It can be difficult to stay social at university when you’re struggling for cash. Luckily, there are plenty of great bars and pubs in Birmingham that offer generous happy hour deals, perfect for a student budget.
Have a read of our top picks for grabbing a cheap drink in the city.
Dirty Martini
Situated in the heart of Birmingham’s city center, Dirty Martini can offer a carefully crafted cocktail within walking distance.
Despite its classy interior, snazzy bar and skilled bartenders, Dirty Martini offers a happy hour to rival all other happy hours. With two-for-one cocktails, £20 bottles of Prosecco and £3.50 bottles of beer every day of the week, you’ll be hard pressed to find better deals in the city center.
Where: City center, Bennetts Hill
Happy hour: 3pm-10pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm-8pm Friday and Saturday, all day Sunday
Be At One
All you need to know about Be At One’s happy hour is that it’s generous, long and gets incredibly busy!
Amazingly, they offer their happy hour every single day of the week, so you’re bound to find a time to go that suits you. Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to catch up over a couple of cocktails or somewhere to dance the night away, Be At One is suitable for you.
Where: City center, Piccadilly Arcade
Happy hour: All day Monday, 4.30pm – 8pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 4.30pm- 7pm Thursday and Sunday, 4pm-7pm Friday, 2pm-6pm Saturday
So Bar
Located slightly out of town in The Arcadian, So Bar is yet to be discovered by many. Despite being less well known than other bars on this list, it’s one of our favorites as it offers the longest happy hours in Birmingham, with two-for-one cocktails available from 11am to 9pm every single day.
This place is busiest during the weekend, but head there in the week and you may just have the bartender all to yourself.
Where: The Arcadian
Happy hour: 11am-9pm Monday-Sunday
Lost & Found
This picturesque bar, which has blossoms cascading down from the ceiling, certainly makes for a beautiful place to enjoy some fancy cocktails. All drinks here have their own unique twist, so you’re guaranteed to experience something new and exciting!
Although generally quite pricey, happy hour lasts for three hours every day of the week, which means you can have all the class for half the price.
Where: City center, Bennetts Hill
Happy hour: 5pm-8pm Monday-Sunday
Jekyll & Hyde
Head to this quirky cocktail joint if you’re keen to try some rather unique concoctions. Although usually a bit pricier than their competitors, Jekyll & Hyde’s regular happy hours give everyone a chance to try delectable cocktails on a budget.
Where: City center, Steelhouse Lane
Happy hour: 12pm-7pm Monday-Sunday
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is incredibly popular, as both a bar and restaurant. This is thanks to the happy hour that runs all day, every day, apart from between 7pm and 10pm.
Grab two delicious Caribbean inspired cocktails for the price of one, take a seat in one of the beach shacks and, if you can ignore that looming grey cloud outside, you may just feel like you’re on holiday.
Where: City center, John Bright Street
Happy hour: 11.30-7pm and 10pm-closing Monday-Sunday
Island Bar
Island Bar is just as exotic as it sounds. Walking into this Tiki Bar, adorned with hula flowers and bamboo, will transport you to any Hawaiian island.
Claiming to be one of the best cocktail bars in Birmingham, the happy hour here is slightly shorter than at other bars, however their drinks are delicious. Situated right next to the train station, you can treat yourself before the commute home!
Where: City center, Suffolk Street Queensway
Happy hour: 6pm-8pm Tuesday-Saturday, all night Thursday
Las Iguanas
More commonly known for its good value South American dishes, Las Iguanas has become a popular watering hole in recent years due to its generous happy hour.
However, it’s questionable whether you can call it a happy hour when the cocktails here are always two for the price of one. However, we’re not complaining!
Where: City center, Temple Street
Happy hour: All day Monday-Sunday
Rose Villa Tavern
With its stained-glass windows and wooden furniture, the Rose Villa Tavern looks a lot like your classic English pub, and, in some ways, it is, serving up delicious two-for-one fish and chips every Tuesday.
However, in many ways it defies the boundaries of a normal pub, offering surprisingly delicate cocktails all week long. Catch them at happy hour and you’ll bag yourself a bargain.
Where: Jewelry Quarter
Happy hour: 4pm-7pm Monday – Thursday, 4pm-closing Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday
Texan Roadhouse
Most of the happy hours in the city tend to revolve around cocktails. However, if all you’re after is a good old cheap beer and some pub grub alongside it, head to Texan Roadhouse.
This joint is not posh, it’s not pretty, but it’s cheap! During happy hour, grab yourself a pitcher of beer and you’ll get a portion of chicken wings absolutely free!
Where: Jewelry Quarter
Happy hour: 5-7pm Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday
