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Top Recommendations for an Exciting Birmingham Day Out

Birmingham has quietly become a city of experiential venues. Instead of sitting passively with a drink, you’re now racing F1 simulators, throwing virtual clay, or playing board games whilst eating tacos. These six spots give you proper things to do rather than just things to consume.

Pick one or combine a couple for a full day or evening. Most are city centre or close enough to walk between, and they all do food and drinks alongside their main event. Prices are reasonable if you go in knowing what to expect, though the fancy options can add up if you’re treating it like a night out.

Plan HeavyUpdated 24 Jul

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Picks6 places
Good forGroups of friends, team outings, competitive couples
Best timeFriday or Saturday evening; weekday lunchtimes for less crowded racing or baking
Spend£12 to £112 per person

F1 Arcade Birmingham

Activity · Birmingham £40.00 - £95.00

Formula 1 racing simulators, cocktails and elevated food in a high-octane social gaming venue.

Why it made the list: Formula 1 racing simulators are the main draw here. The food is actually decent for a gaming bar, with proper Mediterranean dishes and pizzas, and the cocktails take themselves seriously enough to justify the price.

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The Big Birmingham Bake

Activity · Birmingham £26.00 - £43.00

Competitive 90-minute baking experience with a monthly theme, a head baker guiding you, and all ingredients provided.

Why it made the list: A monthly theme keeps it fresh, and having a head baker guide you through 90 minutes is more interactive than most activities. It's competitive without being aggressive, and you get to eat what you've made at the end.

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Clays – Birmingham

Activity · Birmingham £30.00 - £112.00

Virtual clay shooting bar with cocktails, food and arcade games in Piccadilly Arcade, 3 mins from New Street station.

Why it made the list: Virtual clay shooting is less common than darts, so it feels novel. The location in Piccadilly Arcade is convenient, and the food and arcade games mean you've got options beyond just shooting.

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Lucky Claw

Activity · Birmingham £12.00 - £40.00

Skill-based claw machines with 100% fair grip strength and interactive StepOn LED floor games.

Why it made the list: The cheapest entry point here, and the machines genuinely work on fair grip strength rather than being rigged. The LED floor games are gimmicky but fun if you're waiting for friends.

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Chance and Counters – Birmingham

Activity · Birmingham £15.00 - £45.00

Board game café with 600+ games, craft beer, burgers and tacos in Digbeth's iconic Custard Factory.

Why it made the list: Six hundred board games means there's something for everyone, whether you want strategy or silliness. The Custard Factory location is atmospheric, and the food covers everything from burgers to tacos without pretension.

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Flight Club – Birmingham

Bar · Birmingham £15.00 - £45.00

Darts reinvented: high-tech multiplayer games, cocktails, pizza and fairground theatre on Temple Street.

Why it made the list: Darts has been completely reimagined here with tech that makes the game faster and more visually engaging than a traditional oche. The fairground aesthetic and cocktail menu make it feel like an event rather than pub darts.

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Good to know

  • Book F1 Arcade and The Big Birmingham Bake ahead, especially weekends.
  • Clays and Flight Club are close to New Street station if you're coming by train.
  • Most venues have better value off-peak; avoid 7pm to 10pm if you want shorter queues.
  • Combine Chance and Counters with Flight Club (both on Temple Street and nearby) for a full evening.

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