Reviews & Features

Our reviews and ‘best of’ articles relating to music, food, art, shopping and more in and around Birmingham.

Hockley Social Club & Artum review

Hockley Social Club & Artum review

Birmingham’s music scene has, like most other UK towns and cities, suffered some serious blows in recent years. From austerity to lock-downs, train strikes to cost of… Read more »

The Plough kitchen at The Hare & Hounds review

The Plough kitchen at The Hare & Hounds review

The guys at The Plough Harborne have recently taken over a kitchen residency at The Hare & Hounds in King’s Heath and I was invited along to… Read more »

Birmingham, can you handle this? Yes! Jack and the Beanstalk wows audiences at Hippodrome.

Jack and the Beanstalk, thestage musical and family-friendly comedy, based very loosely on the famous old English Fairytale, is currently showing at Birmingham Hippodrome. Birmingham’s Queen, Alison… Read more »

Bundobust’s Christmas menu review

Bundobust’s Christmas menu review

An invite to taste Bundobust’s Christmas menu was something I did not want to miss out on. Having attended the launch, and visited a few times since,… Read more »

Six By Nico ‘The Chippie’ Press Preview Review

Six By Nico ‘The Chippie’ Press Preview Review

Myself and a guest were recently invited to try out the brand new Six By Nico restaurant on Birmingham’s Colmore Row. The Birmingham branch is the brand’s… Read more »

The Plough Harborne 241 Mondays Pizza Review

If you asked me where my favourite pub in Birmingham is, I’d have a short list, and on that list would always be The Plough Harborne. From… Read more »

Attic Brew ‘Forward Launch Party’ at The Bun & Barrel!

Attic Brew ‘Forward Launch Party’ at The Bun & Barrel!

Myself and a colleague were recently invited to The Bun and Barrel for the Attic Brew Co. Forward launch party. We hope you had a great time… Read more »

Orelle at Colmore Tower Review August 2023

Orelle at Colmore Tower Review August 2023

I have followed the development of 103 Colmore Tower from its very beginnings. With a clear view from the office, it seemed slightly sad when local architect… Read more »

The Indian Streatery Review August 2023

The Indian Streatery Review August 2023

I don’t really think The Indian Streatery needs any introduction, in such a central location and with the recent publicity of a royal visit, this restaurant is… Read more »

Rudy’s pizzeria Harborne review

Rudy’s pizzeria Harborne review

An invite to check out the new Rudy’s pizzeria in Harborne coincided with a catch up with a good friend who lives nearby. For me, the trip… Read more »

Grease Secret Cinema review by Caroline Ward

On Thursday night my friend and I were transported back to 1959 courtesy of Secret Cinema. Grease the Live Experience at the NEC provided a nostalgic, infectious… Read more »

A night out in Digbeth courtesy of Digbeth Estate review!

A night out in Digbeth courtesy of Digbeth Estate review!

Myself and a friend Emily, were recently invited on a mini tour of Digbeth courtesy of Digbeth Estates and The Relationship co. I was in the office… Read more »

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival 2023 review

I have mentioned in a previous review as to how I came quite late to the Moseley family of Festivals, first discovering them in 2012 and then… Read more »

Robb Sheppard Q&A for SIFA Fireside Homeless Charity

Homelessness is a topic close to our heart here at Grapevine Birmingham. Having taken time to support those living and surviving on the streets of the second… Read more »

The Ocean at the end of the Lane at The Alex by Mazzy Snape

The Ocean at the End of The Lane, National Theatre’s major newstage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2013 book of the same name, launched at The Alex, Birmingham… Read more »

The Commitments, the stage musical at The Hippodrome review

Do You Like Good Music? Sweet soul music! The Commitments, the stage musical, based on Alan Parker’s 1991 BAFTA award winning film hits Birmingham’s stunning Hippodrome this… Read more »

Dirty Bingo at The Actress & Bishop review by Ning-ning Li

Dirty Bingo at The Actress & Bishop review by Ning-ning Li

I’d like to take a quick moment to shout out about my success of the night – I won the dildo race! Yes, I’m very proud, thank… Read more »

