BIRMINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEKEND:
MORE THRILLS, SMALLER BILLS
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Last month I had my first-ever, shark-jumping £10 pint in London's not-so-trendy North Greenwich. A milestone, certainly, though unlikely to make the family Christmas card update.
Back home, meanwhile, Birmingham Cocktail Weekend is doing wonderful things for both our drinking plans and our civic smugness. From Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25, every participating bar will serve a £6 signature cocktail and a £5 mocktail. Some also have a £9 cocktail and snack pairing. Less than my pint, with food included. I may forward this to Sadiq Khan.
The final bar line-up has landed, with old favourites joined by newcomers, and we’ve selected just six of this year's creations worth seeking out. Keep going BCW, you beautifully reasonable knees-up, you.
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VICTORY TOAST @ F1 ARCADE
F1 Arcade is built around speed, but this cocktail is one to take slower than an M6-southbound Spaghetti Junction crawl to Whereversville.
Inspired by butterscotch cheesecake, it brings top brand voddy together with butterscotch liqueur, butterscotch syrup and lemon juice, with aquafaba giving it a silky finish. That’s a lot of butterscotch, and you might expect to need a dentist’s note to order one. Happily, the lemon cuts through the sweetness. You get caramel, vanilla and a hint of honey, followed by a creamy finish that gets remarkably close to cheesecake without requiring a fork.
Rich and indulgent, it’s a solid reward for anyone who’s just spent ten minutes gripping a steering wheel and calling it exercise. On the side is a little cheesecake bite which does not count as a snack pairing. That's all yours for £6.
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DEEP PURPLE @ CHAPTER
Chapter has created a cocktail so autumnal you half expect it to arrive wearing a burnt-orange scarf and telling you it’s just put the heating on for the first time. It’s called Deep Purple, which also sounds like a reasonable description of your tongue after a second one.
Jack Daniel's with blackberry and raspberry liqueur bring the big berry flavours: blackberry up front, then rich Black Forest gâteau comes through like a dessert trolley with no intention of stopping. Cranberry juice stops things getting too cosy, while dark chocolate syrup adds a rich, velvety finish. There’s chocolate powder on top and a dark chocolate straw, because apparently the chocolate in the glass felt underdressed.
It’s bold, fruity and firmly on the dessert side of drinking, without tipping into a liquid box of Roses.
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THE IRON SOUR @ BLACKLOCK
Meat den Blacklock has barely got its coat on the hook and it’s already putting Irn-Bru in cocktails. The Iron Sour sounds like a Victorian medical condition but is considerably more enjoyable.
Kentucky corn whiskey forms the base, joined by orange juice, Select aperitivo, orange bitters and an Irn-Bru reduction. Yes, the actual stuff. The result is soft and silky, with bright citrus up front, a little bitterness behind it and that unmistakable spiced sweetness bringing up the rear. It’s a nostalgic hit, though considerably more grown-up than drinking the original from a plastic bottle at the 50 bus stop.
The clever bit is how well the Irn-Bru fits. It gives the drink its personality without turning it into a novelty act. Sweet, tart and gently bitter, The Iron Sour makes a persuasive case for putting Scotland’s other national drink on the cocktail menu. Gaun yersel’, Blacklock.
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MUMMY'S JAM @ BMAG
Mummy’s Jam is a nod to Joe Lycett, currently exhibiting at BMAG, though the name does sound like something your dad’s just deleted from his search history. Still, the cocktail itself is considerably more wholesome.
Served in the museum’s iconic Round Room, it starts with Tanba Densho sake and cooked apple notes. Strawberry vermouth and home-made clarified strawberry cordial kick in, while verjus and an ankle flash of fino sherry stop things getting too jammy.
The result is light, fruity and refreshing. Just order it confidently. I promise the staff have heard the name before.
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MEZZANOTTE @ FUMO
At the Fumo on Pigeon Park, Mezzanotte means “midnight” in Italian. Which is handy, because “one more cocktail and then we’ll go” sounds terrible in Italian. Actually, that's not true, is it? Everything sounds good in Italian, even "change at New Street for a rail replacement bus".
This one is a real gem thanks in no small part to the trio of canapés: Mini arancini, cestino tomato and burrata, cestino beetroot tartare. Sublime.
The drink itself starts with Bombay Saf infused in house with vanilla. Sweet red vermouth adds a darker, richer edge, while pineapple and strawberry tepache pull it somewhere tropical. A splash of soda keeps the whole thing light on its feet, like prime Amir Khan.
It’s smooth and fruity, with vanilla softening the gin, cherry coming through clearly and a refreshing finish that makes another sip feel non-negosh. Despite the name, you needn’t wait until midnight to order one. In fact, if you’re planning to make it to midnight, this seems exactly the right place to start.
