Celebrating the late great Scottish poet Robert Burns birthday, Burns’ Night falls on the 25th of January and inspires a cockle-warming celebration of music, ceremonial feasting and poetry. As part of the traditional Burns’ Supper, the piping in of the haggis, recitation of poetry and a dram or three of good whisky all combine to create a tradition worth battling through January for. Here are our top three picks for Burns’ Nights in Birmingham this year.

Birmingham Whisky Club & The Plough’s Burns’ Night Supper
On the night itself The Plough Harborne and The Birmingham Whisky Club and Ian Macleod Distillers will join forces to offer the ultimate in Burns’ Night entertainment with what they call ‘a decadent celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns’ held in the gorgeous confines of The Plough. Expect Whisky-a-go-go, poetry and pro parlance (about whisky), a gourmet take on haggis, neeps and tatties (featuring more whisky) and celebrated traditions like haggis pizza (?). The good times are likely to roll the whisky barrel right out of the door at this one.
Wed 25 Jan, 7pm – 9pm for the meal and pub closing time as usual. Tickets are £45 but Whisky Club members can claim £5 off their ticket, included in the price is a four-course meal matched with 5 drams of whisky. www.eventbrite.co.uk

Burns’ Night Tasting at The Whisky Lounge
The Whisky Lounge at The Edgbaston are also hosting a superbly sophisticated booze-fuelled celebration, but with a cheeky wee twist or two like opting for The Simpson’s poster boy Mr Burns rather than Rabbie. Burns’ Night at The Whisky Lounge will still supply all the ceremonial trimmings like the haggis, neeps and tatties staples, but the emphasis of the night will significantly be on the real star of the show, nope not the poetry but you guessed it, the whisky. With a tasting of six different drams throughout the night, a whisky expert on hand and a pint to whet your whistle beforehand, we’d really recommend leaving the kids at home for this one.
Thu 19 Jan 7pm – 9pm at The Whisky Lounge at The Edgbaston 8 Highfield Road, Birmingham, B15 3DU. £30 www.thewhiskylounge.com

Burns’ Night Ceilidh at Rowheath Pavilion
Finally, Birmingham Whisky Club with the help of Peel & Stone and Glen Grant bring us a day and night of more family oriented fun with a Burns’ Ceilidh taking place on Saturday the 28th at the Rowheath Pavillion in the heart of Bournville. The family friendly daytime warm-up includes a buffet style one course meal and two sessions of Live Ceilidh music and a chance to introduce the younger generation to cultural revelries and a dram or 3 (don’t panic, only hot apple juice ‘nipper’ for the kids) while tiring them out so adults can enjoy the evening session. The evening session kicks off early and runs through almost to the wee hours. This over 18’s only session offers a classic celebration, with live bagpipes, lashings of whisky and a three course meal from Peel & Stone featuring all the classic fayre. Live led Ceilidh and the Burdock Band will set the scene for dancing aplenty and further whisky fuelled fun. Other drinks are available (though not necessarily as ceremonially appropriate).
Sat 28 Jan at Rowheath Pavilion, Heath Road, Bournville Birmingham, B30 1HH. Daytime session tickets for children £8 and adults £15. Evening session tickets are £37.50 and include three drams of whisky. www.eventbrite.co.uk