Digbeth is an exciting neighbourhood near Birmingham city centre, West Midlands, home to a wide range of creative hangouts and urban art spaces.
Digbeth has got you covered if you’re looking to visit independent shops, art venues, Irish pubs, or local markets.
No wonder it was named the ‘Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain’ by the Sunday Times in 2018!
In this article, you’ll learn about the area’s rich history and discover the best Digbeth bars, cafes, event spaces, activities, and art galleries.
| Read More: Discover all you need to know about Birmingham’s Nightlife Scene. Go beyond the Digbeth area and try out these Fun Things to do on Broad Street. |
This Article Contains:
A Brief Introduction to Digbeth
Here’s a brief introduction to Digbeth, Birmingham, West Midlands:
- What does “Digbeth” mean? Historically, Digbeth was known as “dyke path” or “ducks bath” because it’s located near River Rea. However, it’s also believed that the name is derived from “dragon’s breath,” referring to the air pollution during the industrial revolution.
- Steeped in History: The Digbeth area was established during the 7th century. It was considered a prime location because the River Rea provided people with drinking water and crop irrigation.
- Digbeth today: Today, Digbeth is home to many old industrial buildings and new developments like the Irish Quarter on High Street, the Custard Factory, and the Arts and Media Annexe of South Birmingham College.
- The Digbeth flag: Digbeth’s flag is split into three sections, representing the identity and culture of the area. The band of blue represents Digbeth’s Irish heritage, the next section depicts the area’s Victorian railway. The final segment represents the River Rea and the canal system. The ripples at the bottom of the flag also represent Digbeth’s ties with the urban art scene.
- Vibrant Culture: If you’re looking for a neighbourhood in the city centre with a distinctive culture, look no further than Digbeth. The area is associated with the British electronic music scene and is home to the O2 Institute and the Gigbeth festival.
- Also called “Irish Quarter”: Digbeth is also closely associated with the Irish Community; as a result, it’s often referred to as the Irish Quarter. The area also hosts the largest St Patrick’s Day parade in the United Kingdom. Additionally, The Birmingham City Council is planning on redeveloping the Irish Centre on High Street.
- How to reach Digbeth using Public transport: Digbeth is a quick walk from the city centre and can be reached via a wide range of public transport options, including Birmingham Snow Hill Station (25 min walk), Moor Street Station (5 min walk), New Street Station (15 min walk), Birmingham Coach Station (2min walk), and the HS2 Railway (5 min walk).
20 Reasons Why Digbeth Should Be Your Next Stop
Here are 20 great reasons why you need to visit Digbeth:
Classic Pubs and Bars
Digbeth has plenty of quirky nightlife spots. Here are some of the best Digbeth bars and Irish pubs you can try:
1. The Old Crown
Located on Digbeth High Street, The Old Crown is one of the oldest industrial buildings in the city centre – dating back to 1368.
If you’re looking for a classic pub vibe, The Old Crown should be your go-to. In fact, the venue was named the ‘best traditional pub’ at the 2019 Midland Food and Drink Hospitality Awards.
Address: 188 Digbeth High Street, Birmingham B12 0LD England
Phone no.: 0121 248 1368
Website: https://www.theoldcrown.com
Opening times: Mon-Thu: 12pm-11:45pm, Fri: 12pm-10-pm
Price range: ££-£££
Best drink to try: Beer and Lagers
Nearest bus/train stations:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (5 min walk)
Bus: Adderley St (2 min walk)
Nearest attractions: Bullring shopping centre (5 min drive and 9 min walk)
2. The Night Owl
Fancy a night out dancing?
We’ve got the perfect place!
Located near the Digbeth Dining Club – a former street food restaurant, The Night Owl is a retro music nightclub that boasts excellent disco, indie, and classic Britpop music.
Address: 17-18 Lower Trinity Street, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AG, United Kingdom
Phone no.: N/A
Website: https://birmingham.thenightowl.club
Opening times: Wed: 8pm-12am, Fri-Sat: 10pm-12am
Price range: ££
Best drink to try: Cocktails
Nearest bus/train stations:
Train: Birmingham Coach station (6 min walk)
Bus: Adderley St Bordesley bus station (4 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Centrala Space (7 min walk and 2 min drive)
3. The Anchor
Located on Bradford Street near central Birmingham, The Anchor is a traditional pub serving
real ale, ciders, craft beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.
