Top sober activities for Birmingham students

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About the author: Hi! My name is Ash, I am a Digital Media and Communications student at the University of Birmingham. I am an aspiring lifestyle, arts and culture journalist and all-around geek. In the times I’m not spending an absurd amount of money in restaurants, you can usually find me tucked in the corner of my bedroom with a coffee and my latest cross-stitch kit, rewatching a Marvel movie or listening to Broadway soundtracks until I am sick of them.

When you start university, the main topic of conversation when it comes to the social side of further education is ‘should we go out tonight?’ A lot of students absolutely love getting sloshed and dancing the night away to music that is a bit too loud in a room that is a bit too crowded. Those of us that don’t quite gel with that side of life can then feel a bit lost and unattached to the city we have chosen to spend three years of our life in. Birmingham’s social life doesn’t just exist on Broad Street though; there is plenty to do that doesn’t require shots and spirits. Here are my best sober picks: 

Treetop Adventure Golf

In the heart of the Bullring lies a bridge. As you walk across it you can hear the squawks and chatter of the rainforest, and as you reach the end of the bridge you walk directly into an acropolis of treetop fun. Treetop Adventure Golf has been one of the biggest draws to the Bullring since its opening in 2021 and on a busy Saturday there is still a queue long out the door. The mini golf centre houses two 18-hole themed courses, one which throws you into the tropical rainforest, and another other that allows you to explore ancient Aztec ruins as you putt your way through the Twee-T Tower and The Old Peck Theatre. The sets interact with you, usually shouting insults at you after a particularly poor shot. It’s a perfect option for freshers needing a way to break the ice, and after all that is done you could stop at The Jungle Buzz Café for a snack. Don’t forget to try the bonus 19th hole on your way out though, as you could win a free round on your next visit. 

Chance & Counters

For the board game lovers, hidden in the Custard Factory in Digbeth is a café perfect for you. For £2 an hour, you can go and play whichever tabletop game your heart desires. The café is a cute open space with big tables for particularly big groups of players and is perfect if you’re looking for a chill afternoon with a little bit of added fun. The floor-to-ceiling shelving unit holds every classic board game your brain could muster up, and even more that I can guarantee you’ve never heard of. Alongside it there is a great selection of American diner-esque dishes, including soda floats (the coke float is my personal fave). Wednesday night is student night at Chance & Counters, so if you’re not quite gagging to go to Sports Night, this is a great option. I’d recommend bringing your own pencil if you want to play Cluedo though. 

Escape Hunt

Have you ever wanted to get locked in a big room and spend an hour solving puzzles to get out? Escape Hunt offers just that. Tucked in The Square and locked behind an unassuming door with an entrance buzzer, there is a magnificent foyer waiting to open the door to your next adventure. With a plethora of themes, whether you want to help the Thirteenth Doctor stop the Cyberman Invasion or step into Wonderland, it’s up to you to beat the clock and escape. The puzzles are challenging but not to the point of impossibility, and I should count yourself lucky if you manage to make the leaderboard. If you beat 41 minutes in the Doctor Who room, do get back to me and I’ll pass the crown along.

Boom Battle Bar

It might be a bit hypocritical of me to suggest a bar on Broad Street, but unlike Snobs and Barbara’s Bier Haus, Boom Battle Bar’s selling point isn’t the drinking. The bar offers a selection of competitive games; from electric darts to axe throwing and even karaoke rooms, there is absolutely something for everyone. Their cocktail selection is divine if you so choose to partake, but there is also a good choice of non-alcoholic drinks available. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but if your birthday is coming up, they do two games and two drinks for £25 if you have a group of six or more, and the birthday person goes free. 

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