Today I’m chuntering about alternative date nights in Birmingham.
Whether you’ve been together since school or you’re swiping your way through the dating gene pool to find ‘the one,’ date nights are something most of us enjoy. I love a date night, mainly because they inevitably involve food, but I think there’s more to them than sitting in bog standard bar drinking a shit cocktail.
If you’re just out with friends, trying to woo a new lover, or even just trying to remind your old one you’re not a complete tit, I’ve got 5 suggestions for date nights in Birmingham.. and they all involve food or drink! Hooray.
The Electric Cinema
One of my favourite places in the city, The Electric is a genuine piece of Birmingham history. The UK’s oldest working cinema, it opened in 1909 and is loving looked after enabling it to still entertain Brummies. As well as new films, the cinema often puts on special events including anniversary screenings and Q&A events with actors and directors.
Pre-book a comfy sofa and take advantage of the table service; they offer deli boards, sweet and savoury nibbles, wines, and their very own house beer created especially for the venue. And don’t forget, if it all works out you can even get married here!
The Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY
Digbeth Dining Club
Yes, yes, I bang on about DDC all the time, but that’s because it’s ruddy brilliant. Now open Thursday-Saturday, if I was dating this is where I’d want to be wooed. There’s some of the best street food available in the UK (burgers, pizzas, kebabs and everything in between) live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
It’s ideal if you’re not into candle lit meals in swanky restaurants you can’t pronounce, and it’s great for groups of friends too.
DDC, Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham, B9 4AG
Ghetto Golf
Looking for a fun date? Unattractively competitive? Ghetto Golf next to The Custard Factory is a new addition to Digbeth and serves up techno mini golf with Korean-inspired street food.
The burgers are ridiculous and it’s an ideal setting for a date with a difference. Oh, and you can have drinks delivered to you anywhere on the course. Shit-faced golf beats real golf any day, take my word for it.
Ghetto Golf, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
Tilt
If the idea of pinball and pints makes you weak at the knees, you’ll love Tilt. Me and The Husband come here a fair bit to sup decent beers and batter the ever increasing array of machines.
As well as the main floor there’s a secluded spot downstairs which is ideal for sucking face in between games. They also sell really good cake.. randomly.
Tilt, 2 City Arcade, Union Street, Birmingham, B2 4TX
Rafiki’s Cuisine
OK, so this is an event rather than a place, but hear me out. Taking place every Tuesday at The Dark Horse in Moseley, this is a comedy quiz combining ridiculousness and frivolity with the odd question thrown in. Audience participation is mandatory and it usually involves someone eating something disgusting and a lot of noise.
If you don’t fancy eating a whole jar of pickled onions or licking chocolate from a nappy (seen that happen) you can order from the pub’s smokehouse-inspired menu.
The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Road, Birmingham, B13 8JP