Address: 308 Bradford Street Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6ET England
Phone no.: 0121 622 4516
Website: https://www.theanchordigbeth.com
Opening times: Mon-Tue: 5pm-11pm, Wed: 12pm-11pm, Thu-Sat: 12pm-12am, Sun: 11am-12am
Price range: £
Best drink to try: Cask and Craft Ale
Nearest bus/train station:
Bus: Barford St (Stop DS8) (1 min walk)
Train: Digbeth Coach Station (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: The Custard Factory (6 min drive and walk)
4. Luna Springs
Luna Springs is an outdoor bar named after the River Rea. Feel free to grab a Dirty Martini at the cocktail bar and test out your skills in the skating rink.
Address: Lower Trinity Street Digbeth Arena, Birmingham B9 4AG England
Phone no.: 0121 663 6293
Website: https://www.lunasprings.co.uk
Opening times: Mon-Thu: 5pm-12am, Fri: 4pm-12am, Sat-Sun: 12pm-12am
Price range: ££-£££
Best drink to try: Cucumber Cooler and Summertime Fun
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (6 min walk)
Bus: Adderley St (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Ghetto Golf (1 min drive and 2 min walk)
5. Tonight Josephine
Tonight Josephine is a trendy cocktail bar offering a mid-week happy hour, live music, and the perfect backdrop for Instagrammers in central Birmingham.
Address: Unit 12, The Burlington, Stephenson St, Birmingham B2 4BL, United Kingdom
Phone no.: 0121 663 6711
Website: https://www.tonightjosephine.co.uk/find-us/birmingham/
Opening times: Mon-Wed: 5pm-12am, Thu: 5pm-1am, Fri: 8:15pm-2am, Sat: 6:45pm-2am, Sun: 6:30pm-1am
Price range: ££
Best drink to try: Sugar Daddy
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham New Street (1 min walk)
Bus: Station Street (Stop NS13) (4 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Flight Club (9 min drive and 2 min walk)
6. Dig Brew Co
Dig Brew Co is a creative brewing project offering unique tastes and recipes. Visit the venue’s main bar to enjoy a great beer, dance the night away to live music, and refuel with their delicious pizza!
Address: 43 River St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SA, United Kingdom
Phone no.: 0121 773 2111
Website: https://digbrewco.com
Opening times: Thu: 5pm-10pm, Fri: 12pm-12am, Sat: 12pm-11pm
Price range: £
Best drink to try: Craft Beer
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (13 min walk)
Bus: Fazeley St (5 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Centrala (1 min drive and 2 min walk)
7. Hennessey’s Bar
Fan of sports?
Enjoy a glass of wine and good food at Hennessey’s Bar on Allison Street while keeping your eyes locked on the venue’s big screen. Celebrate your team’s win by dancing the night away to the resident DJ’s tunes.
Address: 30-31 Allison Street Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5TJ England
Phone no.: 0121 643 3436
Website: https://hennesseysdigbeth.co.uk
Opening times: Mon-Thu: 11am-12am, Fri: 11am-2am, Sat: 11am-4am, Sun: 11am-12am
Price range: £
Best drink to try: Pornstar Martini
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (5 min walk)
Bus: Park Street (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: The Arcadian (7 min drive and 10 min walk)
Exquisite Cafes and Restaurants
Here are Digbeth’s finest cafes and restaurants:
1. Chance & Counters
If you’re a lover of board games, look no further than Chance & Counters in the city centre.
Enjoy over 600 classic and new board games while trying out the venue’s beer, ciders, and locally-sourced food.
Address: Courtyard Studio 8 Scott House Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA, UK
Phone no: 0121 296 9997
Website: https://www.chanceandcounters.com/birmingham/
Opening times: Mon-Thu: 12pm-11pm, Fri: 12pm-12am, Sat: 10am-12am, Sun: 10am-10pm
Price range: ££-£££
Cuisine: Bar, Cafe, Pub
Best drink to try: Carrot Cake
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham New Street (7 min walk)
Bus: Birmingham Coach Station (2 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Bullring shopping centre (5 min drive and 10 min walk)
2. Quarter Horse Coffee
Bring your furry friends along with you to The Quarter Horse Coffee and enjoy delicious British food, perfectly silky coffee, and a beautifully designed interior.
