A city full of sound, colour and life. From the buzzing student clubs of Broad Street to the thriving bars and swanky venues of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham offers some of the most vibrant nightlife in the country. Combine this with countless student societies, sports clubs and annual freshers events, and it’s easy to understand why Birmingham is such a popular choice amongst students looking to study at degree level in the UK.
What’s more, it’s also something of a cultural melting pot, made up of multiple communities, each promoting their own styles of music, cuisines and more. It’s the birthplace of internationally acclaimed bands the likes of Black Sabbath, and charismatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne, Duran Duran, UB40 and The Streets, and has a rich heritage in sound system culture, introducing some of the earliest UK collectives at blues parties back in the ‘50s. It’s home to award-winning street food events such as Digbeth Dining Club, and some of the best clubs found anywhere across the British Isles.
Recently confirmed your place at a university in Birmingham? Trust us, there’s plenty of reasons to get excited.
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Introduction to Freshers week
Whether you're moving to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Birmingham, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the sprawling metropolis and find the best spots for entertainment with ease. Seriously, you'll be a local before you know it.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive guide to Birmingham and the excellent student nightlife the city offers, consisting of student-friendly bars and places to eat, as well as places to catch live music, an FAQ section to answer some of those niggling questions you might have about your new home, and more on Freshers Week.
Best Areas For Student Nightlife
Edgbaston/Selly Oak
Edgbaston and Selly Oak are two of the best student areas in Birmingham and are just minutes away from the city centre. You’ll never be too far from the excitement given the number of students living in the area, and the amenities within the vicinity are plentiful - including a number of bars, restaurants and pubs, all operating a very student-oriented service.
Birmingham City Centre
Birmingham's buzzing city centre probably tops the list of best student areas for nightlife. Encompassing a wide variety of dive bars, classy cocktail establishments, themed restaurants, world-class clubs and music venues, all within close proximity, it’s an excellent choice for a nighttime escapade, whether it’s juvenile fun or sophistication you seek.
Kings Heath/Moseley
Kings Heath and Moseley each boast a distinct personality. One of the Midlands’ most established student areas, Kings Heath has its fair share of trendy bars, pubs and restaurants and live music venues - including the illustrious Hare and Hounds. Meanwhile, Moseley is famous for its award-winning independent shops and cafes and laid back student lifestyle. Definitely two of the hippest and trendiest spots for students in Birmingham.
Bearwood
The Bearwood neighbourhood is a true gem and a tribute to Birmingham’s diverse community. It offers an eclectic selection of restaurants, pubs, shops and other entertainment venues that offer an unexpected experience in the area. Furthermore, the district has many open spaces including two beautiful parks - Warley Woods and Lightwoods Park - the latter of which is the site of music festivals throughout the summer months.
Students Bars and Live Music Venues
The bars, pubs and live music venues of Birmingham are famous with students, known for their cheap prices and unbeatable atmospheres. Each with its own unique character and vibe, there’s a countless number of quality alehouses and independent music spots to choose from that accommodate a range of student budgets. So why not head out on a student night out in Birmingham, meet some new faces and take advantage of the cheap and cheerful tipples at one of the five venues listed below...
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Bringing together five unique cocktail bars, an expansive sun terrace, a devoted dining space, a laid back lounge area and a giant dance floor, Revolution Deansgate Docks boasts all that is essential for a good night out. One of four Revolution bars in the city, the Deansgate bar offers a list of special drinks offers including 2-4-1’s as well as happy hour deals and is one of the best places to grab a relatively inexpensive cocktail in Manchester.
Everyone knows what they're getting with an O2 venue, and Birmingham's Academy is no exception. Hosting a 3,000-capacity main room that brings you some of the biggest and best acts on the circuit, any gig-goer will be spending many a night of their student days in here. Plus, with a secondary smaller room for more intimate gigs and club nights, you’ll be able to get even closer to your favourites.
Fizz, bubbles and a night you will never forget are all waiting for you at one of the city's most welcoming cocktail bars - Dirty Martini. From its student-friendly prices to its contemporary interior, it's a great place to spend any evening. Alongside half-price Martinis and discounted bottles of wine, prosecco, beer and cider, there's also live a diverse mix of entertainment on offer every Friday night.
Not your typical student bar, The Ruin is one of Birmingham’s finest street boozers situated in the heart of Digbeth. Named after the style of drinking den found in Budapest, it serves up a variety of New World European beers and cocktails alongside a healthy dose of Hungarian street food. The award-winning bar is the perfect place to enjoy a drink with friends. Tuck yourself away in the backroom or head outdoors to The Ruin’s terrace, perfect for alfresco dining.
