Main Space at The Old Library

About this space

Built in 1866, The Old Library is a refurbished Victorian library and historic venue nestled in Birmingham’s vibrant city centre in Digbeth, Birmingham. The main space is light and airy, flooded with natural daylight. Full of period features including vaulted ceilings and iconic arch windows, this space will conduct a positive and warm atmosphere.

For corporate events, the adjoining Reading Room is available either as a breakout space, buffet area or cloakroom to serve your needs. You will find our venue just ¼ mile from the city centre. Why not organise a walking taxi to greet your delegates off their train and stroll in together, ready to start the day. Alternatively if you don’t fancy the walk we are just a 5 minute taxi ride down the road.

The Old Library offers a versatile space for weddings of up to 250 guests. Up to 130 guests can be accommodated for a ceremony and reception. Your ceremony will take place in the main room in front of the stunning original Victorian windows. This bright and airy room is the perfect place to say ‘I do’ in front of your friends and family. You can toast your marriage during a drinks reception in Nomad, a quirky and relaxed space ideal for enjoying drinks, canapés, and mingling. You will also be able to capture some unique wedding photographs within the building and in the gorgeous surroundings outside. The ceremony room will be transformed into your wedding breakfast space, with dedicated chefs, delicious menus and literary-themed cocktails served at the bar. Following your meal, you can dance the night away. With Birmingham’s key transport links, top hotels and attractions on the doorstep, it’s the ideal place to extend the party into a weekend, allowing you to truly relax and enjoy the celebrations.

Event offers and packages

Have a magical party this season in our beautifully restored Victorian surroundings. Relax and enjoy delicious food and drink - let us do all the work. Based in Digbeth, Birmingham’s creative quarter, we are ideally located just a 10-minute walk from the city centre. With a range of food and drink options for up to 200 people, we have something to suit everyone, and our selection of party add-ons will ensure that all the guests will have a jolly old time! Our friendly and hard-working team will be on hand from your initial enquiry through to the very end to ensure that you have the perfect Christmas party!

Christmas Package (Minimum 30 guests)

£1500 total

Package includes:
• Exclusive Use & Private Bar
• Christmas Tree & Table Decorations
• DJ
• Security
• Event Coordinator

Christmas Canapes (Minimum 30 guests)

£10 per person

1. 4 canapes (£10 per person)
2. 6 canapes (£15 per person)

Christmas Meal (Minimum 50 guests)

£35 per person

1. 2 course (£35 per person)
2. 3 course (£40 per person)

Festive Buffet (Minimum 50 people)

£25 per person

Package includes:
• Self service buffet

Festive Drinks Packages

£10.50 per person

1. Wine Package (£12 per person)
2. Cocktail Package (£14 per person)
3. Beer Package (£10.50 per person)

DDR 1

£33.50 per person

All Packages Include:

- Room hire from 8:30am - 5:30pm
- High speed WiFi and handheld mic
- Flipchart and pens
- Arrival hot drink selection with biscuits
- Mid-morning hot drink refresh
- Afternoon hot drink

DDR 1 Lunch:

Cold Buffet
- A selection of deliciously filled sandwiches and wraps
- Tortilla chips and dips
- Superfood salad

DDR 2

£38.50 per person

All Packages Include:

- Room hire from 8:30am - 5:30pm
- High speed WiFi and handheld mic
- Flipchart and pens
- Arrival hot drink selection with biscuits
- Mid-morning hot drink refresh
- Afternoon hot drink

DDR 2 Lunch:

Buffet
- A selection of deliciously filled sandwiches and wraps
- Superfood salad
- Gourmet sausage rolls
- Handmade samosas
- Tortilla chips and dips

DDR 3

£48.50 per person

All Packages Include:

- Room hire from 8:30am - 5:30pm
- High speed WiFi and handheld mic
- Flipchart and pens
- Arrival hot drink selection with biscuits
- Mid-morning hot drink refresh
- Afternoon hot drink

DDR 3 Lunch:

