James Beard Award Nominee Golden Age Wine coming to Downtown Birmingham

Founded by Brandon Loper and Trent Stewart, Golden Age is a wine bar and retailer located in Mountain Brook. 

Now, this nationally recognized wine shop is bringing an outdoor-only venue to Downtown Birmingham.

Keep reading to learn all about Golden Age Wine’s upcoming downtown location!

From retail to al fresco wine bar

After the Birmingham City Council approved Golden Age Wine’s liquor license this week, the wine shop moved forward with its plans to open a new location located in downtown Birmingham at 2021 2nd Ave N.

The patio bar will be located two doors down from Helen restaurant and near Salud Taqueria late-night bar + restaurant, which will be opening this year. 

Unlike the wine shop’s Mountain Brook location, the downtown location will step away from retail and focus on serving wine by the glass and food completely outdoors.

“It kind of draws inspiration from like a German beer garden, or an outdoor park that you would find in Europe somewhere, or the streets of Italy or the back street of Paris.

It kind of relies on those European roots of al fresco dining and drinking.”

Brandon Loper, Co-owner, Golden Age Wine

The downtown wine bar is expected to open in August or September.

What to expect at Golden Age Wine’s downtown location

Although the menu at Golden Age Wine’s new location will include current staples like charcuterie boards, warm olives, almonds and its best butter in the world dish, you can also look forward to:

• An expanded beer menu
• An even more robust wine program
• A variety of fish dishes

Golden Age Wine will also continue its focus on sustainability by upcycling furniture and decorating the patio space with repurposed materials.

“Every single piece of our outdoor patio is sort of a recycled piece of outdoor or indoor furniture from another restaurant that closed.

So, we’ve been able to bring new life into some of these tables and chairs that were in shuttered restaurants, which is really cool.

We’re doing that with our kitchen equipment as well.”

Brandon Loper, Co-owner, Golden Age Wine

Golden Age Wine recognized through James Beard Award + Wine Enthusiast

In 2022, Golden Age Wine was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for its quality products, passion and dedication to sustainability.

The James Beard Awards, described as the “Oscars” of the food world, celebrates talented chefs and restaurants across the US. 

“We’re semifinalists for best wine program in the country. That award entails wine selection, wine education and wine service.

So, yeah, that was a huge honor, and no one has received that award in Alabama.”

Brandon Loper, Co-owner, Golden Age Wine

The wine shop was also recognized by Wine Enthusiast.

Wine Enthusiast highlights stores that are knowledgeable, customer-focused, diverse and sustainable. Golden Age Wine was recognized for having all these qualities.

To learn more about Golden Age Wine and these awards, check out:

• Birmingham’s Golden Age Wine Shop & Bar named James Beard Award Semifinalist
• Golden Age Wine named one of the best in the US by Wine Enthusiast

Will you be visiting Golden Age Wine’s outdoor location when it opens? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!