Here at the eastside rooms, we couldn’t be happier to be based in Birmingham. One of the most exciting and fastest-developing cities in the UK, we’re spoiled for choice here with bars, restaurants, cultural hotspots and other wonderful places to explore.
We believe that location is an integral part of hosting a successful corporate event. Attendees need to be excited to visit the place they’re travelling to, and there needs to be sufficient options for occupying their time between various meetings and conferences.
Location is part of the whole experience of an event, and if it’s not up to scratch, it could cast a shadow over the day. That’s why we think the eastside rooms is the perfect venue for hosting delegates – centrally located in the city, it offers easy transport options as well as the adjoining Aloft Hotel to relax in after a long day of exploring.
We’ve put together a guide to spending 24 hours in Birmingham, to help you make the most of this incredible city.
Start your day with a healthy breakfast or brunch at Kanteen, an independent eatery that takes inspiration from world street food. The chefs here use only fresh, natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives, making this the perfect spot to load up on brain food ahead of a conference.
After you’ve eaten, have a nose around the Custard Factory, so-named for the creamy concoction’s invention in Birmingham in 1837. This large warehouse space is now the heart of the city’s creative district and is home to a collection of indie shops, galleries and artist workshops. Great for getting your creative juices flowing before that big meeting.
Alternatively, soak up some history at Birmingham Back to Backs, a set of fascinating, fully restored 19th- and 20th-century houses that show what life was like for ordinary working people. Pre book a tour here.
Damascena is a super-popular lunch spot for locals and tourists alike. Middle Eastern cuisine, delicious pastries and light bites are all on offer, as well as the best Turkish coffee while enjoying a view of St Philip’s Cathedral. A great spot to refuel before an afternoon of conferences.
If you’re looking to lunch somewhere healthier (but no less delicious), try Natural Bar and Kitchen. The plant-based eatery offers burgers, sandwiches and tofu ‘n’ chips to banish those stomach rumbles that always appear in the middle of a meeting.
The impressive Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery boasts world-class exhibitions to get your culture fix, while the Library of Birmingham is worth a trip just to admire its unique, futuristic architecture.
If the high street is your thing, head to The Bullring and Grand Central, the city’s main shopping destination which houses every big brand you can think of across three floors. If you don’t have time for a shopping spree before your next meeting, try a wander around Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, brimming with boutiques and galleries.
After a long day of talking strategy, it’s time to treat yourself at one (or two) of the city’s many amazing bars and restaurants. Before heading out, mix and mingle in the new WXYZ bar within the Aloft Hotel Birmingham Eastside and enjoy some live music from local artists.
Visiting Thursday-Sunday? Digbeth Dining Club offers every type of cuisine imaginable amongst its street food-style stalls, from pizza to dim sum to ‘disco fries’. Eat outside or head into one of the many rooms inside to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
For something a bit different, try Tamatanga – delicious, made-to-order Indian dishes straight from a clay oven. The super-cool decor and family vibes make this place really special.
After-dinner drinks at the Lord Clifden pub are always a winner, with an interesting selection of craft ales and a great beer garden. If the sun’s already gone down, head to The Jekyll and Hyde for inventive cocktails that you’ll want to snap a picture of or try to find Birmingham’s secret bar 18/81.
Looking to get into the competitive spirit with an evening of fun and games? Head over to Ghetto Golf for urban-inspired putting and cocktails, Lane 7 for boutique bowling and retro arcade games, or pop into Flight Club for a buzzing atmosphere and a game of darts.
Finally, head back to your room at the Aloft Hotel Birmingham Eastside to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
Discover how the eastside rooms can help to provide you with the perfect corporate event space in Birmingham.