Reviews & Features

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

Home Deliveries, Food, Drink, Merchandise, Music Streams & Virtual Quizes – Brum is Bubblin’ Hot!

Come back Brexit all is forgiven (nearly)! With the Coronavirus lock down in full effect, businesses in Brum, the rest of the UK, and most of the… Read more »

Rebel Chicken, Pre – Lock Down Review

With Covid kicking off, we thought we’d duck out and get some chicken in as it may be out last chance for a while. We’d heard great… Read more »

7 Minutes Of Funk vinyl release by local West Loop on Vong 45

Local Birmingham/Walsall creators West Loop have reworked one of their super cool vinyl funk releases for a fresh push. Originally recorded in a time when most were… Read more »

SIMON EVANS: The Work of The Devil Tour 2020 Review

One of Britain’s favorite stand-up comedians, defined by the driest of comedy and brilliantly sarcastic stage manner, Simon Evans introduced ‘’The Work of The Devil’’ Tour 2020,… Read more »

The Bull’s Head Brum review

The Bull’s Head Brum review

Thinking of drinking on Broad Street always gives me a little shiver, it’s just not my thing and though I’m no bar snob, I’d always rather opt… Read more »

Brooklyn’s Drag Royalty drops the red velvet curtain turning herself into the main object of art

Brooklyn’s Drag Royalty drops the red velvet curtain turning herself into the main object of art

Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9, Sasha Velour, steps into UK territory in red stilettos, serving her Smoke & Mirrors extravaganza for the first time to… Read more »

Lenovo Legion Launch Event Review, Purity Bar and Kitchen

Lenovo Legion Launch Event Review, Purity Bar and Kitchen

On a dry but chilly evening at the outset of March, my son (Alex) and I were very lucky enough to be able to head inside the… Read more »

Faustus: That Damned Woman review by Emilia Antoniadou

Faustus: That Damned Woman review by Emilia Antoniadou

A destiny signed by blood as hellfire longs for her never-ending torment. A Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre co-production in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre. After premiering… Read more »

Which were Birmingham’s biggest factories 100 years ago?

A lot can happen in 100 years. And the last 100 years has seen unbelievable technological and societal change, both in the UK and across the developed… Read more »

The Indian Streatery Express review

The Indian Streatery Express review

I arrived a little early and figured (and hoped) the The Indian Streatery Express had a license as I really fancied a beer before eating. Lucky for… Read more »

The Head of Steam menu review

The Head of Steam menu review

Prior to last week, my only taste of any food at The Head of Steam on Temple Street was a bit of pizza at my Christmas gathering,… Read more »

Kay Mellor’s Band of Gold at the Alexandra theatre review

Kay Mellor’s Band of Gold at the Alexandra theatre review

As a fan of the original tv show, which first aired back in March 1995, I was excited to hear that the world stage premier of the… Read more »

New ‘Actress Live’ Music Weekends in Jewellery Quarter

New ‘Actress Live’ Music Weekends in Jewellery Quarter

A trip to St Paul’s Square is never complete without a visit to the Actress & Bishop for a pint of Guinness and a bit of live… Read more »

1917 Review – A slice of time, where the viewer becomes the third protagonist

1917 Review – A slice of time, where the viewer becomes the third protagonist

Oscar winning director, Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall, Spectre), returns to our screens with his new-born and highly acclaimed war epic, 1917. Historical War Films have always… Read more »

Discover Birmingham 2020 Genuine Panama gig review

Discover Birmingham 2020 Genuine Panama gig review

Last month Birmingham Promoters teamed up with BBC Introducing, MAS Records, Born Music and Counteract to bring together a series of live showcases from some of the… Read more »

Digbrew – Dough Pizza review

Digbrew – Dough Pizza review

Dig Brew Co. exists within a converted factory unit, which houses large vats full of delicious craft beer, served to thirsty punters from a full length bar… Read more »