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THE SILHOUETTE @ SAINT PAUL'S MARKET
Saint Paul’s Market calls this one The Silhouette, although subtle outlines aren’t really its thing. It arrives wearing a layer of double cream, with grated nutmeg and dark chocolate on top.
Underneath is coffee-infused tequila, joined by cold brew and Kahlúa. Chocolate liqueur and Shanky’s Whip add to the indulgence, while orange peel gives the whole thing a welcome little lift. It’s like a tequila take on a White Russian: rich coffee first, then caramel, toffee and cream. Basically, dessert has made some very persuasive arguments for becoming a drink.
The trick is getting a little of that cream with the darker coffee beneath it. Take your time. This is the sort of cocktail that deserves a seat, a conversation about The Big Lebowski and absolutely no immediate plans to stand.
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Birmingham Cocktail Weekend runs from October 22 to October 25. Tickets
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DISHOOM’S DIWALI PARTY IS BMAG-BOUND
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is getting dressed up for Diwali, and Dishoom is bringing the party. On Monday, November 2, the museum will trade its usual evening hush for music, colour and a fairly strong case for staying out past your bedtime.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time for families to gather, neighbours to exchange mithai and everyone to look hopefully towards the New Year. Dishoom’s Birmingham celebration takes that spirit and gives it a dancefloor.
The line-up is once again being curated by BBC Asian Network, which is based right here in Brum. Expect South Asian sounds from artists chosen by a station that knows a thing or two about championing them. There’ll also be intricate mehendi for guests who’d like their hands looking considerably more glamorous than they did on the bus in.
It all takes place at BMAG in Chamberlain Square from 7pm to 11.30pm. Early-bird tickets are £30, rising to £35 on October 11. Tickets include a vegetarian or vegan feast and complimentary chai. Bring your friends, make a night of it and try not to let the museum’s portraits judge your dancing. Tickets and more
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WE DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER 575
The first issue of I Choose Birmingham went out to just 63 people. Of those, 54 are receiving the 600th issue, today, along with 21,572 other engaged and energised Brummies.
Nobody else reaches this core subsection of the city. Those who understand that Brum is Britain's best-kept secret.
Thirteen years on, we’d argue we’ve made a small but significant change to the face of publishing in Brum. When we launched, the idea was simple: make a genuinely good e-magazine, send it directly to people, and treat the city like somewhere worth getting excited about. No clickbait, no endless churn, no pretending a press release is journalism because somebody’s changed the first paragraph.
Since then we’ve published almost every week — including throughout Covid, when our revenue disappeared overnight, but Brum's indies needed championing more than ever.
We’ve made our own beer. Made our own burger. Worked a shift at Wagas. Conducted the CBSO. Launched products, thrown parties, broken stories, been kicked out of two offices, backed countless independents and persuaded an unreasonable number of people to spend their weekends eating, drinking and doing things they didn’t know existed.
More importantly, we’ve tried to prove there’s another way to publish locally: with personality, proper writing and an assumption that readers are smart.
About 1.4 million words later, ICB remains fiercely Birmingham, stubbornly independent and still free. Which either makes us pioneers of modern publishing or people who really don’t know when to stop.
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A LIVING SCULPTURE LANDS AT MAC
Described by the New York Times as “An enthralling, epically adventurous work,” the UK premiere of Weathering by Faye Driscoll (co-presented by Fabric and Fierce Festival 2026) comes to the Midlands Arts Centre, Oct 14 to 16.
In it, ten performers construct a slowly evolving live scene on a mobile raft-like stage, forming a living sculpture of constantly shifting images, connections and relationships.
Bodies gather, separate and reconfigure, glacially shifting, as the work unfolds in real time. Surrounding the stage on all sides, the audience are close enough to hear every breath, smell the sweat and feel the heat of the action.
And this isn't one for sitting back politely and waiting for the interval wine. Sound, movement, scent, objects and bodies accumulate as the piece progresses, with the boundary between performer and audience deliberately blurred. Less traditional dance show, more being dropped inside an artwork while it changes shape around you.
Fierce says “Weathering is a full body experience that vibrates and electrifies the senses.”
Find out more about Fierce Festival 2026. Taking place from Oct 14 to 18, it offers exhilarating performances, works-in-progress, and artist-hosted meals.
Weathering is presented as part of THIS IS DANCE, a collective of presenting partners, co-producers, and commissioning organisations dedicated to showcasing ambitious international dance in Birmingham, challenging expectations of what dance can be, and bringing joy to audiences across the city. Tickets
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THE COST OF LIVING, WITH A SIDE OF MEDIEVAL FAMINE
The cost of living is on everyone’s mind. The University of Birmingham is giving it the festival treatment, with six free events exploring money, inequality and the decisions that shape our lives.
