Raise a glass at these 10 best wine tasting spots in Birmingham
If you want to spice up your weekend plans with something more grown-up than bottomless brunch, wine tasting is your new go-to.
In Birmingham, among the many things to do in the city, sipping your way through a curated wine list is one of the tastier options. You’ll swirl, sniff, and sip like a pro (or at least pretend convincingly).
Whether with friends or just treating yourself, wine tasting in Birmingham turns any day into a classy adventure. No judgment if you still pick your wine based on the label design.
1. Loki Wine
Media credit: colmorebusinessdistrict
Website: https://www.lokiwine.co.uk/
Location: 10 Greenfield Cres, B15 3AU
Contact: +441214550793
Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
Pricing: ££
Loki’s Edgbaston branch carries the same 600+ wine list but swaps the arcade’s bustle for a leafy, suburban terrace. We like that the relaxed venue suits those after a slower, less crowded tasting experience.
It hosts niche events, such as yoga and Prosecco mornings, acoustic terrace evenings, and Sunday “wine socials” with optional tasting flights. The heated, covered outdoor seating is open year-round.
Food-wise, you’ll find similar cheese and charcuterie boards, accompanied by vegetable options and light snacks. Staff are helpful and happy to recommend pairings if you’re undecided.
Wines rotate every couple of weeks, and machines are stocked with a mix of classics and experimental picks.
Pro Tip:
The team often rotates bottles on the machines on weekdays between 3 PM and 6 PM. Visit during this “machine changeover” to catch newly opened premium wines before they’re widely tasted.
2. Vagabond Wines
Media credit: justinegoh
Website: https://vagabondwines.co.uk/
Location: 92-98 Colmore Row, B3 3BD
Contact: +442086097842
Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 4 PM – 11 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Pricing: £££
Vagabond Wines offers over 100 wines by the glass using a prepaid self-serve system, allowing you to taste widely without committing to a full glass. The range spans familiar regions to experimental labels, including orange wines and English fizz.
We love the open and modern space, with high communal tables and casual seating for groups or solo tasters. There’s a friendly energy, and the staff are always nearby to answer questions.
Their menu features Mediterranean-style sharing plates, including arancini, charred courgettes, and grilled flatbreads. It’s ideal if you want something more substantial than the usual bar snacks.
They also host regular themed tasting evenings with 12–20 guests, featuring producers or comparative tastings like “Old World vs New World Chardonnay”.
Pro Tip:
If you download their app and link your card, your tasting history is saved and flagged to staff. This allows them to suggest unreleased or “staff-only” bottles based on your previous preferences.
3. Cafe Lovelife
Media credit: cafelovelife
Website: https://www.cafelovelife.co.uk/
Location: 28 Floodgate St, Deritend, B5 5SL
Contact: +441216613000
Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
This city-centre café transforms into a cosy tasting venue once a month, seating up to 30 guests for a themed wine night. Each session includes six wines, light bites, and relaxed commentary from a guest host or local expert.
Themes vary widely, from “Forgotten Grapes” to “Volcanic Soils,” but they always focus on lesser-known regions or winemakers. The mood is light and chatty, not overly structured.
What makes it fun is their mini wine quiz, which is held mid-session and offers prizes like free bottles or discounts for future events. Background jazz or acoustic music is usually played throughout.
It’s also one of the more affordable options, with prices usually under £35.
Pro Tip:
If you attend more than two wine nights, you can ask to join their “first pour” list. Regulars on this list are invited 30 minutes early to try extra samples and vote on next month’s theme.
4. Wine Unearthed
Media credit: wine_unearthed
Website: https://www.wineunearthed.co.uk/birmingham-wine-tasting
Location: 4 Brindley Pl, B1 2JB
Contact: +443452998652
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Pricing: £££
Wine Unearthed hosts full-day courses inside Bank Restaurant’s private room, offering structured tastings alongside a three-course meal. You’ll try 15 wines in total, broken into whites before lunch and reds after.
Each segment focuses on a specific theme, such as winemaking techniques, geography, or the interaction between food and acidity and tannin. Don’t worry, printed guides and tasting sheets are included.
The format is beginner-friendly, but deep enough for anyone looking to go beyond surface-level tasting. Group sizes are capped at around 14, ensuring time for questions and conversation.
The lunch is served midway through the session and is matched loosely to the wines tasted in the morning. Events run on Saturdays and typically finish around 4:30 PM.
Pro Tip:
Bring a reusable wine bottle bag or ask for one at the start. Guests who purchase two or more bottles after the session are given early access to limited imports.
5. Boho Beer Garden
Media credit: bohobeergarden
Website: http://www.bohobeergarden.co.uk/
Location: Boho Gardens, 1 Rea Terrace, Deritend, B5 5TR
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Wednesday: 10 PM – 2 AM
- Thursday: 10 AM – 2 AM
- Friday: 10 AM – 3 AM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 3 AM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
Digbeth Wine Club runs monthly pop-up tastings in a casual, open-air beer garden with long tables and string lights. The setting is social, often accompanied by live music or food trucks.
Each event features five or six wines centred on a rotating theme, such as low-intervention reds or off-the-beaten-track whites. Importers or wine reps introduce these casually, and there is no need to take notes unless you want to.
There’s usually a street food partner on-site. Plus, events are capped at around 40 attendees, keeping things lively but not overcrowded.
