As its name may suggest to those jazz aficionados reading this, the Yardbird is the place to go in Birmingham for the best jazz, blues and soul around. Although the entry prices have a tendency to skyrocket at the weekend, during the week they offer numerous cheap or even free jam sessions and gigs to diverse and friendly crowds looking for a much needed alternative to Broad street.
Make sure you have a full wallet on you though because you can't pay by card.

Paradise Place, Birmingham, B3 3HJ
+44 (0)121 212 2524
nearest station: Birmingham New Street
Google map: bit.ly/c0w0VZ

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The re-invention of England's great Victorian cities as laid-back, 'continental' style urban spaces has been a bit of a hit and miss affair: a couple of trams and a branch of Pret A Manger do not a cafe culture make. But there have been some notable successes in the re-branding of these former industrial titans that has been gathering pace from the 1980s and 90s onward. And nowhere is this exemplified better than in Birmingham's superb Symphony Hall.

It is unprepossessing from the outside (the bog standard 'post-modern' architecture, all atriums and shopping-mall sheen, betraying the fact that it shares its premises with the 'International Convention Centre') but the perception is transformed on entering the auditorium itself: a vast, arresting horse-shoe of red, silver and gold.

The acoustic in the hall is truly astonishing and is probably best experienced at an orchestral concert by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) who, post-Simon Rattle, are continuing to make great music under the less frizzy-haired but still highly dynamic directorship of Sakari Oramo.

The orchestra has adopted the highly civilised practice of giving midweek matinee repeats of their evening concerts. These are ideal for layabouts (like me), anyone at a loose end in Birmingham (difficult concept to grasp, I know); and, especially and splendidly, pensioners.

From my balcony seat eyrie the rows of white perms in the stalls below looked like the little knots on a candlewick dressing gown; and a slight but clearly discernible aroma of Murray Mints hung limpidly in the air.

A slight gripe is that, for these matinees, the blokes in the orchestra dress in ordinary business suits - as if they had just strolled in from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors (Midlands Branch) Annual Conference across the way. Obviously the full penguin suit is not really on for an afternoon gig so I'm not quite sure what the answer to this sartorial conundrum is. Something like a Seinfeldian 'puffy shirt' would get my vote.

www.thsh.co.uk

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The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is one of the best things about the city. It was brought to fame by Sir Simon Rattle (now with the Berlin Philharmonic) in the 1980s.

Easily the most important of recent cultural heritage about the city, since it's one of Birmingham's very few claims to international fame. The city has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of London, Manchester and Glasgow in terms of self belief, culture and progress, but if it gets more of the likes of the CBSO as home grown talent, then it will go a long way.

www.cbso.co.uk/

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This is a real gem away from the hordes on Broad Street. The Custard Factory is an arts complex with a very large and very nice bar inside. Hoxton ish vibe (if a bit glossier and friendlier), Hoxtonish prices too, sadly. Outdoor events around the emptied swimming pool are fun, but it's always pretty crowded.
The area just outside of the Custard Factory has evolved alongside it, and now has shisha bars for post party chillouts, and nice looking hangouts.

In Digbeth (Gibb Street).

www.factoryclub.co.uk/

www.worldsbestbars.com/city/birmingham/the-medicine-bar-birmingham.htm

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Tucked in the corner of the city's main family park, the Midlands Arts Centre is a cultural oasis providing art-house films, intimate theatre productions and various creative courses. But by far its quirkiest and most imaginative space is the compact open-air Arena, a miniature concrete mock-up of a classical amphitheatre. Lying dormant for much of the year, it fills to its 470 capacity for the Sounds in the Round summer music festival.

Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston - visit www.macarts.co.uk or call 0121 440 3838 for more details.

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These six acres of neatly trimmed Edwardian gardens are a green and fragrant haven worlds apart from the concrete jungle.

Surrounded by magnolias and alone with your thoughts on the Stream Lawn you'll soon recharge your batteries, or for a real treat venture into the Japanese rock garden, complete with teahouse and ornamental bridge.

Weekend and evening events range from open-air theatre to candlelight jazz.

Part of the University of Birmingham, situated off Edgbaston Park Road - visit www.botanic.bham.ac.uk or call 0121 414 3832 for more details

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