Reviewed by: Grace Howard
First look: Pink Lantern coffee shop + cocktail bar opening Nov. 8
Reading time: 5 minutes
A new coffee shop, cocktail bar and event space is opening soon in downtown Birmingham! Located at 2400 1st Ave N Suite 1, Pink Lantern will feature unique Vietnamese coffee and signature craft cocktails—all within the pinkest hand-painted walls you’ve ever seen.
We met with owners Clay Freeman and Danny Le for a special inside look ahead of Pink Lantern’s soft opening on Saturday, November 8.
Pink Lantern is Birmingham’s newest coffee shop + cocktail bar
Downtown Birmingham’s coffee and cocktail scene is about to get a major glow-up with the upcoming addition of Pink Lantern.
Located on the corner of 24th Street S and 1st Avenue S, Pink Lantern was first concepted nearly three years ago by partners Clay Freeman and Danny Le. The duo fell in love with hosting elaborate parties that soon outgrew the size of their Southside home.
“The only downside to hosting at our house was that we simply didn’t have enough space to invite all of our friends—now, Pink Lantern is our chance to do just that!”
Clay Freeman, Pink Lantern
Clay and Danny have spent every spare second of the last year and a half bringing their vision for Pink Lantern to life, enlisting the help of volunteers and keeping the public posted via a steadily-growing progress bar next to the “coming soon” sign.
Now, Clay and Danny are ready to host their first guests at Pink Lantern.
Find traditional Vietnamese coffee + local baked goods at Pink Lantern during the day
When you first walk into the new coffee shop and cocktail bar, you’ll probably have a few educated guesses as to why they named it Pink Lantern. With pink walls, pink chairs and a pink cocktail (appropriately named the Pink Lantern), Clay and Danny’s new establishment certainly has a theme.
But you’ll have to stick around until 4PM to see the real reason for the name.
“We call it Pink Lantern because it’s a cozy coffee shop by day and an elegant cocktail bar by night. At four o’clock every day, the lights will all turn pink and our disco ball will turn on—and that’s how you know alcohol sales have begun.”
Clay Freeman, Pink Lantern
From 7AM to 4PM, Pink Lantern will be an aesthetically-pleasing coffee shop, accented by period pieces and elegant greenery like a towering monstera from Danny’s personal plant collection.
“We’ve poured a lot of our personal style into the design of this space, and as you look around, you’ll see a lot of mid-century pieces. Our living room set is completely vintage and comprised of unique pieces I found at estate sales, like our beloved original Lotus Lamp.”
Danny Le, Pink Lantern
In addition to baked goods from Irondale’s Sunshine Bakery and essential pick-me-ups like espresso and lattes, Pink Lantern will specialize in Vietnamese coffee—a nod to Danny’s heritage.
“We decided to focus on traditional Vietnamese coffee to differentiate ourselves as a coffee shop. For example, we’ll be offering a special drip coffee with different toppings like pandan cold foam.”
Danny Le, Pink Lantern
At 4PM, Pink Lantern transforms into a cocktail bar + event space
At 4PM every day, the lights inside Pink Lantern will transition from white to pink, visually signaling the transformation from coffee shop to cocktail bar. Meanwhile, tables and chairs will be make way for chic dance floor, which opens up in front of an elevated stage perfect for themed events, drag brunch shows and other events.
“We expect our shows to be fairly quick and over early in the evening, so people could grab dinner, come catch a show at Pink Lantern and join the dance space afterwards.”
Clay Freeman, Pink Lantern
Pink Lantern’s beverage program is led by bar manager Ashley Williams, an experienced bartender who honed her skills at Carrigan’s, The Essential and Mayawell.
“I’ve always loved experimenting with unconventional flavors, and we’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with new combinations of syrups, tonics, juices and spirits while preparing Pink Lantern’s cocktail menu. We’ll have something new for everyone and every taste bud—I’m really excited to showcase what we’ve been working on.”
Ashley Williams, Bar Manager, Pink Lantern
Highlights of Pink Lantern’s beverage include the light and refreshing Sweet Soliloquy, the bright and floral Beauregard and the signature Pink Lantern—a hot pink cocktail with notes of dragonfruit.
“Everyone loves a rich, chocolaty espresso martini. Our unique version, which we call the Midsummer Night, features our signature Vietnamese coffee in a bold, velvety-smooth cocktail that we think will be a big hit.”
Ashley Williams, Bar Manager, Pink Lantern
Pink Lantern opens Saturday, November 8
Excited to check out Birmingham’s new coffee shop and cocktail bar? You won’t have to wait long—Pink Lantern opens its doors this weekend.
“We are hosting our soft opening on November 8, which also happens to be my birthday—and what birthday present could be better than finally opening Pink Lantern? We’ll begin serving our signature Vietnamese coffee and will have pastries and other baked goods available from Sunshine Bakery! “
Clay Freeman, Pink Lantern
- What: Pink Lantern’s soft opening
- When: Saturday, November 8 | 7AM to 4PM
- Where: Pink Lantern, 2400 1st Ave N Suite 1, Birmingham, AL 35203
Planning to be at Pink Lantern’s soft opening on Saturday, November 8? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
