3 minute read
Nightlife is Dead in Birmingham?
Think Again...
Birmingham, Alabama. This is the first place you thought of for a bustling nightlife scene, isn’t it? Well, probably not. Nicknamed “The Magic City”, Birmingham has the largest population of any city in Alabama. Many years ago, Birmingham made a name for itself by being a major producer of iron and steel.
Just outside of the city, you will find Barber Motorsports Park. The world’s largest collection of motorcycles is housed in the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Less than an hour away, you will find the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide, college football royalty.
When you peel back the layers of this busy southern town, you will find an exquisite culinary scene and exciting nightlife. Birmingham is home to multiple James Beard Award winning chefs and restaurants. Actress Sandra Bullock took her late father to The Bright Star Restaurant when she visited him at his home in the city. Andrew Zimmern has visited on many occasions.
In Birmingham, the evening doesn’t end after having dinner at Frank Stitt’s Bottega or Chris Hasting’s Hot and Hot Fish Club. The night is young and some of the hottest night spots are just waiting to be discovered.
PAPER DOLL
This posh edition to the Magic City opened in 2018. Located in Birmingham’s Loft District, Paper Doll is a location not to be missed. Co-owner’s Jason Koenig and Joel Cheatwood created the venue in the place of an old Birmingham stapleTavern on 1st.
Lyrics from the Mills Brothers grace the front page of Paper Doll’s website, beckoning patrons to visit: I’m gonna buy a paper doll that I can call my own A doll that other fellows cannot steal And then the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes will have to flirt with dollies that are real. Paper Doll has an extensive bar menu. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the offerings. Better yet, plan on visiting multiple times in order to try their unique cocktails and local, craft beer selection. While sitting in a comfy chair or standing around the bar, be sure to try one of Paper Doll’s tasty snacks. No evening of adult beverages is complete without a few delicious bites. The Cheese & Charcuterie Board is fantastic and includes a trio of hard cheeses, Italian meats, jam, and whole grain mustard. Also opening in 2018, Blueprint on 3rd is a casually-upscale dining experience. This venue is a full-service restaurant but boasts an impressive bar with multiple offerings. This selfdescribed American brasserie has something for everyone. Reservations are accepted and encouraged. Blueprint on 3rd is highly popular and sought after on special events evenings. Dean Robb, owner and operator of the establishment, began this restaurant concept after working in the industry for over 20 years. Blueprint on 3rd operates in the location of the former Birmingham Blueprint Company. If you are interested in trying multiple libations throughout the evening, Blueprint on 3rd is perfect for you. They offer flights, multiple dessert wines, dessert cocktails, beer and signature cocktails. While at Blueprint on 3rd, be sure to try the Personally Victimized. This signature cocktail is made of Camarena Reposado Tequila, lime, agave, orange & lemon bitters, and Orange Flower Water.
THE COLLINS BAR
If you have attended a show at the Alabama Theater or the Lyric Theater, chances are you have walked by The Collins Bar. This trendy bar is usually “standing room only” on the weekends. Be sure to get there right at opening or you will have to wait.
When entering The Collins Bar, you will immediately feel at ease and comfortable. There is plenty of comfortable seating and a long bar to wait on your adult beverage needs. Once you settle in a bit, you will notice the huge periodic table that is on the wall, directly behind the bar. This periodic table won’t give you flashbacks of high school chemistry class. This periodic table has names of fellow Birmingham establishments and other locations on its rows.
The Collins Bar is unique in many ways. They highly recommend that you “trust your bartender”. Their highly trained bartenders have a knack for preparing the perfect cocktail for you, based on your likes and dislikes. The next time that you are in The South, be sure to give Birmingham nightlife a chance. Of course, you should try one of the many award-winning restaurants for dinner first. You just might find a new favorite.
