Ah, football? To heck with it! Done with the the lairy lounging about, consistent heckling and frankly off-side antics that a match brings about? Or would simply rather have a chill drink? From artisan liquid hideaways and sky-high sauntering to quiet lil charmers, we've found just the destinations to escape from one of the biggest football tournaments in history. Check out our recommendations for the best bars to avoid the 2026 World Cup in Birmingham.
Last edited by Kavita Singh
Where better to escape from the football than a bar with gorgeous sky-high views? Found atop Birmingham's infamous Cube building and boasting stellar cocktails, Marco Pierre White is sure to be a darling, dapper and sophisticated affair.
Known for banging happy hours and a bustling atmosphere, The Cocktail Club is your party spot if you fancy drinks with friends. We recommend trying the Beverly Hills with vodka, gin and prosecco or the Bullfrog made up of rum and gin.
You could spend the entire World Cup in a pub with loud, sweaty people or you could head to Dirty Martini. Along with cracking cocktails that are masterfully made, their happy hour makes your evenings worth it.
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Leave your partner at the pub and get your mates down to Be At One, where expert mixologists will shake you up something special as their DJs play the best tracks around. Add in a bit of mingling and you're in for a good time.
Filled to the brim with pinktastic activities and events, Tonight Josephine was a no-brainer for this list. While snapping pretty Instagrammable photos, you and your pals can have a girl's night out without any rowdy interruptions.
Sexy and sleek, the Alchemist is the ultimate bar to avoid the World Cup in Birmingham if you want great cocktails and a classy interior to relax in. Expect some delicious seasonal food to accompany your drinks without a football in sight.
Known in the UK for their top-notch botanical cocktails, The Botanist is a great bar to avoid the World Cup in Birmingham. Sign up for a masterclass or tuck into a few tapas - think calamari and baked camembert.
A plush and floral-filled hideaway in the city centre, The Lost & Found is the perfect place to be whisked away from all the football festivities. You can look forward to filling brunches, dinners and late-night drinks at this quirky boozer.
Fumo is one of the best bars in Birmingham, and it's definitely a great hideaway from all the footie action. Enjoy fabulous cocktails or glass of vino, alongside some of most scrumptious tapas - think calamari, lamb cutlets and chargrilled avo.
Slinging out decadent Chinese plates and theatrical cocktails, Tattu is a beaut boozer (free from all the sports fixtures). From the cherry blossom decor and the sleek booths to the friendly staff, the venue is great for luxe nights out with friends.
When every bar has gone football mad, there's somewhere else you can turn: Glee Club. One of the most famous institutions in the city, it's the perfect place to catch world-class comedy – and we're not talking about England's performance on the pitch.
