Four Birmingham venues make it to the Top 50 Cocktail Bars List

Birmingham is home to a vibrant hospitality industry and it’s always great when the people behind them get recognised for that. Out of the thousands of bars in the UK, four cocktail bars in Birmingham were picked by over 100 industry experts.

They voted to pick the Top 50 Cocktail Bars published by William Reed. Mixologists in Birmingham know how to whip up a great drink that can keep you coming back for more, and now the whole country is aware of that. After the recent Top 50 Cocktail Bars list was announced, teams behind four Birmingham bars have much to celebrate.

Here are the four bars in the top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK:

1. Couch, Stirchley - no. 12

This independent bar first enterred the list in 2022 at number 37 and since then, this neighbourhood bar has climbed a whopping 25 places.

The Top 50 Cocktail Bar team says: “Expect handcrafted cocktails inspired by music, with each drink based on iconic popular culture references, while there is also a curated wine list and a rotating special cocktail on draught.

“Notable serves have included Little By Little made with Beefeater 24 Gin, olive vermouth, garden pea and meadowsweet (inspired by Dusty Springfield); the Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, made with Maker’s Mark Whiskey, bitter orange, blackcurrant and elderflower soda (inspired by Cher); and the Two Doors Down made using Tapatio Tequila, peach wine, ginger and southern sweet tea (Dolly Parton).”

The venue is walk-ins only, and it operates from Wednesday through to Saturday from 4pm until 11pm. Couch are a finalist of this year’s Bar Team of the Year award.

2. The Pineapple Club, Birmingham City Centre - no.12

Located inside the Great Western Arcade, this bar launched a new menu in late 2022.

The Top 50 Cocktail Bar team says: “It is ‘fresh, vibrant and spacious with a strong range of drinks offerings as well as an equally compelling bottomless brunch offering. Jumping a huge 30 places in just a year, this Birmingham hotspot is not to be underestimated.’”

The current menu includes drinks such as Lassi Wanders with Indian-owned Crazy Gin, mango, lemon vermouth, chutney spices, lime, or the Second Iteration which combines Discarded vodka, honeybush, caramelised banana, raspberry & avocado leaf and pineapple.A happy hour is available from 5pm-8pm Thursdays and Fridays with drinks costing just £6. The Pineapple Club are also a finalist of this year’s Bar Team of the Year award.

3. Passing Fancies, Digbeth - no. 32

Tommy Matthews, former bar manager of Couch and the Edgbaston, joined forces with Matt Arnold and Eve Green of the Edgbaston and Grain & Glass to launch the venue last year.

There are 12 cocktails on the menu, which include a range of fruity serves like the Nectarine Bellini, Apple Highball, Berry Cobbler and Adult Ribena.

But the flavour profile of the list is expansive: other cocktails include the Salt & Rye, which as its name suggests combines rye, walnut and salt, as well as a classic Espresso Martini. There’s also a range of wines available, with the portfolio including bottles from Spain, Australia, France, Portugal and Argentina.

Passing Fancies is open from Wednesday to Saturday until midnight, then on Sundays until 10pm. It has 54 covers, with a layout akin to ‘the kitchen at a house party’.

4. Fox and Chance -Birmingham City Centre - no. 40

It opened in September 2023 and the Top 50 Cocktail Bars team says: “Great atmosphere and world class cocktails are promised at Fox & Chance.”

Located on Pinfold Street, the bar offers two classic cocktails for £6 each on Sundays. It’s a sophisticated but laid-back venue with teal green walls and framed pieces of quirky art.

The bar’s name and mascot Charlie the Fox were inspired by the Chance Brothers and Charles Fox - who helped spur the city’s development.