As inflation drives up prices across the UK, a night out in Birmingham is starting to feel out of reach for many.

Our reporter Richard Gullick hits the city centre to ask locals if socialising is becoming unaffordable—and what that means for jobs, culture, and community.

Once a staple of city life, a night out in Birmingham is becoming a luxury many can’t afford.

Watch the video for the full report

From students to young professionals, more and more Brummies are tightening their belts and rethinking the weekend tradition of heading out for drinks, food, and a bit of fun. What used to be a regular Saturday night—a couple of pints, a takeaway, and a taxi home—now feels like a rare treat.

Prices have crept up across the board. Entry fees, parking charges, even soft drinks aren’t spared. And while inflation hits everyone, it’s those on lower or fixed incomes who are feeling the squeeze first. For many, nights out are becoming fewer and further between—or off the table entirely.

“It’s just too expensive now,” said one student we spoke to in the city centre. “By the time I’ve paid for drinks, food, and a cab, I’ve spent more than a week’s shopping budget.”

It’s not just revellers feeling the impact. When people stay home, businesses across the night-time economy suffer. Bars, clubs, takeaway spots, taxis, and late-night shops all rely on a bustling crowd to stay afloat. But many venues say they’re struggling, too—rising energy bills, staff wages, and supply costs are eating into their margins. Some have had to raise prices just to stay open, passing those pressures onto customers already feeling the pinch.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” said one bar owner in Digbeth. “Our costs have gone up, but when we raise prices, fewer people come out. We’re stuck.”

Birmingham’s nightlife has long been seen as a great leveller—a place where people from all walks of life could come together. But locals say that sense of inclusivity is fading fast.

“Going out used to feel like something everyone could do,” said another young worker. “Now it’s like there’s a dividing line between who can afford to be out and who can’t.”

To cope, many are changing their habits. Swapping taxis for long walks, pre-drinking at home, choosing cheaper venues—or skipping the night out altogether. Some have cut back to just one big outing a month, if that.

The bigger concern is what this shift means for the city itself. Birmingham’s vibrant night-time economy isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a major source of jobs and community identity. When people pull back from the city, it loses more than just business; it loses energy, culture, and connection.

As one club promoter put it, “If only the well-off can afford to enjoy the city, what kind of place are we becoming?”

With the cost of living still rising, the future of Birmingham’s nightlife—and the people who keep it alive—is uncertain. For now, the city is left weighing a simple but serious question: Is going out still worth it?