Malmaison Birmingham

You're not expecting much from a hotel bar, especially one tucked inside a chain. But Malmaison's Birmingham outpost surprises, perched right on the canal edge with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of those Wharfside Street waterside views. The cocktails are properly made – none of that pre-mix nonsense – and the wine list goes beyond the usual suspects. Being open around the clock means it's genuinely useful for those awkward times when everywhere else has shut. The crowd's a mix of hotel guests who've done their research and locals who've clocked that it's actually decent. Yes, you'll pay hotel prices, but the setting and quality justify it.