Pack your sun hats, swimsuits and bug spray. We’re headed on a tropical adventure. Where to, you ask? Why none other than Beak Street in Birmingham City Centre. A trip to Jungle Bird might not be quite the trip to paradise you were hoping for. But with its world class cocktails and vegan dishes inspired by food all along the equator, it might just be the next best thing.
Named presumably after the cocktail of the same name – imagine a tropical Negroni that uses pineapple juice and rum – Jungle Bird specialises in being fun, friendly and fruity. All things we associate with the tropics. They pay particular attention to no fuss, late-night tropical cocktails with DJ’s spinning soulful and funky party tunes all night-long.
The Hawaiian shirt-styled staff are super knowledgeable with experience from all over the world. They are always on hand to give recommendations if you don’t know what you’re after. And, if you ask nicely, they might even whip up your own special custom creation. Our recommendation, however, is the Pina Colada slushy has been a mainstay from day one. While they also have an ever-changing Daiquiri that is served as a slushy – recent flavours have been mango, strawberry and even Irn Bru. If you’re feeling super adventurous you can mix them both together in one glass. Something Jungle Bird calls a Hawaii Five-O. All spirits are vegan certified too. There are also a range of craft beers and natural wines available.
Jungle Bird keeps flavours punchy when it comes to the food too. Their shareable small plates are all 100% plant-based and are inspired Polynesian and Caribbean cuisines. From banana blossom bowls to banana-rum bread, sweetcorn fritattas to homemade croquettes, every dish is as spicy, zesty and totally flavoursome as you might expect from the equator.
The fun doesn’t end there either. Every Saturday between 12 and 6, you can get their plant-based bottomless brunches that also include two hours of unlimited cocktails, beers, spritzes or mimosas. On Sundays, meanwhile, you might fancy sampling Jungle Bird’s Caribbean roast dinner menu. A perfect Sunday lunch alternative while summer is still upon us.
If all the fun and partying isn’t quite enough for you, and you’d actually like to learn a little about the drinks you’ve been enjoying all evening. Jungle Bird also runs some fantastic rum tasting evenings. Where you can learn the history of various rums one boozy sip at a time. But even if all you’re after is to find a fun spot for some post-work drinks, then make Jungle Bird your next trip.