Address: 88-90 Bristol Street, Birmingham B5 7AH England
Phone no.: 0121 448 9660
Website: https://quarterhorsecoffee.com/pages/bristol-street
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-6pm
Price range: £
Cuisine: Quick bites, British, vegetarian options
Best dish to try: The Quarter Horse roast and the smashed avocado with crispy onions and salsa
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham New Street (9 min walk)
Bus: Wrentham St (2 min walk)
Nearby attractions: O2 Academy Birmingham (4 min drive and 5 min walk)
3. Fazeley Social
Pop in for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or lunch at the Fazeley Social. The venue is also a great meeting space, so feel free to invite your colleagues.
Address: Fazeley Studios 191 Fazeley Street Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SE England
Phone no.: 0121 244 8228
Website: https://digbeth.com/directory/the-social-at-fazeley
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-6pm
Price range: £
Cuisine: Cafe, British, Vegetarian Friendly
Best dish to try: Vegetarian Nachos
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (11 min walk)
Bus: Fazeley St (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Grand Union (1 min drive and 2 min walk)
4. The Karczma
Journey into the world of Polish food at The Karczma on Bordesley Street. Located in Birmingham city centre, this restaurant and grill offers you rustic food in an old Polish country cottage setting.
Address: Bordesley Street Polish Millennium House, Birmingham B5 5PH England
Phone no.: 0121 448 0017
Website: https://www.thekarczma.co.uk
Opening times: Tue-Fri: 1pm-11pm, Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 11am-9pm
Price range: ££-£££
Cuisine: Polish, Eastern European
Best dish to try: Pierogi (stuffed dumplings)
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Moor Street (5 min walk)
Bus: Moor St Selfridges (Stop MS18) (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Depot Climbing Birmingham (4 min drive and 13 min walk)
5. 670 Grams
Located on Gibb Street, 670 Grams is a high-end restaurant in Birmingham city featuring excellent 12-course tasting menus, graffiti art walls, live music, and a movie-themed cocktail menu.
Address: 4 Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4BF, England
Phone no.: N/A
Website: https://670grams.com
Opening times: Wed-Thu: Sittings at 6 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:45 pm, Fri-Sat: Sittings at 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 6 pm, 7:30pm, 8:45 pm, Sunday: The last Sunday of every month at 5 pm and 5:30 pm
Price range: ££££
Cuisine: Contemporary
Best dish to try: Lamb, fish, and ox
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Coach Station (4 min walk)
Bus: Gibb St (1 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum (5 min drive and 15 min walk)
Exciting Events and Local Markets
Head down to these markets and event spaces to grab yourself a bargain, a craft cocktail, a delicious meal, and plenty more:
1. The Custard Factory
Set in Digbeth’s old industrial buildings, The Custard Factory is an attractive public space featuring fun activities, bars, independent shops, restaurants, and the Mockingbird Cinema.
The venue is also home to the Fazeley Studios – a flexible space that often hosts weddings, conferences, birthday party events, and more.
Address: Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA, UK
Phone no.: 0121 224 7777
Website: https://digbeth.com/spaces/custard-factory
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-6:30pm, Sat: 9am-6pm
Price range: £-££££
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (8 min walk)
Bus: Gibb St (1 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Ghetto Golf (1 min drive and walk)
2. Bullring Open Market
The Bullring Open Market is an event in Birmingham city featuring 130 stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, vintage fabrics, household items, and other seasonal items.
Check out the Birmingham City Council website to see when the market is on.
Address: 5BB, Edgbaston St, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Phone no.: 0121 464 8349
Website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20150/markets_and_street_trading/270/bull_ring_open_market
Opening times: Tue-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-5:30pm
Price range: £
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Moor Street Station (5 min walk)
Bus: Upper Dean Street (Stop MK3) (1 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Treetop Adventure Golf (9 min drive and 3 min walk)
3. Red Brick Market
Red Brick Market is the ultimate indoor shopping event on Floodgate Street. Support local independent traders, artists, and startup businesses while getting your hands on rare finds, sustainable fashion brand items, and antiquities.
