6 new + coming soon businesses in Birmingham, including a new downtown arcade

It’s a new week in The Magic City, and that means a new roundup of businesses popping up across town.

From a new arcade and bar in Parkside to a cocktail bar coming to Southside, here are six new openings you need to know about. 

Now Open

1. Up-Down Arcade Bar | Parkside

In 2012, longtime friends Josh Ivey, Rafe Mateer and Sam Summers opened the first Up-Down Arcade Bar in Des Moines, Iowa.

Since then, the brand has expanded to seven locations, including its latest arcade at Urban Supply in Birmingham. Each Up-Down is packed with a rotating collection of classic arcade games, pinball machines, skeeball alleys and more.

Up-Down also offers an inviting menu of cocktails and local craft beers, as well as pizza by the slice made to order using in-house dough and quality toppings.

• Location: 113 13th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Hours: Monday-Friday 3PM-2AM, Saturday-Sunday 11AM-2AM
• Up-Down Arcade Bar: Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. WE Inc. Café | Avondale

Workshops Empowerment Inc., a local non-profit that supports adults with disabilities, just opened a new cafe in Avondale.

The new café, which serves everything from coffee and tea to breakfast and lunch, recruits individuals with disabilities to provide sustainable employment had skill-building opportunities.

• Location: 4244 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
• Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM-2PM
• Facebook | Instagram

3. Sweet Caroline’s | Gardendale

If you’re looking for a sweet treat in the Gardendale area, look no further than Sweet Caroline’s, an ice cream shop that celebrated its grand re-opening on Saturday.

In addition to several homemade ice cream flavors, the shop offers waffles, dirty sodas and coffee drinks.

• Location: 250 City St Suite 116, Gardendale, AL 35071
• Hours: 7AM-8PM Daily
• Facebook | Instagram

4. Gabe’s Department Store | Pelham

Gabe’s Department Store is coming soon to Pelham Parkway.

Gabe’s is a discount store offering a wide range of affordable products, from trendy clothing and home essentials to cleaning supplies and décor. Formerly Old Time Pottery, the store is transitioning into Gabe’s following the merger of both brands in 2023.

• Location: 3001 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL 35124
• Hours: 9AM-10PM Daily
• Facebook | Website | Instagram

Coming Soon

5. Bygones Bar | Southside

A brand-new cocktail bar backed by two longtime local bartenders is set to open soon in Southside! 

When an opportunity for a bar concept at a new development popped up, owners Michael and Phillip jumped at the chance. Located in a historic building next to the recently-opened Painted Lady hotel, Bygones plans to open at the end of April.

• Location: 210 22nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Opening: Late April or early May 2025

6. Opulence Drag Lounge & Taqueria | Five Points South

A new bar and restaurant is coming soon to Birmingham’s historic Five Points South neighborhood. Set to open this summer, Opulence Drag Lounge & Taqueria will double as a taco restaurant during the day and an LGBTQ+-friendly bar and event venue in the evenings.

While living in Las Vegas, owners Wade Brooks and Scott Charby were used to having lots of options for LGBTQ+ friendly spaces; in Birmingham, they saw the void left by the recent closure of Our Place Lounge and The Quest.

• Location: 2012 Magnolia Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
• Opening: Summer 2025
• Opulence Drag Lounge & Taqueria: Website | Facebook | Email

Did we miss any new businesses coming to The Magic City? Tag us @bhamnow + let us know!