■ Birmingham's "The Floozy in the Jacuzzi" - officially, "The River" fountain, in front of the Council Offices.
Photo: UK Gay News

■ The changing face of Birmingham:  The Bullring, Europe's most exhilarating "retail shopping experience" - and it is in the city centre!

■ Inside the Bullring, Birmingham (above) and "The Bull" (below)

Photos courtesy Birmingham Bullring

Birmingham
Telephone area code 0121  (from outside UK , dial +44121)
(Currency mentioned on this page is English Pounds (£) , with approx Euros.). 

XE.com Personal Currency Assistant for current conversions

Last updated:  August 14, 2008

England's "Second City", often referred to as "Brum", is slap bang in the middle of England as has good communications from just about everywhere.  There is a thriving gay community, though admittedly not as well-known as those of London, Brighton or Manchester. The city is full of surprises for the visitor!

Over the past few years, the somewhat drab industrial city really has rediscovered itself and is now a vibrant place to visit - or to live.  The canals have been revitalised and the areas around them in the city centre have been redeveloped to create a "waterside" atmosphere where business and leisure meet.  Victoria Square is the location of one of the largest fountains in Europe.  Officially known as "The River", the fountain has become known as "The Floozy in the Jacuzzi".

The name of the city is made up of Birm (the ancient tribal leader), ing ("of the people") and ham (home).

Getting There

Air - Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is served by more than 40 airlines flying to most European countries and beyond.  Direct intercontinental flights to and from Newark, New Jersey, by FlyBE and Continental; Toronto by Air India; Delhi and Mumbai (Air India); and Dubai (Emirates).  Frequents rail service from airport's train station to Birmingham New Street - about every 15 minutes, journey time 11 or 16 minutes (£3.80 one way)   Airport website

Rail - Birmingham city centre has three rail stations - New Street (the main station), Snow Hill and Moor Street.  Direct services to New Street from most parts of the country, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, London, Brighton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Plymouth and East Anglia.  Train times, fares and online booking, click here.

Tourist Office:  The Rotunda, 150 New Street, B2 4PA.  (  0870 225 0127   website

Shopping:  The new Bull Ring.  It’s Birmingham’s newest shopping destination, and the most exhilarating city centre retail experience you’ll find anywhere in Europe.  Built at a cost of over £500 million, Bullring has brought over 26 football pitches worth of shops, boutiques and restaurants into the centre of town. It has reintroduced some of Birmingham’s traditional streets and is a stimulating, glass covered environment where you can shop, eat or just be.  Bullring isn’t just a shopping centre. It’s a new beginning for the city. It has introduced 3,200 more car parking spaces, improved public transport links and a refurbished Moor Street Station. And with a stunning mix of contemporary architecture and historic buildings, Bullring has completely changed the face of Birmingham.  website

Culture:  Birmingham offers a wide range of concert halls, theatres and galleries. Symphony Hall (home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) is widely regarded as the finest concert hall in Europe whilst the NIA and NEC Arena attract leading performers from the world of rock and pop. The Hippodrome is not only home to the world famous Birmingham Royal Ballet and is the regional base for the Welsh National Opera, but also features to touring shows. The world’s finest collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art can be found in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery whilst the Barber Institute of Fine Arts was voted Art Gallery of the Year 2004 in the Good Britain Guide.

Gay Village:  This is centred on Hurst Street and is very close to the Bullring and New Street train station.  Most - but not all - of the gay bars and nightclubs are located in the area.  The Hippodrome Theatre is in Hurst Street.

Famous natives of Birmingham:

John Cadbury (founder of a tea and coffee shop, that also sold chocolate, in Bull Street - now the world-famous Cadbury's); Sir Michael Balcon (one of the pioneers of the British film industry); Jasper Carrott (comedian); Sid Field (the British comedian once described by Bob Hope as "probably the best comedian of them all"); Tony Hancock (comedian - "Hancock's Half Hour" on radio and TV): Ozzy Osbourne (co-founder and lead singer of Black Sabbath);   J.R. Tolkein (author of "Lord of the Rings" - born  in South Africa, but was raised in Birmingham from age of three);

Have you anything to say about Birmingham?  Perhaps you have knowledge of one of the listing below and would like to give your view, or suggest a new listing.  Send us an email and we will include your thoughts

NOTE:  Since the Sexual Orientation Regulations applying to the provision of goods and services came into effect in the UK from April 30, 2007, all venues with the symbol are not permitted by law to discriminate against "straight" people.  The symbol is used to denote that the venue is primarily for LGBT people and is therefore "straight friendly".

