Mumsnet Talk

I haven't been into Birmingham city centre for about 15 years. I like it. Have just started a job there today

- takes an hour to get there rather than two and a half so my commute is tiny now
- I got CHATTED UP by a whippersnapper in a coffee shop
- nice friendly people
- nice shops right next door
- have got a seat on the train home

Bit confused at the station being down the basement though!

Oh, and my photo on my new work pass doesn't make me look like a gorgon like every other pass photo in my working life ever.

Congrats on job!

Have you been issued with your phrase book yet?

<< ducks flying objects from angry Brummies >>

Yes, I've only recently become familiar with Birmingham but it seems a thoroughly agreeable place

The station is odd though

Hey GetOrf I'm in Brum too. <waves>

I, however, hate it. Why is the Bullring the only thing in the city centre?

Love the accent though.

I used to visit years ago and the town centre planning was simply shocking. The shopping centre was bisected by busy roads - I remember having to traipse through gloomy underpasses.

It's much better now and I like trams.

Well done Getorf. Not only have you got a promotion, you know get to procure in God's Own City.

I love Brum, me. West midlander through and through (though I have to confess to dwelling in sleepy, semi-rural worcs).

They are going to KILL you for the phrase book comment.

I like it. I thought it was going to look like a 60s architecture hell but it's really nice.

Very friendly people - I was lost this morning and loads of people helped me. Didn't help that I got the road name I was looking for wrong (called it Constitution Hill instead of Corporation Street.

<< hides behind sofa from Brumfia >>

Fark me. Know/now fail. Shoot me know/now

I did used to work in Brum - just on the outskirts in some godforsaken suburb, not the city itself.

Birminghamites are up there with Bristolians in my book for being chirpy and friendly.

I grew up in the surburbs of Birmingham but emigrated to Worcestershire. Haven't been into Birmingham for years as I thought it may be a bit scary. Many a night spent clubbing there in my youth. Millionaires anyone?

Yes, it is true that the Brummies are a friendly people.

But then I come from Aberdeenshire, so I don't have great judgement about these things.

<dour>

Ooooh Sparkly - go on, say something in Brummish - go on go on go on go on go on

The station is bloomin' awful. Note that the entrance is changing in April too.

Try Cafe Blend for a really nice coffee shop (near the Mailbox).

Well I worked in the Black Cuntray for 10 years but I day pick up the lingo Talc. Yow would have thought oi would be fluent.

It is friendly isn't it? I'm married to a Brummie and I always like visiting, although we very rarely venture into the city centre (DH is from the outer reaches).

I have family from Birmingham, not that you would know it to hear them talk, they lost the accent when they emigrated, or maybe they never had it. I can't understand the accent if it is really strong so that might have been A Good Thing!
I've been there a few times, I like it. Not sure why that article in the BBC Magazine (other thread) was so negative.

This has actually unlocked a long-forgotten romantic memory:

DH - when he was DBF (this is nearly three decades ago) had family in the locale. I would travel up from the south and meet him at New Street Station.

Just after Five Ways Station there was a long tunnel leading into the city centre; the white, vertical tunnel lights, going past the train window increasingly slowly as I approached my destination, will forever be linked with a feeling of almost unbearable excitement as I knew I would be with my beloved within minutes.

And unbearable pain, as they took me away from him again at the end of the visit.

I'd forgotten that - a genuine for a lovely memory.

<< soppy Talc >>

Well Getorf bab, yow'm welcome....Nuthin wrang wi Brum, it's bostin.

(Fluent in lingo as proud Brummie born and bred....can translate if needed)

In fact, was up town today (meaning City Centre) larking about with kids in ace new gallery at the museum. Blimmin smashin it was and all FREEEEE! Brum looked rather fetching in the sunshine.

New library rather good too. Old library still a bit shit but you can't have everything eh?

Lol at dour.

Has that station always been in the bowels of the earth? It's a bit grim.

I went to a very nice cafe just near the Minories today. What the fuck's a Minory?

Talc that's properly SOB.

I LOVE the word "bostin".

A q: one of my lecturers said "afeart" the other day. Is this a Brummie/black country thing? We say it in Scotland too.

Aww Talc. New Street Station and romance.

Moor St Station was ok IIRC. Or I used to get the 50 bus.

Aww Talc. New Street Station and romance.

Moor St Station was ok IIRC. Or I used to get the 50 bus.

Don't like the new library. Hopefully it will be nicer inside than it is outside.

Talc that is really lovely.

I will NEVER be able to travel through Cheltenham station (just going through there now) without a real pang. XP and I used to have a long distance relationship, like you I got so excited when I recognised the streets and knew that the station was 5 mins away, and just the evocativeness of it all. And the same - reall tears when I left, and the sight of him on the platform through my tears. And waving.

We have split up now but I will still remember those things forever every time I go near that station. <Bawls>

Double post. No idea why.

I've never been to Birmingham.

SOB?

Son of a Bitch??



