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If you’ve been in Birmingham for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard about Parkside. From iconic greenspaces and unbeatable local restaurants to open-air baseball stadiums, Parkside is one of the Magic City’s most vibrant districts, and it keeps getting better.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Birmingham’s Parkside, including why it’s one of our favorite places for date night, enjoying live music or cheering on your favorite team over burgers and beers.

Everything you need to know about Birmingham’s Parkside district

Fall Leaves Railroad Park. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now. — Lunch break stroll at Railroad Park? Sounds perfect to me. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

You can’t talk about Parkside without starting with Railroad Park.

An urban oasis that’s perfect for picnics, dog walks, outdoor fitness classes and (soon) watching the leaves change to captivating shades of red and orange, Railroad Park recently celebrated its 15th birthday. In the years since Railroad Park’s opening, Parkside has transformed from a gritty industrial district to a lively, walkable hub for food, fun and entertainment.

Whether its grabbing a bite and watching the big game at fan-favorite restaurants like The Fennec, playing pinball and other arcade games at Up-Down or seeing the Birmingham Barons play at Regions Field, there’s always something to do in Parkside.

Food & drink in Parkside

When it comes to finding delicious food and drink in Parkside, you can’t go wrong with The Fennec. This restaurant and live music venue features a menu full of elevated comfort food, exquisite craft cocktails and local brews. Whether you’re stopping by for brunch, dinner (we recommend the Fennec Ribeye 😋) or for a night of live entertainment, The Fennec is your ticket to a vibrant social experience in the heart of Parkside.

You can find several other restaurants, bars and breweries within a short walk from Railroad Park, including:

P.S. A new Mexican-inspired cantina called De Nada is set to open in Parkside in early 2026.

Recreation + Fun Things to Do in Parkside

No matter when you go, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy in Parkside.

If you’re looking for a new place to post up for SEC and NFL football, you can’t top The Fennec and its Southern-inspired game-day snacks, massive flatscreen TVs and Happy Hour deals that can’t be beat.

For golf fanatics, Fairway Social at Urban Supply offers golf simulators, a full-service restaurant and bar.

I’m always up for a round of skeeball at Up-Down. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Since it opened in early 2025, Up-Down Arcade Bar at Urban Supply has become one of my favorite hangout spots. With more than 60 classic arcade games, 40+ beers on tap and pizza by the slice, Up-Down is one of the most unique bar experiences in the Magic City.

Although we’re on the tail end of baseball season, the 8,500-seat Regions Field is the spot to cheer on the Birmingham Barons (especially on Thirsty Thursdays 👀).

For theatergoers, Red Mountain Theatre Company‘s state-of-the-art Parkside campus offers quality theatre productions year-round.

Nightlife in Parkside

In Parkside, the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down—it’s just getting started. From live music The Fennec to secret speakeasies at Fairway Social, Parkside is a buzzy nightlife destination.

Looking to enjoy a delicious craft beer? Check out Good People Brewing Co. (one of Birmingham’s oldest and most popular breweries) or Monday Night Social Club, the only Monday Night Brewing location outside of Atlanta, GA.

What is your favorite thing to do in Parkside? What did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!

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