48 Hours in Birmingham – Two Kids on the Bloc

Living in Worcester, it’s a pretty easy commute to Brum. I’ve lived in The Jewellery Quarter, the worst parts of Wolverhampton & West Bromwich, and was born… Read more »

The Best Art Galleries in Birmingham

As John Lennon once said, “Life doesn’t imitate art…it is art!” and this past two years life has been pretty tough, with a traumatising pandemic, a horrific… Read more »

Dreamgirls at The Alex review by Mazzy Snape

Dreamgirls, thestage musical, a multi award winning production is currently in residence at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 31 December. You might be familiar with the… Read more »

A Night Out in The Independent Republic of Stirchley!

A Night Out in The Independent Republic of Stirchley!

A recent invite to attend the Birmingham-based spirits brand BeauFort pop-up press night at Kong Bar was a perfect opportunity to catch up on the current bar… Read more »

Dishoom Christmas Menu review 2022

Dishoom Christmas Menu review 2022

London’s trendy Indian staple Dishoom, exploded onto Birmingham’s food scene a hairs breadth before the Pandemic in 2020. Two years of rave reviews and consistently good media… Read more »

Saturday Night Fever at The Alex review by Mazzy Snape

Saturday Night Fever, thestage musical, is a homage to the 1977 Robert Stigwood film in which John Travolta stars in possibly his most career defining role. The… Read more »

The Shawshank Redemption at The Alex review by Wallis Brown

The Shawshank Redemption at The Alex review by Wallis Brown

The Alexandra Theatre welcomed us in the from the cold, dreary weather of a Monday evening with their exemplary hospitality and the promise of talent and the… Read more »

GULP & Crazy Gin review by Ning-ning Li

GULP & Crazy Gin review by Ning-ning Li

As if you didn’t love Brum enough already, this one concretes that very feeling. We happened upon something special that Saturday evening, owing to Birmingham-based artist Kaye… Read more »

The Mousetrap at The Alex review by Mazzy Snape

The Mousetrap is an infamous murder mystery play by Agatha Christie known to be the longest running play of all time. It launched in the West End… Read more »

The Osmonds A New Musical review by Mazzy Snape

The Osmonds: A New Musical is a story by Jay Osmond, book by Julian Bigg and Shaun Kerrison, and directed by Shaun Kerrison, with choreography and musical… Read more »

North Brew Taproom Birmingham – Welcome Beer and Bao Buns review by Maddie Booth

North Brew Taproom Birmingham – Welcome Beer and Bao Buns review by Maddie Booth

Grapevine (and others) were invited to visit North Brewing Company at their signature site in Leeds to get a feel for their soon-to-open Birmingham Taproom – the… Read more »

Beer Central Festival 2022 review by Wallis Brown

Beer Central Festival 2022 review by Wallis Brown

Beer Central Festival, an event filled with more types of beer than I thought possible. Along with cheerful crowds of enthusiasts and those who just want to… Read more »

Autumn Exhibitions at Ikon Gallery review by Amika

Admittedly. I was somewhat apprehensive when Grapevine asked me to do this review. But after attending this Ikon launch. I had nothing to fear but only art… Read more »

Jojolounge ‘Jojolapa’ menu review Sept 2022

Jojolounge ‘Jojolapa’ menu review Sept 2022

I’ve walked past Jojolapa in the Jewellery Quarter a few times and paused to read the menu, wondering if it was worth a try – I know… Read more »

Jungle Bird review – plant based restaurant and tropical cocktail bar

Jungle Bird review – plant based restaurant and tropical cocktail bar

With news of the Jungle Bird plant based restaurant and tropical cocktail bar opening, I was keen to check out the menu, especially when I realised it… Read more »

Yumi and the Weather review at Sunflower Lounge by Emily Birkett

Yumi and the Weather review at Sunflower Lounge by Emily Birkett

Established in 2002, the Sunflower Lounge has been on my radar for years. Friends at university would go on a Thursday night for the famous open mic… Read more »

Fisherman’s Friends at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham by Mazzy Snape

Fisherman’s Friends at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham by Mazzy Snape

