The Birmingham Ballroom

Hooray to the independent music venues!
I love the fact that the Ballroom has been refurbished by private developers in a bid to restore the heart in Birminghams central music scene.
Nowadays, bands tend to be left with 2 options. Either play at a small dingy venue where a limited number of fans can afford to come and see you, or play at a large arena which not only costs fans a ridiculous amount of money to come but you also need to be pretty big time to fill the gig.
That’s where the Ballroom shines and continues to make its mark on the industry. Large enough to put on a memorable gig but so reasonably priced it enables everyone to come and enjoy the experience.
The sound system was OK, I have heard better but overall it was a good night, crackin atmosphere and the drinks weren’t too expensive either.

Although it’s early days, the Birmingham Ballroom already shows signs of settling down as the city centre’s premier mid-​large music venue experience. Having laid empty and derelict for over a year, the venue was bought up by disillusioned ex-​employees from the Academy group with a view to open a venue that openly challenged the O2 Academy.
Having refurbished the old Academy 1 and 2 (and the Bar Academy next door), there is a nostalgic familiarity attached to The Ballroom that its owners have knowingly traded in on: Although the floor is no longer notoriously sticky, it feels like visiting an old friend.
The bar is far more reasonable than the new O2, and is constantly offering night-​specific drinks promotions. Touring acts are becoming more frequent as the venue becomes more established and it will be competing with the O2 and the Institute within a few months, arguably. But the Ballroom’s real lure for me is knowing that an independent venue lies within the city centre once more (the Flapper is perhaps too far a walk to be considered truly ‘central’), and that goes a long way with me.

Formerly The Carling Academy, The Ballroom is one of Birmingham’s newest refubished music venues. The building is also one of Birmingham’s oldest and most historic music venues, hosting both gigs and club nights for many years.
The venue has a relaxed policy on dress, but a very strict policy on age.
Gigs: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 years.
Clubs: Unless stated entrance is strictly over 18s, photographic ID may be required so please bring some if you are fortunate enough to look younger than 18 years old.
The venue runs a Challenge 21 policy, so if you appear to be under the age of 21 please do not be offended if the door staff ask for ID. This policy is not intended to cause you embarrassment but to ensure the venue is serving alcohol responsible in line with the licensing act.
The inside of the venue is vast, it reminds me a bit of the Aston Villa Leisure Centre in its layout. The venue in my opinion is better suited to gig nights rather than club nights, because the main focus is on the front of the stage. I prefer a night club to have lots of small rooms.
Other events such as a forthcoming Ann Summers Expo are also hosted at this venue, making it a key institution in the City, one that holds an event for pretty much anyone and evrybody.