Two Course Hot Fork Buffet (Minimum 40 delegates)

PLEASE CHOOSE ONE MAIN COURSE DISH - EACH DISH INCLUDES 1 X MEAT CHOICE & 1 X ALTERNATIVE CHOICE (Please let us know how many of each choice you require)

1. LASAGNE
Beef Lasagne (HA) or Vegetable Lasagne (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Sicilian Bean Salad & a Ciabatta Roll

2. THAI GREEN CURRY
Thai Chicken (HA, DFA, GFA) or Plant Based Chicken Curry (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Fragrant Rice & Spring Rolls

3. PIE
Steak & Ale Pie or Plant Based Sweet Potato & Chickpea Roast (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Horseradish Mash, Smashed Peas & Gravy

4. CHILLI
Texas Beef Chuck Steak Chilli (HA, DFA, GFA) or Five Bean Chilli (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Fragrant Rice, Nachos & Sour Cream

5. PERSIAN STEW
Persian Lamb (HA, DFA, GFA) or Persian Bean & Vegetable Stew (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Flat Bread & Coriander Yoghurt

6. JERK
Jerk Style Chicken Breast or Jerk Style Tofu (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Dirty Rice & Southern Slaw

7. CURRY
Tandoori Chicken (HA, DFA, GFA) or Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Spinach Curry (VA, GFA)
both choices served with Garlic Naan, Poppadom & Cucumber Raita

8. MOUSSAKA
Slow Cooked Lamb (HA) or Vegetable Moussaka (GFA)
both choices served with Greek Salad, Roasted Peppers & Aubergines

9. MEATBALLS
Lemon & Fennel Pork Meatballs (DFA, GFA) or Plant Based Stuffing Balls (DFA, GFA)
both choices served with Penne Pasta, Tomato Sugo & Garlic Bread

DESSERTS

PLEASE CHOOSE TWO OPTIONS, INCLUDING ONE TO SUIT DIETARIES.

BAKED NEW YORK CHEESECAKE served with Mango Coulis
LEMON TART served with Berry Coulis and Crushed Meringue
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TART served with Chocolate Soil and Creme Fraiche (GF, VGA, HA)

Prices

Monday

9:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per morning

9:00 – 13:00

from £500

Per afternoon

13:00 – 17:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £900

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Tuesday

9:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per morning

9:00 – 13:00

from £500

Per afternoon

13:00 – 17:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £900

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Wednesday

9:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per morning

9:00 – 13:00

from £500

Per afternoon

13:00 – 17:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £900

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Thursday

9:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per morning

9:00 – 13:00

from £500

Per afternoon

13:00 – 17:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £900

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Friday

9:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per morning

9:00 – 13:00

from £500

Per afternoon

13:00 – 17:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £900

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Saturday

9:00 – 0:00

from £1200 hire fee

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £1200

Per day

9:00 – 17:00

from £1200

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Sunday

16:00 – 0:00

from £500–£950 hire fee

Per session

16:00 – 20:00

from £500

Per evening

19:00 – 0:00

from £950

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. Extension available. All prices include VAT.

Pricing updated by venue 2 months ago

Pricing rated as accurate by 2 verified users

Capacity

Standing

up to 250

Dining

up to 130

Theatre

up to 130

Cabaret

up to 100

Catering and drinks

Facilities

Air conditioning

Free on-street parking

Paid parking facilities available nearby

Music & sound equipment

Accessibility

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Reviews and ratings

(38 reviews and ratings - )

About The Old Library

The Old Library is a bright, open space perfect for hosting weddings, conferences, corporate dinners, parties, charity events and more. A range of menus and drinks packages are available upon request. We can currently hold up to 130 people seated and 250 standing.

Part of the Zellig Group, the Old Library has been in operation since 1990. The original library first opened as one of Birmingham’s 5 free libraries in 1866, it is now the only one still standing. The public library’s doors closed to the public in 1940 and remained closed until 1990 when the dilapidated space was bought alongside the Bird’s Custard Factory and lovingly refurbished by Bennie Gray.