New cocktail bar, Continental Drift, coming to Birmingham’s Southside

COntinental Drift
Keep an eye on this building in Southside—soon it’ll be home to Continental Drift. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Eric Bennett and John Easterling, owners of the beloved Drift Kitchen food truck (formerly known as Paradise Chow) are bringing a brand-new bar to Birmingham’s Southside. Located at the former Berthon’s Cleaners building on 7th Avenue South, the new cocktail bar will be called Continental Drift—and we can’t wait to try it!

Meet Continental Drift, a new cocktail bar coming to Southside

Continental Drift
The former Berthon’s Cleaners building on 7th Avenue South is being retrofitted for the new Continental Drift bar. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

In late 2021, owners Eric Bennett and John Easterling made an exciting announcement on Instagram: they would be opening a brand-new bar concept on Birmingham’s Southside. According to a report from AL.com, the duo have worked with some of the most recognizable names in the Birmingham bar scene, including The Collins Bar, The Louis Bar, Carrigan’s and the long-adored Atomic Lounge, which closed last year. In fact, they’ve even hosted virtual mixology classes with UAB’s Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center!

In addition to mixing up delicious cocktails, Bennett and Easterling are the minds behind Drift Kitchen, a Hawaiian-themed food truck in Birmingham. Formerly known as Paradise Chow, the food truck serves up delicious tiki-style cuisine and is a beloved & familiar sight to bar hoppers in Birmingham.

Continental Drift
Bennett and Easterling are in the process of retrofitting the building to fit their new cocktail bar, Continental Drift. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Now, the duo are bringing a new bar concept to Birmingham’s Southside. Located at 2201 7th Avenue South, the bar promises, “fun, adventurous cocktails, nostalgia, neon and more.” Currently, the bar is being built-out by Locke General Contractors and ArchitectureWorks with huge, wooden booths—perfect for your next after-work outing!

Continental Drift is Coming Soon

Excited to check out Continental Drift? So are we! Although Bennett and Easterling haven’t announced an official opening date, their website promises that big news about the bar is coming soon.

We can’t wait to try out this new cocktail bar in Southside.

Follow Continental Drift on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest!

Nathan Watson
Nathan Watson

Senior Content Producer + Photographer

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