Best bars and pubs with live music in Birmingham

Birmingham might be called the Second City, but when it comes to music, it’s never played second fiddle to anywhere else when it comes to music, and their bustling bar scene is proving it.

From the godfathers of heavy metal to soul legends and chart-toppers, Brum has been setting the beat for decades. This is a city that doesn’t just know how to party, it practically invented it.

While the heritage is unmatched, the live music scene keeps the spirit alive in hospitality venues.

With the sector feeling the pressure from rising costs, venues are getting creative to keep the lights on and the punters coming in. Live music has become a power lever to pull, not just to improve the atmosphere, but a real business lifeline. It drives footfall, increases spending per head, and gives people a reason to stay out longer, spend more, and come back sooner.

That’s why platforms like GigPig, which connect local venues with local musicians, are vital in helping independent businesses thrive while giving artists a stage to shine.

So whether you’re looking to blow off steam with some DnB, belt out power ballads with a live band, or discover the next big thing before they hit the big time, Birmingham’s got a bar for that.

Here’s your guide to the best spots in the city where the music is always live, and the atmosphere is even livelier.

BOX Brindleyplace

Sure, you might come for the football, but stay for the Bandeoke, BOX’s glorious Thursday night chaos where guests become performers, fronting a live band like they were born to headline Glasto. Add in a rotation of the city’s finest high-energy bands and DJs, and you’ve found a true treasure trove in uncovering some of Birmingham's top talent. It brings big tunes, bigger vibes, and the perfect warm-up (or afterparty) for your night out.

Albert’s Schloss 

If hedonism had a house band, it would be playing at Albert’s Schloss. This bohemian pleasure palace isn’t just a bar… It’s a cabaret, a bier hall, and a live music utopia all rolled into one gloriously rowdy venue. From gospel choirs to Oompah bands, soul singers to cheeky promenaders, no night is ever the same. Pair that with a stein of pilsner and a plate of schnitzel, and you’re in for a very Bavarian kind of madness.

Mama Roux’s

Burlesque, basslines and absolutely beloved, Mama Roux’s is where Birmingham’s finest musicians grace their stage. With thousands pouring in weekly to soak up house, disco, and glitter-drenched cabaret, this Digbeth den delivers a proper party atmosphere. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and the only real question is: why aren’t you already there?

The O Bar

Described as ‘The Heartbeat of the Night’? Dead right. The O Bar keeps Broad Street buzzing with DJs every single day and a stacked lineup of live acts that span Rock, Blues, R&B, and more. Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays are the sweet spot for live music lovers, but honestly? Any night’s a good night here.

The Botanist

Yes, yes, you’ve heard about the famous hanging kebabs, but did you know The Botanist also throws down some stellar live sets? With two Brum locations (Gas Street Basin and Temple Street), you can sip lush cocktails to the sweet sounds of local talent all weekend long. But it’s Live Festival season where things really kick off - expect trios, duos, and bands belting everything from Indie to Funk in one of the city’s most beautiful canal-side settings.

The Cocktail Club

The Cocktail Club isn’t just a bar - it’s a full-blown celebration. Known as the “ultimate party bar,” their biggest venue to date is right here in Birmingham, and it delivers on every front. With electric energy, world-class mixology, and bottomless brunches that go from zero to unforgettable in no time. This place knows how to throw a serious shindig, where live music and high-energy DJ sets fuel the party, serving up iconic anthems that keep the dance floor packed and the vibes sky-high.

The Sunflower Lounge

A cornerstone of Birmingham’s grassroots music scene, The Sunflower Lounge is where future stars cut their teeth and cult favourites light up the stage. With its raw charm and NYC dive bar aesthetic, this beloved venue has been a launchpad for some of the UK’s most exciting talent for over two decades, and it’s still going strong. Catch raw talent in the basement, groove to forward-thinking DJs upstairs, and soak in that grungy glamour. It’s small, sweaty, and completely unforgettable - the way live music should be.

The Jam House

Hidden in a Georgian townhouse in the Jewellery Quarter, The Jam House is a temple to groove. Jazz, Blues, Rock - if it moves you, it’s playing here. The vibe? Smooth, sultry, and effortlessly cool. With regular big-name acts and emerging talent on the bill, it’s a classy joint that knows how to let loose.