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, which runs from Oct 17 to Nov 7, the university’s programme begins on Oct 22 with a 40th-anniversary screening of Handsworth Songs and a discussion of its legacy. On Oct 28, a panel considers how financial hardship intersects with the criminal justice system. The following day, The Assetocracy asks what concentrated wealth means for the House of Lords and British democracy.
Prefer to get involved? Family-friendly event Down the AI Rabbit Hole at MAC on Oct 31 is an interactive game about the algorithms increasingly involved in mortgages, budgeting and pensions. On Nov 3, young people and experts discuss money, work and belonging after education.
Finally, on Nov 4, a roleplaying workshop sends participants back to 1315 to tackle the Great Famine. An unusually effective way to make your current grocery bill seem manageable, perhaps, although we wouldn’t count on it. All six events are free. Very cost-of-living friendly.
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DISCOVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF CREATIVE AND DIGITAL TALENT AT BOA
The BOA Group will open its doors this October, giving prospective students and their families the chance to discover three specialist academies helping young people turn their passions into future careers.
The first event takes place at BOA Digital Technologies on Thursday 8 October. With technology transforming almost every industry, the academy is preparing for an exciting new chapter with its Sixth Form opening in September 2027. Students will be able to explore pathways including Computer Science, Esports, Digital Games Production, Cyber Security and Data Analytics, alongside a growing range of digital opportunities.
At BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts, Open Events take place on Tuesday 13 October for KS4 and Thursday 15 October for Post 16. The academy offers specialist pathways across Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre, Music, Games, Creative Media and Art & Design. Its alumni include BRIT Award nominee Mahalia, Oscar-winning director Tom Berkeley and BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Bethany Antonia – just some of the graduates who have gone on to make their mark in the creative industries.
The Open Events conclude at BOA Stage & Screen on Saturday 17 October. Offering specialist training in areas including Film & TV, Acting, Directing & Screen Performance, Hair & Make-Up, Lighting & Sound and Set, Props & Costume, the academy gives students the opportunity to learn through practical, industry-focused experiences.
Across the Group, these events offer a glimpse into the opportunities available when education, creativity, technology and industry come together. More
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THE ART OF THE OVERLOOKED
Birmingham Anime Film Festival returns for its fourth year, Oct 9, bringing three days of big-screen Japanese animation to Digbeth’s Mockingbird Cinema.
Organised by Birmingham media collective Geeky Brummie, BAFF spans classics, cult favourites and newer releases, with screenings for anime obsessives and the anime-curious alike.
Top of the bill is the 1995 Ghost in the Shell, the hugely influential sci-fi landmark that helped introduce anime to audiences worldwide. There’s also Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending 2006 Paprika, alongside considerably fresher fare including 2025’s Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX – Beginning.
The whole thing takes place at The Mockingbird in the Custard Factory, meaning you’re conveniently surrounded by Digbeth’s independent bars and restaurants should several hours of dystopian futures and giant robots require advanced refreshment.
Festival founder Ryan Parish says BAFF celebrates a genre that has become an important part of Birmingham’s increasingly sizeable geek culture. Full programme
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Taskmaster champ, News Quiz host and cricket stats wizard Andy Zaltzman brings his new stand-up show 2026: The Certifiable History to Warwick Arts Centre, Jan 30. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Oct 2) at 10am, here.
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Bristol-born Sandwich Sandwich, known for sarnies roughly the size of a small flat, looks set to land in Birmingham. Boards have appeared outside 43 Temple Street, and its website says the new shop is “launching soon”.
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Roll the Bones is opening in Sutton Coldfield’s former Simpsons bar on High Street, with six rotating craft beer taps, cans and specials. Cheers to that. Follow
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The RBSA Prize opens Thursday, Oct 1, at 6pm, showcasing boundary-pushing contemporary art from local and international artists until Oct 31. More
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A new pop-up exhibition explores how advertisers helped invent the British teenager from the 1950s onwards. The free event visits Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, Oct 5 to 8. Expect youth culture, nostalgia and expertly monetised teenage angst.
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Birmingham Artisan Markets lands at the Botanical Gardens Oct 3, 11am–5pm, with independent makers, handmade gifts, street food and children’s activities. Christmas shopping starts here. Tickets
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Bloxwich’s New Invention Brewery is expanding into Digbeth, with a brewery and taproom at 148 Adderley Street targeting a late Nov opening. Crowdfunding is underway.
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