Digbeth has always been recognised as one of the most exciting places to live in Birmingham – a reputation built on a thriving nightlife, vibrant art galleries, quirky independent shops and creative businesses that always push the boundary.
It’s no surprise, then, that people have flocked to Digbeth over the last decade as the neighbourhood has completely transformed itself.
So what makes Digbeth so popular and why is it one of Birmingham’s most exciting places to live?
How has Digbeth changed over the last two decades?
Historically, Digbeth has always represented Birmingham’s industrial heartland, a hub of manufacturing and industry that gave the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ its name.
In more recent years, it has undergone a significant transformation, the industrial factories giving way to artists, progressive digital media businesses, independent retailers and marketing agencies – firmly establishing it as Birmingham’s creative quarter.
The skyline has also changed significantly. Digbeth’s famous arches and red-brick industrial buildings may remain, but many have been repurposed, finding new life whilst sitting alongside entirely new, modern structures.
Digbeth is now home to one of the most exciting nightlife scenes in the entire country, never mind the city. At the heart of the neighbourhood, you’ll find exciting bars, live music venues, nightclubs and trendy event spaces, all of which have attracted a youthful and vibrant crowd.
Likewise, if you’re a foodie, you’re not short of options. While Digbeth Dining Club may have shifted venues, its legacy lives on. The neighbourhood is home to a range of exciting restaurants, street food pop-ups and more, serving a variety of cuisines for all tastes.
There’s no denying that, visually, Digbeth has retained a strong identity over the years and remains one of the most recognisable neighbourhoods in the entire city. When it comes to contemporary developments, these new buildings often incorporate the industrial heritage, leveraging open-plan layouts, metalwork, exposed brick and glass fronts to deliver the best of both worlds.
What is there to do in Digbeth?
Digbeth has always prided itself on offering something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, a night out or something to do on a weekend.
Drinks
One of the neighbourhood’s biggest strengths is its range of bars and pubs. If you’re looking for a traditional-feeling pub with a thriving beer garden that’s always showing sports, look no further than The Old Crown, a Grade II-listed building that also happens to be one of the best pubs in the city.
Want to hear some live music? You’ll want either Dead Wax or Nortons. Dead Wax describes itself as a ‘watering hole’, a gritty vinyl bar that’s either hosting live music or DJs playing your favourites all night long. If you’re looking for something a little different, Nortons is an independent music venue that promises it’s ‘not just another Irish bar’.
Ready to enjoy the sun? You’ll want to visit Luna Springs, a lively outdoor bar (with a skating rink!) that’s always hosting events throughout the summer, drawing some of the biggest crowds whilst hosting DJs and other live music acts. Just up the road, you’ll also find The Rainbow, a legendary Birmingham venue that has been part of the culture for over 250 years.
Finally, Mama Roux’s has something for everyone, whether you’re visiting the bar, disco yard or main stage. Mainly known as a buzzing nightlife hotspot, Mama Roux’s manages to be a nightclub that also serves slow-cooked barbecue, if that’s your vibe.
Things to Do
Over the last few years, several venues have opened up and established Digbeth as a place that truly suits everyone.
Take NQ64, for example. An arcade with dozens of retro consoles and arcade machines that also happens to serve cocktails and draught beers, NQ64 is ideal if you’re looking to play a few rounds of Mario Kart whilst enjoying a Nintendo-themed cocktail.
Just next door, you’ll also find Chance & Counters, a board game cafe with over 600 different games suited for beginners all the way to hardcore board game fans. It also serves beer, loaded fries and burgers if you need the extra boost during a tense game.
If you’re a fan of activities, organised fun or like to get competitive, visit Roxy Lanes or Drop Shot. Across both of these spaces, you’ll find a range of games, including bowling, pool, beer pong, shuffleboard, and even batting cages – perfect for group nights out or work socials that are sick of going to escape rooms.
Lastly, if you want a more relaxed evening (depending on what you’re watching), you’ll want to visit The Mockingbird, an independent theatre situated in a restored Victorian factory. The Mockingbird shows both art-house and mainstream films, meaning there’s something to suit everyone.
Food
Last but not least, if you’re looking for great food, you’re in the right place. Digbeth is home to a broad range of restaurants and takeaways, whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal or something to end the night with.
First on the list is 670 Grams, a chic fine-dining restaurant that just happens to call the oldest building in the city its home. Offering a ‘globally influenced tasting menu’, 670 Grams is fine-dining in an industrial setting – a setting that prefers loud music and a casual dress code.
Just a few doors down, you’ll find Kanteen, a cafe that focuses on vibrant breakfasts, hearty brunches and nutritious lunches, all made using nutritious ingredients free from anything artificial. If it can’t be grown, you won’t find it in Kanteen.
If you’re looking for something a bit less healthy but just as delicious, you’ll want either Original Patty Men or Hanbao. Take Original Patty Men, the self-described ‘purveyors of filth’ tucked away under the Digbeth arches that also happen to make some of the best burgers in the city. Likewise, take a trip to Hanbao, one of the coolest Digbeth fast-food spots, where the food is inspired by Asia while the vibe takes some tips from the US.
What does the future hold for Digbeth?
While Digbeth has changed significantly over the last 20 years, there’s still plenty more to come. One of the biggest projects is Birmingham Smithfield, a £1.5 billion project that is transforming a large part of Digbeth and the neighbouring Smithfield area.
It’s expected that this new scheme will provide 300,000 sqm of retail and commercial space whilst also providing room for 2,000 new homes, cultural buildings, transport infrastructure and even public squares capable of hosting events.
Alongside this scheme, you’ll also find Beorma Quarter, a flagship regeneration scheme just minutes from St Martin’s Church and the Bullring, comprising 125 contemporary apartments, office space and recreational amenities.
Both schemes represent exciting new additions to the city’s skyline and will transform Digbeth and Smithfield into major destinations for Birmingham over the next decade.
The same can be said for HS2, the long-awaited transport link that is set to complete in the near future. By shortening travel times between London and Birmingham to around 45 minutes, a whole new demographic of potential tenants will enter the market, excellent news for investors who have invested in the local area.
Outside of these two projects, we’re also seeing major investment in the area from major players in the media space. The BBC has already committed to a landmark new headquarters in ‘The Tea Factory’, which is expected to bring £282 million to the region by 2031, whilst Digbeth LOC is a state-of-the-art film studio that is not only built for filmmakers but also the new home of TV series such as MasterChef.
Why is Digbeth property investment growing?
If you’re still reading this, you’ve probably got a good idea of why Digbeth is such an exciting place to live. What you might not realise is why a Digbeth property investment is an extremely exciting, emerging asset in the city.
Despite all of the exceptional inward investment mentioned above, Digbeth remains one of the most affordable areas in the city. When we also consider how desirable a Digbeth property is, it’s easy to see why the area is commanding such great rental yields.
For an investor, then, it’s an extremely tempting offer. When you invest in Digbeth property, you’re investing in a proven area with affordable prices, that is already delivering exceptional yields and still investing in its future.
You can take a look at some of the Digbeth properties we have available here.
