20 Exciting Live Music Venues in Birmingham

Birmingham is a hub for music enthusiasts, offering one of the UK’s most eclectic and exciting music scenes.

You’ll come across stunning performances from both upcoming and renowned artists all over the city – in lively bars, iconic theatres, and even public gardens.

Here are 20 amazing live music venues you must visit as well as a few other noteworthy mentions. Clearly, there’s something for everyone!

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Live Music Birmingham: 20 Best Venues

Live Music Birmingham: 20 Best Venues

Here are some of the buzzing venues you wouldn’t want to miss:

1. O2 Institute

The O2 Institute in Digbeth is a landmark venue at the heart of the live music scene in Birmingham. You’ll find everything from classic to popular international touring artists at this vibrant space.

Address: 78 Digbeth High Street, Birmingham B5 6DY, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Sunday 6 pm -11 pm
Type of music: Live music and club music (all genres)
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 437 4150, info@theinstitutebirmingham.com

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2. The Sunflower Lounge

The Sunflower Lounge is an independent lounge bar that celebrates the best local talent in Birmingham. It’s a mecca for live music, recreating the glamour of an American dive bar with craft beers, soul food, and of course, Brummie music.

Address: 76 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EG, United Kingdom
Timings: Sunday to Thursday 12 pm – 1 am, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 3 am
Type of music: Local live music and DJ nights
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 632 6756, www.thesunflowerlounge.com

3. The Flapper

A classic hub for local independent music, The Flapper is a canal-side pub situated in the Birmingham city centre. Once the host of a yearly alt-rock music festival, the venue now holds regular live gigs in its basement bar.

Address: Kingston Row, Cambrian Wharf, Birmingham B1 2NU, United Kingdom
Timings: Sunday to Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm, Friday 4 pm – 1 am, Saturday 12 pm – 1 am
Type of music: Alternative, indie, and rock & roll live gigs
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 236 2421

4. The Night Owl

If you groove to retro music, then The Night Owl is the perfect place for you! It’s a live music sanctuary and club for the Motown and Northern Soul Movement, with everything from disco jingles to punk blues.

Address: 17-18 Lower Trinity St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AG, United Kingdom
Timings: Friday 11 pm – 4 am, Saturday 8 pm – 4 am
Type of music: Soul and retro live music
Cover charges: None|
Contact details: clare@thenightowl.club

5. Hare & Hounds

Hare & Hounds is an independent pub with live music and party nights for rockers, ravers, hipsters, and dancers. It has been a thriving music venue since UB40 played its first gig here in 1979.

Address: High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Thursday 5 pm – 12 am, Friday 5 pm – 3 am, Saturday 2 pm – 3 am, Sunday 2 pm – 12 am
Type of music: Live music and club nights with majorly jazz, indie, funk, reggae, hip hop, and techno music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 444 2081

6. Nortons Digbeth

One of Digbeth’s best Irish bars and newest music venues, Nortons is a covered beer garden with regular live gigs. It offers everything from good beers and tasty food to captivating screenings and exciting live music.

Address: 43-45 Meriden Street, Irish Quarter, Digbeth B5 5LS, United Kingdom
Timings: Tuesday to Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm, Friday 4 pm – 3 am, Saturday 12 pm – 3 am, Sunday 11 am – 11 pm
Type of music: Folk, funk, and jazz live music and DJ nights
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 250 4241, info@nortonsdigbeth.com

7. Luna Springs

Luna Springs is an open-air arena with some of Birmingham’s best live music events. A trip to the venue will have you singing along to mass karaoke sessions, enjoying electric DJ nights, or tuning in to live performances from rising stars.

Address: Digbeth Arena, Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham B9 4AG, United Kingdom
Timings: Thursday 5 pm – 12 am, Friday 4 pm – 12 am, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 12 am
Type of music: Live artists and DJs playing pop, indie, and disco music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 663 6293

8. The Jam House Birmingham

There’s always live music playing when the doors to The Jam House are open! The venue has hosted many top musicians, like Chaka Khan, Jools Holland, and Snow Patrol.

Address: 3-5 St Pauls Square, Birmingham B3 1QU, United Kingdom
Timings: Wednesday 6 pm –12 am, Thursday 6 pm – 1 am, Friday and Saturday 6 pm – 2 am
Type of music: Everything from Latin nights to acoustic live music sessions
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 200 3030

9. Actress & Bishop

A hidden gem in The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, Actress & Bishop is a bustling pub with all genres of live music events. They also have DJ nights where you can listen to old-school favourites.

Address: 36 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham B3 1EH, United Kingdom
Timings: Sunday to Thursday 12 pm – 2 am, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 2 am
Type of music: Live music and DJ nights
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 236 7426, info@theactressandbishop.co.uk

10. O2 Academy Birmingham

O2 Academy is a legendary venue in Birmingham that has held various names, including The Hummingbird and Carling Academy. It hosts a jaw-dropping roster of live bands in addition to its comedy and club nights.