Rainbow food feasts at the Plough by Rhiannon Simpson

Rainbow food feasts at the Plough by Rhiannon Simpson

I am ashamed to say as an adopted Brummie, finding me laying my roots here for the last 18 years but I had never been to The… Read more »

Rico Libre tapas review by Rachael Butler

Rico Libre tapas review by Rachael Butler

It has been quite some time since I visited the Custard Factory in Birmingham, in-fact the last time was many years ago when I was with a… Read more »

The Ruin Sunday Roast review

The Ruin Sunday Roast review

I have been a big fan of The Ruin in Digbeth since it re-opened as a pub back in 2016. The present building originally opened as a… Read more »

The Best Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean & Japanese Sushi Restaurants in Birmingham

Here at Grapevine, we thought we would round up some of the best East and South East Asian cuisine in Birmingham for you, so that you can… Read more »

Charles Dickens’ love of Birmingham and his first public readings of A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens visited Birmingham Town Hall to read his Christmas Carol to a couple of thousand people, eager to hear one of the most notable literary geniuses… Read more »

Stirchley – The New Night Out!

Excluding the city centre, Birmingham has a small yet burgeoning portfolio of cool areas, which are worthy of a night out. Most people will have either heard… Read more »

Winter Warmers from Helly Hansen

Winter Warmers from Helly Hansen

Clothes shopping in UK winters can be a bit of a challenge these days if you are after something a bit different. With a severe lack of… Read more »

Peter Pan at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre review

Peter Pan at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre review

This Christmas sees the story of the ‘boy who wouldn’t grow up’ brought to The REP Theatre, reinvented with a 21st century twist. Directed by Liam Steel… Read more »

Saint Pauls House all-day menu review

Saint Pauls House all-day menu review

The St Paul’s and Jewellery Quarter district of Birmingham have always offered a more subdued eating experience than one usually encounters in the nearby busy city centre,… Read more »

Birmingham’s Unique Musical History From The Underground To The Mainstream + New Mousse T. remix

The UK is widely regarded as a pivotal tool in the Electronic industries positioning in the global scene. It has long been recognised for breaking new &… Read more »

A Good Night’s Sleep in Bloc Hotel

A Good Night’s Sleep in Bloc Hotel

A recent Saturday night out in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to meet a mate posed the usual conundrum, do I catch the last train home at 10pm, or… Read more »

Medicine Bakery, Cafe and Gallery review

Medicine Bakery, Cafe and Gallery review

Birmingham has been going through almost immeasurable changes in recent years. With a huge increase in large commercial chain bars and restaurants entering the city centre, many… Read more »

The Best Fast Food Take Aways in Birmingham City Centre

The Best Fast Food Take Aways in Birmingham City Centre

Birmingham has a large, ethnically and culturally diverse population and that means it is home to some of the best cuisine and take-outs. With so much choice… Read more »

The Indian Streatery Bennetts Hill evening menu review

The Indian Streatery Bennetts Hill evening menu review

Last Friday, myself and a friend decided to dine out at local favourite, The Indian Streatery, on Bennett’s Hill in the city centre. This was my fourth… Read more »

Band Night and Boogie at The Night Owl review

Band Night and Boogie at The Night Owl review

The Night Owl has been drawing in punters from all over the UK since its conception in 2015. Having danced the night away on a few occasions,… Read more »

Gintleman Gin Masterclass review at Selfridges

Gintleman Gin Masterclass review at Selfridges

Last week I attended a night of informative and fun, Gin themed entertainment hosted by the Midlands leading Gin raconteur ‘The Gintleman’ aka Carl Hawkins. Whilst Carl’s… Read more »

Sabbra Cadabra and Henry’s Blueshouse review

Sabbra Cadabra and Henry’s Blueshouse review

When you have a hankering for some live music, and someone invites you to attend what is reported as one of the most authentic Black Sabbath tribute… Read more »

