Harmonic at WorkPlay Grand Opening, April 4. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Big changes are coming to WorkPlay—Birmingham’s “creative playground for music, work and the art of community.”

On February 11, the Birmingham City Council approved an agreement to help redevelop a portion of the famous local venue.

WorkPlay lands $230k project agreement with the City of Birmingham

According to the City Council minutes, the resolution authorizes a project agreement in which the developer will, “redevelop, rehabilitate, equip, expand and lease that certain real property, located at 500 23rd Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, to operate as a music and entertainment venue.”

“With [the City of Birmingham’s] help, we are going to completely renovate the back of WorkPlay.

Through those renovations, WorkPlay will land touring acts that typically overlook Birmingham.”
Johnny Grimes, Co-Owner of WorkPlay, in a statement to the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, February 11

The funding will be repaid to the City of Birmingham through a revenue-sharing incentive based on a percentage of sales tax revenue over a five-year period.

“This sales tax rebate is a strategic investment in Birmingham’s cultural future.

By supporting WorkPlay’s expansion, we’re not only restoring this venue to its glory days but also positioning Birmingham to attract higher-profile musical acts.

[We are] excited to support this small business and iconic Birmingham venue.”
Hunter Williams, Birmingham City Councilor, District 2

About WorkPlay

WorkPlay: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Address: 500 23rd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Created in the early 2000’s, WorkPlay is a popular local mixed-use event venue featuring three state-of-the-art stages, recording studios, co-working spaces and more.

Sometimes referred to as, “the best-sounding room in the South,” WorkPlay has booked many big names over the years, including Alabama native Jason Isbell, rock band Queens of the Stone Age, iconic songwriter Bob Dylan and many more.

In 2023, a new ownership group—Johnny Grimes, Colby Mouchette, Shane Hopson, Ben Jackson and Josh Williams—purchased the venue and set about enacting a comprehensive modernization project throughout the entire facility.

“[WorkPlay] has been around since 2001 and it’s hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to Chris Stapleton. It’s a historic club that’s known throughout the country as one of the best-sounding rooms in the South.

It fell under disarray for a while; the former owner got cancer, then COVID happened and he wasn’t in a position to be able to focus any time and energy on it. So myself and a couple good friends decided to take it over.”
Johnny Grimes, Co-Owner of WorkPlay, in a statement to the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, February 11

Highlights of the modernization project have included:

A makeover inside the main theater that includes reupholstering and replacing seats, painting the purple railing, adjusting the light and PA system as well as moving the soundboard out of the pit.
Remodeling the 15 offices inside WorkPlay—tearing out old carpet, refinishing concrete floors, painting the walls and more.
Building a second bar in the rear of the building to support weddings, corporate parties or other events hosted in the SoundStage.
A complete transformation of the main bar—The Harmonic at WorkPlay—tripling its size and updating its design.

Excited to see what’s next for WorkPlay? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!