This tour is all about the inner city of Brum. Discover hidden spots of once legendary venues. Places, where Punk and Heavy Metal became big and attracted a regular crowd. The Broad Street Walk of Stars will definitely be one of today’s highlight. Wanna shop some favorite discs in authentic record stores? On your way, stop by at marvellous sightseeing spots such as Gas Water Basin or Birmingham Cathedral. For a striking view upon the city, step onto one of the terraces of Birmingham Library. Of course don’t forget to take a rest in one of our recommended pubs or cafés.
Home Café Deli Birmingham (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Start into an authentic Birmingham day with a breakfast at Home Café Deli. Enjoy your breakfast with great Rock and Alternative tunes in the background. Fresh bread, roasted salt beef sandwich and brewed coffee - a perfect start into today’s tour. Enjoy free WiFi whilst looking at the Rock star images on the walls.
Birmingham Cathedral (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
Follow Church Street until the green lawns of the cathedral ground. The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip is the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in Baroque style and is the third smallest cathedral in England after the ones in Derby and Chelmsford.
Sightseeing tip: are you up for a little detour? Have a look at the former Methodist church in Corporation Street, where David Bowie once played a show. The Q Club (Central Hall) is still a club and venue today with focus on House, Electro, and Rave.
Swordfish Records (Birgit Bachmeier & Stefan Ramsthaler)
It’s a bit hidden in a dead end, but definitely worth a visit: Swordfish Records. For those who love everything from Indie and Alternative to Punk and Metal. Sometimes they even host small concerts. With a bit luck you may even see one of the famous customers having visited the shop over the past years.
Food tip: for those of you who haven’t had breakfast yet or needed way too long for grabbing one’s favorite vinyls at Swordfish: Irish pub Scruffy Murphy's is just around the corner. Check out the place as this is also home to one of Birmingham's best Rock clubs in the basement. Maybe you wanna come back tonight?
Bullring Birmingham (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Follow High Street southwards. It’s getting crowdy? Yes, normally shopping centers aren’t first in everybody’s list, but Bullring & Grand Central is an exceptional architectural highlight. The outer fascinating and modern, the inner a haven for fulfilling any (shopping) wish. A huge shopping complex with loads of shopping and dining opportunities. Composed of a series of traditional streets, squares and open spaces, it features stores for clothing, accessories, gifts, toys, technology, and many many more.
Food tip: if you need some time-out after shopping, try The Sunflower Lounge. It’s also one of Birmingham’s best intimate live venues. So check out what’s on tonight - perhaps it’s a good choice to come back in the evening.
The Crown in Birmingham (Google Street View)
Take a short detour for a place where music history was written. Here, at the corner of Station Street and Hill Street, stood probably one of the most important music venues in Birmingham’s music history: The Crown Pub. This was where the first ever Black Sabbath show was booked.
Club tip: once around here, have a look at Snobs. It’s a great night club surely playing some of your favorite tunes in Indie, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Pop every night. If you’re up for good drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere alike, why not come back tonight.
The Diskery (Birgit Bachmeier & Stefan Ramsthaler)
Stay southwards. Now it’s time for another vinyl and CD paradise. The Diskery is really brilliant and an essential spot on this subTOUR if you are a music enthusiast. Its unique atmosphere will definitely seduce you to spend some money into completing your music shelf at home.
Gas Street Basin Birmingham (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Time for some more Brum sightseeing, mates. Gas Street Basin is a great place to linger and stroll along the renowned canalside. Especially when the weather is nice, allowing you to dally in one of the pubs’ and cafés’ terraces waterside.
Food tip: one of our favourite spots at the canal is Canalside Café. Pub and café alike, it’s a perfect place for now having your afternoon tea before heading onwards on this subTOUR.
Cumberland Street, Birmingham (Google Street View)
Further east, you’re standing upon where once Barbarella’s was situated. A legendary venue in the city of Birmingham between 1972 and 1979. This area has been completely restructured. Bands like AC/DC, Queen, Judas Priest, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and The Clash played here in front of a fervent crowd.
Broad Street Walk of Stars Birmingham with Ozzy Osbourne (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Cross the canal to get to one of today’s highlight: The Broad Street Walk of Stars. This installation on Broad Street honours Birmingham inhabitants or those with respective connections to the city with importance regarding to music, media, sport, or literature.
To your right hand side, you’ll see the Hyatt Regency. It has been erected where once the Rum Runner stood, a legendary night club until its demolition in 1987. Black Sabbath or the Duran Duran members were among those who were reportedly seen there regularly. The club has also been home to the New Romantic movement with lead band Duran Duran.
Birmingham Library (Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Just around the corner is Birmingham Library with its ultra-modern architecture. From the upper levels you may enjoy some spectacular views upon Birmingham for free. The dense planting on the outside terraces offers space for some relaxing moments before heading back to your accommodation again.
This tour will lead you to the northern part of Birmingham. Learn about the industrial environment the members of Black Sabbath grew up in. That’s where Heavy Metal was born. Take a step back in history at Aston Hall before heading to the home of Aston Villa Football Club.
British Extreme Metal at its best
Birmingham’s New Romantic movement
Birmingham founders of Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal from West Bromwich
Mixing Rock influences from Birmingham & London
Dark Indie Rock since 2002
70s Punk from Brum
