About Birmingham
Birmingham is known as the second largest metropolitan city within England that, in terms of its economy, is heavily growing by the year. This city is known for its renowned shopping centres and sizeable restaurant scene. Birmingham was the birthplace of the world-famous Cadbury’s Chocolate, founded in 1824 by John Cadbury and considered one of Britain's most popular exports. Cadbury World is a widely known place to visit, where you can learn how to make chocolate, learn the history of chocolate and visit the world’s biggest chocolate shop.
Another must-visit is the Dudley Zoo and Castle, which dates back to 1070 and was restored from 1982 to 1989. This zoo has over 1300 species of animals and offers packages where you can become a zookeeper for the day and help feed, clean and care for the animals.
Birmingham is a large city with a booming tourism, where there are events happening everywhere. If you’re here in the summer months, Sutton Park is famous for its live shows and ancient woodland trees. Also found here is Birmingham's Donkey Sanctuary, which is open to the public on the weekends.
As a major metropolitan city, Birmingham can give you many options for venues, rentals and other requirements you'll need to set up a successful private party.
Private Party Options in Birmingham
Planning a private party in Birmingham can be very fulfilling, as the city has many options especially in the entertainment department. Not only does Birmingham has a full selection of private party vendors, but its businesses are known to be very inclusive as a whole. Let's check out some options for a private party venue together!
- Catering
Not all private parties are held in the evening. If your private party will take place during the day, you may want to cater some simple drinks like tea or coffee and baked goods such as sponge cake, tarts or pudding. Not every party needs to be extravagant; of course, it all depends on the theme of your party and your budget.
- Flowers
Your private party doesn't have to be lifeless. There are so many decorating ideas out there that you can incorporate into your private event. Sometimes, however, it’s best to just get a few bouquets for the tables or some plants for the background. Flowers and plants are simple and timeless, yet they can bring so much life to an indoor function venue.
- Furniture Hire
Sometimes, venues for hire don't come with available furniture. In that case, the next thing you’d want to hire is some furniture! This process is almost always straightforward, where you place your order online and the furniture hire company just drops off and and then picks up the furniture when your party is over. Many companies offer a wide selection of items—you can rent couches, tables, chairs or marquees (if you plan to have an outdoor private party venue).
- Lighting Hire
Lighting can uplift the mood of a private party, especially during the night. Depending on your preference and the type of your party, you may hire small fairy lights for that quaint feel, large spotlights to light up a bigger area or even disco lights for a fun night of dancing!
Private Party Companies in Birmingham
- Sbragias Catering
Sbragias Catering was established in 2008 and has been catering delicious food for the Solihull and Birmingham areas for over 10 years now. They specialize in afternoon tea, grazing platters, baked goods and buffets. On top of that, Sbragias also accommodates many dietary restrictions within their menu, including vegan, celiac, halal and lactose-free.
- Centrepieces Hire
Formed in 2018, Centrepieces Hire specializes in handcrafted table centrepieces, flowers, backdrops, blossom trees, arches, crystal decor, aisle runners, chair covers and more. This business handles many events, including private parties, corporate events and weddings.
- Light My Hire
Light My Hire is a family-run business that has been on the go for over 15 years. They specialize in hand-built bespoke displays that are all PAT tested. They can also supply marquee letters, light-up numbers and displays, flower letters and more!
Pros and Cons of Private Parties in Birmingham
Pros
- Parks and attractions
There's always something going on in Birmingham, whether it's art exhibits, music events or summer markets. If nature is your thing, Birmingham has over 591 parks on over 3500 hectares of open space. So if you ever feel like heading out into the city after your private party, you're more than welcome to explore and visit Birmingham's attractions!
- Diverse cuisine
Not only is Birmingham's population huge, it is also quite diverse, tying with Manchester as one of England's most culturally diverse cities. This means you'll find many international cuisines in the city, so if you're open to trying something new for your private party, or if you'll have international guests coming over, you're in luck!
- Well-connected
Located in the heart of England, Birmingham has excellent connections to other cities due to its location. Thus, your private party guests who will be coming from other towns will find the city very accessible.
- Affordable
Compared to cities like London or Oxford, Birmingham has areas with cheaper food, accommodation and services. You'll be getting more for your budget, and you will save a lot than if you chose to throw the party in more expensive cities.
Cons
- Tourists
On top of millions of residents, the tourist population is over 30 million per year. This can cause a loud night scene and hectic weekends and holidays. If you want your private party to be peaceful, choose a soundproof venue, or stay away from the city centre.
- Expensive transit
If you don’t own a car and choose to take public transit in Birmingham, you’ll have to shell out a bit of money. Public transport can be expensive here.
- Rain
Birmingham is located in the wetter parts of England. Even in the drier months, Birmingham sees more rain than other cities. Due to this, it's best for you to hire an indoor venue for a private party.
Famous Private Party Locations in Birmingham
- thestudio Birmingham
thestudio in Birmingham has been open since 1999 and has at least 19 spaces for you to choose from. You are allowed to transform the venue into anything you would like. thestudio is large enough to accommodate 220 guests, and the most basic of their packages include Wi-Fi, a projector, a screen and AC. They also have an in-house chef in case you would like to avail of their catering.
- Crown Banqueting
Crown Banqueting is located in the heart of Birmingham and was designed for various event types. This venue is perfect for large events such as weddings and parties as it can hold up to 700 people. Crown Banqueting has venue options for both indoor and outdoor events, as they also have a garden where guests can delight in taking photos.
- The Bierkeller
Serving the best German beers, this Bavarian-style sports bar is the perfect venue for your private party. For a well-sized guest list, it can hold up to 150 guests and be decorated however you would like it. Wi-Fi is available here as well.