Diamonds 'n' Pearls: Post Party Day Out : The Electric Cinema, Birmingham

I live in little old Wolverhampton and I have to be honest it's hardly fun central; however just a short 20 minute drive or 15 minute train journey and I can be in Birmingham where there are loads of fab things going on. Right now some of Birmingham's main streets are decked out in twinkly lights and lined with cute little market stalls for the Frankfurt Christmas Market that the city is now home to annually. If you haven't yet been to the Christmas Market in Birmingham you absolutely must check it out for an evening of yummy festive food, warming, spicy mulled wines and chilly but cosy Christmassy fun. If you love Christmas (and even if you don't, like me) I promise you that you won't be disappointed.

However on this occasion I gave the hot, Nutella laden waffles a miss and opted a more casual day out in Birmingham. First up were for belly busting burgers and luscious milkshakes at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen in The Mailbox and then on to watch a feel good film at one of my absolute favourite places to chill out in Birmingham, The Electric Cinema.

The Electric Cinema boasts being '...the oldest working cinema in the country' and has been restored as best as possible to it's original, beautiful 1930's Art Deco style. From the handmade cakes, original ticket stubs and cute little box office this place is definitely more early 20th century vintage glam rather than 20th Century Fox coupled with sugar fuelled slushies and extortionately priced pic 'n' mix.

With sofas, a bar ('Ginception' cocktails, YUM!) and waiter service. The Electric has two digital screens and shows a mixture of the latest quality mainstream, independent, foreign and classic films. Be warned though if you're after a sofa, get online and book in advance, they sell out fast!

I went along and watched the latest Melissa McCarthy offering 'St Vincent' in screen one, sat on Hardy and had a really comfy cinema experience (so comfy I almost fell to sleep, that's no reflection on the film, just my huge hangover!). Great film if you're looking for something easy to watch with a feel good ending with some notoriously dry Bill Murray humour along the way, I recommend it. I also recommend you try out this cinema, it's a must if you'd like to try out somewhere new with a totally different vibe to the cinemas you're used to. Get online, check out what's on, book ASAP and get yourself along! There's subsidised parking nearby and it's right at the back of New Street Train station so very easily accessible.

What are you waiting for? Check out the Electric and some other spots in Birmingham that you'll be able to find in the Millennium Guide To Birmingham.