Photo: flickr-Bs0u10e0
Destination Exploring the new spaces that are putting the Jewellery Quarter on the map
James Gwilliam General Manager
Staycity A
s visitor figures to the Jewellery Quarter continue to rise, the award-winning Staycity has opened its second site of aparthotels in the city.
Located on the former site of the Birmingham Science Museum in Newhall Square, the new aparthotel consists of four studios, 142 one-bedroom apartments sleeping three to four people, and 24 two-bedroom apartments that accommodate up to six people. Each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchenette, sitting area and bathroom, with a 24-hour reception service and access to a fitness room and on-site parking. On the ground floor of the re-developed Newhall Square site is a communal lounge area offering freshly ground coffee, tea, continental breakfasts and light snacks. Staycity’s aparthotels cater for those on business, as well as small groups of people and families who want to stay together. Offering space and flexibility, they’re a great alternative for those looking for a bit more independence and a home-away-from-home, with all the usual comforts. Visit www.staycity.com/birmingham for more information.
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o you think you have what it takes to become a master detective and save someone’s life? Or perhaps rescue a young woman from a hospital where she is being held captive? Thankfully both scenarios are fictitious and are two of the puzzles found at Escape Live. Celebrating its first birthday this spring, the live escape experience gives teams of between two and six people just 60 minutes to escape from a locked room. Working together, groups must spot clues, solve riddles and decipher cryptic messages so that they can escape. Two puzzles are available for visitors: Dr. Wilson’s Office which centres on a master detective whose life is threatened; and Room 13, the story of Amy who is locked away in a hospital. Voted number 1 on Tripadvisor for ‘Fun & Games in Birmingham’, Escape Live will soon see its 15,000th escapee crack the case. With plans already in motion to launch two new rooms later this year, the attraction is perfect for team building with work colleagues, stag and hen-dos, half-term fun or just an evening with friends. Sessions start from £15 per person. Booking is essential.
Jordan Ladley Manager
www.escapelive.co.uk
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Nick Astley Owner
two cats KITCHEN
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n 2015, the Jewellery Quarter welcomed a new addition to its fine dining repertoire. Located off the beaten track between two jewellery shops on Warstone Lane, Two Cats Kitchen opened its first permanent restaurant after a year of pop-up events and dining experiences.
Specialising in New Baltic-Russian cuisine, owner Nick Astley alongside his fellow chefs recompose traditional dishes whilst creating new ones. As fine dining goes, Two Cats offers something a little more casual, with exposed brickwork, steel beams and repurposed furniture reflecting the heritage of the Jewellery Quarter perfectly. A seven-course tasting menu costs £42, with dishes including raw beef, horseradish, shiitake, lumpfish roe and peanut oil and kohlrabi, pork shoulder, kvass and caraway. For an additional £29, an accompanying wine match is also prepared, complementing every morsel. Although fine dining is often thought to attract a high price tag, Two Cats redefines what it is, focusing more on the thought process that goes into preparing the meals, rather than the price of the menu. www.twocatskitchen.com
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here’s no shortage of drinking establishments in the Jewellery Quarter, but the latest bar to open its doors is offering something a little bit different. 40 St Paul’s is the Quarter’s first Gin Palace. Located on St Paul’s Square, it serves over 60 different types of the spirit in a range of cocktails and shorts. With capacity for just 24 people, the bar is strictly table service only and aims to provide quality over quantity in a relaxed, boutique setting. In addition to the extensive gin list, 40 St Paul’s works alongside local Jewellery Quarter eateries to provide an extensive food menu. The Eight Foot Grocer, Peel & Stone and Two Cats Kitchen are just some of the businesses providing an array of small dishes and bar snacks. Owners Amanjot Singh Johal and Rob Wood want to create a world class drinking experience with a focus on attention to detail and hospitality. Offering the sort of treatment you’d expect from a Michelin star restaurant, 40 St Paul’s is quickly making a name for itself as one of the Jewellery Quarter’s premium bars.
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Amanjot Johal Owner
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DARES CRAFT BEER AND C O C K TA I L CAFÉ T Paran Sandu Head Brewer Simon Key Marketing Brand Director
hirty years since opening the doors of its last bar, legendary Birmingham brewery Davenports, is returning to the city to open the first of its new Dares Craft Beer and Cocktail Cafés at the heart of the Jewellery Quarter. Located on the former site of the Jewellery Quarter Police Station on the ground floor of the Big Peg, Dares will offer an eclectic blend of craft beer, cocktails and coffee with a casual open grill street food style menu. By day, the urban-styled café will be filled with the smell of fresh coffee. By night, the trained baristas make way for a bartender who can advise on great craft beers and food pairings whilst mixing an array of liquors to create some very special cocktails.
