• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B5 4TD

leejp said
Poppy Red
The Arcadian is Birmingham's "other" nightlife centre, with Broad Street at the other end of town.
Honestly, I think the Arcadian is largely second class but Poppy Red’s is one of the better bars in the main circle.
Busy at weekends, but the music is a little alternative dance sometimes and I've seen the customers leaving because of it.
No dancefloor, bar a small area in front of the DJ.
Not sure what Poppy Red's is trying to be, as I think the atmosphere is sometimes a little odd (awkward?), and quite dark lighting inside.
I've seen a few people on the pills here, having a very expressive time, but for the rest of us, it's not a big family crowd here.
Mainly young people, some clothes snobs, but if you can ignore that you might like it here.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Nightlife

Birmingham B5 4AS
0121 6326273

leejp said
Oceana
The Birmingham branch of this franchise is popular as a whole night experience, but for me is overrated.
Europe's largest illuminated dancefloor plays 70s and 80s. Another large dancefloor has more modern hits and great light and smoke effects.
Elsehwere inside are small bars with themes (New York, Hong Kong, Wild West or similar (don't quote me I was a little drunk)) which I think fail to captivate and reminds one of a cheap theme park.
The drinks are controlled; that is the cocktails are mixed to be not too potent, so (a) you buy more and (b) you don't become too drunk and cause problems.
There is a smoking area upstairs too.
The bouncers are friendly but regimented in their approach, with head mounted cameras and high standards. Can't say the same about the clientele though.
Definately some wrong faces in here of a weekend, but can be a good laugh.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 2HJ
0121 632 5501

leejp said
Flares
Flares is always busy, often with a long queue. I've no idea why because inside it's certainly a little rough at times.
Lean on a surface and you'll have to peel yourself off - so much spilt sticky drinks everywhere.
It's pretty mad in here, and quite drunken. Sadly, they have the occasional fight, and the bouncers are pretty keen inside.
I remember a guy walking in and starting a fist fight, the employed dancer paused for a few seconds before carrying on - like he sees it every night.
Good 70s tunes and all rather silly but I've never seen a fist fight inside a bar, until I came to Flares.
One for your mum.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 2HF
0121 665 6508

leejp said
Revolution
Revolution, in Birmingham at least, has survived at the quiet end of Broad Street, while it's peers have closed.
I guess the other bars were losing too much money, with the emergence of Brindley Place, but Revolution remains busy, certainly on a Friday and Saturday.
There is a floor upstairs, but this is empty these days, below is a long bar and a dance floor.
Revolution has a certain identity which is not too bad - a vodka bar and RnB disco you might say.
People here are middle of the road, but there is regularly new clientele appearing, including students. The crowd is mainly 20s and 20s however.
A reasonable place, and free to enter.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 2DS
0121 631 8930

leejp said

Part of the Wetherspoons chain, this means cheap drinks.
Unfortunately, your type of crowd is dictated by your drinks prices, so the Soloman Cutler’s customers are young people with limited funds looking for a good time.
There’s a definite theme here, that is under 35, jeans and white tops and blonde hair.
The music is pretty awful repeats of classic dance tracks but the place is full at the weekends, so I think the owner has just accepted what it has become.
It didn’t used to be this kind of bar, it was more mature and friendly. Now it’s a little more crazy inside, funny how bars change over time.
It’s not terrible, perhaps good for a couple of drinks very early on.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 2HG
0121 633 4000

leejp said
Sports Cafe
The Sports Café has been a feature of Broad Street for several years. Honestly I would say it has descended in quality to become a Saturday disco with awful RnB and dance tunes.
Firstly, if you are over thirty then forget it. If you like good music, or classy clientele then also give it a miss.
It’s a little “white socks and tracksuits” but the drinks are cheap. The usual phenomena of sticky floor prevails and the bouncers prowl looking for trouble, clearly a regular event considering their diligence…
The young people here also have a mission to become very drunk, so you have to keep your wits about you.
It’s open very late, at least 4am but you might want to go the pizza and bed route instead.. you won’t miss anything.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 1RL

leejp said

This place is a young people’s bar at the edge of The MailBox, a trendy development in central Birmingham.
By the Canalside and up one level, it is a busy bar with an identity and atmosphere (lacking in many bars). That would be young, latest tracks, quality clothes – and casual.
There are some seats outside where you can people watch.
The cocktails and drinks are much cheaper on a Thursday – 2 for 1 cocktails in fact.
As the bar tried to be trendy, there is a competitive ambience in terms of fashion and looks, but overall it has a casual flavour.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Hotels and Travel

Birmingham B1 1TB

leejp said
Nite Nite
Nite Nite is a budget hotel in Birmingham centre.
Within walking distance of The MailBox, or Broad Street and Brindley Place.
I note there are no Nite Nites elswhere, so this is unique to Birmingham, occupying the base of a large residential tower.
It has a large green sign, and is located off the A38.
Inside the rooms are low cost but very small. Typically, a double bed and bathroom, and a large plasma TV screen occupies most of the wall.
In the corridor you will find vending machines for snacks and drinks.
It is similar to Travelodge, but the big Tv makes the difference!
In short, tidy modern and cheap.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham B1 2HG
0121 633 0917

leejp said

The Figure of Eight is a very cheap pub in the middle of Broad St. Part of the Wetherspoons chain, many people collect here early evening to save money.
It has the feel of a local pub inside – beer stained carpet, wooden furniture and slot machines.
The clientele it has to be said would be working class at best if I had to judge. This bar attracts people on a budget, but it’s not rowdy as everyone is gone by 1030pm or so.
It you want a quick burger and chips on the cheap, start here.
Honestly, I wouldn’t stay for more than 1 drink.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Birmingham

leejp said
The Slug
This bar and restaurant is located in Brindley Place, a trendy square by the canal.
It must have the cheapest drinks of the bars it faces, so perhaps a good place to start. Best to stand outside to see all the activity while enjoying your (cheap) drink.
Inside has always been a little deserted and neither here nor there in terms of atmosphere and crowd.
Always just a couple of groups and many tables of couples or women looking very impatient / unimpressed. It's not the best bar to take a lady to...
In short, a bar with no identity but their tables outside are good.