Digbeth Institute
The O2 Institute (originally known as the Digbeth Institute) is a music venue located in Birmingham, England. The venue opened in 1908 as a mission of Carrs Lane Congregational Church. It has also served as an event centre, civic building and nightclub.
Exterior of venue (c.2010) | |
| Full name | O2 Institute Birmingham |
|---|---|
| Former names | Digbeth Institute (1908–55; 1990–98) Digbeth Civic Hall (1955–90) The Sanctuary (1998–2008) HMV Institute (2010–15) |
| Address | 78 Digbeth High St Birmingham B5 6DY England |
| Location | Digbeth |
| Owner | Academy Music Group |
| Operator | Live Nation |
| Capacity | 1,500 (O2 Institute1) 600 (O2 Institute2) 250 (O2 Institute3) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1906 |
| Opened | 16 January 1908 |
| Renovated | 1957, 1985, 1997, 2008–10 |
| Architect | Arthur Harrison |
| Website | |
| Venue Website | |
It has three main rooms: the 1,500-capacity main auditorium called O2 Institute1 (formerly "The Institute") which has two seated upper balcony levels, the downstairs room which holds up to 600 people called O2 Institute2 (formerly "The Library") and the 250-capacity upstairs room O2 Institute3 (formerly "The Temple").
The venue also houses "Un-Plug", an intimate club with a capacity of 400, located in the building's cellar. The space formerly operated as the "Midland Jazz Club", "Jug 'O Punch Folk Club", Dance Factory and "Barfly".