The Juke

You head down to King's Heath and find yourself in a bar that actually feels like it's made for locals rather than Instagram. The Juke has that sweet spot—knowledgeable staff who aren't sneering at you, a decent selection of spirits and thoughtful cocktails that won't cost you thirty quid, and enough character that you don't feel like you're sat in a chain. It's the kind of place where the playlist matters, the lighting works in your favour, and you might actually want to stay longer than planned. King's Heath's had a real renaissance lately, and this is exactly the kind of spot that's been pulling people south of the city centre.