You see it a lot in national publications; the best places to live, the nicest areas, the trendy spots. Well, no one knows Birmingham like we do, so we're putting together a list of the coolest neighbourhoods in town.
We've got loads of them, each with its distinct personality and, more often than not, driven by its own independent businesses, wicked pubs, bars, creative scenes and restaurants. If you're reading this because you're thinking about relocating: welcome, bab!
If you're reading to see if your favourite made the list, we're happy to see you here. And if you're irked because your favourite didn't make the run-down, get in touch and tell us what we're missing.
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We've put these in order of their postcode, rather than in an ascending or descending list of favourites. Most of them are so distinctive that it's simply impossible to compare them to one another and life's hard enough so why make a competition of it?
Oozells Square (B1)
Sure, Oozells Square might be particularly gorgeous during cherry blossom season, but it's ALWAYS brilliant. Sandwiched between busy Broad Street and the bars and bustle of Brindleyplace, it offers a moment of calm in the busy city.
Escape here and sit on the Paul de Monchaux-designed stone seats, beneath the pergola, and watch the world go by beside a still water channel. And we're not talking about the canal (though a walk to the Gas Street Basin is a wonderful time too).
And then, the piece de resistance? The Ikon Gallery, the contemporary art gallery with free entry and creative wonders to be enjoyed. Be sure to go and see National Treasures: Artemisia in Birmingham, Jesse Jones: Mirror Martyr Mirror Moon and Dion Kitson: Rue Britannia!
Hurst Street (B5)
One of the very coolest streets of them all, Hurst Street is iconic. Not only does it pass through of our city's proud LGBTQIA+ village, with bars and clubs for dancing the night away, but it forms part of Chinatown too. For Chinese New Year and Pride, it's absolutely alive with good energy.
Hurst Street is also home to one of our best theatres, The Hippodrome, and visitors get to see some world class performances there. The Glee Club is brill for comedy and those looking to learn more about Birmingham's history can do so at the brilliant back-to-backs.
Factor in The Arcadian for yet more nightlife and restaurants and you cannot deny Hurst Street is one of the coolest, not just in our city, but in any city in Britain!
Station Street (B5)
It cannot be underestimated just how important Station Street is. Situated opposite Grand Central's 'Spanish steps', it's a row of history, heritage that tells the story of our city's arts scene, from The Old Rep theatre past the Electric Cinema (currently closed but we remain hopeful) and along to The Crown, where Black Sabbath played their first gig.
The future of Station Street is up in the air currently, but campaigners are throwing their weight behind preserving it for the future. It might not be much to look at at first glance, but Station Street is SO COOL. We just know it'll have its time in the sun again soon.
Trinity Road (B6)
Trinity Road lies between two historic Birmingham destinations that people travel from all across the city (and further, sometimes) to visit: Aston Villa Football Club and Aston Hall. One of them has battle scars and is haunted frequently by creepy men, and the other one is a football stadium!
Whether you're a fan of the Villa or not, the stadium makes for an ace gig venue. Remember when Springsteen came and we danced the night away?
Aston Hall, meanwhile, is a spectacular old historic mansion set within beautiful parkland. All of this wonderful space to picnic, play and run around on Trinity Road! Cool!
Ladypool Road (B12)
There's LOADS going on down the Ladypool Road, with tonnes of food gaffs. You can eat your way around the world on that street, from Turkish fare, burger joints, a steakhouse, Indian sweet shop and Lebanese food.
Then, of course, there's the legendary Shababs, known as one of the last pillars of the Balti Triangle and still flying the flag for spice in the city. Birmingham has some amazing curry houses, even our 'best' restaurant has two Michelin Stars because of its Indian dishes, but Shababs is stuff of legend.
Outsiders might sneer and say that Sparkbrook is a 'no-go zone' but we beg to differ. See what happened when we visited!
Wake Green Road (B13)
On Wake Green Road you'll find the country's largest concentration of pre-fabricated homes, little post-war bungalows that add a touch of character to the street. We think they're pretty cool!
Then you've got the Mill Pond and, beyond it, Sarehole Mill. The Shire Country Park is where Tolkien got inspiration for his Lord of the Rings series! A gorgeous flash of green that makes for excellent walks and a place to play.
Follow it all the way along and you'll end up in Moseley. Alcester Road should have probably made this list too, but Wake Green Road is perhaps even cooler!