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It’s important not to forget what Davenports is famous for, though, and that’s craft beer. With over 186 years of heritage brewing beer, Davenports wants to rekindle people’s love of favourites such as Davenports Original and Pale Ale whilst also introducing them to several other recently re-launched cask beers. The new café in the Jewellery Quarter is the first of a number opening in Birmingham. Over the coming year the owners wish to open a further half a dozen new or refurbished venues, with a five-year plan of 50. www.davenports.co.uk
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B A R S , C A F É S & R E S TA U R A N T S
40 St Paul’s 40 Cox Street
Greggs 51 Warstone Lane
Nozomi Fleet Street
24 Carat Bistro 27 Warstone Lane
Henry’s Cantonese 27 St Paul’s Square
Pasta Di Piazza 11 Brook Street
Andersons Bar & Grill 30 Mary Ann Street
Hylton Café 2 Hylton Street
Peel & Stone Arch 33 Water Street
Aprés 45 Summer Row
In and Out Sandwich Bar 38 Cox Street
Philpotts Ltd 141 Gt. Charles Street Queensway
Blue Nile 28 Great Hampton Street
Itihaas 18 Fleet Street
Pickwicks 194 Newhall Street
Brown Lion 18 Hall Street
Jam House 5 St. Paul’s Square
Pizza Quarter 38 Warstone Lane
Café Neo 87 Spencer Street
JQ Coffee Café Frederick Street
Pomegranate Coffee Shop Heritage Court 17-21 Warstone Lane
CC’s Hot & Cold Food 65 Caroline Street
Kaffee Couture 21 Augusta Street
Coffee Lounge 101 Newhall Street
Klassic Grill 110 Icknield Street
Cucina Rustica 24 Ludgate Hill
Lasan 2 James Street
Deli Heaven 22 Caroline Street
Locanta Wine Bar 31 Ludgate Hill
Dhillons Café & Fish Bar 52-53 Warstone Lane
Lunchi 18 Warstone Lane
Dominique’s 91 Newhall Street
Masala 19-23 Pitsford Street
Donna’s Pantry 95 Newhall Street
Mechu 47-59 Summer Row
Fleet Street Kitchen Fleet Street
Milan Indian Cuisine 93 Newhall Street
Fredericks 50 Frederick Street
Niche Café 198 Warstone Lane
Portofino 21 Frederick Street Prestige Restaurant and Bar 42 Summer Hill Road Rajdoot Tandoori 78-79 George Street Red Lion 95 Warstone Lane Rose Villa Tavern 172 Warstone Lane Rosella’s Café & Convenience Store 41 George Street Saint Kitchen 61a St. Paul’s Square Semedo’s 54 Warstone Lane Stirlings Bar 21 Ludgate Hill
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Subway 40a Frederick Street
The Lord Clifden 34 Great Hampton Street
Two Towers Brewery Unit 1 51 Mott Street
Syriana 1 Constitution Hill
The Queen’s Arms 150 Newhall Street
UCB Cakes & Bakes Summer Row
The Actress & Bishop 36 Ludgate Hill
The Rectory 50-54 St. Paul’s Square
Urban Coffee 120 Vyse Street
The Church Inn 22 Great Hampton Street
The Shakespeare Summer Row
Vee’s Deli 83 Vyse Street
The Drop Forge 6 Hockley Street
The Vaults 16-17 Newhall Hill
Vertu Bar 25 Frederick Street
The Eight Foot Grocer 15 Caroline Street
Tropical Delights 88-90 Vittoria Street
Viceroy 108-109 Icknield Street
The Jeweller’s Arms 23 Hockley Street
Two Cats Kitchen 27 Warstone Lane
Vittoria Chinese Restaurant 60 Vittoria Street
HOTELS & A C C O M M O D AT I O N
T O U R I S T AT T R A C T I O N S
Bloc Hotel Caroline Street
Big Brum Open Top Buz 07805 115998
St Paul’s Gallery 94-108 Northwood Street
Ibis Styles 65 Lionel St
J. W. Evans 54-57 Albion Street
The Blue Orange Theatre 118 Great Hampton Street
Hampton by Hilton 98-104 Constitution Hill
Key Hill Cemetery Key Hill
The Pen Museum Unit 3 The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick Street
Hatter’s Hostel 92-95 Livery Street
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter 75-80 Vyse Street
Travelodge 80 Charlotte Street
Newman Brothers Coffin Works 13-15 Fleet Street
Staycity 88 Charlotte Street
RBSA Gallery 4 Brook Street
Saint Pauls House 15-20 St Paul’s Square
St Paul’s Church St Paul’s Square
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Turner Fine Arts (by appointment only) 2, Rose House, Warstone Lane Two Towers Brewery tour Unit 1, Mott Street Industrial Estate Warstone Lane Cemetery Warstone Lane Wonderful World of Trains & Planes 3 Mary Ann Street