I also remember a West Midlands Transport campaign that involved bees and 'buzzes' (buses). Had to get DH to explain it. Bit lost on a southerner.

What's bostin? You nutters

Another Brummie born and bred here, I like to hear positivity towards my home city keep em coming!

Bostin=bloody brilliant IIRC

Lol at son of a bitch.

She means sob as in cry, you cynical awld mumsnetter you

Just SOB as in SOBBING with big tears. Not an insult!

I'm Birmingham workwise, Worcestershire where I actually live.

Ooh another Worcestershire person Nc.

Kidderminster, Bromsgrove originally

DH is proper old skool Wall Heath :D

Sparkling - I recall a Black Country joke told to me years ago - took me for feckin' ever to get it (and that was with assistance).

It was something to do with the name of a supposed Chinese takeaway - Yam In Lye - which was actually just a local person informing you that you were in a certain suburb of Dudley.

Mechanical - ah, I see.

I am a nit.

Talc. Lye is just up the road from The Mezza.

Ahh, feeling the love for my hometown

Brum - nay, nay and thrice Nay entirely due to the fact my outlaws live there!

Well, MIL in Solihull <channelling Hyacinth Bouquet, only much less nice>
But shes, <whisper, oh, alright, shout> originally from the Black Country, which I gather is bad, from her v fast subject changing when I, ahem, mention it

SIL is on outskirts of Brum proper and spends her life in traffic jams with her kids ferrying them to various amazing activities. They seem to spend a lot of time hanging around malls and shopping though (for an entire weekend?)

We live in the Borders of Scotland and they come up here (not v often -
and ask: 'But what do you DO?' with puzzled looks

Another member of the family is from West/Wall Heath - she's really lovely, but I cant understand anything she says, lol.

My in-laws used to fall about at Dolly Allen.

Now you really did need subtitles there.

My Dad's favourite was Jasper Carrott. He would cry with laughter.

there's the 'kipper tie' joke too, something about 'would you like a cup of tea?' I'm already wearing one thanks.... or something...

I'll get my coat.

this will make everything clear

Black Cuntrey thow, not Brum.

Ah now, Get, you're only about 2 miles from me at one point in that journey.

You should so take me out for a cappucin0.

TAT, those romantic lights of yours were the ones that took me to and from my Dear Dear grandparents.

<<sentimental sob>>

That's brilliant sassy. No mention of Black Pays though.

I spent a lot of time in Birmingham in the past my clubbing days.

I fell in love with the Raddisson building as it was going up, used to lay in the beer garden admiring it.

The people are lovely

I've lived in brum for 15 years now and love it here

Ooh where did you used to go oldraver?

I remember-

The Dome
Edwards No8
Millionaires
Snobs
Bobby Browns
Hawkins Wine Bar

Snobs on a Wednesday night <sigh>

Nc Those were the days....

Chaos - let us link hands and sway in the New Street tunnel of reminiscence.

Bobby browns student night every Wednesday. God I feel old! Anybody remember pulse?

Oooh and bakers...is that still there?

Bobby Browns had 2 lots of dancefloors/music IIRC? I was only ever to be found in the downstairs bit.

Well the place I gazed at the Radisson from was Radius on Horse Fair..a Sunday daytime club ( I think now called Scarlets).

I have been to the Dome just before it closed but mostly all the haunts of Sundissential (Sanctuary, Pulse etc) Air/Code for various things, Subway City and various other places

I was in Snobs the other week!

Normally I'm dragged to Risa by my young colleagues. It is HORRIBLE (but you can get reliably drunk for about a fiver.)

Snobs is still going Mechanical?

Sure is, sparkling

<raves on>

Didn't Study Bakers have an ice cream parlour inside???

Anyone remember Arthur's Bar? By the canal I think

Stoodi even

You need to drink pints of sterilised milk now. I lived in Brum for quite a few years, still miss it.

DD1 is talking about going to Snobs soon. How can I possibly be old enough to have a daughter who wishes to go to night clubs?

Just seen about SNOBS, I used to go there, 1990's, remember going for a wee in the gents as CBA queuing up.

Also anyone used to go to Dome II? Or Moseley Dance Centre?

I was going to Snobs/Millionaires at 15 Remus. DS1 is 14 this year, and there is no way he will be doing that next year.

Sparkling, do as you say not do as you did? I was going to night clubs at 16 but my DD will have to be at least 30 before she is allowed to.....

Too right Dizzy. I know some of DS's mates go to the underage nights at the nightclub in the next town. He hasn't shown an interest yet.......

I like Birmingham. We went there last Saturday and had a great day out followed by dinner in Selfridges.

I used to work there, half an hour commute. Everyone I worked with was really friendly.

When I lived in London I used to travel to Birmingham to go shopping as I thought the shopping was better there.

They have a great TK Maxx.

I'm in Brum (originally Oop North via London) and I bloody love it here.

The town centre is great for shopping, some fab indies popping up and lush coffee shops ( GetOrf were you in 6eight cafe? You should also try Yorks) and fun nights out.

