Birmingham Entertainment

  1. Barfly

    Recently opened, this place is a grooming stable for up-and-coming indie bands, spawned by the success of a London-based night. It is warming up now - the bands are getting bigger, and the crowds are getting thicker. The entrance is on Milk St.

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  2. Birmingham Academy

    The best rock and pop venue in town, regularly attracting big name acts - The Strokes and Primal Scream are two recent guests. Its indie club nights are also a big draw.

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  3. Birmingham Repertory Theatre

    In two venues, the Main House and the more experimental Door, 'the Rep' presents top-notch drama, Noel Coward comedies and plays fresh from London's best theatres.

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  4. Electric Cinema

    Projectors have been rolling here for nigh 100 years, making it the oldest working cinema in the UK. It has an interesting art-house line-up.

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  5. IMAX

    Birmingham's first Imax cinema, with a five-storey screen, is housed in the same building as the Thinktank.

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  6. Jam House

    Legendary pianist Jools Holland directs the tunes here, a effortlessly classy live-music bar that features live swing, jazz, R&B and rock'n'roll, mixed in with the occasional reggae and ska. This is a real treat. Drinks are pricey, but the vibe is worth it. And if you're feeling like a splurge, the global cuisine of the top-floor restaurant hits all the right notes too.

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  7. Medicine Bar

    The crew working this joint are too cool for school. But they know only too well they are mixing it in the hippest, most happening nightspot in town with a truly eclectic range of nights, from Asian dub to hip-hop to electro pop. A blast.

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  8. National Exhibition Centre Arena

    The giant National Exhibition Centre Arena , near Birmingham International Airport, hosts major rock and pop acts.

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  9. National Indoor Arena

    The National Indoor Arena behind Brindleyplace, hosts major rock and pop acts.

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  10. Nightingale Club

    Birmingham's most established gay nightclub, the Nightingale rocks on three levels, with pop on the bottom floor, and techno rocking the upstairs. Remarkably, after more than three decades of action, it still tops polls as the region's premier gay club and is a known breeding ground for top-name DJs.

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  12. Old Joint Stock

    This vast, high-ceilinged cathedral of beer, a former bank, is marred by service without a smile. But the glittering furnishings and impressive setting, together with some half-decent ales, make it worth a stop.

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  13. Prague

    Leather sofas, white-tile floor, glammed-up crowds and a cool, funk-grooved dance soundtrack make this the bar of choice among discerning Arcadian Centre revellers. Portuguese-inspired dishes are also served.

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  14. Sunflower Lounge

    A quirky little mod bar in an unlikely setting by a dual carriageway near the New St rail station, this is a relatively undiscovered little gem favoured by the indie crowd, and with a great alternative soundtrack. Live gigs occur regularly in the tiny underground basement venue.

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  15. Symphony Hall

    For classical music, including performances by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, seek out the ultramodern Symphony Hall, which is known for its superb acoustics. World music and jazz acts also feature.

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  16. Tap and Spile

    Overlooking the canal, this traditional pub is all hidden alcoves and corners, especially once you move away from the sardine tin that is the top bar. There's a good selection of ales on tap here too.

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  17. Villa Park

    Aston Villa football club, one of the Midlands' most enduring teams, play in this arena north of the city centre.

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  18. Warwickshire County Cricket Club

    Tickets for international test matches sell out early, but local matches are usually available. The Twenty 20 games are pulsating, even for the uninitiated.

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  19. Zinc

    Though it's probably obvious from the name, this is a Conran bar-diner; there's an enticing menu, and the cool, relaxed space lends itself to chilling to the jazz and funk soundtrack.

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