The House is home to some of the most popular bar/ clubs in Solihull; Babylon, Reflex and the Loft…read more The only negative thing I have to say about this place is at night some the bouncers have acted very rude to my friends and me for no apparent reason. This leaves me the impression that they've let their small power get to their head and that some of them are arrogant. On the other hand the rest of the staff are very polite and the service is quick. The House is a arguably one of the best places to go in Solihull for a night out. Each club has a large dance floor, colourful bar and plenty of room to sit down (good for those tired bodies.) I love the music in all of the clubs! The DJs play a mix of music 70s-90s, classic urban and chart. They also play their own remixes of the songs. I'm certain there's something for everyone here and would recommend you come here, especially on a Friday and/ or Saturday night.

The worst night club I have ever been to. It's full of people that want to punch you or each other…read morein the face don't waste your time your better off going to lloyds it's cheaper and less hassle.

If you're looking for either a glam night out with the girls, or a night out with the guys checking…read moreout the glam girls then Mechu is the place to go. A firm favourite with the cities footballers and high earning business professionals, you can expect to see bottles of champagne all over the place. I'm 26 and the last time I went I felt quite overwhelmed with how many older men were in there. If you're looking for a wild drunken night with a younger crowd then this probably won't be for you unless you go on the student night which takes place on a Thursday. However if you prefer the idea of drinking with a more mature crowd in quality surroundings then it's definitely worth checking out on a Saturday night. Some of the cities best DJ's can be found playing so you'll be provided with the perfect soundtrack all night long.

Although it seems a bit perfunctory to diss Mechu for its VIP-style snobbery and expensive bar…read moreprices (after all, that's the point!), it has to be said that this is not for the likes of people like me who spent most of their formative clubbing days spilling snakebite over their converse in various dark and dingy indie discos. However, having attended the upmarket Mechu on a couple of occasions for work parties, I'm happy to report it's not without its pleasures. It's a swanky bar and relatively spacious, the music from the decent DJs supplying both a mix of dance and urban cuts. The booths are good if you're in a group, but make sure you have a stacked wallet. The thing that generally puts me off - and why I'm probably not the intended audience in the first place - is the 'footballers wives' vibe it gives off. I'm not into my footie, so I wouldn't recognise the much purported cameos from Villa FC players - however, there are lots of glam, slightly orange women 'coyly' approaching the blokes in smart threads at the bar and suddenly I'm humming the tune to that Amy Winehouse tune 'F### Me Pumps' as it could have been written about this place. If you've got the cash and you want to avoid the lower-rent version that is Rococo on Broad Street, then by all means splash that cash here. I'd rather lounge about in Island Bar, thanks.

Is this the best party space that Birmingham has EVER had? I think it could be. Outdoor dancefloor…read morethat's undercover, Funktion one sound and a bar that's undercover.....just ideal for dancing in the summer months. Overlooking the rainbow arena and warehouse spaces of the city this is a venue with a view as well as some seriously good music. Special shouts so SOUP who have been providing an amazing crowd to the space for many weeks over the summer as well as djs that can keep the place moving until the very early hours. If you havent been there yet....there is still time! The terrace will be on over September while it's still warm enough to do so. Check the Rainbow venues facebook or website for details!

Excellent establishment came up all the way from Evesham highly recommend it particularly good for…read morewinding down after with dealing with the stresses of LUSA

If you have not been to the Nightingale yet.....GO! Over the last few years it has been going from…read morestrength to strength giving the Birmingham gay community a club to be proud of! From week to week the events here do change so be sure to check the website for what's going on but you can expect drag shows from international queens and music from the likes of Ms Dynamite and Aqua?! Door price is usually around £10 but you can usually pick up cheaper advance ticket options. This place can be a seriously good night out and worth every penny :)

Lab 11 I'd somewhere I haven't been to many times but when I go I have to say it's an amazing…read moreexperience. It is everything it need to be its dark it's nasty but you have an amazing time. Everyone is there to have fun and everyone is there to enjoy themselves! No matter what night they are hosting check it out you won't regret it! It's played host to some awesome nights in birmingham and allows everyone who goes to he themselves it's a truly mixed venue and a credit to Birmingham fantastic club scene.

It's not shiny, glamorous or fashionable, but it is fantastic…read more As far as modern venues go, Lab 11 certainly goes against the grain. If you are looking for luxury this isn't for you. If you are open to new experiences, vibes and people step this way! With exposed brick walls, incredible lighting and a distinct lack of décor, oddly enough gives it it's exclusive raw and underground character. The smoking area is fully covered and seems to be under an old railway arch which adds to the covert character of the place. The party spilled out to the smoking area throughout the night which is always a great sign! The bar is small but with a decent enough selection of drinks and a surprisingly short waiting time. The women's bathroom was spacious, with enough mirrors (yes I am being a girl) and well maintained which is always a big plus. Unfortunately their website isn't up-to-date so I am confused as to what nights are held there and when, which is a shame for them and those like us looking for offbeat fun. I was introduced to Lab 11 via 'Massive Events' - massive events for massive party people. Please look for a separate review from me later because their events definitely deserve their own evaluation (nothing less than great FYI).

Fairly cheap drinks, and usually an alright night with a real varied set of customers. It's one of…read moremy friends favourites, and we came here recently for her Birthday- booked a booth, which had a reasonable amount of stuff provided, leis, balloons, weird finger torches to cut off your blood circulation, sweets, temporary tattoos (not sure it's hygienic with spit and drinks, but oh well)- and a drinks tab- however, after showing a couple of people to the booth- that was that. It was chasing down the tab and arguing for it and all manner of other humans trying to jump in and nick stuff. I think you have to expect a standard stocked bar, and dodgy loos. You can certainly still have fun here. Find it weird that they pat down guys to get in and not girls- as they could quite as easily be carrying something. DJs are often rude about requests or Birthday shout outs- I don't know if it's been the same guy the few times I've been in but whoever certainly had a serious dose of arrogance going on. I preferred it when it was flares.

I have been going to popworld since last year and I have to admit I love it every single time!…read more It's a 90's/cheesy pop music themed club so if that music isn't for you this isn't going to be your cup of tea. This club used to be flares (70's themed club) but sometime last year it got converted to popworld. Yes it has it's downsides like the dance floor can be very crowded at peak times during the night and the loos are pretty small but there minor issues when your having a laugh and partying away. It's def a place where you leave your ego at the door and just bust a move to 5ive and backstreet boys haha. The drinks are around the same price bracket as reflex so knocking around the cheap/average price range. All the decor is funky colours and cheesy pics from the 90's and the music always gets people on the dance floor, all the way round the dance floor there's tv screens showing the videos of the music being played which is pretty cool. A good little tip when you go there always go to the upstairs bar when upstairs is open because most people just head to the main bar so it leaves upstairs pretty empty and you get served much much quicker! So if you don't mind cheesy music and maybe getting alittle sweaty from dancing like a mad person then you will enjoy this place!

PST is fairly new to the Birmingham club world and started life out in Balsall Heath as a small get…read moretogether. The club now finds home on the emerging side of Digbeth, where many other venues establish hiding places from the usual taxi drop offs. In other words, be prepared to explain to taxi drivers exactly how to get here before starting off, otherwise you'll be driving around the back streets of Digbeth for hours! The club itself looks like a Tardis in the form of a small house from the roadside. But in fact, the venue is home to three large rooms. The basement, the main room and the newly extended rooftop. Nights on the rooftop are the perfect events for smokers, as they don't have to leave their position or miss out on any of the music. There is also food served on the roof, which to me is ingenious. Many times I have had to walk miles after a club night, in hope to find an open takeaway. But at PST, you don't have to go anywhere. To me, PST is Birmingham's defining reggae club, and holds a reggae and dub night every Thursday on the roof. These nights are always packed full of exceptionally friendly people, and the whole ethos behind the venue name People Stand Together (PST) also reflects this welcoming atmosphere perfectly. You really will struggle not to fit in here, and if you enjoy the sounds of underground music, then PST is definitely the venue to be at. I personally enjoyed a psychedelic trance night in the main room called Kanyini, which transported me back to what I'd except the 90s dance club scene to be like. Fluorescent walls, glow sticks and adrenalin driving beats!

PST is the only club in Birmingham that I can officially and honestly say has 'roots'!…read more Seeing as I love funk, reggae, soul and all other classic tunes that puts all this modern malarkey to shame - PST is the place to come and soak up the good vibrations. Everyone I have ever come across there are some of the soundest, wildest and most chilled people I have ever met, they are enjoying life to the full, with some cool beverages, the occasional salt-fish patty and the finest music. I have witnessed a pop-up break dancing crew on one of the funk nights when there was a lot of 'old-skool' break being mixed, I did attempt to participate and whipped out my best wild, arm-flailing two-step. Once I realised I had just swiftly exhausted my whole dancing resume whilst they were still spinning on their heads, I decided to retire to the rooftop yard and lay-low for a while to avoid embarrassing myself any more. The rooftop yard just adds to PST's supremacy as a venue - the party goes on up there too when the skies are clear. PST is a venue that's on another plane in comparison to these big establishments - it's got character, authenticity and a crowd unlike any other. Get to PST and revel in the best vibes that Birmingham has to offer.

I remember the first time I ventured to the Arcadian's Indi Bar, back in I think 2008. I remember…read morebeing so excited - 'Ah,' I thought, 'here comes an alternative to Snobs where I can swing my hips to a bit of the Smiths without being cramped on to a tiny dancefloor.' It turns out that 'e' that follows 'indi' can make a whole lot of difference, as Indi turned out not to be a Converse and guitars kind of place. Still, it offers a fun night out if you're easily pleased. The tunes run the gamut from 90s R'n'B, the latest chart dance anthems and poppier stuff (not exactly Morrissey, eh?) so it's good for a dance, although the dancefloor isn't that much bigger than Snobs' main room to be honest. It has the added advantage of a nice little space outside for smokers and, during the early evening, beers outside. However, why anyone would choose Indi over superior Arcadian bars like Poppy Red is beyond me. Actually, maybe it isn't. The drinks prices are rather more accessible and, coupled with what might be termed 'generic' populist music, it's an ideal choice for students.

Great bar and plenty of space to dance. Sometimes you can be charged to get in but ony 2-3 pounds…read moreand drinks are not expensive at all. Great music. The only problem is I wish it were bigger! Best place to go to in the arcadian.

Another worthwhile addition to Birmingham's gay scene, Chic is not devoted to disco as the name…read moremight suggest but is definitely one for nightbirds. When all the other gays have stopped dancing, you can head to Chic and continue pulling shapes thanks to the club's late late license. If you plan on checking it out, be aware it's a bit of a trek from the gay quarter, located more or less opposite the new Academy on Horse Fair, just off the Queensway. It's not the prettiest side of town, but the venue is good for a big night out - although as I prefer my bed now to catching the first train home, I've never been able to last more than an hour after heading to the after-hours night on Saturday. The few times I've been there the music has been big club house anthems, including remixes of popular chart hits, and the drinks prices haven't taken too much advantage of the fact that not many other places are open at 5 in the morning! The crowd is mixed but heavier on the gay quota than perhaps the Loft Lounge, so put your dancing shoes on and make sure you're loaded on Red Bull to see it through to closing time.

I love, love, love this club!…read more If you're looking for a cracking night out with the most up for it - and extremely camp - crowd then you need to check out Chic. We use to pretty much live in there when it used to be called Kudos and speed garage dominated the party scene. Nowadays you'll be provided with a soundtrack that oozes a combination of classic vocal sing-a-longs to bassline anthems. The bars are good, 1 in the side room when you fiirst walk in, 1 large bar in the main room, and another upstairs. Even if the club gets busy the staff are really quick and you always get served without ever having to wait long which is great as the musics that good you won't want to be away from the dancefloor for long! There's also a really cool outside terrace which has a tree house effect with an upper tier full of bean bags... it really is a fabulously fun venue.

Urban Village aims to offer the people of Selly Oak something a little different, when it's mostly…read moremore of the same: Acting like a trendy club, when it's more appropriately a large bar hiding behind a nightclub's décor. Not that there's a problem with this at all, as more often than not it's the best place to end up if you don't quite feel like making the trip in the town to have a tragic night on Broad Street, but still feel like you might want to get up, dance and embarrass yourself at some point. On warmer nights, you can quite easily spend your whole night downstairs in the beer garden/smoking area/paradise island. The furniture and fountains are a little bit tacky, but it certainly makes for a nice change as opposed to all the intentionally, overly 'British vibe and homely furniture' pubs. Upstairs however, there is a generously sized bar and a large open space which roughly works out as three medium sized rooms. As you enter, on your right there is a fairly tucked away 'lounge' area, the bar straight ahead is fairly empty to accommodate the hordes of those queueing, and off to the left there is a kind of, neither here nor there room where they have just chucked everything else: Pool tables, foosball, a pinball machine, a few tables dotted around, and small-ish open space which acts as a sort of dance floor and a small stage which is where you might find DJs, or an unfortunate band playing. Urban serves all the usual drinks at a competitive price, and like most pubs in the area operates a kind of discount system which merely involves flashing a student card: OK for those still studying, but for anyone else it can leave you feeling a bit cold. Trying too hard to be too eclectic, Urban is definitely not suited to live band nights. Perhaps more of an afterthought, it is no better or no worse than any other 'venues' on the Bristol Road (I would argue that there are none, in principle). Having said that, a jazz band that turned up one night were actually quite good, mostly choosing to ignore the venue's lame setup and deciding to play acoustically. DJs on the other hand, are perfect for the small space and it also serves as a place for 'quizmaster Na$' to sit on Tuesday nights in the horrifically named pub quiz 'Lethal Quizzle'. I went once with a group of friends and we'd been answering consistently, but sadly lost to two girls who had definitely cheated. Ah well. Urban is usually packed, so it's definitely not the best place to try and watch any football - it's arguably too noisy and not suited to watching live sport and I'd recommend The Soak or The Bristol Pear instead if you're thinking about it. Monday nights see 'Pounded', where the drinks are even cheaper and the place is a heaving mass of eager pre-drinking students and the occasional dodgy local. While it can get messy, this is arguably Urban Village's niche in the Selly Oak area: A warm up zone for the terrible events that will unfold later after getting a taxi in to town, or at least a compromise for those wise enough to not take the risk of hitting Broad Street.

Urban prides itself of being Selly Oaks only bar, with little competition from the likes of the…read moreSoak and Goose where you compete with diners for seats. It's a little hard to find, sandwiched between 2 shops is the entrance alleyway which leads on to a patio area with heaters and a big screen for live sport. From there, up a set of stairs, and you'll reach the main area with the bar in front of you. Decor is little more than a black room, but on a Monday and Tuesday drinks are dirt cheap and you can often find a comfy sofa. A definite contender for a pre drinks spot, but not the place if you're at all interested in conversation due to the escalating noise.