Gay Information
(Birmingham Pride: May - Spring Bank Holiday Weekend)

ALSO
 

Hotels

   Four Kings Hotel, 152 Hurst Street, B5 6RY. (   622 4742.  website
Small but friendly hotel in the Gay Village.  Situated above the Village Inn, it has five 'en-suite' double bedrooms with complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water on a 24-hour basis - as well as Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.  Room rates:  £40 (€60) Monday to Thursday; £50 (€90) Friday to Sunday.  Further information and reservations:  0121 622 4742 (+44 121 622 4742 from outside UK).

   The Fountain,  102 Wrentham Street, B5 6QL.  (  622 1452.  website
A gay bar/pub with accommodation.  En-suite single, double or twin rooms.  From £40 (€60) a night weekdays - £60 (€90) at weekends.  Includes breakfast.  Wi-Fi available.

ETAP Hotel, 1 Great Colmore Street, B15 2AP  (  622 7575.  website 
Modern gay-friendly  "budget" hotel.  But .... no TV remote controls in rooms, no tea/coffee making facilities, once free Wi-Fi  internet connection now £7 for two hours (available in reception area only). Only a few minutes walk from the Gay Village. Rooms, with shower (no bath) and toilet, sleep up to three people (the third in a bunk bed).  £38 (€56) per room, per night.  Part of the French Accor Hotel group.  
Alan from Norwich writes:  Fantastic value for money.  The rooms are clean have a good sized shower.  Took your point about no coffee making facilities so brought a travel kettle and a jar of coffer - the only trouble was I forgot to bring a mug!  But the staff came up trumps and lent me on from their breakfast room (July 2007).

Ibis Hotel, Ladywell Walk, B5 4ST   (  622 6010.  website
Mid-price gay-friendly hotel situated off Hurst Street (Gay Village).  Rooms, with en suite, from about £57 (€85) a night -from £72 (€107) when major events are on.  (There is a "£10 off" offer during January at this hotel)

Ibis Hotel, 55 Irving Street, B1 1DH  (  622 4925.  website
Mid-price gay-friendly hotel situated very close to the gay village.  Free car parking.  Rooms from £45 (€67) a night - from £64 (€95) when major events are on). (There is a "£10 off" offer during January at this hotel)

Malmaison,  1 Warfside Street, B1 1RD  ( 246 5000.  website
Luxury upmarket hotel, situated in the 'oh, so chic' Mailbox shopping centre, for those whose credit card is "unshockable"!  Rooms from £140 (€208) in winter to £320 (€477) for an open-plan suite.

Nite Nite, 18 Holliday Street, B1 1TB.  ( 0845 890 9099.  website
A "budget boutique" and gay-friendly hotel in the Canal District, close to Gay Village (10 minute walk).  Each room has a 42" plasma screen television, Wi-Fi internet connection and luxury bathroom with power shower.  Prices from £49.95 (€75) a room. 

Clubs/Bars/Pubs

The smoking ban came into effect in England on July 1, 2007, and all clubs and bars become 'smoke free'.  Many of those listed below will provide special outside facilities for nicotine addicts

  Angels Café/Bar, 127/131 Hurst St, B5 6SE.  (  622 6070  website
A stylish café/bar in the centre of the Gay Village.  Open Monday to Friday 4pm to 1am; Saturday 1pm to 2am; Sunday 3pm to 1am. 

  Club DV8, 16 Lower Essex Street, B5 6RD. (  666 6366  website
Club DV8 is fast becoming one of the most popular Gay Venues in the City, giving all the main ingredients for a great 'fun' night out, and playing host to some of the busiest club nights in town.  In the heart of the Gay Village.

