Where to find fabulous nightlife in Bham according to Food and Beverage Magazine

Nightlife
Spring into it. (Bham Now)

Food and Beverage Magazine just released an article about our city with a rather provocative title. The article “Nightlife is Dead in Birmingham? Think Again!” talked about the thriving nightlife our city has and even listed some places that might be worth checking out if you’re a tourist. Read on to learn more.

Starting your night out on the town

Drinks 20210514 072510 2 Where to find fabulous nightlife in Bham according to Food and Beverage Magazine
What’s in your cup? (Jacob Blankenship/Bham Now)

As Food and Beverage Magazine kindly noted, The Magic City is notable for its many James Beard Award-Winning chefs and restaurants, along with the sporadic celebrity sightings one might experience. Television personality Andrew Zimmerman and Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock were both noted in particular.

Bottega Burnt Honey Cake
Chef Mark Christie and Chef Frank Stitt. (Bham Now)

Food and Beverage Magazine discussed how one’s night on the town can easily start off at a Frank Stitt or Chris Hastings restaurant, and after enjoying a world-class meal, one can then truly start their night by going to one of the fabulous nightlife places that they listed.

beer
Cahaba Brewing is one of my personal favorite nightlife spots. (Beth Cunningham/Bham Now)

Granted, that has never been my personal experience with going bar hopping in Birmingham. I just aggressively eat a carb-centric dinner at home to save money and then use what meager savings I do have to go to a smattering of breweries around town.

Usually, the biggest celebrity sighting I get is when I think I see Alexander Shunnarah walking around Avondale, and that usually just turns out to be some other old white guy. But that’s just been my experience as a young working professional in the city, and it likely does not line up with everyone’s life.

Food and Beverage’s nightlife recommendations

Food and Beverage Magazine recommends three places you can go to enjoy the nightlife of Birmingham, and I’ll admit that they’re all solid places. Here’s who got mentioned.

1. Paper Doll

Paper Doll Bar, Aperol Spritz
Paper Doll Bar, Aperol Spritz. (Jacob Blankenship/BhamNow)

Food and Beverage first mentioned Paper Doll as a spot people can visit and enjoy an extensive bar menu, charcuterie boards and fabulously comfy chairs. On some nights they even have a magician performing elaborate tricks throughout the bar.

  • Location: 2320 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: 4PM-11PM Tuesday-Thursday, 4PM- 1PM Friday-Saturday
  • Website | Instagram

2. Blueprint on 3rd

blueprint Where to find fabulous nightlife in Bham according to Food and Beverage Magazine
Blueprint on 3rd (Blueprint on 3rd’s website)

Blueprint on 3rd is a casually upscale dining experience, with a rather extensive selection of drinks and desserts. Food and Beverage particularly recommend trying the Personally Victimized signature cocktail made from Camarena Reposado Tequila, lime, agave, orange & lemon bitters and Orange Flower Water.

  • Location: 3000 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
  • Hours: 4:30PM- 9PM Monday-Thursday, 4:30PM- 10PM Friday and Saturday
  • Website | Facebook

3. Collins Bar

Collins Bar
The Collins Bar (Jacob Blankenship/Bham Now)

Collins has been around for a while and is located pretty close to the Lyric Theatre downtown. It’s a pretty fun place because instead of an actual drink menu, you just describe what you’re in the mood for and the bartender whips up a fabulous cocktail for you. As Food and Beverage notes, Collins often gets so busy on the weekends that they’re standing room only.

  • Location: 2125 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: 4:00PM-12AM Sunday-Thursday, 4PM-2AM Friday and Saturday
  • Website | Instagram | Facebook

Further Reading

Food and Beverage may have missed a few of the places I personally enjoy spending my nightlife at in Birmingham, but they managed to snag a couple of pretty solid ones. If you’re looking for a more extensive list be sure to check out the list of 48 bars we did a few months back.

Ultimately, we have a city with excellent food and drink scene and it’s wonderful to get attention like this from a nationally recognized publication like Food and Beverage Magazine, and with Automatic Seafood‘s recent James Beard Award win, I think it’s safe to say that we’re getting better every year.

Where do you like to spend your nightlife in Bham? Tag @BhamNow to let us know!

Barton Perkins
Barton Perkins
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