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The Sunflower Lounge is a central base for some of the coolest up-and-coming bands hitting the city. Found on New Street in Birmingham - just a stone’s throw away from New Street Train Station - this basement bar features everything from live music sessions to stand-up comedy and film screenings - all in a relaxed bar atmosphere. A must-visit venue for those who love guitar music.
For more go to www.skiddle.com/gigs/birmingham/
Student Clubs
The Birmingham club scene is arguably one of the best in Britain, and if you are a fan of house, techno and/or bass music, you've come to the right place. Frequently hosting big names such as Andy C, Hannah Wants and Mella Dee - the city's clubs are great for experiencing live sets from the big hitters of the dance scene, as well as discovering new talents and meeting other music lovers.
Below, you’ll find just a small selection of the most popular places amongst students to attend an inner-city rave.
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A once abandoned warehouse is now reclaimed as one of the most iconic venues in Birmingham. Set in the bustling heart of Digbeth, the newly invigorated space hosts a series of renowned in-house and externally promoted club nights and specially curated events for the thriving arts and culture scene. With a freshly refurbished outdoor terrace housed under the grand Victorian Viaducts of Digbeth and the stripped back walls of the internal club adorned with the latest lighting and sound installations, it’s safe to say Lab 11 sits alongside the famous backstreets of Berlin and the terraces of Barcelona.
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The Mill, Digbeth is renowned for regularly presenting a staggering lineup of top talent from across the country and beyond. Built into a historic building on the edge of the city’s creative quarter, it’s earned itself a gold-certified reputation amongst both students and ravers in the city as one of Birmingham's coolest clubs. The multi-level space, consisting of a warehouse room and outdoor rooftop, is perfect for dancing under the stars or soaking up the sun as you enjoy tunes from some of the biggest selectors in dance music.
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PRYZM is a colossal nightclub featuring four separate rooms each dedicated to hosting some of the world’s best DJs and exciting new talents. Many greats have taken to the ones and twos at the venue since its reopening back in 2016 - such as Tom Zanetti, Sigma, Jaguar Skills and more - pushing the venue's impressive sound system to its very limits from dusk until dawn. When you’re not listening to music in one of the designated rave spaces, you can relax in one of PYRZM’s VIP booths, overlooking the skyline of Birmingham’s city centre.
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The Nightingale Club is one of the UK's premier gay haunts, with over 40 years of experience as a leading entertainment venue in Birmingham. Offering an extensive and varied entertainment programme, with a reputation for fantastic entertainment on stage, the club regularly attracts some of the hottest names in pop and dance music, along with an awesome lineup of top DJ talent and much-loved drag artists. A multi-award-winning club, gaining accolades for Best Overall Gay Venue in the Midlands for several years, the Nightingale is without question one of the best for a student night out in Birmingham.
The Tunnel Club is a legendary underground nightspot in Birmingham. Notoriously known for throwing some of the wildest parties in the city, it’s been well frequented over the past two decades by the city’s many devout club dwellers, ravers and dance-loving students. Built underneath a railway arch in the lower part of Birmingham, the venue houses an expansive, one-of-a-kind dance floor, two bars, a VIP lounge and one of Birmingham’s best in-house sound systems. A highly rated and recommended favourite amongst those studying in the capital of the Midlands.
For more go to www.skiddle.com/clubs/Birmingham
Fresher’s FAQ’s
When does Freshers Week Take Place in Birmingham?
Freshers Week 2021 in Birmingham is set to run from Sunday 19th September to Saturday 25th September
Do I need to provide ID at events?
Yes, as a requirement of law all bars, pubs, clubs and venues will require some form of a valid ID that proves you are at least 18 years of age. Accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license or passport.
Will I need a facemask?
Yes. Although the law has now changed, within some premises, you may still need to wear a mask, with each individual hospitality venue able to apply its own rules. You may be asked to wear one when moving around a restaurant or bar for example but not when seated. You’ll also need to wear a mask if travelling on public transport.
More about Birmingham
Irrespective of whether you're a first time visitor to the city, a frequently returning guest or a lifelong inhabitant, our guides are essential reading for anyone looking to make the most of their time in Birmingham.
nightlife
A city full of sound, colour and life. From the buzzing student clubs of Broad Street to the thriving bars and swanky venues of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham offers some of the most vibrant nightlife in the country. Combine this with countless student societies, sports clubs and annual freshers …
