It is no secret that Birmingham has some of the finest independent businesses that the UK has to offer, whether it’s a vintage hair & make-up salon or a zero-waste supermarket you’re after, you are bound to find a local business in our city that will deliver quality, service, and care to the highest standard.
The last 12 months haven’t been easy for anyone in our city and for none more so than the thriving shops, bars, and restaurants who have found themselves having to adapt & change in order to continue providing the services that their customers know and love.
We have created a list of some of the cities best independents, discussing what they do and what they have done in the face of multiple lockdowns and restrictions:
The Juke
Situated in Kings Heath, The Juke is a place of good music, good beer, and good people, and to be honest, what more could you want from your local boozer. Not only does the bespoke bar provide a very generous selection of handpicked craft beer, but it also plays host to some of Birmingham’s best food traders including Bonehead and Koba Ko.
The Juke hasn’t let this year of restrictions and rules stop them, they have adapted their services, offering customers a fine collection of craft ales and food from local street traders for both collection and delivery. You can check them out here
Eat Vietnam
Eat Vietnam is a traditional Vietnamese restaurant, prided on making use of the freshest ingredients to provide the best quality for their diners. Determined not to be defeated, the much-loved Stirchley restaurant has provided a takeout service throughout the weekends, refreshing the menu with new and exciting dishes each week such as their signature bun pork!
Want a bite of the action? You can take a look at what their up to here
Couch Stirchley
Just down the road, we find Couch Stirchley, a cocktail bar serving industry-leading handcrafted drinks to the backdrop of a great playlist and relaxed company.
The luxury of not being able to go out and enjoy a good drink (or two) in the midst of lockdown has at times been difficult, however for Stirchley locals, they were treated to a new delivery and collection service from the bar allowing them to enjoy the fine tastes of handmade cocktails from the safety of their homes. The bar has also regularly spiced their menu up, bringing different themes to their cocktail menu every week including film & Halloween specials.
Want to try it out for yourself? Head over to their website to take advantage of their click and collect service here.
Le Keux Vintage Salon
If the tail end of the first lockdown back in March taught us anything, then it probably is how much we value our local hairdressers here in Birmingham!
Offering vintage, 50s inspired hair treatment and styling to their customers, Le Keux is so much more than your standard hair salon. Our Digbeth neighbors run a vintage diner within their salon, allowing guests to indulge in tasty milkshakes, coffee, and sweet treats as well as a unique afternoon tea package.
Although they are closed for business at the moment, you can still treat your friends and loved ones to a gift voucher for any of their services or pick from a wide selection of cosmetic goods and accessories from their online store. Check it out here.
The Old Crown
Located at the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown is one of our city’s best boozers. Synonymous for their busy weekend events, this year has seen the pub explore very different ways in which to bring the community together at the pub.
The Old Crown launched their online store during the national restrictions selling not only beers and spirits but also artwork from some of Birmingham’s best talents including Foka Wolf and Bethontwolegs.
Upon reopening in July, socially distanced events were introduced at The Old Crown including themed quizzes on everything from Peep Show to Rupaul’s Drag Race and live music in the beer garden, allowing guests to unwind to acoustic sets from the likes of Ash Sheehan & Faye Bagley.
Although it remains closed within current restrictions, you can treat your friends to their very own Old Crown gift card this winter, rewarding them with an extra £5 for every £20 spent on one.
View their online store here
The Night Owl
The Night Owl is one of Digbeth’s best-loved bars and nightclubs, being the hottest ticket in town giving weekend revelers a space to dance, drink and just generally have a great time to the beat of soul, disco, funk & more!
The club was extremely proactive throughout lockdown, hosting a wide array of live stream events including their 5th birthday party with profits made being donated to NHS charities. Stepping out of lockdown, they swapped out the once-bustling dancefloor for tables and chairs, allowing their guests to enjoy the same amazing music in a covid safe and secure setting whilst also serving up delicious street food from Dining By Dalton.
