Whether it is a 30th, a 40th or simply a good excuse to get everyone together, a birthday in Birmingham does not have to mean the same bar crawl down Broad Street. These birthday ideas for adults come from the celebrations we host every week at Lulu Wild, our Chinese restaurant and cocktail bar on the canal at Brindleyplace, Birmingham.
Pick the shape of the celebration
Most adult birthdays fall into one of three shapes: a daytime celebration, a dinner that turns into a night out, or a party where you have the room to yourselves. Work out which one the birthday person wants and roughly how many are coming, and the choice of venue gets a lot easier.
Idea 1: a birthday bottomless brunch
For a daytime birthday, brunch does most of the work for you: a fixed price, a set time and a room that is already loud. At Lulu Wild it is Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, with two courses of Chinese plates and 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Pornstar Martinis, Lychee Martinis and mocktails for £45 a head. On Saturdays a DJ plays every sitting. See our birthday brunch page for group details.
Idea 2: a long dinner with cocktails
For a smaller group, a long dinner is hard to beat. Order dim sum and sharing plates for the table, from XO prawn dumplings and crispy duck rolls to black truffle roast duck, and let the cocktails do the rest. The signature set menus take the decisions away, which helps when you are trying to talk rather than read a menu, and the bar stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Idea 3: a private room for your party
If you want a proper party rather than a table, hire a room. The Nest seats around 30, which suits a family celebration or a close group of friends. The Hideout upstairs seats 56 or holds up to 80 standing, with its own private bar, stage and baby grand. For a big milestone, the whole venue holds up to 200 standing. Private hire is priced on a minimum spend rather than a room fee, and it depends on the day, your numbers and your timings. Our birthday party venue page has the details.
Idea 4: pair it with a show
Brindleyplace is a short walk from Symphony Hall, the ICC and the Utilita Arena, so a birthday can easily be dinner and a gig, or a concert and late cocktails. If you are going to a show, book an early table so nobody is watching the clock, or come back afterwards for drinks.
Tips for planning a birthday in Birmingham
- Book the big part first. Weekend brunch sittings and Saturday evenings go early, especially in summer and December.
- Agree a budget per head. Set menus, brunch packages and drinks packages keep the cost predictable for everyone.
- Arrange the cake ahead. Cakes and decorations are welcome when arranged with the events team in advance, which is also when cakeage is discussed.
- Think about getting home. New Street station is about a ten-minute walk and the tram stops on Broad Street.
Birthday FAQs
Can I bring a birthday cake?
Yes, as long as it is arranged with the events team before the day. That is also when any cakeage is discussed, and the team can help with decorations.
How many people can you take for a birthday party?
The Nest seats around 30, The Hideout seats 56 or holds up to 80 standing, and the whole venue takes up to 200 standing or about 102 seated.
Do you offer a buffet for birthday parties?
A buffet is available for private hire bookings. For a table in the restaurant, choose from the menus or a set menu.
How much does a private birthday party cost?
Private hire is based on a minimum spend that depends on the day of the week, your guest numbers and timings. Send an enquiry and the events team will give you a quote.