I too was in Snobs just a couple of weeks ago. It's the same music as (I assume anyway) 15 years ago. I loved singing along to the Day We Caught The Train!

Indie shops? Where?

My favourite place in Brum centre is the Electric Cinema.

It's definitely true that Brummies are some of the friendliest people in Britain. I have always found them easy to get to know.

I was a student in Brum and loved it. Lots of fun memories of Snobs on a Wednesday, Bobbi Browns and the Dome on a Monday night. I remember Pulse and Moseley Dance Centee too.

"I got CHATTED UP by a whippersnapper in a coffee shop"

Ahyes. Were you in the cafe for the blind, just by the church?

I LOVE YOU DON'T HIT ME.

I was lurking around Corporation St and its environs yesterday. <irrelevant>

I miss Birmingham. Moved away after 6 and a half years, and I'd move back in a heartbeat.

I remember Snobs doing 50p shots when I was in my first year of uni...I'm shuddering at the memories! Eddies was always good though, and I have fond memories of the Sunflower Lounge just by the station.

Snobs is great. Haven't been in for a few years because the last time I went in, I felt like a geriatric at a toddler's tea party. I got very drunk on peach schnapps (why?!) and embarrassed myself in "the 60's room"

indie stuff - is that place still there <descriptive i know> on lots of different floors where i used to buy thigh high boots and biker jackets??

We should have a MN Snobs night out.

THE OASIS.

I was in there yesterday cooing over Smiths t-shirts that I cannot wear now because I would look like a bloke.

I remember the days when I was so thin and attractive that I could wear a baggy band t-shirt and a pair of leggings/Doctor Martens and look perfectly fine. I would look like Jo Brand now.<weep>

There's a little arcade (can't remember name off tip of head) at back of House of Fraser which is now full of independent shops. A gorgeous deli, a few clothes shops, a stationery shop and a place called Loki Wine where you can buy v small glasses of wine to sample lots of different ones. Fab!

I'm well up for a MN Snobs night :-)

Re. New Street Station - isn't it all being up-graded very soon - so we'll have a beautiful station (fingers crossed!). Bobby Browns was great - and their restaurants too. The Elbow Room anyone - or am I really too ancient???

TALC!!!

Come ere

ajandjj

Not the elbow room o.m.g
The Tower?

Sole - you rang, m'lady?

Also, I think Eddie's burnt down?

New St is getting done up. We're getting a huge John Lewis. I plan on timing my next maternity leave accordingly.

Will have a wander to the Arcade next time I'm in town, ta.

I don't think I'd dare do a MN Snobs night. Is there an indie night for old people anywhere?

Pit up your doops Talc

I remember hanging about outside the Holiday Inn a lot hoping to get a glimpse of Simon Le Bon et al. Years later I actually went inside for a drink-it was rubbish.

When are we getting a John Lewis?

I beg your pardon, Sole - I do not understand your obscure epithet?

Hyatt Hotel I hung around outside a few nights looking for NKOTB! I stayed there years later. Loveky restaurant.

Sole I think it's some point in 2014...end of year maybe? It's taking over the Pallisades.

John Lewis due to open next year, iirc, but I don't know when. I did see a big crane swinging a John Lewis sign in the air recently, which was rather exciting.

Oooh Talc you need a new lingo guide book haha

The Pallasades can fook off!

Sole - in the long years that DH and I have been together, I have become almost bilingual in Midlandese.

Actually that's bollocks. He has been forced to adopt RP - with occasional lapses in the vowel department. But I let those slip by.

<< magnanimous >>

I'm looking forward to John Lewis opening. New St Station has always been a bit grim - however from a nostalgia point of view I can remember when growing up going shopping in Brum was the height of excitement (I am from small town a few miles away) and New St was so huge compared to our little station.

Thankfully I use Moor St nowadays.

Midlandese Lol!

I remember reading that the Hyatt hotel is where the Mae Gladiators used to 'entertain' some of their fans...

I grew up nearby and visit Brum often. There's not enough to do in the centre and the Bullring is hell on earth at the weekends. But I like Harbourne and Bearwood, the new independent cafes off Colmore Row and the centre is compact enough to feel you can do what you need to in a day. I've lots of nice memories of the city and it's good to see it's better than ever now.

Has the new library opened?

The people are nicer than down here but we all know that

I used to work in the box in the NCP car park in the Bullring collecting tickets/money.

I had chips in Harborne today!

Moor Street Station is v pretty.

Princess Eddie's did indeed burn down about 4 years ago IIRC. But it got rennovated and is now apparently just as good as it's always been. You can't have Brum without Eddies!

New St. is a bit of a dive but whenever it was really cold I was so glad that I could get on a train at uni and pop to the Bullring then back home again to Selly Oak with minimal exposure to bad weather. Bloody hell I hate being a real adult now without free money and actual responsibilities. In the shitting countryside.

I used to live in Harborne...still miss it.

Think the new library is open soon. I'm also desperate to go to the bar and restaurant at the top of The Cube, DP has been already and I am well jealous!

