Birmingham
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Culture
Thinktank
Thinktank takes an interactive approach to science in its 10 themed, hands-on galleries. Highlights include a singing robot, a planetarium and the new science garden, where kids can power a giant hamster wheel.
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Eat
Warehouse Café
The Warehouse Café occupies the first floor of a converted warehouse, serving excellent vegan and vegetarian food. Staff are friendly and the ingredients are organic and locally sourced, while the bring-your-own alcohol policy keeps the bill down. Ring the ground-floor buzzer for entry.
Byzantium
Just off the high street in Kings Heath, Byzantium does a terrific line in tapas and mezze, from Spanish albondigas (meatballs) to creamy Greek tzatziki.
Carters of Moseley
Nearby Carters of Moseley is a dapper little bistro serving modern British cuisine. Mains might include ox cheek dumplings with horseradish potatoes, or Cornish ray in nut-brown butter.
Lasan
The acclaimed Lasan takes Indian cuisine to another level with its sophisticated menu, fresh ingredients and subtly spiced dishes: Lyme Bay monkfish with spiced aubergine, potato pakora and tamarindspiked coconut milk sauce, say, or a more fiery, Tamil-style chicken masala.
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Sleep
Staying Cool
Built in 1965 and now Grade II-listed, the glass cylinder of the Rotunda has become one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Staying Cool (apartments from €117/£95) offers 26 slick, serviced apartments on the top four floors, with dizzying views over the city.
Bloc Hotel
The new Bloc Hotel (rooms from €56/£45) was inspired by Japanese pod hotels. Its 73 rooms are small but perfectly formed, with tiled wet rooms and king size beds.
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Shop
Custard Factory
Inside the impressive former Bird’s Eye factory, the Custard Factory houses a number of independent boutiques and art studios. Don’t miss the huge array of retro goods at Mr Bird’s Emporium, which also hosts regular vintage fairs.
The People Shop
The owners of The People Shop describe it as ‘officially Birmingham’s nicest shop’ and they’re not wrong. From pretty bunting to retro-inspired tea dresses, everything in the shop is handmade.
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Later
Prince of Wales
Walk through the old-fashioned front bar at The Prince of Wales to find the tiny cocktail lounge, cigar room, wine and cheese shop and huge covered garden.
Hare and Hounds
The Hare and Hounds squeezes in three venue spaces alongside its main bar, staging various club nights and gigs; the likes of Ed Sheeran have been known to pop in for impromptu performances.
The Rose Villa Tavern
The Rose Villa Tavern is a grand old boozer with a modern twist: sample a global array of beers under the beautifully preserved stained-glass windows. It’s open until late, with regular DJ sets.
The Vaults Restaurant & Bar
The Vaults Restaurant & Bar delivers excellent cocktails in the vaulted underpinnings of an imposing Victorian building. Come 11pm a smart crowd fills the alcoves, enjoying chilled dance tunes from the resident DJ.
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