New Year's Eve 2011

The Victoria and Island are teaming up once again for a New Year's Eve extravaganza!
For the price of one ticket you'll get access to both venues. That means four floors of delicious music with some of our favourite DJs playing rock 'n' roll to 80s and 90s classic and beyond!

At The Victoria
TROPICAL HOTDOG: The good folk of SUNSET CINEMA CLUB will be doing a live set as well as resurrecting their most awesome club night for an extra special NYE. Expect some of the best 80s and 90s music that you've come to know and love from nights at the Vic like THATCHED and WHOOMP. Pure awesome.

TAKIN CARE OF BUSINESS: They've been with us from the beginning and are well loved by the Birmingham masses so we are most pleased they've agreed to join us for NYE. T-Bird and Carlton will be playing their usual blend of soul, rock 'n roll, hip hop, disco and funk - with a dash of party tunes to season!

At Island Bar

DJ HENRY EVANS: Responsible for some of the most awesome parties at Island recently, expect party tunes from every slice of the musical pizza; 60s, soul, funk, hip hop, indie, 90s dance and current hits. An eclectic mix of the highest order.

EDUCATION IN SOUND: Tiki Friday favourites Education in Sound will be bringing psychedelia, northern soul, blues and garage rock to the Tiki Bar.

*TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW at the early bird price of £8 if you buy them in the venue. Tickets bought after Christmas or online via TicketSellers cost £10*.

Happy holidays!

Boxing Day at the Vic

If the aftermath of Christmas gets too much join us at The Victoria for a fabulous Boxing Day where there's no sight of dry turkey and annoying relatives…just gorgeous drinks and great tunes.

After several successful nights throughout the year, FUNK FUSION are back upstairs for one last outing before the calendars change. Enjoy a night of disco, soul, funk, hip-hop breaks and block party breaks.

Downstairs sees the start of a new night I Heart 80s & 90s from the guys that bring you ever popular Sweat. A night of 80s and 90s indie, alternative and electronic music for all those that thought they hated the 80s. Expect to hear: Soft Cell, New Order, Depeche Mode, Japan, Saint Etienne, Beck, Joy Division, Human League, Adam Ant, Visage, Altered Images, Space, Yazoo, Erasure, Blondie, The Smiths, The Fall, PSB, The Cure, Roxy Music, Damned, The Cult, Talking Heads, Nik Kershaw, Echo & the Bunnymen, Siouxsie & The Banshees....and whatever else takes yours and our fancy.

Christmas might be over by the 26th Dec, but we'll still be in the giving mood so it's free entry to both from 9pm!

Winter Pimms

Season’s Greetings, yes it is here again already.

This month we at The Victoria thought we would bring you something slightly different to the usual hot drink offering of mulled wine, Irish coffees or hot chocolate - Winter Pimms.

Some of you may know Pimms for its summer cocktail with mint, citrus and strawberries using Pimms No1 which is the gin based Pimms developed in the 1840s. After the first Pimms came scotch that lent its name to No. 2 cup, while No. 3 used brandy, No. 4 rum, No. 5 rye whiskey and No. 6 vodka. Of these sequels, the vodka cup and brandy (now called Winter) are the only ones still in production.

Winter Pimms
Serves 8-10 guests

1 bottle of Winter Pimms
1 litre apple juice
1 bottle (550ml) cider of your choice
4 shots of brandy – optional for those colder nights
4 shots of orange liqueur
8 cloves
Peel of 1 grapefruit
2 sticks of cinnamon
Brown sugar to your taste

Warm slowly and gently, tasting as you go to make sure the sugar has dissolved and that you have the right balance. You can always play with the recipe to suit your own tastes as whisky, rum and other spirits make great additions also.

Remember to strain out the cloves when serving.

Serve in a mug or glass with a handle as it should be served at tea temperature and garnish with a slice of grapefruit and apple.

Enjoy, responsibly of course.