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical is based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish shanty-singing sensations and their hit 2019 film. Tuesday night’s opening performance at Birmingham’s… Read more »

Moseley Folk & Arts Festival Review 2022 by Ken Byng

Having lived just a stone’s throw from Moseley for over 20 years now, I am embarrassed to say it took me a good 10 years to find… Read more »

The Big Birmingham Bake review by Ning-ning Li

The Big Birmingham Bake review by Ning-ning Li

I have a confession. Aside from seeing a segment here and there, I’ve never…ever…watched a Great British Bake Off series! I know I’m missing out on some… Read more »

Derren Brown’s Showman at The Alexandra Theatre review by Maddie Booth

Derren Brown, the ever-popular multi-award winning master of mind control and illusion, brought his SHOWMAN tour to The Alexandra Birmingham on 6 to 10 September 2022. Derren commented: “2022… Read more »

Qavali Review by Ning-ning Li

Qavali Review by Ning-ning Li

It feels quite mystical when first entering Qavali. Immersed in an interior of dark greens and golds, the room I realise, is accompanied by a distant deep… Read more »

Bakehouse Sutton Coldfield Review by Wallis Brown

Bakehouse Sutton Coldfield Review by Wallis Brown

The Bakehouse located in Sutton Coldfield is a cosy rustic cafe, that offers sweet treats and savoury dishes. We were definitely spoilt for choice, I was eyeing… Read more »

The Best View In The City? – Vinoteca Review by Maddie Booth

The Best View In The City? – Vinoteca Review by Maddie Booth

Perched opposite the well known MAG, and famous Chamberlain Memorial Fountain – home to a number of well-known bars and restaurants, Vinoteca sits in a perfect location… Read more »

Gulp Drink & Draw (Dine) with Flic Review by Wallis Brown

Gulp Drink & Draw (Dine) with Flic Review by Wallis Brown

Art comes in many forms, at varying skill levels and with sometimes extremely different points of views. The night that Gulp gave us, was definitely all of… Read more »

Fashion Spies at Old Joint Stock Theatre review by Sophie Rose Walters

Fashion Spies at Old Joint Stock Theatre review by Sophie Rose Walters

On the 21st of July we were invited to see the theatre production “Fashion Spies” at the grand old joint stock pub and theatre in Birminghams city… Read more »

Kibou Solihull review by Wallis Brown

Kibou Solihull review by Wallis Brown

Solihull Touchwood is now home to Kibou, a stunning Japanese kitchen & bar that caught my attention before it even opened it’s doors. With its leafy exterior… Read more »

Fierce’s Healing Gardens of Bab at Selfridges review

Fierce’s Healing Gardens of Bab at Selfridges review

Selfridges has partnered with Fierce’s Healing Gardens of Bab and is hosting some unique, interesting and thoroughly entertaining events and I was invited to choose one to… Read more »

Extrawurst New Street food review

Extrawurst New Street food review

An invite to try out the recently opened Extrawurst take-away on New Street in Brum city centre, was a welcome prospect, having missed a few opportunities of… Read more »

Guys and Dolls at The Alex review

Guys and Dolls at The Alex review

The gambling, smoke filled streets of New York, was brought to Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre by the amazing tale of Guys and Dolls. And to my elation we… Read more »

Blood Red Shoes review by Wallis Brown

Blood Red Shoes are on tour celebrating their sixth album, ‘Ghosts on Tape’ and they showcased it for us in at The Rainbow in Birmingham. The sound… Read more »

Crazy Pedro’s Digbeth Launch Party review

Crazy Pedro’s Digbeth Launch Party review

A recent invite to check out the new Crazy Pedro’s pizza bar in the Custard Factory sparked my interest, as I know this venue very well but… Read more »

Other World Bar review

Other World Bar review

Myself and a mate were recently invited to try out the new Other World gaming bar on Bennett’s Hill in Birmingham city centre. It’s usually £18pp which… Read more »

Heidi’s Bier Bar Review by Wallis Brown

Broad street has welcomed the UK’s second Heidi’s Bier Bar and it can boast to be the largest of the two. We were invited to the opening… Read more »