We love our nicknames in Birmingham, don’t we bab?
View from near the top of Victoria Square and the Floozie in the Jacuzzi.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
We love our nicknames in Birmingham, to the point where famous areas are best known by their unofficial title.
With so many to choose from, we’ve picked out eight in particular which are iconic in the city, ranging from nightclubs to artwork.
Plenty of these you will know, but you might discover a new nickname for the first time in Brum.
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And if you are wondering, yes, Maccies on the Ramp has made the list.
Here is a list of eight Birmingham places we refuse to call by their proper names.
1. Spaghetti Junction
The official name of the Spaghetti Junction is the Gravelly Hill Interchange… but who calls it that?
It sounds a lot more dull and a lot less appetising.
How many of you know the name of the Spaghetti Junction?(Image: Jason Hawkes )
With five different levels resembling spaghetti from above, the Spaghetti Junction is one of the most popular nicknames in the city.
Whether you’re behind the wheel or a passenger princess, driving through the junction is admittedly less fun.
2. Floozie in the Jacuzzi
When Princess Diana opened the artwork in 1994, it’s unlikely the Princess of Wales would guess the future nickname.
Over 30 years later, the Floozie in the Jacuzzi sits with pride in Victoria Square.
Designed by Dhruva Mistry, the official name is The River. Sadly, that doesn’t rhyme.
3. New Snobs
The iconic nightclub Snobs is divided into two groups of people.
Those old enough to visit the original in Paradise Circus – and those young enough to visit New Snobs when it was on Smallbrook Queensway.
With the original being an historic part of the Birmingham nightlife scene, the new location was dubbed ‘New Snobs’ by clubbers.
After Snobs moved to Broad Street last year, should we start calling it New New Snobs?
4. Pigeon Park
Christmas markets on the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral / Pigeon Park.(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
Despite the name, Pigeon Park is one of the best places to visit in Birmingham city centre.
Home to the gorgeous Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, pigeons seem to love the area too.
Outside of dodging a pigeon or nine, it’s one of the most popular parks in the city with a number of fantastic bars and restaurants over the road.
5. NEC
The current name of the NEC arena is bp pulse LIVE.
It just doesn’t roll off the tongue as well, does it? You can just say three letters instead and people know exactly where it is.
For decades, the National Exhibition Centre has entertained Brummies and people around the world with international performances.
The arena only changed its name to bp pulse LIVE in October, and was Resorts World Arena before that, but it will take some time to lose the NEC nickname.
6. Gatecrasher
Last month, the news broke that Pure Gym was in talks to purchase the former Pryzm nightclub.
Having gone under a number of names in the past, Birmingham’s biggest nightclub is still affectionally known as Gatecrasher to fans.
If you had a night out with friends and said you were going Gatecrasher, Brummies would know exactly where you’d meant on Broad Street.
7. NIA
Luke Littler in action during night thirteen of the BetMGM Premier League at Utilita Arena Birmingham(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Just like bp pulse LIVE, Utilita Arena Birmingham is best known by another name.
The venue space is located inside the former National Indoor Arena, better known to Brummies as the NIA.
There’s four Utilita Arena’s across the United Kingdom – but there’s only one NIA.
8. The Ramp
The gateway between Grand Central and New Street, the correct name of The Ramp is actually Stephenson Place.
But whether you’re walking up or down, it’s Maccies on the Ramp to Brummies.
Whether it’s to pass by on your commute or an excuse for a double cheeseburger, The Ramp’s an iconic nickname which will never change.
What other nicknames do you know use in Brum? Let us know in the comments!