Some of the best things are often kept a secret, well not for much longer. This guide will show you some of the best secret bars here in Birmingham that are definitely worth finding out about. These bars were just too good to keep a secret we had to let you know so you can try them out for yourselves.
Bacchus Bar
Hidden deep underground the Bacchus Bar has to be one of our favourite hidden gems in the city. Located in the Burlington Arcade right in the centre of Birmingham this bar is a little secret we must tell you about. By travelling down a flight of stairs underneath the shopping centre you will find a medieval themed bar and restaurant that serves up a great array of food and drinks.
Bacchus bar is one of the oldest pubs in Birmingham with them pouring their first pint over 150 years ago. They have seen businesses come and go while they have remained a constant for all to rely on and enjoy as their local where they hold get togethers and have a proper catch up. The interior is inspired by Greek and Roman medieval style that is just stunning and unique, something we have never seen before.
There is a wide drinks selection including cocktails, gins, whisky’s, beers, wines, and soft drinks they really do have everyone’s go to drink. At the bar they aim to produce quality drinks that every staff member pours their heart into so that you can sit back and relax while sipping on a glass of something delicious.
Not only do they have some of the greatest drinks but they also serve up some tasty food too. They have a full main menu that has a great selection of items including meals for veggie and vegans. Some of these mouthwatering dishes include pies, steaks, salads, and burgers, all your favourite classic pub grub in your new favourite pub. They also offer a Sunday roast which comes with all the trimmings including potatoes, parsnips, carrots, Yorkshires, and all your important greens.
Burlington Arcade, New St, Birmingham B2 4JH
The Gin Vault
Located along the canal hidden away amongst all the hustle and bustle of the hectic nightlife, The Gin Vault is an independent bar home to hundreds of gins. With over 350 different gins all under one roof there will be a flavour everyone will like. The bar is tucked away on the Brindley Place canal and unlike most around that area it has a relaxed atmosphere perfect for dates, meeting up with friends, or having a drink after work with colleagues.
All of the gins are crafted with passion and made to perfection just for you to enjoy. With the huge menu you may feel a little overwhelmed with all the options however the helpful Gin Vault team will be on hand to give expert advice on which gin you should go for. Their online gin menu has over 30 pages each with a description of the gins and where they came from. If you’re not the biggest gin drinker then the Vault can still accommodate for you as they also offer beer, cider, wine, and cocktails so no need to feel left out.
The fun does not just stop at the gin as every weekend the Vault holds a bottomless brunch. For £30 per person, you get to enjoy some of their best gins and bubbles and have a selection of small plates from their tapas menu. Running Friday to Sunday it’s an exquisite way to spend the weekend sipping and eating some of your favourites in the cost nook that is The Gin Vault.
If bottomless brunching isn’t your thing, then you could attend one of their afternoon teas instead. This is available from Thursday until Sunday and prices start at just £19 per person. The tea will include 2 drinks and 3 different tapas dishes, what more could you want for a peaceful afternoon tea by the canal.
The Vault also hosts a Gin Experience which runs Thursday to Sunday where you will get a 3 gin paddle board to enjoy for only £30. And if you’re into your cocktails then they also host a cocktail masterclass which runs for 2 hours and will entail making 3 of their gin cocktails and receiving a glass of bubbly on arrival, also for a small extra cost you can grab some of their tapa’s bites to snack on while you create your concoctions.
40 St Pauls
Arguably one of the best kept secrets, 40 St Pauls is another hidden gem selling some of the greatest gins yet. This bar aims to make you feel like you’re at home they want to welcome you into their warm and relaxing environment where you can sit back, be waited on, and blissfully sip away.
This bar has won a couple of awards over the years including best gin and cocktail bar and best gin menu. St Pauls has a selection of 140 gins to choose from alongside their usual drinks menu which includes wines, beers, and of course cocktails. Each gin drink is carefully prepared by the experts, its garnished and paired with an appropriate tonic that will accompany the gin perfectly.
Alongside the drinks menu they also offer Gin Tasting. This experience will include a tour of the history of their gins and then a tutored tasting session to explore the taste of these world class gins. These sessions can last up to 3 hours as the guide and tasting go into extreme depth which is perfect for all you gin lovers. Other than this there is a gin cheese and chocolate package where 5 award winning gins are expertly paired with the most divine cheese and hand made truffles all for you to indulge in and taste a piece of heaven.
Lost And Found Birmingham
Lost and Found will be your new fave secret hideout where you can escape your worries as they whisk you away for an enchanting evening. The restaurant will captivate you as you get lost in the night and make unforgettable memories with the people you love. Lost And Found serve up British food in uniquely designed rooms that are inside a stunning old Victorian building tucked away from the hectic streets, just waiting for you to discover.
Mixology is something this bar does well. The experts at Lost And Found create beautiful and playful cocktails that take inspiration from nature and botanical aspects. Serving your reliable usuals and some out of the ordinary drinks, their menu is a gold mine of delicious flavours. Not only will these drinks taste good but they will look spectacular, being garnished and presented in flawless glassware they are definitely photo worthy. Some of these fantastic drinks that we thought were worth a mention include Popcorn Old Fashioned, Pineapple & Ginger Mojito, and the Jerry’s Biscoff Shake.
Drinks are not the only thing Lost And Found do right as their food is pretty tasty too. Their recipes have been perfected and focus on every little detail to make them the best they can be. These creative meals are made from scratch each day and served by welcoming and warm staff who will ensure you have a pleasant dining experience with them. Some of the items on the menu are burgers, salads, pizzas, and steaks.
You could also opt for either one of their bottomless brunches or afternoon teas. The bottomless brunches are served every Saturday, where you can sip on bubbles for 2 hours and enjoy a dish of your choice of the menu. Their afternoon teas keep it classically British where you can enjoy sweet treats, sandwiches, and a tipple of your choice.
8 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5RS
Simpsons Bar
Located just outside of Birmingham in the town of Sutton Coldfield, Simpsons Bar was established in 2016 and aims to bring you quality drinks and service that you will love. This cost lounge is a great place to grab an evening drink with your friends or significant other. While Simpsons are known for their gins they also serve lots of other drinks such as beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails that will make your mouth water.
Some of the beverages we think you may enjoy are their Bramble cocktail which is a gin based drink with lemon, blackberry, and sugar syrup and their Cosmopolitan which has vodka, cranberry, and lime for a sweet and sour taste you can’t say no to.
Simpsons also hole gin tasting events. These events are held monthly where you can try a range of their special gins and potentially find your new favourite. Gin tasting events are a great way to meet like minded people and have the chance to share your opinion on what you think is best.
7a High St, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield B72 1XH
