Culture – Shelby murals and Sabbath shrines
The TV crime series has become a runaway hit Peaky Blinders The series has been credited for boosting tourism in Birmingham and West Midlands ever since its first broadcast in 2013. However, much of the show was shot further north in Merseyside and Yorkshire, as well as Manchester. This week, the release of the Peaky Blinders movie The Immortal Man will certainly generate a new wave in interest, especially in the Black Country Living Museum in nearby Dudley, whose authentic recreations of streets, houses and industrial workshops appear in key scenes in the TV show and the film – most notably as the location for Charlie Strong’s yard (pictured below).
Digbeth Loc. Fans can see Peaky Blinders Murals created by Mr Murals at the Studios where most of the movie was shot. A walking tour of the city with a guide dressed as “Edward Shelby” (from £20pp, viator.comIt’s worth a couple hours. The museum also has mugshots from the past, as well as artefacts. West Midlands Police Museum.
Since the release of Heavy Metal, the city has become a popular destination for fans. final Black Sabbath concert Villa Park, last summer Ozzy Osbourne’s passing just over two weeks later. Ozzy and Sabbath are everywhere in the city. All four members of the group signed a Mr Murals artwork on Navigation Street near New Street Station, where they all visited before the concert. The Crown pub is just a few minutes away (sadly now closed). Sabbath played their first gig Heavy metal came out of Brum’s industrial clank. Sabbath also feature on murals outside Scruffy Murphy’s rock pub and beside Birmingham coach station in Digbeth – and no pilgrimage would be complete without a visit to Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street, where Ozzy’s widow, Sharon, and children Aimee, Kelly and Jack laid flowers during his funeral procession.
Birmingham’s metal connection doesn’t end there – the Jewellery Quarter is a pilgrimage site of a different type, mainly for couples looking for wedding bands. The quarter is home to Europe’s highest concentration of jewellers. It also produces 40% of UK jewellery. The FA Cup was made there. It also has quirky attractions like the Pen Museum Birmingham was once the UK’s only coffin furniture manufacturer and produced 75% the world’s pen-nibs. The Coffin WorksThe museum has a long history that includes the decorative coffin fittings used for funerals of Diana Princess of Wales and the Queen Mother, among others.
Where to eat – from fried chicken to fine dining
In the city centre, John Bright Street is a great place to start – brunch at kitsch indie cafe-bar Cherry Reds Cider and specialty sourdough pizzeria spot is worth a shout. The Stable The importance of this remains unappreciated. Grungy rock-themed fried hen joint deserves a place in your heart. Bonehead, on the adjacent Lower Severn Street – a hangout for the Osbournes, Slipknot, Jason Momoa and Mogwai in recent times. The Jewellery Quarter is home to the Saint Paul’s Market Seven indie kitchens are available at the food hall, including Persian, Indian and Thai.
Birmingham is also a city of fine dining – in 2019, Opheem It is the first Indian restaurant to receive a Michelin Star outside of London. Now it has two. The Jewellery Quarter’s gothic-black, inherently alternative restaurant (located within an old factory, naturally) is also worth a visit. The Wilderness The city now has five Michelin stars. Alex Claridge is the owner of a restaurant in London that serves modern British cuisine using seasonal ingredients. Rhubarb and rocket are two examples. They shouldn’t be on the same plate but they work well together. His menus are designed to surprise and provoke the senses – as is the heavy rock playlist.
Where to drink – from a pint of mild to craft beers
It feels like every family in Birmingham once had someone working at one of its famous breweries, Mitchells & Butlers or Ansells. It’s therefore no surprise that pub culture remains very much alive in a city that birthed one of the region’s classic pints: M&B mild. Traditional pubs serving similar ales from around Birmingham and the West Midlands pepper the city – try Black Country AlesPubs The Craven Arms, The Jewellers Arms The following are some examples of how to get started: The Wellington Starters. Don’t forget a cob of cheese and onions to accompany your pint to get the full West Midlands Experience.
Attic Brew Co.’s Intuition, a craft beer from Brum’s Attic Brew Co. is the most-poured pint (cans of the drink are also available on CrossCountry train). Try their products at their central taproom. The Barrel Store in Stirchley.
Nightlife – from Irish boozers to experimental music
Digbeth (where the Peaky Blinders used to roam) is where you’ll find the best of Birmingham’s nightlife. The Anchor, Nortons The Old Crown Cleary’s, and The Anchor are pubs that offer the best Guinness sessions, traditional music, and craic on this side of Irish Sea. Digbeth also houses the creative quarter of Birmingham and experimental concert promoter Capsule. This brings brilliant and odd musicians who would otherwise avoid the area to Brum. Capsule is a great place to keep an eye on. Supersonic festivalAn award-winning festival that runs since 2003 will be held in Digbeth from 25-26th of April. One of these is CentralaThe, a centre for experimental arts and an exhibition space that supports Central and Eastern European migrants communities.
Dance to Northern Soul at After Hours The Night OwlYou can also head to clubs such as Dead Wax Suki10c Lab11 or Mama Roux’s to enjoy parties of all genres, from house to Jungle.
STirchley – tHe hispter hotspot is a cocktail and breweries paradise
Stirchley is a vibrant neighbourhood with award-winning independents, just 10 minutes by train south of New Street Station. Take CouchSouth African-British restaurant Fusion, for instance, was just named UK’s top 50 cocktail bars in 2026. Riverine RabbitMichelin recently awarded a Bib Gourmand to.
Stirchley, which is home to three of the largest brewers in the city (Attic, Birmingham Brewing Company The following are some examples of how to get started: GlassHouseAll three taprooms are within a quarter-mile radius. Birmingham loves a good pint, so the taprooms are a perfect fit. Stirchley Beer Mile Take a stroll between Stirchley & Cotteridge to visit these three, plus at least 10 pubs & bars and two award-winning bottles shops. Bonehead’s dive is a must-see! DeadbeatA similar grungy bar, sells Pabst Blue Ribbon in a tap. They also host pop-up pizza shops in NYC.
Where to stay – Georgian hotels and modern townhouses
Boutique hotel Saint Pauls House in the Jewellery Quarter (doubles from £99) sits on the city’s last remaining Georgian square and offers comfortable rooms, waterfall showers and plush beds. The modern hotel just around the corner is also a good option. Frederick Street Townhouse (doubles from £99), which is connected to the popular Button Factory pub.
