Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium

My first greyhound racing. Even if it took me a little time to understand how to bet, I appreciated their wide range of beers. On the contrary long queues for betting were disappointing. Unfortunately they didn´t accept credit cards, so we were glad to see a visibly placed cash machine. We won £7 and so I will be benevolent even to, sadly, the only refreshment — fantastic hot dogs :(
Mé první chrtí závody :D Sice by mi chvíli trvalo, néž pochopím, jak sázet, ale oceňuji velký výběr piv, zklamaly trochu fronty na sázky. Bohužel na mnoha místech nebrali karty, tak jsme uvítali alespoň viditelně umístěný bankomat. Odcházeli jsme sedm liber plus — tak budu velkorysá i k tomu, že sice fantastické, ale bohužel jediné hot dogy jako občerstvení :(

I had such a good time at the speedway! Adults tickets are £12 and I definitely think it is worth it. Prices for food and drink is a bit pricey in comparison. The bar/​restaurant area allows for a good view over the ground so it allows you to watch the action in comfort with it’s tables, chairs and tvs. However I found it is more fun to watch just by the action. You have to stand up (which is a challenge when it’s warm and for so long) but it is worth it for the atmosphere.

I’m not sure this review is too fit for purpose because despite the venue being primarily for greyhound racing, I’ve only ever attended for the Speedway meetings on Wednesday evening.
For the uninitiated, Speedway racing is intense, high speed motorbike competition where two teams of two riders per heat compete over 15, 4 lap heats of action.
If that sounds too complicated, it’s not, just turn up and enjoy the spectacle of 4 riders going shoulder to shoulder over 4 laps of exciting action every wednesday evening between March and September.
Two teams race there currently, the «Local» team Birmingham Surestop Brummies, and their «homeless» bitter rivals, the Cradley Heathens.
(The Heathens had their own «home» track, Monmore Green greyhound stadium, turf them out after the 2014 season so are currently track sharing with the Brummies while they look for alternate premises)
The fierce rivalry between the two clubs gives the derby meetings where the two teams race each other an extra special atmosphere.
As for the venue, it’s nice enough for a speedway track, if the food is a bit pricey for what it is.
The drinks in the upstairs bar are more reasonably priced though so best to eat before you come and survive on a refreshing beverage or an ice-​cream from the ice cream van by the turnstile entrance.
The views are pretty good, either outside by the start finish line or inside in the bar area.
And for a motorsport facility it’s location is pretty ideal, being located on the a34 opposite the Perry Barr campus of Birmingham City University and the One Stop shopping centre.
Cars can be parked either inside the stadium or on a busier night over the road at the university or even at one stop.
The stadium is very well served by public transport too, having many bus routes such as the 33, 905, 997 and others stop at the stadium entrance.
It is also a 2 minute walk from Perry Barr train station.
And since the speedway meetings have a noise curfew of 10PM (which they rarely if ever get close to going over, most meetings are done by 9:30pm), it leaves plenty of time for those relying on public transport to get home.
So once again, this is a review focusing solely on the Speedway side of the venue, I’m sure it’s nice for Greyhounds too though!
I’m just thankful the stadium owners are kind enough to let the Brummies and Heathens fans call this stadium their home.
Here’s to many more years of Speedway at Perry Barr!
Give us a B!

I am a gambler. Maybe openly saying this has many people think I should be attending gambler’s anonymous but I don’t bet big and I don’t bet every week. With a betting man for a Dad, a former bookies employee as a Mum and as a former bookies employee myself one could say it’s in the blood.
I more of a horse racing fan personally but having been to both a general meal here at Perry Barr Dogs as well as a private box for a party I can honestly say the food is tasty and you will have a good time. Hiring out the private boxes for a big group of you with a personal buffet can be quite pricey but as it was a big birthday for my Dad we thought this was the best way to help him celebrate without too much fuss.
From the private boxes you get a great view of the track, your own betting office to shared with the other boxes and it’s fun for everyone, young and old.
The general restaurant experience means you get waiter service for food, drinks and bets so you never have to leave your seats but unless you are sitting next to the window your visibility is a bit obscured.
On the whole it is a good night out, just depends on what your stance is on racing animals generally and the consequences of this sport as to whether it’s for you or not.

Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium may be a Stadium where you see Greyhounds going head to head. But this Stadium is also home to the Birmingham Brummies Speedway team.
I have been here on a couple of occasions and this is a great place to watch Speedway. I had the privilege of interviewing some of the riders on an Open Day and also the fans. There are restaurant facilities available at the Stadium so if you are hungry then you can go there.
If it does rain then there is always a chance the Speedway meetings could be postponed so do check if this is the case. It is a great sight seeing the bikes go around the Perry Barr track at quick speeds and it is worth coming down here to watch live Speedway.
Prices for coming to see the Speedway are not that expensive and believe me it is worth the money. This is also a place where you can have stag and hen nights. Phone the above number to find out more.

I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been told I’m going to the dogs but last weekend I actually did.
I was a first time visitor to Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium and I’ve gotta tell yah, I was VERY impressed. I’m not a gambling man and I haven’t a clue when it comes to betting but it couldn’t be easier, there are plenty of friendly staff on hand to explain all you need to know and there are lots of «self bet» machines dotted around the stadium. Bets start from 50pence and there’s a race every fifteen minutes so I had plenty of chances to win but lady luck wasn’t with me on this visit. Talking of ladies, I noticed «the dogs» was a popular venue for Hen parties, there was a large group of ladies quaffing bottles of bubbly and seemed to be having a great time.
It got a little chili this evening so my partner and I retired to one of the track-​side bars where the atmosphere was just as good watching the races on large TV screens. We didn’t eat but plates of food that kept passing us looked tasty.
Different and an all round great night out.