Oasis!!!! Bunts you are a star

Moor Street is my station too. It's noice ay it?! I like the little cafe where you can get a nice wine drink if you're a bit early or late for your train.

I love Birmingham in general tbh. It's got about 16 Greggs in the centre.

Yes Moor St station is lovely and the cafe in there is also very nice. Very polite staff who brought coffee over to me because I had a lot of bags and recommended a lovely cake.

Harborne is also nice, I like The Plough.

Aren't those 99p filled baguettes a great bargain when you want something cheap on the go?

There are lots of lovely bits in Birmingham... Moor St, the canal, around the cathedral, the Jewellery Quarter, Barber institute, Edgbaston etc etc.

It's just that they're all joined together by hideous massive dual carriageways... somehow I always find myself wandering lost underneath a vile concrete road interchange as the bitter wind sweeps through me.

And on Saturday nights it is TERRIFYING.

I loike Moor Street. More chance of me getting on the roight train when there's fewer platforms. I ent bin for ages thou. I ent even sin the Bull Ring since it got posh.

ROAR at cappuccin0 and DON'T HIT ME.

Would love to meet for coffee cha0s (then we can talk about that there bups)

I was AMAZED at the 99p baguettes. And they give you a free cup of tea for breakfast. Shocking after months of spaffing about 7 quid on coffee and a sandwich in London. Mind you I didn't buy a 99p baguette. Perhaps those things are best off left in the head.

I have no idea what youi are all on about re your brum clubs. I spent my teenage years in north devon. I used to go out 'clubbing' in my flip flops.

Is the bullring a big shopping centre?

WHY is it called the bullring. And what does Minories mean? And why is New St station in a basement? Tell me.

That pallasades was a bit ropey, bless.

What 99p baguettes?

If the Pallasades is ropey then that ent changed at all.

Don't know about the Bull Ring, never heard of the Minories and New St has always been in the dungeons for some reason.

I used to work in Snobs

Getorf, I work in the Business District right next to Corporation Street, let me know if you want a tour guide

There's a shop next to New St sells baguettes for 99p.

God knows what filling in them. Shippam's fish paste or something.

The old New St station was all Victorian and beautiful... then they ripped it out in a fit of 1960s urban 'improvement'.

www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/your_birmingham/bullring/bullring_history.shtml

never knew that
The old Bull ring was a hideous ugly building

There's a few places in the centre that sells the baguettes. I recommend the cheese salad ones

Seems I'm late to the party! My handout used to be Pagoda Park in the 80s. I commute to the city every day now - on Corporation Street. If anyone gets the train in from Hereford, I'm the mad woman who is either knitting or asleep!

Handout? Hangout!

Hi dm. Pagoda Park is ringing a bell but I can't place it.

I can remember them building the Hyatt

Holiday Inn used to be the place to hang around, next to the Central TV studios. So long ago......

That's the one aj. Just in case Duran Duran came by. And they did!

I remember Duran Duran at the Rum Runner (god I am an old fart) and the revolving dance floor at the Opposite Lock

I will admit to be being 14 at the time

Is Corporation Street next to me in Colmore Row? I'm rubbish with street names.

NO! The 99p baguettes (pronounced bag-you-ets by Ma Twatkins) are LUSH. Don't have the meat fillings because of obvious reasons, you'll probably be getting porcupine instead of ham or whatevs, but the spicy cheese filling (cheese, jalapenos, peppers, lettuce etc) is DELISH. Oh yes. Do it.

The Bullring is called the Bullring because the old market that was where the Bullring centre was built was in the shape of a Bullring. Dunno about Minories.

Don't give up on New Street station. They are building a John Lewis on top.

The Bullring is a really good shopping centre, at least it would be if it had a John Lewis.

Sparkling PP was on Smallbrook Queensway on the corner with Hurst Street.
Nc Corporation Street is the one House of Fraser is on

The bullring is on (or around) the site of the original markets that were the beginning of Birmingham if my teachers are to be believed is a reference to bull baiting.

New Street station is in a basement because of 1960's ideas about what makes good town planning. Most of Brum's ugly reputation comes from the 60s and most of it is being ripped out now.

Telly Savalas explains it well

I liked some of the ugly though. I was gutted when they got rid of the old rag markets (they were a bit of a shit hole but still awesome) the new ones suck in comparison. And there was a carpark built in the 60s which had lifts to take peoples cars away while they went off to shop...but they were so slow people had to wait hours to get the cars back. It was so badly designed it was abandoned soon after and left to rot for decades. Rumor had it there were still cars in there that people never managed to get back. I love that sort of thing...

Yay, Brummie here too. It gets a bad press but I love it. I used to frequent Eddie's and Snobs too in 90s. Anyone remember a vodka bar near Snobs... They had the most amazing Fruit Salad flavoured vodka (the penny chews).

I used to love going to Pallasades as a kid because of the big train play area thing they had there. It is depressing now though.