  The Eden Bar, 116 Sherlock Street, B5 6NB.  (622 1953  website
Formally the White Swan pub, there has been a total "makeover" so you can "give in to your temptation".  Entertainment in "the Garden of Eden". 

   The Fountain,  102 Wrentham Street, B5 6QL.  (  622 1452.  website
A busy gay bar in the Village catering for the skins, bears, daddies, scallies crowd.  Open from 5pm Monday to Friday - from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Licenced until 4am 365 days a year, but doors close around midnight.  Also has accommodation (see above)

  Glamorous Show Bar, Albany House, 27-35 Hurst Street, B5 4BD.  (  622 4770  website
Live entertainment nightly - free admission.  Few yards from the Hippodrome Theatre.   Open Monday and Tuesday 4pm to 3am; Wednesday to Friday 4pm to 4am; Saturday 3pm to 4am; Sunday 3pm to 3am.

  Loft Lounge, 143 Bromsgrove Street, B5 6RG.  (  622 2444/622 4218  website
A fine restaurant/bar in the heart of the Gay Village.  Winner of "Birmingham's Best Food" 2007.  Open daily from 11 am until 11pm (restaurant) or 2am (bar).  Stylish surroundings inspired by New York "loft living".  Highly recommended - arguably the best bar and restaurant targeted at the gay community in the Midlands, and one of the best in all of UK.

  The Nightingale, Kent Street, B5 6RD.   (   622 1718   website
One of the UK's best gay clubs.  Known simply as "the Gale", the club is owned by its 600 or so members and profits are ploughed back into the business, which includes a "style bar".  The bar is open daily from 5pm.  Around 10pm the building becomes a club, but those already at the bar do not have to pay an admission fee (except when there is a special event).  Three floors of entertainment, a restaurant, and a "quiet" bar for a drink and a chat and a little piano music.

  Route2, 139/147 Hurst Street, B5 6SD.  (   622 3366
A funky gay bar/club, open seven days a week, in the village.  Previously known as Route 66 and then Route 69.

  Subway City, 27 Water Street, B3 1HL.  (   233 0310  website
The club that keeps "banging Birmingham out till dawn - and beyond"!  Near Snow Hill Station and a taxi ride from the Gay Village.  Has a capacity for 1,000 in seven rooms.  Open until well after dawn on Sunday morning!

  The Village,  152 Hurst Street, B5 6RY. (   622 4742.  website
Essentially a pub.  Recently renovated, the Village is one of Birmingham's oldest gay hostelries.  For that quiet drink and a chat, try the "sofa lounge".  Entertainment every night, with cabaret every Friday and Sunday.  Real ale is available.  Patio garden at rear for smokers.  Under new management from April 2008 and with "new look" from May 22, 2008.

Bookshops/Video

  Clone Zone, 84 Hurst Street, B5 4TD.  (   0121 666 6640  website
In the heart of the gay village.  Licensed to sell R18 DVDs

  Prowler Expectations, 29-30 Stephenson Street, B2 4BH  ( 0121 665 6379  website
Gay and lesbian lifestyle store by New Street Station (Navigation Street entrance) and five minutes walk from the Gay Village. The largest 'gay' shop in Birmingham with huge selection of books, gifts and clothes, plus an extensive range of leather and rubber items.  Licensed to sell R18 DVDs

Saunas/Bathhouses

  Unit 2, 78 Far East Building, Lower Essex Street, B5 6SN.  (   622 7070  website
In the heart of the Gay Village - and one minute from the Nightingale.  All the usual facilities.  Open daily as follows:  Monday from 3pm to 11pm; Tuesday to Thursday 12 noon to 11pm; Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 3am; Sunday 12 noon to 10pm.  Admission is £10 (concessions available for students and those receiving benefits).
Alan from Norwich writes:  I have now paid three visits to Unit 2 and on all occasions I have found it to be very clean.  The staff and customers are friendly.  One of the better saunas in England and certainly the best in the Midlands.