York Road (B14)
York Road in summer, in particular, is brilliant as the road is blocked off and the streets filled with picnic tables so you can sit with your friends in the sun and have a drink from any one of the brilliant independents that line the road.
The Hare and Hounds is excellent for live gigs (and those Cuban sandwiches!) and Fletchers is fun for a dance. Grace and James have all the good wine and cheese and Poli serves up wicked pizzas and, on Sundays, a wood-fired roast revered among the best in the city.
Then, every second Sunday of the month, Kings Heath Artisan Market pops up, giving local businesses a place to sling their wares and meet face-to-face with customers. It's a great vibe.
Greenfield Crescent (B15)
There are really strict rules for residents of the Calthorpe Estate (read about them here) and that has resulted in Greenfield Crescent having a very distinctive look and a level of uniformity. Not cool, really, in theory.
That said, it's very beautiful and it has a number of nice little neighbourhood spots, like Smoke and Ash pizza, Chapter restaurant which gets a lot of its produce from its Erdington allotment, and Loki wine bar and shop for good plonk.
Every second Saturday of the month, Greenfield Crescent holds its own market too. The Edgbaston Village Artisan Market features makers, bakers, artists and crafters and more.
Harborne High Street (B17)
Harborne is the epitome of cool. Not only is it home to excellent restaurants in which you can stop and spend time indulging in exquisite food, but it's also wicked for mooching around in charity shops and hunting for bargains.
Foodies will love Paul at No 41 for breakfast and brunch, a big lunch in a top gastropub that's cheaper than a Wetherspoons, good sushi and Chinese food by night, brilliant burgers and one of the most exciting, up-and-coming fine dining restaurants in the city, Cuubo.
There's the every day stuff you might need, a Sainsbury's, Post Office, stationery shops, florists and more. If you can walk more than 100m without stopping for good food, wine, coffee or treats, that is.
Warstone Lane (B18)
Cutting straight through the Jewellery Quarter, Warstone Lane is home to dozens of jewellers in shops that have barely changed over the decades. It's home to a top-rated fine dining restaurant (The Wilderness), a few excellent coffee shops (including Damascena for inexpensive Middle Eastern food) and, of course, on the junction with Vyse Street, the iconic Chamberlain Clock.
Continue along and you'll find the Warstone Lane Cemetery which has a truly fascinating history. The 'peaceful mansion of the dead' has catacombs that you can tour with a group if you're keen to learn more about it.
The Jewellery Quarter is protected and so it looks today like it has for years. In fact, English Heritage call it a 'national treasure'. Watching couples, hand-in-hand, window shopping for wedding rings is particularly sweet in this neck of the woods.
Birmingham's coolest streets
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Pershore Road (B30)
We barely have to explain why the Pershore Road has made our list given the national attention Stirchley has been getting of late. In this list, we're talking particularly about the stretch that spans Cotteridge to Stirchley.
It's become an 'independent republic' for businesses, including one of the best co*cktail bars in the country (Couch) and highly-rated restaurants like Riverine Rabbit, Caneat, Alicia's Micro Bakehouse and Soi 1268. It's a beer-lovers dream too, with venues like Cork and Cage, Wildcat, Deadbeat and Red Beer'd as well as award-winning Cotteridge Wines for unusual beers to take away.
Then you've got a range of shops to visit, from the old-school vacuum repair shop to the Birmingham Bike Foundry bike shop and Noct Off furniture.
Sycamore Road (B30)
Arguably the most beautiful of the streets to make this list, Sycamore Road is Cadbury chocolate box-levels of stunning. It's where you'll find Bournville Village Green, home to the iconic rest house opposite the glorious carillon.
There are a number of shops that have been around for ages, including the Bournville Bread Basket bakery, selling bread and cakes since 1987, a wool shop and a florist. There's a community hub, too.
Kafenion is wicked for coffee, especially when the Artisan Market is on the green and you can grab a take-away cup to enjoy on a bench with a slice of Lil's Parlour cake. And then further along, there's the Selly Manor Museum Tudor houses, that would look extraordinarily out of place in any other neighbourhood.
Not in Bournville, though, where everything is designed to be lovely. Even just walking the road and smelling the garden flowers and enjoying the fluttering cherry blossom is a dream.
Kings Norton Green (B38)
Kings Norton might not be your first thought when you think of medieval Birmingham, but it's truly special. Home to the largest collection of Tudor buildings in Brum, it's old and iconic.
The Green is particularly pretty, alive with people when the Farmers Market is on, every Saturday of the month. There's been a market going there since 1616!
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