Birmingham Pride History Walking Tour

It's here, it's Queer. It's Birminghams only Pride History Tour.
Step back in time with us, as we’ll tell you the story of how Birmingham’s Gay Village came to be.

It’s a fabulous tale…but one of exclusion, acceptance and uncertainty.

Starting in 1969, just 2 years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality, we’ll start at the original Nightingale Club Site.

We’ll take you on a 5km walk (2 hours) or run (1.5 hours) through the most influential venues and moments from our cities LGBTQ+ scene.

Drawing on Pride History from around the World, we specifically look at Birmingham’s journey to becoming one of the UK's most thriving scenes.

We’ll also spin around Smithfield’s, home of Birmingham Pride, before finishing our story with a look ahead to a future of increased uncertainty for the survival of the village itself.

You’ll leave not only with a sense of pride in our glorious gay village, but you’ll know what jugs, rhinos and foxes have got to do with it all!

Meeting Point

Nightingale Club

18 Kent St, Birmingham B5 6RD, UK

Look out for your guide stood outside smiling in orange!
We will start at the scheduled time so please arrive a few minutes early.

This meeting point is easily accessible by car or public transport and their are car parks and paid street parking available.

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 2 hours

The Nightingale Club

18 Kent Street, Birmingham, B5 6RD

Look out for your guide smiling in orange!
We'll meet here, and start your tour by telling you the story of Birmingham's first and still-standing gay-friendly venue.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gay Village

Gay Village, Birmingham, UK

After, we'll walk or run on to various sights and landmarks within Birminghams Gay Village including Pride House, Birminghams Pride Festival location, the AIDS & HIV Memorial, Eden Bar, Jester, The Fox, Missing Bar and The Rhino.

1 hour, 40 minutes

Sidewalk Gay Bar

131 Hurst St, Birmingham B5 6SE, UK

Once a Car Showroom, Sidewalk is another important Gay Venue in our Village forming your penultimate stop before returning back to Nightingale Club where you started your tour.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included