Guide to Birmingham

Out for a night out in Birmingham, want to avoid the worse places and checkout where's cool, on a date and want to impress your partner well have a quick read of this guide to nights out and days out in Birmingham!

So firstly lets talk about Bars in Birmingham. The ultra cool Summer Row caters for a variety of people, firstly the Shakespeare, effectively a real ale pub and more suited to the older types, however don't skip this place by to quickly there is a very cool beer garden around the back. However really you should head straight to Apres, like a Log cabin in the Alps on Steroids this place is seriously cool, well priced, and has a boogy area upstairs to hit. All danced out at Apres then head to Mechu, its older brother where things get a little more serious. One of the best places to get a cocktail and the music gets very funky. Mechu has recently undergone a £1million pound refit and it shows, with smart VIP areas and a champagne bar Mechu calls out to Birmingham's ultra trendy crowd.

On the other side of town and the more club 18-30 esq Broad Street is the equally cool Pravda bar, just below the Hyatt hotel. A bit pricey and a little more mature, other places of note include the Living Room, great hangout for C List Celebrities and Bank, which is modern food and bar. Both places have cool pre clubbing bars and everything you'd expect to see at a comprehensive cocktail bar.

Finally randomly scattered around town, Bar 110 on Colemore Row takes you back to the Victorian Times, with Marble and Elegance oousing out of every corner, and Mojitos to die for, as well as a cool champagne belini. The Arcadian centre has the mellow, and at times pumping PoppyReds, and if you fancy getting dark and dingy head to Red bar opposite St Phillips Church. Where easy to miss the small door leads down to a pumping basement bar, with DJs pumping out loud proud base pumping dance music.

For places to eat - the Hotel Du Vin is fantastic, and not as expensive as you would expect. Shogun Tepanyaki in the Mailbox is a fun dining experience, as you crowd around a table and watch chefs create fire in front of you, whilst the waiters warm Saki for you. OPUS and Bank are the more expensive venues but it shows as the food is modern dining and then some. Oone of my favourited Thai Orchid gives great value for money at Bennets Hill, vegetables cut in to flowers and attentive waiting staff make you feel like you are transported to the far east.

Then places to hang in the evening, the Glee Club at the Arcadian always has comedy acts or some Live music to tempt you. Make sure you check out their website and book ahead to ensure getting in. In the Jewellery quarter head to the Jam house on St Pauls Square for some music of the Soul, and if you lucky an appearance from the owner Jules Holland. The Hippodrome in the Chinese quarter always had a summountable compendium of shows, and the Rep and Crescent theatre are also of note. Also take a ride in the Wheel at the Top of Broad Street, or the outdoor Ice Rink in the Winter. And of course Birmingham has the fantastic german market, with mulled wine, and schnitzels to warm your cockels in the winter nights a real atmosphere of commerardery takes over the city.

Fancy something a little more low key. There is a cinema on Broadstreet which is owned by Cineworld, or the UGC Cinema at broadway plaza, where there is also bowling, pool and Urban Golf, and the newly built Casino at the childrens hospital.

Finally winding down and fancy a late night drink, head to the Hotel du Vin bar, where they also have a smoking room or the Malmaison.

The next day and the hangovers shaken Birmingham has some great things to do during the day. With more canals than Venice a walk down these is always refreshing. Shopping at the Bulring / Selfridges, or heading over to the slightly more chilled Mailbox and ultra cool Harvey Nichols will make the Missus happy. There are also some great places to eat lunch over this side of town. Brindley Place also has a number or options for lunch including the well hidden Gourmet Burger, All Bar One for a beer and picking food and finally go over to the Chinese quarter for some authentic bakery food.

Days out can incude the Snowdome in Tamworth, Cadburys World in Bournville. The West Midlands Safari Park, Drayton Manor Park, and a whole host of walks in Sutton Coldfield Park. Check out the Councils website for further ideas.

So thats it a very quick insiders guide to Birmingham the second city. Obviously there is a hell of a lot more to do that this but this is a little flavour for you. So get out there and experience this great city.