Raja Monkey Indian restaurant and takeaway review

Raja Monkey Indian restaurant and takeaway review

I have been looking forward to sampling Raja Monkey for some time. My biggest obstacle has been its location in Hall Green, which I always assumed was… Read more »

Pride and Prejudice Sort Of review at Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Pride and Prejudice Sort Of review at Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Despite having spent many years studying English literature and the works of Jane Austen, I have never been a huge Austen enthusiast. Together, Blood of the Young,… Read more »

Ryan McMullan Concert Review & Interview

The Irish sweetheart returned to Birmingham on Wednesday the 9th, for a concert at Digbeth’s Mama Roux’s, supported by fellow musicians from back home, Conor Scott and… Read more »

Buffalo & Rye new menu review 2019

Buffalo & Rye new menu review 2019

Bennett’s Hill favourite, Buffalo & Rye, has a new menu so myself and two friends decided to hop along and try it out last week. This American… Read more »

Alice Sebold The Lovely Bones play at Birmingham Repertory Theatre review

Having read and really enjoyed the book I was intrigued to have the opportunity to watch the live theatrical version. The play kept closely to the original… Read more »

Marmalade at The Birmingham REP review

Marmalade at The Birmingham REP review

Marmalade has set itself up as an easy choice for diners before events at the Rep, ICC and other surrounding venues. It delivers a satisfying pre-theatre experience… Read more »

Asia Asia Food Hall Review

Asia Asia Food Hall Review

A recent visit to Asia Asia food Hall was a real treat and one that I was looking forward to after their bloggers banquet which I attended… Read more »

Laura Mvula heartfelt acceptance speech after receiving honorary doctorate from BCU

The acclaimed British singer and composer Laura Mvula has paid tribute to her family in a heartfelt acceptance speech after receiving an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City… Read more »

Beer Central Festival Review

Beer Central Festival Review

The first weekend in July saw the Beer Central Festival roll into Digbeth and I was invited to attend and check out the show, and what a… Read more »

Stable Vegan Night review by Lou Woodley

Stable Vegan Night review by Lou Woodley

I was very excited to learn that The Stable, already a prime favourite vegan hotspot, were launching a brand new Vegan night every first Monday of the… Read more »

The Best Places to Stay in Birmingham

The Best Places to Stay in Birmingham

If you’re planning a visit to Birmingham whether its a business trip, a city break or just a night out there are so many cool and innovative… Read more »

The BBC Good Food Show Summer 2019 review

The BBC Good Food Show Summer 2019 review

The BBC Good Food Show Summer returned to the NEC in Birmingham Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 June for four days, packed with the latest products and trends,… Read more »

Beer Central & Dig Brew launch new drink for Beer Central Festival 5th & 6th July!

Beer Central & Dig Brew launch new drink for Beer Central Festival 5th & 6th July!

Grapevine was recently invited to the launch of Beer Central Festivals new beer brewed by Purity, Burning Soul, Twisted Barrel and Dig Brew brewers at Dig Brew’s… Read more »

The Stable Pizza Making review!

The Stable Pizza Making review!

The Stable Birmingham opened its doors in 2015, serving delicious pizza and cider in the heart of the city. What started out as a small scale pizza… Read more »

The Ruin Review by Daisy Andrews

The Ruin Review by Daisy Andrews

Two years ago I went on holiday to Budapest and visited Szimpla Kert, the most popular Ruin Bar in Budapest. I absolutely adored it and therefore, I… Read more »

The Best Hire Venues & Event Spaces in Birmingham

Being the second biggest city in the UK, Birmingham has both a large business demographic and bustling nightlife, making it a hot-spot for throwing big occasions, conferences… Read more »

Rebel Chicken 1st Birthday Review

Rebel Chicken 1st Birthday Review

I cannot believe a year has passed since the Rebel Chicken first opened its doors. Last Saturday was a great opportunity to head down, check out the… Read more »