Watch: We visit the quirkiest bar on Birmingham Broad Street & discover a hidden art gallery & more

Birmingham is no stranger to quirky and iconic venues; however so many of them are victims of their former glory, failing to stand the test of time when they fail to maintain their unique character. One which certainly doesn’t fit that mould is the Velvet Music Rooms here on Broad Street.

The family run Velvet Music Rooms, located on the bustling Broad Street entertainment strip - also known as the Golden Mile - in Birmingham city centre, sets itself apart with its diverse range of offerings that distinguish it from its competitors.

Corey Hadley, the Manager at Velvet Music Rooms, tells us: “We pride ourselves on being individual here at Velvet Music Rooms and we have live music three nights a week. That includes Henry’s House of Blues on Mondays.

“We are the home of the Birmingham Jazz Festival. Also, we’re the headquarters - so when the festival happens, we have music two, three times every single day. We’ve had a 30 piece jazz band that took over the bar and worked outside as well.

“There was a trombonist walking up and down the street. So we love our live music here. We also love - we’re Broad Street so we love a good disco, have lots of different DJs on you can catch me playing anything from Amy Winehouse, to Duran Duran to Taylor Swift.

“We also have bashment nights and Soca nights - we do salsa dancing here. And we’re also a living breathing arts venue. We’re an art gallery. We have artists here all the time, who use us to sell their artwork - all Brummie based, Birmingham based faces, where we’ve had live drawings of Ozzy Osbourne, lots of vistas of the city. So whenever you come in, there’s different art around the place.”

In today’s hospitality scene, where big business dominates - creating uniformity across most cities, Velvet Music Rooms stands out as a refreshingly independent venue. Infused with the distinctive charm of Birmingham, this establishment sets itself apart by offering a considered experience for guests.

Corey says: “Being independent, we can chop and change our offer. If we’ve got any big conferences or big concerts coming into the city, we can put a different DJ on, put a host on, put a game show on that ties in with what they’re doing. We don’t have to go through the head office. Our independence is what keeps us strong and keeps us quirky.”

Boasting a rich legacy, the Velvet Music Rooms on Broad Street have consistently retained their popularity throughout the years. Rather than relying solely on its storied past, this establishment continues to provide its guests with a timeless experience that keeps them coming back for more.

Margi says: “I just love it. It’s a real family affair - you go in, you feel really welcome. And it’s just a really nice, easy going place. And I’ve known the family for years.” Iwai says: “So it’s the live bands, decent music, no one else in Broad Street plays this type of music. It’s just a great space, great atmosphere. Great venue. People are nice, the staff are nice, and the DJs are great!”