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Explore Brum

If you are new to the city and would like to know all the great places to go to socialise, you are in the right place. Birmingham is the second biggest city in the U.K, meaning there are so many things to do and explore outside of your college studies.

Food

The city is renowned for the Bullring & Grand central (based in the heart of the city centre), a place where you can indulge in foods from all around the world and shop til’ you drop. There are so many places to dine, at cheap and cheerful prices. Curating a list? Here are some great food places you must try in the city centre: 

• Grand Central | The hub for a variety of international food places.
• Nandos | An Afro-Portuguese inspired restaurant, infamous for its grilled peri-peri chicken 
  Address: Unit 34, Bull Ring & Grand Central, Station St, Birmingham, B2 4XJ 
• Fumo | A trendy Italian tapas restaurant with a lively atmosphere, perfect for a Friday or Saturday evening with your friends or partner
  Address: Fumo Restaurant on 4, Selfridges, Upper Mall East, Upper Dean St, Birmingham, B5 4BP 
• Pho | Serving healthy, traditional Vietnamese dishes with a choice of starters, mains, and desserts. If you love noodles, you’ll love Pho!
  Address: Grand Central, Stephenson Place, Birmingham, B2 4XJ 
• Wingstop | An American, buffalo wing-style restaurant, known for being extremely flavoursome and having 10 flavours to choose from. The most popular being Lemon pepper and hickory smoked BBQ
  Address: Bullring Shopping Centre, Unit SU524, Moor St, Birmingham, B5 4BE 
• Yo! Sushi | Serving authentic Japanese food, perfect for all sushi-lovers. The atmosphere is vibrant, and all dishes are served on a conveyor belt. So cool and forward! Address: Selfridges, Upper Dean St, Birmingham, B5 4BP 
• Slim Chickens | The clue is in the name! they are renowned for their chicken, with an array of house sauces to choose from, such as: Cayenne ranch, blue cheese, garlic parmesan and much more. They also serve chicken & waffles if you want to truly feel like you’re in the states. 
  Address: Unit MK15, Grand Central, New Street Station, B2 4XJ 
• Jamaya | Want a taste of the Caribbean? Jamaya is the perfect place to visit. Experience a carnival of flavours in your mouth. Jerk chicken, fried chicken, festivals, and callaloo. They’ve got it all.
  Address: 126 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AP 

 Shops

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to shop as the Bullring has a variety of high-street stores, as well as high end. From H&M, Zara and Mango to Tommy Hilfiger, All Saints and COS. Not to mention, it is home to the renowned Selfridges, a department store housing the biggest designers.  

• Bullring, Home to the city centre’s high street and high end stores
• H&M
• Mango
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Selfridges

Activities

If you want some fun and tons of adrenaline rush, there are places you can go in and around Birmingham for that too.  

• Teamworks Go Karting | Take part in indoor go-kart racing on a competitive circuit, racing against your friends or other teams.
  Address: 202 Fazeley St, Birmingham, B5 5SE 
• Teamworks Laser Tag | Compete in laser tag, targeting each other with laser beams in hidden rooms with dark lighting. Perfect for gamers or those who are competitive and thrive off adrenaline.
  Address: 202 Fazeley St, Birmingham, B5 5SE  
• Otherworld | Immerse yourself in a virtual paradise that will heighten your senses. Using virtual reality, you will be able to literally see and feel like you are in the game! Explore a virtual island and be teleported to a range of different games and adventures, whether it be by yourself or with a group of friends. 
  Address: 20 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QJ 

The Custard Factory

If you want to do something more chill and fun with friends, The Custard Factory/Digbeth district is the perfect place to be in and is right next door to the Digbeth campus! There is an array of activities for you to choose from, such as: 

• Roxy Ballroom | Providing you an array of ball games to play under one roof. You have the choice of ten pin bowling, American pool, ping-pong, shuffleboard and basketball
  Address: 58 – 60 Heath Mill Lane, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4AR 
• Ghetto Golf | A fun, artsy 18-hole mini golf course with a live DJ
  Address: The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4AA 
• NQ64 | Unleash your inner child at this retro arcade where you can play games such as Street Fighter, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and much more
  Address: The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4BG 
• Birdies | This beach-themed bar brings you summer all year round. Choose from an array of fruity cocktails and indulge in street food supplied by street vendors. They also host a quiz night every Thursday.
  Address: The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4AA 

Art 

Interested in art? Birmingham is home to plenty of creative institutions that provide free entry. 

• Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | There is an abundance of artwork to explore, with pop-up events and exhibitions changing seasonally.
  Address: Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham, B3 3DH 
• Ikon Gallery | The perfect place to visit for those who have a passion for modern, contemporary art, combining well established and emerging artists under one institution. 
  Address: 1 Oozells St, Birmingham, B1 2HS 
• Castle Fine Art | This is a smaller gallery located in The Mailbox and ICC (International Convention Centre). They host exhibitions and artist appearances during the year with pieces available to purchase.
  Address: Level 2, The Mailbox, 5 Wharfside St, Birmingham, B1 1RD              The International Convention Centre, Broad St, Birmingham, B1 2EA  

Birmingham (or should we say Brum!) has everything to offer that will certainly satisfy your interests. If you are familiar with Birmingham and have any suggestions of fun places to visit, feel free to tag us on: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter