I'm going to start this review with an admission... I've only ever been to Spotlight when it's been hosting a food based event. I've never been to their club nights, only for Digbeth Dining Club (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/digbeth-dining-club-birmingham?hrid=6m82IjcZEp72P-PVQijElA) and more recently, UK Burger Battle (http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/uk-burger-battle-birmingham?hrid=s_bhhXIXfy4eL0NybqlJ1w).
To be honest, I don't think I would have ever heard of Spotlight if it hadn't been for DDC being there. Being a little hidden off the main stretch of Digbeth (behind the beer garden of the Old Crown), it's not somewhere you would stumble upon or plan to go to unless there was something advertised there you wanted to attend. Saying that, it's only really a 10 minute walk from the Bullring and just around the corner from the Custard Factory, so it's not difficult to find.
Spotlight and Next Door are technically two venues but are the same building. They're the kind of place you would head to for a night of raving, rather than a quiet drink. The main entrance is technically past the railway arches and around the corner, but for the purpose of events, it's normally in the loading/parking area.
Now this venue is pretty cool. It's essentially a warehouse on multiple levels which has been kitted out with top quality sound equipment and a couple of bars, but I can see it's appeal for "underground" parties. It's got a bar in the main room and a second bar upstairs. Unfortunately, I haven't ever really been impressed with the drinks offerings. A pint of Tiger (the only beer handpull, I believe) is nearly £5 and other than that it sells a range of spirits and bottles.
The smoking area is the parking area and is pretty generous. Loads of space for grabbing a quiet chat or enjoying an outside drink in the summer. It is still essentially a car park though, so don't expect glitz and glamour. The toilets are servicable in this venue, but not pleasant. There are two cubicles downstairs (as well as the gents) with a ladies toilet block upstairs. The doors mainly lock and I haven't ever had "paper issues" here, which is about the nicest thing I can say about them.
If you're into raving in a warehouse, I can imagine you having some pretty good times in Spotlight. The main reason to visit is the vast amount of events they put on throughout the year (Madame Moonshine's speakeasy being a big draw for swing fans). This place is big, it's well kitted out for a party and it has a couple of bars. That's about all I can say about it really. It's fit for purpose, but it's not the pinnacle of glamour. read more