Equator Bar Birmingham

You're walking down Hurst Street and you want a drink that doesn't come with a lecture or a £15 price tag that makes you wince. Equator gets the balance right: skilled bartenders who know their way around a bottle, but they're not going to make you feel stupid if you just want a decent gin and tonic. The atmosphere's unpretentious and welcoming—locals actually choose to come here rather than feeling like they're ticking a box. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for an evening without the noise drowning out conversation.