Renowned Broad Street bar and live music venue in Birmingham city centre is closing down after 20 years

A family owned venue on Birmingham’s Golden Mile - Broad Street - is calling last orders after 20 years of trading.

The Velvet Music Rooms has won numerous awards since it first opened its doors in 2004, hosting live music three nights a week in recent years. It was also the flagship venue for the Birmingham Jazz Festival. But this afternoon (Friday, October 27) the venue has announced that its last day of trading will be on Sunday (October 29).

Velvet’s co-owners and sisters Dani Hadley and Eilis Collins explained that the venue was a Birmingham-Irish family business, and that their family had “grown and evolved” since the early 2000s. Dani said: “After a phenomenal 19 years of trading, a number of new commitments, ambitions and opportunities have come our way, and that means it’s closing time at Velvet Music Rooms.

“We’re calling ‘last orders’ on Sunday 29 October, Velvet’s final day of trading, and we want everyone to come and join us over the weekend for a fond farewell, a pint or two, and one last knees-up!"

On the future of Velvet’s premises, Eilis said: “We can’t say anything just yet, but the new caretakers of our former home will be revealed in the next few days, and we know they will be given a warm welcome.”

Velvet general manager Steve Emmison said: “Whilst we’re sad to leave Velvet, we are immensely proud of our achievements, and our contribution to the night time economy on Westside.

“We will always cherish winning Best Independent Bar, Best Front of House and Best Management Team many times at the Best of Broad Street Awards, and at the Wonders of Westside awards that followed, and being recognised as the Best Venue for Live Music and Sports."

Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Dani and Eilis over the last two decades, and with their parents Johnny and Geraldine. The whole family plus Steve the manager and so many of their staff have all become firm friends."

What’s happening with Henry’s Blueshouse?

The closure means that Henry’s Blueshouse, the live music brand that has been based at Velvet in recent years, has now moved to a new home at the O Bar, on the corner of Broad Street and Gas Street.

Henry’s Blueshouse opens at its new venue from 7pm on Tuesday 31 October with one of its favourite groups the Chickenbone Blues Band on stage at 8pm.