The Gay Village is a small but vibrant area with clubs, bars, and pubs. The Village expanded from just the Nightingale Club and Windmill bar in the 1980s, to a larger area with multiple bars and venues in the surrounding streets. The Gay Village is now visited by thousands of people each week. The main street is decorated with street art and there are multi-coloured streamers strung over your head.

2 minute walk from U&A

A small quarter decorated with red lanterns and with a granite pagoda sitting on its edge. Established in the 1980’s the quarter has steadily expanded to reflect the growing Chinese community. There is a real mix of traditional Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese restaurants. Some of the highlights include Chung Ying Cantonese for dim sum and Peach Garden for the famous triple roast, a dish which Birmingham’s China Town is famous for. There are also several great pubs and bars to check out in this area, some of which have karaoke rooms, and it is also home to some of Birmingham’s more famous establishments including The Arcadian and the Hippodrome.

2 minute walk from U&A

Described as ‘the Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain’ by the Sunday Times, this former industrial district is Birmingham’s creative heart and comprised of warehouses converted into workspaces, studios, galleries and venues which now house over 300 of Birmingham’s creative businesses, musicians and artists. Digbeth also has many vintage shops, skate shops and independent restaurants and bars. Markets are often held in the area, ranging from flea markets to vintage clothing kilo sales.

2 minute walk from U&A

Birmingham city centre is a hub for industry, culture, and education. The area has a mixture of converted industrial architecture and some iconic, modern additions including the Library, the Bullring and the Selfridges building where you can find plenty of shops. The city centre has a real mix of restaurants including some of the best south Asian cooking in Birmingham and Michelin-star restaurants serving modern British cuisine. Birmingham Museum is home to, arguably, the UK’s best collection of paintings outside of London and the Electric Cinema is the UK’s oldest working cinema.

9 minute walk from U&A

Opening in 2002 as a new development, The Mailbox was originally the location of the Royal Mail's main sorting office building for Birmingham. It’s now the site of multiple office spaces, restaurants, bars and even a cinema as well as the Malt House Pub where then US President Bill Clinton famously enjoyed a pint on the balcony during the 1998 G8 summit. The Mailbox also has a dedicated waterbus service on a narrowboat that goes from Brindley Place to Sherborne Wharf.

9 minute walk from U&A

Home to over 700 jewellers and independent retailers, the Jewellery Quarter produces over 40% of the UK’s jewellery. With many of the buildings dating from the 19th century, wandering around the streets can often feel like stepping back in time. The area isn’t just about jewellery, however, as there are a number of restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Other places of interest include Georgian St. Pauls Square and the Chamberlain clock.

25 minute walk from U&A