There’s no denying that Birmingham is a foodie city, from the Balti Triangle to its many Michelin stars. But one name that’s often underrated for turning the Second City into a culinary destination in the past decade, Digbeth Dining Club. The city’s street food pioneers have given a roof to countless kitchens over the past 12 years, and our stomachs are grateful.
This September, Digbeth Dining Club will celebrate its 12th anniversary with a street closure party at its Hockley Social Club base. In a return to the format that attracted hundreds of thousands of food fans since its inception in 2012, the groundbreaking dining experience will see St George’s Street transform into a culinary festival for two days.
DDC’s once-a-month street closures on Lower Trinity Street were instrumental in the original growth of the business in its formative years, with up to four thousand people descending on Digbeth. But have become less common since setting up in a new location in Hockley. Its 12th birthday celebrations will be the first DDC closure since January 2020, pre-COVID.
10 traders, including several businesses that have since gone on to open permanent restaurants after DDC success, will pitch up for the weekend (September 21 and 22). Traders confirmed for the event are Baked in Brick (who began their street food careers with DDC), Beef on the Block, Death Row Sandwiches, Feed, Hawker Dan, Leave it to Esmie, Shrimp Shack, Street Chef, Street Souvlaki, and Urban Cheesecake.
Jack Brabant, co-founder-director of Digbeth Dining Club and Hockley Social Club, said: “Our journey from a few traders in a space under the arches in the back-streets Digbeth to touring nationally and developing a new expanded HQ which attracts world-famous orchestras, DJs, comedians and bands, has been extraordinary.
“Given how important street closures were for us in our early years, enabling us to develop and learn as well as build up a loyal fanbase, it was a no-brainer to reprise the model and return to our roots. We look forward to celebrating our birthday with many people who helped us along the way.”
That’s not all because the weekend event will also feature live music from rising reggae royalty Young Culture and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire jazz graduates The Equinox Trio. Plus, there will be DJ sets from the acclaimed hip-hop DJ Psychomantus and funk and soul selecter Marcus B. Oh, and tickets are only £2. To get yours head here.