Do all the 99p baguettes come full of Evil Mayo, or will they make them without?

Can someone tell me if MR EGG is still open? is the giant fabric egg still on the ceiling? Are egg and chips still 99p? Do the loos work? Because in the six year period I lived in Brum they never did.

Eat like a king for 99p! I think it's gone unfortunately

Sorry Adverse but I think Mr Egg has gone

Mr Egg.

Thanks dm. i think DB used to frequent PP.

Thanks for Mr Egg update, I remember many egg and chip cobs in there post pub/ club.

I live a good 99p baguette. Brums a nice old place, underneath it all. I'm Harborney way.

Wait, Mr Egg round by the Hippodrome/Arcadian? Cos that's still there. My fried drank a pint of vinegar in there not 2 years ago

Sadly, the giant fabric egg is long gone. The dds used to like going there for fishfinger sarnies!

I am loving this thread. I see your Snobs and Pagoda Park and raise you with Faces! Best club ever, oh happy days.
Getting so nostalgic now for Brum will have to arrange a visit soon

Who remembers Miss Egg? I think it closed due to poor hygiene standards?

I loved Mr Egg onHurst Street. Blardy lovely. Closed down, bastards!

Mr Egg closed because it became aplace to have afight in after.chucking out tione. There was an incident involving dangerous cleaning chemicals. Somebody was reallyhurt.

Mr Egg has re-opened as Mr Egg but it is not the Mr Egg as we know it.

It is clean

Ooooh! It's back!

Ooh germs added extra flavour

Did anybody ever go to Mingles nightclub in Aston?

Or Mitchells?

Love Brum. Used to love going to town on Saturdays. Used to work on Bristol St and walk into town at lunchtime. Work near colmore row now and love all the bars around there. And the German market. Sigh. Shame I live fifty miles away

Good luck in your new job Getorf. I work in Brum too (migrated from dahn sarf) and love it. I go home on a train that stops at Cheltenham so if you see someone engrossed in MN it could be me

I also love brum. It's my old stomping ground and I have lots of friends there. I Aways found it friendly too and the Xmas market is fabulous.
Why i was there only on Sunday morning picking up my ridiculous 21 yr old berk of a son. He had a night out on Saturday which if course meant he woke up Sunday on his hotel room with no wallet, phone and a bloody nose. As you do.
He vomited all the way home while I bent his ear hole. I informed him he was not going out ever again.

GetOrf, I'll come and meet you one lunchtime and take you down to Mr Egg. Show you how the other half live.

Someone needs to take a photo of this new fancy and clean Mr Egg and put on their profile.

This is making me all nostalgic. Went to Poly in the Midlands in the early 80s and had a boyfriend from Brum. Not been back for about 25 years so it's probably vastly different. I used to find the Bullring deeply scary. Was there a rag market behind it or am |I imagining that?

Wooooooo Birmingham!! Just moved back to the homeland after 15 years or so and my hasn't it changed. Loving memories of snobs, the done (including the 50s diner?!), Central Park (eek), and mr egg. And menus with various types of balti including the mysterious meat balti - used to wonder what it was, am now thinking horse.

It's good to be back.

Nah you're right about the rag market. Bought a splendid leather fitted jacket for about a fiver that I wore to death from there. Also a long purple crushed velvet coat when I was in a prince phase!

Central Park loved it there!

Aha! The old Bull Ring, that had a diplodocus on the side... according to DH, who had to have it pointed out to him when he was 20-odd, that it was actually a bull (and he was looking at the wrong end).

Congrats on the new job getorf!

Lived/worked here for 15 years now. I find it a little sad that the best thing people can say about Bham is that it's friendly... a bit like being the comedy pseudo Irish hobbits in the LOTR films...
I would just love to see some decent architecture (rather than them tear down yet more Victorian masterpieces), roads that were passable (instead of a 3.5 mile commute taking an hour), areas with high working populations actually having access to the rail network (yeah- Harborne, Moseley, Kings Heath, I'm looking at you ).

Is that too much to ask?

Truly geriatric here......

I used to go to Barbarella's, the Golden Eagle in Hill Street, the Crown down by the old bus station and the Grapes (also in Hill Street). I liked pubs.

Went to Snobs in the 1970's......when I was 16.

The shopping arcade behind Rackhams is called Great Western Arcade.

There are amazing and beautiful stained glass windows by Burne Jones (fabulous Victorian artist) in both Birmingham Cathedral and St Martins in the Bull Ring, well worth going to look at. Masterpieces.

You need to drink pints of sterilised milk now.

In the words of Frank Skinner, ordinary milk you can leave out for a day, sterilised you can leave in your will.

OK so who is for a meet up? I'm Wolverhampton but I'm prepared to make my way to New St.

Lemontruffles other staff members where I worked talked about Barbarellas.
Can I recommend The Rotters Club by Jonathan Coe, set in Brum in the 1970's.

Anyone remember The Brook in Selly Oak and Adams Plaice next door? The Brook has been knocked down. I almost cried when we drove past.

