Reasons To Be Cheerful #6

(If you're wondering what this is all about, click here.)

The Sunflower Lounge

Situated on Smallbrook Queensway a short distance from New Street Station and the Bullring, Sunflower Lounge is a cosy and modest little late bar which fulfils all my requirements - no dress code, no entry fee, friendly staff, DJs who know their onions and, most importantly, good lager on tap (in this case, Nastro Azzuro).

Yesterday was only the third time I've been, and my first visit to the monthly night known as Down At The Sugarfoot Stomp, which is held down in the basement bar and attracts a fairly arty / studenty crowd. A small team of DJs take it in turns to spin a selection of tunes from the 1920s up to the 1960s which, though often obscure, are nearly always danceable. Revellers togged up in suits and fancy vintage dresses groove the night away against a projected backdrop of classic films, footage of a bygone Birmingham and, later in the evening, eye-popping burlesque routines.

Last night we were treated to Johnny Cash's 'A Boy Named Sue', and of the other records to get a whirl the one that really caught my attention was a bluegrass number with the cheery chorus "Atomic power, sent by the mighty hand of God"...

An invigoratingly different "club" night in a very fine little venue.