Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Exclusive: New neighborhood bar, Lucky Stranger, opening in Avondale
Reading time: 5 minutes
A new bar is opening this week in Avondale! Located in a century-old marble works building, Lucky Stranger promises good vibes, tasty bites and—of course—cold, refreshing drinks.
We met with the team of Lucky Stranger for an exclusive sneak peek at the new bar before it opens later this week.
What is Lucky Stranger?
Located at 4036 5th Ave S, Lucky Stranger is a new neighborhood bar that’s set to start serving the Avondale community later this week. Over the past four months, owners Ali Randall, José de Jesus Medina Camacho, Kelsey Drum and Nan Wagner—the “Strangers,” as they call themselves—have been hard at work transforming the former Parkside on Fifth space into the welcoming, no-frills bar concept they first envisioned half a year ago.
Backed by the minds behind several of Birmingham’s favorite bar and restaurant concepts—including Juniper, Salud Taqueria and Adiõs—Lucky Stranger is a casual, come-as-you-are-style bar where guests can sit back, relax and make new memories with old friends—and new friends, too.
“One of my first memories of being in this building was when it was Parkside Cafe. Brandon the cat was sitting in his designated corner, and I got a ‘Welcome to the Parkside’ print that was hanging up behind the bar. I’m really excited to see other people make memories like that here.”
Nan Wagner, co-owner, Lucky Stranger
Inside the building (which dates back to 1902), the Strangers have created a bar with a cozy, retro atmosphere that feels like it could have been here for decades. Exposed brick walls and vintage decor—sourced largely from estate sales and Facebook Marketplace—give the bar a nostalgic flair, while red vinyl booths, chrome bar stools and old-school floral sofas beckon you to settle in with friends to share this week’s drama. Overhead, a disco ball scatters shimmering specs of light throughout the bar.
Out back, Lucky Stranger opens up into a lush, shaded outdoor patio. The iconic Airstream trailer once used by hotbox will once again be used to make food (more on that later) and the bar’s stage—now outfitted with painted wooden “curtains”—will soon host live bands, DJs and more.
What’s on the menu at Lucky Stranger?
If you’re someone who believes that the best drinks are the simplest ones, you’ll feel right at home at Lucky Stranger. Expect simple-ingredient cocktails, canned beverages, beers on draft and a frozen drink machine that’s always churning something cold.
“We’ll have a wide selection of both domestic and imported beers, plus a couple of local offerings. Some wines and liquor as well. We want everything to be affordable—the craziest things we’ll have are frozen martinis and seasonally rotating frozen drinks like bushwackers and frozen margaritas.”
José de Jesus Medina Camacho, co-owner, Lucky Stranger
What’s for dinner at Lucky Stranger?
Drinking beers and frozen martinis is hard work. To give their guests options to snack on, the Strangers teamed up with Lee Pantazis, owner of Gus’s Hot Dogs—the beloved local hot dog joint that dates back to 1947—to open a late-night food spot called Closers in the vintage Airstream trailer in Lucky Stranger’s patio.
“When the Strangers explained the concept and told me they were looking for a culinary partner, I was like, ‘Oh! You just need food that people want to eat’. So we’re gonna make food that people want to eat, at a place they want to drink, with people they want to hang out with. Anything else is extra.”
Lee Pantazis, owner, Gus’s Hot Dogs
According to Lee, Closers will be slingin’ burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings and fries—even a blooming onion—as soon as Lucky Stranger opens its doors.
When will Lucky Stranger be open?
- Lucky Stranger: Instagram
- Address: 4036 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Hours: 4PM to midnight, Monday through Thursday; 4PM to 2AM, Friday; Noon to 2AM, Saturday; Noon to 8PM, Sunday
Ready to experience Lucky Stranger for yourself? You’re not alone—in fact, a couple of passersby tried to order drinks in the middle of our tour!
Luckily, you won’t have to wait long.
While the team hasn’t yet settled on a final date, they’re planning to open Lucky Stranger this week. Follow @luckystrangerbham and @closersbham on Instagram for updates.
Excited to visit Lucky Stranger? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know what you’re most excited about!
