How to celebrate your grad in Birmingham—eat, drink, gifts + more

Reviewed by: Grace Howard

Reading time: 6 minutes

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Samford University graduation
Give your favorite Birmingham graduates some love. (Callie Morrison)

It’s graduation season in Birmingham! If you’re looking for ways to honor your special grad, we’ve created the perfect guide. Read on for hot spots to eat, shop for gifts, take amazing cap and gown photos and more.

Memorable photo ops for Birmingham graduates

Rotary Trail
Vulcan
railroad park
(Top L-R) Rotary Trail,Vulcan Park & Museum; (Bottom) Railroad Park (Bham Now)

After years of hard work, capturing graduation day photos is a must! Trust me, you’ll be glad you have them to relive one of the most exciting and important days of your life.

There are many great photo ops around Birmingham to pose in your cap and gown and with family and friends at your side. Here are some to consider:

graduation, UAB
UAB graduates have many beautiful spots around campus where they can capture photos. (Tira Davis)

Don’t forget! Some of the best photo spots can be taken on your college campus. A few that will showcase grads for years to come include:

  • UAB: The UAB Green + Blaze statue
  • Samford University: Mr. Beeson statue + Harwell Goodwin Davis Library steps
  • University of Montevallo: Becoming sculpture + Flower Hill

Toast your Birmingham grad with great food + drinks

Blueprint on 3rd
Cheers! (Bham Now)

Good food and a champagne or cocktail toast is essential when celebrating a new graduate. With Birmingham’s hot food and drink scene, it’s the perfect place to mark the occasion. 

Here are some top choices around The Magic City, whether you need a reservation in a private room for a large group or prefer a smaller gathering space like a quaint and lovely patio:

For small + large dinner parties

Automatic Seafood
Birmingham
Tasty Town
(Top L) Automatic Seafood and Oysters; (Top R) Current Charcoal Grill; (Bottom) Tasty Town (Bham Now)

Automatic Seafood and Oysters

  • Why dine here:
    • Amazing menu of seafood, steak + cocktails
    • Indoor + outdoor seating available
    • Main dining room for parties with up to 8 guests. Online reservations.
    • Private dining room for parties with 8-20 guests. Contact events@automaticseafood.com for info/reservations.

Tasty Town

  • Why dine here:
    • Scrumptious Greek restaurant offering various small plates, like zucchini fritters + lamb pita
    • On-site events available per request
    • Full-service, pick-up + drop-off catering services available per request

Current Charcoal Grill

  • Why dine here:
    • Delicious Asian-American Southern cuisine, including spear-caught Gulf seafood + local produce + tasty cocktails.
    • Indoor + outdoor seating available. 
    • Main dining room for parties with up to 10 guests. Online reservations.
    • Semi-private dining area + patio for parties with 10+ guests. Contact jimmy@currentcharcoalgrill.com for information/reservations.

For gatherings on gorgeous rooftops + perfect patios

The Rood, Redmont
The best views for photos are from The Roof in Birmingham. (Bham Now)

The Roof at Redmont Hotel

  • What to expect
    • Stunning city views day or night
    • Seasonal, locally-inspired cocktails—some of the best in The Magic City

BONUS: It’s another perfect spot to capture festive photos.

Juniper

  • What to expect:
    • Chic atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re in the pages of a magazine. 
    • Creative cocktails like a Banana Daiquiri + Pear Collins
    • Enjoyable menu with a variety of choices from lasagna to burgers to crab cakes, plus vegan options. 
    • Indoor + outdoor seating available for smaller parties

Where grads can party with friends in Birmingham

(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
The House of Found Objects

(L) Up-Down Arcade Bar; (R) House of Found Objects (Bham Now)

Up-Down Arcade Bar

  • Why you’ll have a blast:
    • The atmosphere is pure laid-back fun.
    • The bar will offer cocktails, craft beer (including options from local breweries) + pizza by the slice.
    • There are 60 different arcade games, pinball machines, skeeball alleys + more.

House of Found Objects

  • Why you’ll have a blast:
    • It’s the perfect place to knock back a drink with an excellent cocktail menu with unique and popular options like the Legendary Sex Panther.
    • It offers an eclectic experience with uniquely themed seating areas and fun things to do, like board games.
    • It’s a fun way to bide your time if you’re waiting on a table at restaurants right next door like El Barrio and Bamboo.

Where to get graduation gifts in Birmingham

Graduation books
Visit local bookstores like Little Professor Bookshop in Birmingham for a great selection of good books for graduates. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Little Professor Bookshop

  • What you’ll find:
    • Locally-made cards
    • Books for new graduates starting their next chapter
    • Gift cards

Norton’s Florist

  • What you’ll find:
    • Beautiful flower arrangements in a variety of sizes. Special requests are available!
    • Gifts like cute stuffed animals, balloon bouquets + baskets filled with tasty snacks.

Smith’s Variety

  • What you’ll find:
    • An assortment of party decorations, like streamers + table decorations.
    • Gift bags featuring college logos + mascots like Samford University’s mighty Bulldog Sam.
    • Collegiate-inspired trinkets like magnets + keychains.
    • Locally-made cards, some with money holders for that perfect grad gift.

INSIDE TIP: Smith’s Variety is having an indoor sale on Saturday, May 3 in celebration of its 65th anniversary. This is a great time to acknowledge the store and visit for deals on graduation items. 

How will you be celebrating your college grad around Birmingham? Let us know on social @bham.

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Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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