Nights out in Birmingham – Fredericks Bar

Nights out in Birmingham – A series of unbiased reports on places I have been....

So, tonights report comes from a city centre bar in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. The Jewellery Quarter is home to some lovely nightspots but is not on the agenda of many people since it is a little way from the city centre proper. During the day it has the majority of Birminghams jewellery trade, as the name suggests, both manufacturers and retailers and many people suggest that it is hard to find a better place anywhere in the UK for Jewellery purchases. After dark the area really comes alive though, as it is also home to some of the more affluent but less well known corporate businesses in the city, with several architects, management consultants, IT companies and the like having offices in the lovely Georgian squares that are a feature of this affluent part of the city. This affluence has led to the development of a thriving restaurant and bar scene, with an emphasis on quality and style.

Epitomising this development is a very cool place that was host to a recent trip out for your author. Sitting just along Frederick Street from the famous Jewellery Quarter clock is a very pleasant looking glass fronted coffee and wine bar also called Fredericks. Fredericks Bar during the day features a spacious area out front with tables and umbrellas which is perfect for sitting with a coffee watching the World go by, particularly for those of us who still enjoy a cigarette or cigar. Once through the large glass doors the bar itself is beautifully appointed in the style of Seattle coffee shop or Barcelona street corner bar with sumptuous leather seating complimenting the dark wood feel of the bar and walls. It is often a concern when I see a bar finished to this standard of style that the substance of the place will fail to match up, but this is certainly not the case at Fredericks. The coffee is fresh and full flavoured, the espresso particularly rich and potent. The drinks range is broad with some great World beers and a strong emphasis on quality throughout the wine list. I tried a very pleasant fruity red wine from Argentina that slipped down very comfortably and left a delightful warm glow.

Having sampled the drinks I perused the food menu, and found it excellent for light bites as well as something a little more substantial. The baristas seemed knowledgeable and were able to talk in detail about the menu offering advice on ingredients for specific dietary needs, something that can be tremendously useful in these days of somewhat unusual food regimes. All in all the feel and look of Fredericks bar is exceptional, the coffee first class, the alcoholic drinks are well worth seeking out and the food is a perfect mix of strong flavours and elegant presentation. Highly recommended as somewhere a little different but still eminently accessible for a great night out in Birmingham....