Address: Red Brick Market, 119 Floodgate Street, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SU, United Kingdom
Phone no.: 0790 026 5475
Website: https://redbrickmarkets.co.uk
Opening times: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sat: 10am-5pm
Price range: ££
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Coach Station (3 min walk)
Bus: Gibb St (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: The Custard Factory (1 min drive and 5 min walk)
Fun Activity-Based Venues
Want to keep yourself entertained while sipping on a cocktail?
Not to worry – here are some of the best activity-based venues in Digbeth:
1. Roxy Ballroom
Roxy Ball Room features 10 bowling lanes, ping pong tables, pool tables, and shuffleboard. Refuel between games with American-inspired cuisine like mac & cheese, pizza, and nachos.
Address: 58 – 60 Heath Mill Ln, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AR, United Kingdom
Phone no.: 0121 809 3410
Website: https://www.roxyballroom.co.uk/birmingham/
Opening times: Mon-Thu: 3pm-12am, Fri-Sun: 12pm-12am
Price range: ££
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (9 min walk)
Bus: Fazeley St (1 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Roller Jam (2 min drive and 8 min walk)
2. The Big Birmingham Bake
Invite friends, family, and colleagues to participate in a 90-minute competitive baking event where you’ll have to whisk, roll, cut, and blend your way to the finish line with a winning bake.
And don’t worry, the Big Birmingham Bake provides all the required ingredients, and you’ll have an experienced baker by your side.
Address: 110 Floodgate St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SR, United Kingdom
Phone no.: N/A
Website: https://www.thebigbirminghambake.com
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 6pm-11pm, Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: Sun: 10am-11pm
Price range: £36-£45.50
Nearest bus/train station:
Train: Birmingham Coach Station (3 min walk)
Bus: Gibb St (3 min walk)
Nearby attractions: The Mill (3 min drive and 7 min walk)
3. Ghetto Golf
Ghetto Golf is the perfect place for a birthday party. Play a few minigolf games while sipping on a great beer or cocktail, and don’t forget to check out the graffiti art in the venue.
Address: The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA, United Kingdom
Phone no: N/A
Website: https://www.ghettogolf.co.uk/birmingham/
Opening times: Mon-Fri: 12pm-1am, Sat: 10:30am-1am, Sun: 11am-1am
Price range: From £12.50
Nearest bus/train stations:
Bus: Fazeley St bus stop (2 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Coach Station (4 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Bullring and Grand Central (9 min walk and 4 min drive)
Inspiring Art Galleries
Get inspired by street art, fine art, local exhibits and more at these Digbeth art galleries:
1. Eastside Projects
Located on Heath Mill Lane, the Eastside Projects is a free art gallery with two exhibition spaces featuring artwork by local artists and the works of Gavin Wade, Ruth Claxton, and architect Céline Condorelli.
Address: 86 Heath Mill Lane Birmingham B9 4AR
Website: www.eastsideprojects.org
Phone no.: 0121 771 1778
Opening times: Wednesday- Saturday, 12 pm–5 pm
Price range: Free entry
Nearest bus/train station:
Bus: Fazeley St (6 min walk)
Train: Bordesley (BBS) (6 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Custard Factory (1 min drive and 3 min walk)
2. Centrala Space
Established in 2022, Centrala is an independent exhibition space showcasing the works of European artists. Sip on a delicious cup of coffee in the gallery’s cafe while admiring the venue’s fine art displays.
Address: Unit 4 Minerva Works 158 Fazeley Street Birmingham B5 5RT United Kingdom
Website: centrala@centrala-space.org.uk
Phone no.: 0121 513 0240
Opening times: Wednesday – Saturday 12 pm-6 pm
Price range: £
Nearest bus/train station:
Bus: Fazeley St (6 min walk)
Train: Birmingham Moor Street Station (14 min walk)
Nearby attractions: Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum (4 min drive and 8 min walk)