Visiting Birmingham's Gay Village

The practical side of a trip to Birmingham's Gay Village: how to get there, where to park, how to stay safe at night, and the dates worth planning around.

Getting there

Birmingham New Street: about 5 minutes' walk. Use the Southside exit (steps and lift); about 0.2 miles to the Hippodrome on Hurst Street
Birmingham Moor Street: about 10 minutes' walk. About 0.5 miles
Bus routes 6, 61, 63, 87, X1 and X2 serve the Hurst Street area. Network West Midlands runs buses, trains and trams; separate tickets are generally needed for each mode.
By air: Birmingham Airport is about 8 miles from the centre. The free Air-Rail Link connects to Birmingham International station for trains to New Street; the X1 bus also runs to the centre.

Parking

The Arcadian, 41 Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham B5 4TD. About 3 minutes' walk
Chinatown car park, Wrottesley Street, Birmingham B5 4RT. About 2 minutes' walk
Edgbaston Street car park, Edgbaston Street, Birmingham B5 4RQ. Open 24 hours, flat-rate evening parking; about 3 minutes' walk
Mailbox (Q-Park), Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RD. About 8 minutes' walk

Staying safe

Rainbow StreetWatch: West Midlands Police volunteer patrol scheme in and around Hurst Street, providing a visible presence and reporting crime and antisocial behaviour to police, Southside street wardens or bar security. Contact streetwatch@westmidlands.police.uk.
Third-party hate crime reporting: Birmingham LGBT Centre runs a third-party reporting scheme so people can report hate incidents to trained staff, who pass reports to police confidentially.

Southside street wardens and bar security teams can be approached to report problems on Hurst Street.
Some late venues have strict door policies, including on footwear, so check before you go.
Free home STI test kits are available from Umbrella if you prefer not to visit a clinic.

Reporting hate crime

Report to West Midlands Police, or through a third-party reporting centre such as Birmingham LGBT Centre, 151 Hurst Street (0121 643 0821), whose trained staff pass reports to police confidentially. Galop's helpline (0800 999 5428) supports LGBT+ victims of hate crime. You can also report online through True Vision. In an emergency call 999.

Birmingham Pride

Birmingham Pride is usually in May (Spring Bank Holiday weekend); in 2027 it is 28 to 30 May 2027, around Birmingham Gay Village, Hurst Street area. Parade is free; festival is ticketed. Super Early Bird tickets on sale, with 50% low-income tickets for eligible West Midlands residents. Organisers have said they hope to make 2027 free. Official Birmingham Pride website.

Next: where to stay · saunas · nights and drag · community.

Checked 15 October 2026. Details change, so confirm with each venue before you travel.

Sources

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