I can report the Selly Sausage is still open, well it was two years ago.

The Selly Sausage is still open, I drove past on Friday and it had a huge queue out the door.

Issues at The Brook led to closure and demolition.

So many people slag off Birmingham and when questioned have normally never been there or haven't been there for years.

People from the Black Country don't you get annoyed when you're referred to as Brummies?

I live near the Selly Sausage.

Ooh yes to, 'The Rotters' Club.' I seem to remember that it was made into a v good TV series too.

And the Burne Jones' in the museum are indeed fantastic, but sadly not displayed to showcase them at their best imho.

Btw - I had a 99p cheese salad baguette today, just to report back here! It was nice.

The Hunmingbird on a Saturday night was WAY better than snobs! There used to be a hippy stall at the rag market called Dragons Hoarde that sold such cool stuff. I used to get flowery hippy dresses there.

I like New Street, it's ugly but kind of cool at the same time.

What was the club down the Hagley Road called. The grab a granny one?

Ah the memories!

I ran away from Brum over 25 years ago at the age of 19 to London and never returned to live there. Hated it with a passion. Been back a few times recently and can see that it's a great place and the people are friendly but then I never had a problem with people being unfriendly in London.

It's a great city and is totally transformed and I love it that even with all the revamps and the Selfridges and the Mailbox and the ballet down there, the general excitement on this thread is the 99p baguettes

In the mid-80s me and my mate used to busk every Saturday outside the tax office (was it Martineau Sq?) near the clock thing. We also busked at the back of Rackhams (my mother used to refer to the "back of Rackhams" as where the prostitutes used to go?!!) We sang Beatles/Everly Brothers/Boothill Foot-tappers songs with our guitars and my fondest memory was during the Miner's Strike when there was a big march through Brum and we had a big crowd of Miners watching us and giving us loads of money!! (I think we donated some back!)

I went and visited the Jewellery Quarter and the Back-to-Backs with my kids recently and loved it. I learnt more about the fascinating history of Birmingham than I ever did at my shitty school!

Frequented the Powerhouse and the Barrel Organ and drank far, far too many snakebites

Liberty's?

That's the one Straw. Thanks. Is it still there?

I think Liberty's is still there, haven't been over that way for a while though.

Yes Libertys and the urban myth was that ladies of the night sat at the bar with their price felt tipped to the sole of their shoe and would flash sole of shoe at possible punters.
Obviously these were the ones not round the back of Rackhams.

Anyone ever go out in the Custard Factory in Digbeth? There was also a pub in Digbeth where you could have giant pie and chips. The pie was a four portion family pie and it was all served on a silver platter that was immense, it was rough as anything but brilliant and may have had actual sawdust on the floor.

I used to love Brum too and yes new street has always been down there they used to have a millies cookies on the corner before you passed through and itwas a ritual to buy and eat some before your train came...i found

is oasis still there?

do people still go on about the back of rackhams?

and that sort of thing?

and

what happened to the rag market? did it disappear forever?

lol i cross posted with the back of rackhams talk!

The Beer Keller

Snooker club in Moseley.

I used to like a look in Reddingtons Rare Records. Bet that's not there any more.

and the plastic factory

I recall being very much led astray in the Flapper and Firkin. Good times.

I might be older than some of you, but what was that shop next door to red or dead called? and those gorgeous vintage shops further along if you headed towards to floozy, before vintage was even fashionable
and the dillions bookstore and it's jr tolkein section
<swoon>

Wasn't the beer Keller a biker bar?
Was it true there was a topless hairdressers ever, am really hoping this is an urban myth.

People from the Black Country don't you get annoyed when you're referred to as Brummies?

Mixed feelings, really. Their laziness is annoying but then again Birmingham is 10X better than the crap hole nearby I grew up in.

I remember having a wildly inappropriate snog in the pub at the top of the ramp, was it the newt and cucumber?

Ah the ramp, my mates DS got trapped in Mc Donald's on the ramp during the riots couple of years ago.

My ex used to justify eating in Mc Donald's by stealing loads of their napkins to cut down on their profit margins. Due to this thread I have just stalked him on the Internet, he still lives in Brum and appears to still be a twat.

Here you go Get Orf make yourself understood. I have fond memories of Brum, but it wasn't the same after the Golden Eagle closed.

Ooh the Bier Keller I'd forgotten that, spent many hours and much cash in Oasis.

<wonder what did happen to my afghan>

God I have laughed so much reading this thread! I was brought up in Brum, went off to Uni & ended up back here, bringing DH back with me!
grab a granny nightclub was Liberty, I think it's an Indian restaurant now (Aktars?)
Snobs was amazing- am definitely up for a night out especially if I can get drunk for a fiver!
Anyone remember The Dome on student night? Edwards no 7 & no 8? ooh! Anyone remember the taxi office on John Bright street where you had to stand on the street and shout up where you wanted a cab to?!!
I think Brum is great & is really underrated

Zombie puts down a marker for a meet up at the German Christmas Market in November or December.

