Drinks2Go

This is a really good off-​license and obviously does not struggle for business with it being based in the student area. They have an impressive range of beverages for sale, all of the usual types of alcohol such as beer, wine, a large selection of spirits and a few mixers. The chap that works in there is very friendly and will always recommend drinks to you if you are feeling indecisive. The prices are fairly reasonable too and they often have deals on, which is very handy for students. Many students may not really care about the décor inside, especially if they just want to get some drinks so that they can quickly become intoxicated, however, I think that it is lovely inside and has a vintage kind of feel about it with its wooden shelves and such. Overall, it is a great off-​license and is worth a visit if you live in the area.

We all know that being a student and getting drunk go hand in hand, so Drinks 2 go which is located in the student hub of Selly Oak is a very popular establishment. Friendly staff and great drinks prices make this place a great stop off to grab a few beers. This place looks cool and most certainly has more character than a supermarket or big chain off licence. On top of that they have better prices too which is obviously a big winner in the eyes of cash strapped students. This place provides a simple service at a small cost and is located in the perfect position on the Bristol Road. All in all a job well done.

If you’re a student in the Selly Oak area, you doubtless will have heard of Drinks2Go. Its range of beverages available, low prices, and extremely friendly proprietor, are all integral parts of University of Birmingham drinking folklore. Surprisingly one of the very few dedicated off licenses in the area, it’s extremely useful for late nights out drinking, not least because it tends to stay open well into the wee hours most evenings. It caters for all drinking tastes — beers, wines (an excellent selection of bottles starting from £2.50), and of course spirits are all available in droves. There has obviously even been some thought go into the décor, which attempts to recreate (with tongue firmly in cheek) the look of centuries old vineyards with its wooden shelves. Location, too, is very convenient, right in the middle of the main takeaway section of Bristol Road, meaning often the temptation to pick up a couple to round off a long night is irresistible.

Ask anyone what «lollies for the ladies» means, and there’s a good chance they’ll know what you’re on about. Where off-​licenses are a dime a dozen in the Selly Oak area, Drinks 2 Go holds a unique position in the student community. Chris, the jolly proprietary, is the real heart and soul of the place and is always really friendly and chatty: If you play your cards right, you might just be lucky enough to get a shot in a sache (they’re absolutely vile, but it’s always funny to give it to a first-​timer and watch them wretch on the Bristol Road after you’ve convinced them that it’s the future). Drinks 2 Go doesn’t offer anything revolutionary, it’s range is little more than standard, but most people just go in after a few drinks at home for some banter and a few more cans. Chris’s cult of personality extends to a Facebook fan page boasting almost 2,000 members — mostly the ‘sexy people of Selly’, of course.

Drinks 2 Go is a smartly presented off license with late night opening hours at the university end of Selly Oak high street. One thing that is impossible to ignore when you ask any of the local student population about Drinks 2 Go is the affection many of them have for the place — the proprietor seems to have that rare gift of being able to make every customer feel wanted and valued, an unusual skill in this world of anonymous looking chain stores who’s staff seem to have had their souls removed and replaced with a corporation specific service app. Proof of this affinity with the local student population is given in the many photos in the shop window of happy, drunken looking customers in the shop itself, often wearing the fancy dress outfits, presumably on rag week or some other student jolly.
Selection wise, the shop is good, but not by any means comprehensive. There’s something there to suit most tastes, and the selection does go beyond the average corner store. I particularly like the spirits selection, having purchased some very fine Polish vodka from there at a very reasonable price one evening before Christmas. Prices are pretty much as you’d expect, not too expensive, not particularly cheap either.
In conclusion, I find there’s quite a bit to respect about Drinks 2 Go, and quite a bit to like as well. A well run buisness with a friendly face. If you’re studying psychology, are dressed as Batman and are still clambering for more booze at 3 am after five hours in a cheap drinks night, you’re probably already there.