An inconspicuous doorway
Tourists unfamiliar with the city taking their first steps out of the back entrance of Birmingham’s Grand Central Station may easily dismiss the open doorway across the road. The only indication of the wonders inside being the red neon sign above the door which reads ‘Open ‘til late’. Little do they know that if they walk through that doorway and follow the steps down below floor level, they will enter into a parallel world where all of the stresses, pressures, troubles, and woes of life are left behind at the surface, and only one priority remains: to party.
Underground
My Auntie introduced me to Be At One Birmingham for my 18th birthday, she booked us a table on the elevated platform at the back of the bar with a great view of the night unfolding. We arrived early for 2-for-1 cocktails during Happy Hour and I was amazed watching the bar slowly fill with people of all age groups. The staff made the lights dim and brighten to the tune of ‘Sweet Caroline’, and the whole scene in front of me looked like it was straight out of the Tom Cruise film Cocktail.
A pink neon sign reading ‘Alright Bab?’ lights up the VIP area in a nod to the Birmingham dialect, and blue fairy lights adorn the mirrors which run the length of the room along the back wall. Tables nestled in booths surround the room, and during the week high tables with stools are dotted around the middle, but these are moved at the weekend to extend the much-needed dance floor. Despite the bar being underground it still has windows, but not conventional transparent glass windows, instead they are filled with LED lights that continuously move and change colours, adding to the party vibe. The finishing touch has become a staple of all bars and clubs – a photo booth. The outer wall flashes with photos of smiling friend groups, couples, and sneaky kisses.
Creativity, flare, and dancing all night long
The staff take bartending to the next level, each drink is made with flare and sass, and rounds are interrupted by spontaneous dance shows. Origami roses made from napkins, love hearts made from ice, and flame-topped cocktails are just a few examples of these bartenders’ boundless creativity. Watching the staff gives patrons a surge of confidence, because no one is watching you boogie while all eyes are on the performance behind the bar.
The staff have special routines for fan favourite songs like dancing on the bar and throwing napkins to the drop of ‘Feed Em To The Lions’ by Solo 45, and swinging the lights and singing at the top of their voices to Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’. Some may climb the bar shelves to perform Magic Mike style dances to the song ‘Pony’ by Ginuwine while others drench them with water. When ‘It’s Raining Men’ by the Weather Girls comes on they will grab their umbrellas to save themselves from the ice chips being thrown over them. The staff even join in with the group line dances on the dancefloor, from the floor workers dancing along to the ‘Cupid Shuffle’ holding their mops, to leading a Conga line around the bar. The DJ in the main room plays current dancefloor-fillers, 2010s pop, classics such as ABBA, etc, while the back room offers a different vibe with R&B hits.
Unlikely friendships
I have met my fair share of characters in Be At One, from professional footballers and rugby teams, to surgeons and pilots, and even a group of grandmothers performing the lift from Dirty Dancing (against the manager’s advice). Futile societal expectations are forgotten and people of all walks of life who wouldn’t usually cross paths all party together. My best friend and I have learnt dance routines from a professional dancer, new languages from people of other nationalities on holiday or following their football team, and joined in with an impromptu limbo competition by somebody using their scarf as a limbo pole. The bar welcomes people of all age groups from 18-year-old students, to retired friends who still know how to have a good time. Any day of the week is a great day to party thanks to their Happy Hours, mid-week drink deals, student discounts, and special deals for those working in the hospitality industry.
Simply Be At One
Be At One’s brand stands for everybody feeling confident in being themselves, and the Birmingham bar joins the yearly Gay Pride parade in the city centre. The message of the bar is reflected in the giant neon writing which fills one of the walls referencing the moral of The Greatest Showman, as everyone who visits is encouraged to be themselves and not worry about what others think. You can simply Be At One under the flashing lights with a fruity cocktail in hand, and connect with others in a safe and welcoming place.
My name is Ellie Knight and I work freelance offering services in creative writing, copywriting, blog & article writing, and proofreading & editing. Visit my website Ellieknight.ink to learn more and view my portfolio containing work samples and client testimonials.
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