This thread is bringing back memories! I grew up in Brum, moved away 7 years ago but still go back sometimes. I used to work in McDonald's on the ramp when I was 16 and several of the pubs :-)

sparkling I think Reddingtons records might still be there, will check with my mates DP who buys lots of vinyl

RRR isn't there anymore, might be somewhere else in the city though.

My Nan still uses the phrase "back of Rackhams"

I miss the old Bullring, used to love going over the walkway over the ringroad, and down the giant escalator. I did the Pepsi challenge downstairs in the Bullring once

Pavilions, is that still there? With the Athena poster shop? I saw Kaye Alexander in there once lol

The big HMV on the corner - queued for yonks to meet Then Jericho Mark Shaw gave me his sock [moreblush] <hides sock behind back>

My dad used to work at the QE courts and would get his bus home (11 I think) from outside Lewis's and would bring us back packs of small mixed fancy cakes

Love the Mailbox and the flyunder thing nearby it with the coloured glass globes in it.

Is Silver Blades still going? Down past the rag markets? I used to skive off there

Sorry! me still...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFGLNvBMmBo

feeling very nostalgic now

Ha- I haven't been to snobs for years... happy memories. We used to go to the Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory too, and a bar on Holloway Circus, where the new enormous hotel tower is... maybe it was called bar circo????

I didn't know zombies planned that far ahead!

Yy Mr Bills bier Keller was the first place i got hideously drunk on cider whilst singing 'living on a prayer' then on to The Dome for a snog with some ugly bloke!! Oh how I miss those days

Yes it was Circos dh used to DJ there! They had 100s of bottles of flavoured vodka behind the bar. I miss my young clubbing days. My Saturdays nights were mainly spent in Miss Moneypennies, now they are spent on the sofa!

I don't like the German Market. Just horribly crowded, to the point of being unable to move. I actually felt scared there last Christmas when we tried to take young nephew there, it was so crowded.

Reddingtons is still with us

map

I think I still have most of what I ever bought there in the loft.

says on RRR website that they are only online now

remus I agree about the German market, I was so scared we'd lose the kids.

I agree that the German Market is too much. The Tesco a little further down from there is also ghastly. I just avoid New Street on weekends and lunchtimes unless I really have to go there, though the Waterstones is always, always quiet which is nice.

Foof Oh I missed that, sad it was fun hanging out there poking through all the vinyl.

Ahh I LOVE Brum, and in my head I would move back in a heartbeat.
Mind you the Brum I loved was working hard and playing even harder - House of God at the Dance Factory, Atomic Jam at the Que club, Third Eye at Snobs..slightly more difficult to find time for those kind of pursuits with two little ones

The Waterstones building is amazing too but I hate, hate, hate the ramp nearby.

remus it's vile isn't it?! I walked down there for the first time in years a few months ago it was covered in chewing gum, thousands of bits spat out everywhere! Rank!! It's v v dodgy round there too!

Anybody ever go to Bizzy Lizzy's?

John Bright Street

Eddies was burned down. I think It is still closed.

For a time they played classical music v loud there. DD1 was convinced it was what she called an, 'Anti-chav device' but it just made it dirty and horrible and noisy instead of just dirty and horrible!

Your DD was correct- it was an intended deterrent device... not sure it worked though.

YY to the Anti-Chav music on the ramp. Nothing like a bit of Gregorian monks chanting at a million decibels to ward off the pesky youths

Really?

I think they've given up on it now - it clearly didn't work!

I went there once Sole; memory is a bit hazy though!

Ooh, I live here too!
The Medicine Bar, anyone? House of God? Atomic Jam? Drop beats not bombs? The Institute? Many Wednesday nights spent in Snobs, Crazy (hazy) nights at Subway City, lots and lots of nights out at Que club. Was anyone else at the D and B night when the roof fell in?
That's all behind me now, I've got all old and sensible. Now I appreciate lunch out more tbh. Anyone for a long drunken lunch in Brum? A Midland meet up?

A lunch in the bar underneath the Burlington (Bacchus?) would be fab. I worked in a pub on Broad Street and going on after to Bobby Browns was great. Seems so blooming long ago now!

I'll meet you at the German market Zombie! Like the Batches bar too. Lunch is usually very short for me but could swing by for a quick glass of something

Grumpycat I would certainly do a lunchtime meet up.

I was threatened with being turfed out of Bacchus wine bar for drunen behaviour I had forgotten about that till now.

We could all meet up at The Floosie in the Jacuzzi.

Not been to the Bacchus bar for several years - used to like it a lot.

I remember Circo!! Saw Shefali the weather girl in there so clearly all of Birmingham high society was there.

Remember Wobble? Or The Steering Wheel? Or (whisper it) exile? There was a rumour there was a secret tunnel linking it with Central Park...

