If you are a student attending university or living in Birmingham, this is all you need to know about the clubbing and nightlife scene in the city. Take a browse of my top three must visits and avoids below for a great night out.
The top three you must visit
Snobs
With the establishment about to celebrate its 50th birthday, it is safe to say that Snobs is one of the oldest clubs in Birmingham. In fact, much to my dismay, my parents have mentioned a number of times that Snobs was their go-to club during their years at university!
However, given that Snobs is known for pumping out all of the indie classics you could ask for, it’s no surprise that it has stayed in business for so long. Nevertheless, if Arctic Monkeys and Oasis are not your vibe, fear not. The second floor has you covered with golden oldies (like those from ABBA) and the third floor is home to everything rap and R&B. Although Wednesdays are the designated student nights at the club, I would recommend going on a Friday or Saturday for the best experience possible.
Gales
In my not-so-humble opinion, nothing can quite beat a Thursday night Gales with free entry before 11pm, a variety of £2 drinks and an unmatched atmosphere of pure fun. As Birmingham’s largest and oldest LGBTQIA+ venue, The Nightingale Club has always been a hotspot in the city’s gay village and is the perfect safe space for anyone who identifies under the queer umbrella.
My favourite thing about Gales is the entertainment. On the bottom floor stage, they almost always have drag queens slaying the most mesmerizing performances. The club is also well-known for having spacious smoking areas (I would personally recommend the balcony on the second floor) and gender-neutral toilets.
Fab n Fresh
Whether you are a seasoned fourth-year Master’s student or a Fresher embarking on your first night out, Fab N Fresh is the place for you. Fab takes place every Saturday night in the University of Birmingham’s very own Guild of Students. It is the ultimate student night in Birmingham. In fact, you have to show your UoB student ID to get in. If you are looking for a great example of student clubbing in Birmingham, this is it.
Although it can be a little bit jarring to see everyday spaces like the Debating Hall or Joe’s Bar transformed into dance floors with flashing lights, the large capacity of the Guild with a variety of different rooms is perfect to boogie the night away in. A core memory for every attendee is hearing the DJ blast Robbie Williams’ ‘Angels’ at 4am to signal the end of the night.
The top three to avoid
Players
Unless you are a Fresher going to your first ever Studesday, steer clear of Players. The drinks are overpriced and the music is sub-par. Plus, there are so many other clubs nearby on Broad Street that are so much better, such as Rosie’s or even Pop World if that’s your jam.
Pryzm
Although I have enjoyed nights out at various Pryzms around the country, the Birmingham venue is one I tend to give a miss. To begin with, getting into the club is like trawling through airport security, with all customers required to go through metal detectors and take face scans. Once you are finally in, it’s like walking in a maze. The club is absolutely huge and always pretty packed, so it’s quite easy to lose your friends. One of the venue’s only saving graces was its unique ball pit on the bottom floor, but that somehow seems to have since been removed.
Reflex
This is literally the cheesiest place on earth. The tunes are severely outdated and there never seems to be anyone in there under the age of 30. If you are looking for some sort of social experiment, give it a go, otherwise, steer clear!
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