drink (2 minutes) and being a 5 ft 1 girl, the struggle is real when ordering a drink at the bar. Again the customer service was fantastic, very friendly and accommodating.
Now on to the food, from baked to perfection pizzas to naughty dripping burgers on offer to satisfy your taste buds or to help soak some of that alcohol up Pal. The pizzas are delicious but dangerous, as Laura and I found ourselves drooling over the bar a couple of times watching the chefs bake even more pizza and signalling them to feed us more. The portions differ, if you’re not feeling that hungry you can always opt for snacks such as cracked pepper chips and Mac N Cheese bites. Roxy also offers vegan and gluten-free options, these are highlighted on the menu. The prices are spot on for the portion and quality of food you get.
Another fantastic attraction that fits in perfectly in Digbeth with its industrial “Ready Player One” interior, Electric vibes flowing throughout and Birmingham artwork honouring the city with Birmingham icons such as Ozzy Osbourne and Mike Skinner. This playground for adults is guaranteed to give all a bloody tip-top time. The prices are reasonable, the staff are fun and attentive to gamers and the atmosphere is buzzing. The only negative I would say about Roxy Ball Room is that all good things must come to an end and I didn’t want the night to end, you could balls it all up and still have a bloody awesome time in there. Round up your crew and head on down to Roxy Ball Room in Digbeth, it’s time to put on that game face and get your ballz wet Babs!
Thank you for the invite and welcome to the Digbeth family, Roxy Ball Room. To many people Roxy will be right up their alley. This place is guaranteed to become a Brummie gem in months to come.
Ever wondered what the future might look like? Look no more! Step into a futuristic urban world with rooms full of exploding colour and quirky artwork covering the walls of this fantastic venue. A variety of exciting and fun fulfilling games await you with refreshing cocktails and mouth watering delicious food. I had the pleasure of attending the launch night of The Floodgate in Digbeth and this is what went down in Digbeth’s newest attraction.
Floodgate Street Digbeth
Just turned 6.30 pm me and my cousin arrived at The Floodgate named after the street its on-Floodgate Street. We were greeted by a gentleman who gave us wrist bands for the various sporting activities that await us inside. The entrance is where you would check-in and pay for the games plus signing a disclosure for the batting cages in which you must read before you enter the cages. Entering the front doors, you see the Bleachers batting cages and the very large bar area full of seats and a wide variety of drinks. The music is upbeat, people were already smiling and we were offered a drink straight away..this is my kind of shindig.
We first had a look around with our vibrant and refreshing cocktails- very good choice on offer from gins to rum-based cocktails and plenty of beer. In the main room, you have the batting cages, the bar and doors that lead to an outside area where the independent food trucks are selling a variety of tasty and oh so satisfying food. The four food vendors are Home run pizza company, The Cookie Mumsters, That’s mature toasties and Phata Phat food. Good selection of variety there but we had to a bit of exploring first.
We finished our first cocktails and headed to play Pit Pat table golf, the UK’s first and only PitPat. A neon jungle room that is very generous in size and offers a variety of PitPat tables for you all to challenge each other and enjoy. It’s a race around the room, completing the variety of challenging Pit Pat courses that are harder than they look however I quite surprised myself, I was quite good at it.
The next room we went into was the curling lanes, this was one of my favourites and really brings the competitive side out of you… this game may cause a few argy-bargys! 3 curling lanes and more neon lights, the room also offers more seating areas where if you feel like giving up, you can go sit down and have a sulk on the sideline. What I absolutely love about this room, is the ceiling full of Slinkys, that’s right SLINKYS, it’s raining Slinkys! So creative and so Birmingham.
The final activity is the Bleachers Baseball batting cages where we first entered. This was the one game I wasn’t too sure about, but I absolutely loved. Only one person in the cage, you must wear a helmet, and you must stand by your mark. The balls shoot out pretty fast so it may take you by surprise at first, it never gets easier you just get better! This is great fun for groups and it’s so satisfying when you finally get that perfect hit.
On to the FOOD, my goodness and what a treat you guys are in for. We were absolutely spoilt, from pizza to cookie dough balls and butter chicken, it really did fulfil my taste buds and even satisfied my picky cousins food habits(she’s a hard one to please with food) As we sat down, the food just kept coming out and it was great to talk to some of the food vendors who were so excited as well as the Floodgate staff for the long-awaited opening. A shout out to Home run pizza company which was honestly the tastiest pizza I have ever had (3 little pigs Pizza) The food is fantastic and we both left with full satisfied bellies.
Another great attraction in Digbeth to draw friends, families, parties and even first dates. The vibe in here is electric, throwing back beers to upbeat music and hearing the roars of laughter throughout the venue. Another Brummie gem, Well done Floodgate I am sure you are going to do fantastically well! Thank you for the invite, it was an absolute pleasure and we had a belter of a time!
So many exciting attractions, it is never-ending! You really are spoiling us aren’t you Brum?
Hidden away on Gas Street, you will find this little gem of a place on the canals. A Gin bar offering masterclasses, cocktail making and TAPAS. Gin lovers are faced with a novel of gins to choose from and a varied food menu with great offers on all week. This has been on my list for quite some time to try out and finally, the time is here!
Entering the vault, it is a reasonable sized venue all lit up with fairy lights. Very pretty venue and very warming, the staff are there to greet you and make you feel welcomed, straight away I felt very comfortable in there. For some reason, it was giving me old London/Pirates vibes, something different and it’s something that draws you in and makes you sit your butt down! Now, where do I begin with the 40 pages worth of gin?! I mean, this is a gin bar, what do you expect? It’s not a gin bar if there not offering a bloody book full of the stuff, its safe to say that you will never be stuck for choice here. I asked for advice from the lady at the bar, who was very happy to help, I opted for a raspberry fruity gin cocktail that was refreshing and not too heavy.
We went for 6 tapas for £17.95 and we was spoilt for choice because there wasn’t one plate on that menu that we didn’t like. Good selection of meats, fish and vegetarian and some great gluten-free options. Its order at the bar service when we went to order our food however there were a few plates they didn’t have due to non-deliveries however they offered suggestions such as I wanted the mac and cheese with chorizo but they said they could do mac and cheese croquettes in which I was happy with that.
Looking around its defiantly a place I would recommend for dates, and somewhere I would go for pre-drinks, the little booths are so inviting but the benches could do with being a little bit bigger as we had to move as my bum kept sliding off or maybe I should just lay off the avocados? The lighting is quite dark and the candles create that homely cosy feel which creates a relaxing atmosphere.
The tapas portions are small but they are very filling. The tapas were very tasty and full of flavour, not the best tapas I have ever had as Spanish food is my favourite but it’s still very good! My favourite dish was the salmon bruschetta. I was impressed with the variety that’s on offer and the pricing, it’s very reasonable for what you are getting and I finished with a full belly and didn’t go snooping in the fridge when I got home.
Overall, another gem in Birmingham offering guests a unique experience and a great atmosphere for all kinds of occasions with an impressive selection of Gins. If you are a gin lover and looking to expand your palette, this is the place to do it. I would like to point out that there are other drink options such as beer, spirits and soft drinks. The staff are very friendly and very caring. I will defiantly go back here again to try out more of the fantastic food and try out the 400 gins that are on offer, this may take me some time!
