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6 downtown Birmingham cocktail bars to put on your 2019 bucket list
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Welcome to 2019, a brave new world of cocktail bars that opened in 2018 that you haven’t tried yet. Our friends at Aviate, the local brand behind those three-letter airport code hats we love so much, are here to help you navigate.
In With the New
1. Paper Doll Bar
First up—and the setting of Bham Now’s fun photo shoot with Aviate—is Paper Doll Bar. Part art deco, part timeless, Paper Doll Bar is all easy elegance. You’ll find plenty of cozy places to sidle up and chat over finely crafted cocktails.
Find Paper Doll Bar at 2320 1st Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Mon. through Sat. 4PM to close.
2. Queen’s Park
Gone but not forgotten, Queen’s Park Hotel built in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1895 inspired Queen’s Park, a cocktail bar that opened in downtown Birmingham in 2018. Co-owner Laura Newman, a Brooklyn native, happens to be one of the best bartenders in the world. She won the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) World Class US 2018 competition and placed in the top 4 at the global finals in Berlin.
Find Queen’s Park at 112 24th St North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Sun., Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 4PM to midnight, and Fri. and Sat. 4PM to 2AM.
3. Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar
What’s that funky symbol you ask? It’s a pilcrow, a typographical element that indicates where a new paragraph should start. Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, which opened in 2018 in Founders Station, chose the pilcrow to pay homage to the building’s history as a printing press. Tucked away in a basement with an alley entrance, this clandestine bar is part of the larger renaissance of Morris Avenue. It specializes in agave and tequila focused drinks.
Related story: A look at the new Morris Avenue through Aviate’s 24K gold Sundance Kittyhawk Sunglasses.
Find Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar at 2015 1st Ave North Ste #1E, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Tues. through Thurs. 4PM to midnight, and Fri. and Sat. 4PM to 2AM.
Three “Old Favorites”
Make new friends, but keep the old, as the song goes. If you haven’t already enjoyed a craft cocktail at these Birmingham haunts, then you need to catch up in 2019.
4. The Collins Bar
Founded 2013, the Collins Bar upped Birmingham’s craft cocktail game, plus it boasts a super-neat, Birmingham-themed periodic table. Find the Collins Bar at 2125 2nd Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 4PM to midnight, Fri. and Sat. 4PM to 2 AM, and Sun. 6PM to midnight.
5. The Atomic Lounge
The Atomic Lounge opened in 2017. One year later it became a James Beard semifinalist for best bar program. It rocks swank 1960s decor, and they have costumes. Need I say more? Find the Atomic Lounge at 2113 1st Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 4PM to midnight, and Fri. and Sat. 4PM to 2AM.
6. The Roof at the Redmont Hotel
Birmingham touts quite a few awesome rooftop bars, but sipping cocktails while taking in the downtown views from The Roof at the historic Redmont Hotel is something special. The late, great Hank Williams might even join you in spirit. Find The Roof at the Redmont Hotel at 2101 5th Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. It’s open Sun. through Thurs. 4PM to 11PM, and Fri. and Sat. 4PM to 2AM.
About Aviate
Aviate is a nationally loved lifestyle apparel brand located right here in Birmingham. It is Aviate’s sincerest wish that you use this 2019 bucket list of local cocktail bars to “Play Hard” responsibility. Shop Aviate here.
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