Address: 16-18 Horse Fair, Birmingham B1 1DB, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Sunday 6 pm – 11 pm
Type of music: Live music (all genres)
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 844 477 2000

11. Birmingham Bierkeller

Birmingham Bierkeller is a German bar with traditional Bavarian outfits, long tables, large beer steins, and entertaining live music. You’ll be tempted to tap your feet or dance along to the rhythmic music of their live Oompah band.

Address: 21-22 Essex Street, Birmingham B5 4TR, United Kingdom
Timings: Sunday to Thursday 12 pm to 12 am, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 1 am
Type of music: Oompah live music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 845 533 3000, birminghambookings@thebierkeller.com

12. Spotted Dog

Hosting a variety of multicultural live music events, Spotted Dog is a quirky beer garden that offers plenty of entertainment along with great ale. It often has great DJ nights with blue beat and soul music.

Address: 104 Warwick Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0NH, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Thursday 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday 3 pm – 1 am, Saturday 12 pm – 1 am, Sunday 12 pm – 2 am
Type of music: Classics, traditional Irish, jazz, and blues live music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 772 3822, info@spotteddog.co.uk

13. Jukeboxers Duelling Piano Bar

Jukeboxers is a late-night cocktail and piano bar that specialises in live music. If you visit the bar, you’ll be able to pick songs for the night – which an in-house band and the duelling pianists will perform.

Address: Unit 1, Arena, Birmingham B1 2AA, United Kingdom
Timings: Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday 5 pm – 1 am, Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 3 am
Type of music: Live music based on suggestions
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 131 233 1111, shannon@jukeboxers.co.uk

14. Scruffy Murphys

Step into one of Birmingham’s longest-running pubs! Scruffy Murphys has been around for over 20 years, through which it has been serving the rock and metal community with ear-pleasing live music and the finest ales.

Address: Newton Street, Dale End, Birmingham B4 6NB, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Timings: Tuesday 12 pm – 11 pm, Wednesday 1 pm – 11 pm, Thursday 1 pm – 9 pm, Friday 12 – 1 am, Saturday 11 am – 2 am
Type of music: Rock and metal live music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 236 2035

15. The Dark Horse

The Dark Horse is an independent craft beer bar situated in the heart of Moseley, Birmingham. It offers delicious food, 50 different craft beers, and a wide array of live music – ranging from reggae Mondays to live DJs every weekend.

Address: 145 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JP, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Thursday 4 pm –12 am, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 2 am, Sunday 12 pm – 12 am
Type of music: All types of live music and DJ nights
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 449 6300

16. The Asylum

One of Birmingham’s finest live music venues, The Asylum Bar and Venue is designed and built by musicians for musicians. Its exceptional sound system and custom lighting installations create an entrancing auditory and visual experience.

Address: 38-43 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3LS, United Kingdom
Timings: As per live shows
Type of music: Live rock and alternative music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 233 1109, info@theasylumvenue.co.uk

17. Midlands Arts Centre – MAC

The Midlands Arts Centre offers everything from theatre and dance to visual arts and live music! Its mission is to make art available and important to everyone. The centre supports emerging artists in promoting their work.

Address: Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham B12 9QH, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 9 pm
Type of music: All types of live music
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 446 3232

18. The Rainbow Pub

The Rainbow Pub is at the heart of Digbeth’s nightlife. This iconic Birmingham pub is one member of the 11 Rainbow venues that host everything from festivals to club nights and warehouse raves. So, you can expect great cocktails, tasty food, and beautiful music.

Address: 160 High Street, Deritend, Birmingham, B12 0LD, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Thursday 4 pm – 12 am, Friday 4 pm – 2 am, Saturday 12 pm – 2 am, Sunday 12 pm – 12 am
Type of music: Live music and DJ sessions (all genres)
Cover charges: None
Contact details: jimmy@therainbowpub.com

19. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers a lot more than its rich plant biodiversity! It has exciting live music events that happen at least every Sunday. The gardens host everything from festival favourites to up-and-coming talent, covering a wide range of genres.

Address: Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR, United Kingdom
Timings: Weekdays 10 am – 6 pm, Weekends 10 m – 7 pm (till September)
Type of music: All genres of music
Cover charges: Entry costs – £7.50 per adult
Contact details: +44 121 454 1860, admin@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

20. The Blue Piano

Another delightful Piano bar and restaurant, the Blue Piano has an eclectic live music programme. It’s a great space for musicians and all genres of music lovers to enjoy live performances.

Address: 24-26 Harborne Rd, Birmingham B15 3AA, United Kingdom
Timings: Tuesday to Thursday 12 pm – 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 12 am, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
Type of music: All genres, including folk, soul, and acoustic rock
Cover charges: None
Contact details: +44 121 454 6877, info@thebluepiano.co.uk

Want more options?

Other Live Music Venues in Birmingham

Here are other popular live music venues you could drop into:

The Crossing
Birmingham Town Hall
Dead Wax
The Castle And Falcon
Forum Birmingham
Centrala
The Mill
Symphony Hall
Moseley Park
LAB11