With current restrictions, The Night Owl is currently closed however be sure to stay tuned on their social channels to be updated on future events.
Apocalypse Cow
Just looking at the Cheese and Bacon fries from Scouse foodies Apocalypse Cow is enough to make the fullest stomach hungry again. With the lockdown imposed in March forcing them to close their sites in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Newcastle, it wasn’t until July before we were treated to their delicious BBQ flavors again.
The team has smashed it since reopening with hungry diners flocking to their sites at Birdies Bar and Ghetto Golf from all over Birmingham to indulge in their saucy selection of loaded fries, burgers, tapas, and desserts.
Due to current restrictions, their Birmingham site is currently closed however you can get out their food and what they’re up to here.
Loki Wine
Loki Wine is Birmingham’s most awarded wine merchant and a very popular fixture for wine lovers all over the city who are intrigued by the option to try, sample and discover before purchasing their wine.
The team at Loki have been incredibly inventive in the way that they have adapted during lockdown and are shining examples of what is possible. Fans of the wine merchant have been treated to online wine and cheese tasting sessions with customers purchasing a package that includes a selection of wines and cheeses along with access to an online live stream with the Loki team talking them through history, flavours and styles.
In addition to this, their online store means that customers don’t have to miss out on any of their favourite wines during lockdown with delivery and collection from their shop in the Great Western Arcade both available. Visit their website here.
Early Bird Bakery
The Early Bird Bakery is one of Birmingham’s best-hidden gems, serving up delicious cakes, pastries, and desserts in Kings Heath. They are particularly passionate about the community, providing real opportunities for people to work, learn, and develop within the hospitality sector.
The team there went one step further in the midst of the lockdown, not only transforming to click and collect service but also pairing up University Hospitals Birmingham Charity allowing customers to buy an NHS carer a cake. An amazing gesture in such difficult times.
You can visit their online shop here
Original Pattymen
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious street food here in Birmingham, and the self-proclaimed purveyors of filth, Original Pattymen, are definitely towards the top of our list!
Cooking up a feast of delicious American style burgers, wings, and fries, 2020 has seen the foodies expand with a site added in Stirchley alongside their original Digbeth restaurant. Along with moving their operations over to UberEats during the lockdown, they have launched an online store, giving food lovers access to merch, vouchers, and Patty Kits, for those that fancy trying to make their own slice of America at home.
Visit their website here
Digbeth Dining Club
If you have ever walked Lower Trinity Street in Digbeth on a Friday, there is no doubt that you have taken in the unreal smells coming from Digbeth Dining Club. The venue regularly hosts multiple independent street food vendors on any given night, mixing it up regularly to treat guests to something a little different every week.
Lockdown began with them launching a click and collect service, but they have now adapted and expanded to the point whereby they have taken over Digbeth Arena for a drive-thru service as well partnering with Stanford Hall in Staffordshire, providing cuisine for their drive-in cinema.
Stay updated with future events and pop-ups here
Tiger Bites Pig
Specialising in Taiwanese cuisine, there are few places in the city where you can get a delicious bao bun quite as good as you can at Tiger Bites Pig. With two restaurants, one in the city centre and one in Stirchley, they moved their services during lockdown to allow customers to order food for delivery and collection.
Not only this, but they also launched an online store selling T-shirts, home cooking kits, and traditional Sake!
You can find out more by visiting their website here.
Clean Kilo
Throughout the pandemic, a lot of us had time to reflect on what we can reduce our waste and create a more environmentally friendly future for ourselves.
The Clean Kilo in Digbeth is a great resource for purchasing our day to day goods with zero waste, permitting customers to fill containers with food from the shop before being weighed in. The store has been kept open throughout lockdown for customers to get access to essential supplies and has even been hosting socially discount events to incentivize customers to move over to waste-free shopping.
You can find out more on their website here
D.J. Quinn’s
