My first exposure to Mockingbird was during the Yelp Instameet at the Custard Factory where I learned about the venue with a backstage tour. I've since stopped by three more times and I love it more each time than the last.
The Mockingbird opened roughly two years ago as a cultural arts theatre and cinema with a focus on community events. In August 2015 the venue was taken over by the former proprietors of the Sunflower Lounge's kitchen. A refurbishment has since made the venue look bright and fresh, with an expanded bar and full kitchen. If you don't venture down to Digbeth often there are two good reasons to visit Mockingbird; the delicious food and the classic movies on screen.
The bar and kitchen portion of the venue is a destination for me any time I'm in Digbeth. Located in one of the inner courtyards of the Custard Factory, opposite what used to be Alfie Bird's, you'll find some of the best American inspired burgers and sides in the area. The menu is reasonably priced, with their vegetarian burger with fries hitting the £8 mark. The cuisine may be down home and dirty, but this is the kind of grease I can support. The bar excels at cocktails of all types, and stocks a pretty good selection of craft beers. Traditional ales and craft beers range from local (Indian Brewery, Sadler's) to international (Sam Adams, and even a lager from Iceland).
The 100+ person theatre is currently set-up with a commercial grade projector and screen, with a fidelity that is perfect for dvd quality films from the 1980's and before. There are plans in the works to upgrade to a cinema quality digital projector in the near future. For now, Mockingbird is concentrating on classic movies at reasonable prices. A screening of 'Big Trouble in Little China' cost £3 per person. On some nights the Mockingbird concocts a special cocktail for the movie. These can be added on to the ticket price for £3. A showing of 'The Thing' featured a 'MacReady' themed cocktail that was out of this world. A special screening of the Blues Brothers hosted a live band that played before the movie, at intermission, and afterwards.
Fresh and inventive ideas like this are creating experiences at Mockingbird unlike what you'll find at any other cinema in Birmingham, while their food menu provides a destination not only for cinema fans. read more