I worked in Bacchus bar for years! Met my DH there! Hope it wasn't me threatening to kick you out Adverse

Exile was the first club I ever went to (on my 16th birthday...); I went to Wobble and the Steering Wheel a couple of times but as before, was a bit of a drunken haze

DD does some casual work at the Burlington muchostinky - this thread is making me feel old and nostalgic!

Did anyone ever go to XLs, the rock club? It was fucking amazing! I wanted t o go to it so badly when I was 15, stupid mother would not allow this so I got around the problem by running away from home for a week and staying with some lads who lived in Kings Heath. It was great I saw a woman in a wedding dress dancing to Temple of Love and there were loads of men dressed like Poison and Motley Crue I thought it was dead critique.

Sadly my adventure came to an end when my mum rang the police like a total wuss and they found me and made me go home I vowed to return to XL s but I never did. So sad, so sad.

Dead critique?

EXOTIQUE

Heh heh! They're dead!

I will go over there tomorrow when I'm not posting on my Kindle...

I am on the Worcestershire one Olivia. I ent a Brummie no more.

Swot^

Am you a real Brummie though Marmalade? Black Cuntray ent Brummie.

Liberties has gone. I went once it was fifteen. Quid including drinks.
My friend and I felt wildly attractive
We used to stay at the strathallen on Hagley rd and get a bus onto broad street to partay!

Haha- I was wondering what 'dead critique' was!

Quite a few of us seem to have defected to Worcestshire. Liberty's is now a casino btw.

I ay a Brummie, no.

But I do frequent Brim more than Dudley because Brum is less Jezza Kyle.

Lol at the Strathallen! Is that the grimshits hexagonal one?

Plenty of 'Jezza' up the Mezza!

Yep with bells on their purses in Asda Buzzard.

The ASDA end of Mezza is like being in a stage play of Shameless

That pharmacy upstairs in there though is a bloody godsend. Boots seems like miles away when you are down the 'chep' end

Yes a hot bacon bap while you peruse 'Everything's a Pound' and Poundland. Noice.

Sorry pork bap. (I think)

Sarnd as a parnd!

Eddies did burn down but it's now reopened in Gough Street

Does anyone remember sam Wellers and Kaleidoscope with teh Navigation Burger bar round te corner. My XDH proposed to me in the Burger Bar and the bloke gave us free burgers to celebrate

I so remember the Bier Kellar in Needless Alley. It had Peacocks Bar at the top of it - saw some great local bands there too.

Clubs of the day would be Snobs, Faces, Eddies, POwerhouse. Saw some fantastic bands there too

Oasis is still there and you can get some great clothes in there

Yes, Silver Blades is still there - well, not called that anymore, but the rink is still there. My dd went there recently

Can't believe no-one's mentioned Faces - the nightclub in Five Ways, before Broad Street became the land of bars and clubs.

oh, this thread is making me all nostalgic. I well remember Faces - a favourite haunt of my DB when in the 6th form.
Oasis - loved it - didn't it get gentrified in the 90s? An old school friend still has a shop there as far as I know!

Going back a way to student nights in hawkins wine bar with it's amazing laser light show ,peppermint place with it's carpetted walls, duran duran spotting at the rum runner and martin degville spotting in a bar near the hippodrome..the name escapes me ooh and the holy city zoowith it's indoor waterfall..

The Rum Runner - Duran Duran - now that really is showing my age!

Adverse we've just moved our head office from The Custard Factory!

I've been telling DD1 for the last couple of years that she will not be getting her ears pierced in Claire's <shudder> She'll have them done properly in the Jewelry quarter like i did.

The Rum Runner was closed down before I became a Duran Duran fan IIRC. Still had to go up there and visit it though.

ok I know it's not a nightclub but I have to mention Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory in Tipton (?). Remember getting taken there by the contractors in my first job.

I mention it with nostalgia because I thought all the Little Pubs had disappeared but I see it's still going strong.

Fossil, ushers bought the chain and it went downhill. Pie factory is now run by a chap who worked for the original owners and has picked up again. Used to love an allotment pie and a pint of lump'ommer

started reading this thread but it's a bit long for my phone. I love being a Brummie. I've lived here all my life. I've had to laugh at some of the comments about New St and Corporation St as I know quite a bit about it. my eldest loves to say "Mummy, why's it all closed, again?"

I need to say i ay a brumay, om a yamyam...but i travelled

my youngest was born in Russell's and it was like a different language being spoken! my husband who's lived that side of Birmingham (yes, in Birmingham, I know Dudley isn't Birmingham) had to translate! there was a comical moment when they called me and said they'd had to put a "lung loin" in. I asked what it did to try and work out what it was then spent ten minutes walking around my house saying "lung line?lung line?" then it clicked LONG line! hubby thinks it strange I didn't get it and likes to tell people he had to translate (despite being at work at the time ) I was glad when he was discharged as I still had no idea what anyone was saying

I love Birmingham! Visited a few weeks ago for the first time for my friends hen do. Nightlife was good, shopping was great, nice restaurants, nice people, loads to do! We stayed at hotel-latour.co.uk for anybody interested, would recommend :-)