The crowd tends to be a mix of young professionals, creatives, and locals curious about wine without the snobbery.
Pro Tip:
Bring your glass. As part of their sustainability initiative, if you show up with a personal tasting glass, they often offer a bonus “welcome pour” that isn’t on the official line-up.
6. Birmingham Wine School
Media credit: birminghamwineschool
Website: https://www.localwineschool.com/birmingham/
Location: 1 Snowhill Plaza St Chads, St. Chads Tunnel, B4 6HY
Contact: +441212707359
Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Pricing: £££
This class blends classic wine tasting with artisan chocolate, offering a more playful format. You’ll sample six wines with corresponding chocolate styles, from zesty white chocolate to rich 70% dark.
The host explains how sugar, tannin, and flavour influence each match and offers practical tips for home pairings. Just a heads-up for beginners: the presentation is light on jargon, and questions are welcome throughout.
Classes are held at city centre hotels like Holiday Inn or Hotel du Vin, usually on weekday evenings. Each session accommodates 15–20 guests.
You’ll leave with a printed tasting sheet and, often, a few leftover chocolate samples to take home. This is perfect for couples or groups looking for something different.
Pro Tip:
Book directly through their website rather than using Eventbrite to avoid additional fees. Sessions booked through their site are up to £5 cheaper, and you’ll also be the first to hear about cancellations and last-minute discounts.
7. Hotel du Vin
Media credit: man_about_colmore
Website: https://www.hotelduvin.com/
Location: 25 Church St, B3 2NR
Contact: +441217943005
Hours:
- Check-in time: 3 PM
- Check-out time: 11 AM
Pricing: £££
Hotel du Vin hosts Saturday wine lunches, pairing two courses with 10–13 wines served in themed flights. Each session is hosted by a wine educator who walks the room as guests taste at their own pace.
Topics vary, from “Best of the Southern Hemisphere” to “Fizz & Fortified”, and are matched with classic bistro mains. The pacing is steady and relaxed, making it feel like a social lunch rather than a seminar.
Events take place in the main restaurant or private dining rooms, depending on group size. You can book as a pair or join a small group, which is ideal for birthdays or low-key celebrations.
And there’s no need to book a hotel stay to join. Non-resident guests are welcome to reserve lunch tables. That said, overnight guests can request in-room tastings or bespoke wine extras via the concierge.
Pro Tip:
Staying for the wine lunch? Book parking at Snow Hill NCP (a short walk from the hotel) in advance. The alternative has limited space and can cost £25–£30.
8. Connolly’s Wine Merchants
Media credit: independentbirmingham
Website: https://www.connollyswine.co.uk/
Location: Arch 13, 220 Livery St, B3 1EU
Contact: +441212363837
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ££
Connolly’s is one of Birmingham’s longest-running independent wine merchants, and their on-site tastings are held in a converted backroom cellar. These intimate sessions typically seat around 18 guests.
Each event features six to eight wines, usually themed around a country, grape, or producer. It’s a chance to try rare bottles unavailable in supermarkets or mainstream wine bars.
What makes them different is their long-standing relationships with small-scale importers and wineries. Occasionally, winemakers themselves present directly to the group.
They don’t serve food during tastings, so you’re encouraged to eat beforehand or bring light snacks. Tastings range from £25 to £45, depending on the wines being poured.
Pro Tip:
If you attend a tasting and purchase at least one bottle, you can request a pre-booked slot for upcoming tastings. Some sessions are never made available online and are reserved exclusively for loyal customers.
9. 1000 Trades
Media credit: 1000tradesjq
Website: https://1000trades.org.uk/
Location: 16 Frederick St, B1 3HE
Contact: +441212332693
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Friday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Pricing: ££
1000 Trades leans into natural and low-intervention wines, many of which change weekly based on availability from micro-importers. Their list is handwritten, and wines are poured directly from the fridge.
You won’t find big-brand bottles here. Expect pét-nats, orange wines, and cloudy reds served with little ceremony but lots of personality. There’s no formal tasting structure, but the bar team will happily talk you through a flight if you ask. It’s a space for discovery, not formality.
The venue also hosts live jazz, rotating exhibitions, and casual importer takeovers where reps introduce new stock. These events aren’t heavily advertised but are worth catching.
Pro Tip:
Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday when their wine deliveries arrive. Staff are more likely to open new bottles for sampling and offer small sips before they’re officially added to the list by Thursday.
10. Grace & James
Media credit: graceandjameskh
Website: https://graceandjames.xyz/
Location: 23 York Rd, King’s Heath, B14 7SA
Contact: +447834557104
Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday: 9 AM – 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 9 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: ££
This spot is a neighbourhood favourite that combines a deli, bottle shop, and wine bar under one roof. It seats about 25 indoors and has a few pavement tables when the weather allows.
You can build your own tasting by selecting three wines, and the staff will match cheeses, meats, and olives based on your preferences. Most wines are European, often organic or biodynamic, and imported from family-owned vineyards.
Their boards start at £35 for two people. And as for the place, it’s a slow, conversational setting, ideal for relaxed evenings.
Pro Tip:
Deli Date Nights on Thursdays often include a free pour of a new or returning wine at the end. Arrive before 6 PM and ask about it while ordering. It’s a quiet insider perk for early diners.