Digbeth, Birmingham: the ultimate area guide for 2025

Digbeth is as old as the hills and dates back to the 7th Century when it became Birmingham’s first settlement. Remarkably, the city’s oldest building – The Old Crown – still stands at the edge of this neighbourhood despite being surrounded by fighting during the English Civil War. Thankfully, downing a pint in this Grade-II* listed medieval pub is less perilous than it was during the battle of 1643 and is now a gateway to discovering Digbeth’s rabbit warren of gems. Knock back a swift one then head directly on to Gibb St to begin exploring.

Right around the corner from The Old Crown is the ghost of one of Digbeth’s industrial crown jewels – the Custard Factory. Once the home of Alfie Bird’s famous powered dessert, it’s now an adult playground housing the arthouse-leaning Mockingbird Cinema, boardgame cafe Chance and Counters, retro arcade bar NQ64 and the blindingly bright Golf Fang crazy golf course. For music, venture to the outskirts where you’ll find the O2 Institute at one end and The Rainbow at the other – a 250-year-old pub that has hosted The Heavy, La Roux, Bastille and UB40.

We’re big fans of the Mediterranean brunch at Cafe Lovelife, the filthy burgers and fries from Original Patty Men and the Sunday roast at The Ruin but Digbeth does more than fast food and crispy potatoes. Fine dining restaurant 670 Grams offers a punk aesthetic in an industrial setting and draws on its surroundings to pepper its signature menu with dishes that reference the city and its history, like the Brummie Welcome and Custard Factory Tart. It’s not cheap but you’ll leave smug in the knowledge that you ate there before it got its inevitable Michelin star.

Digbeth’s walls, alleyways and arches are covered with bold graffiti. Grab a map from Walk Run Cycle and take yourself on a self-guided tour of the neighbourhood’s vibrant street art scene.  Though it technically begins and ends at nearby Moor St railway station, this three-mile walk can be picked up anywhere and features everything from the abstract by anonymous artists to a lifelike mural of Peaky Blinders’ Tommy Shelby, commissioned by the show’s creator Steven Knight.

Make it a weekend away with 12 of your closest friends and stay at this stylish Airbnb a stone’s throw from the O2 Institute. With so many beds it works out at an unbelievably low £36 per night – leaving you with plenty to spend in Digbeth’s finest bars and eateries.