13 third places you will love in Birmingham

Reviewed by: Grace Howard

Reading time: 7 minutes

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riseandrefine 18 edited 1 scaled 13 third places you will love in Birmingham
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Everyone needs a go-to spot that’s not home or the office. That’s the idea behind a “third place”: a welcoming space where you can meet up with friends, read a book, enjoy a cup of coffee or simply be around other people.

Luckily, Birmingham is full of great third places—we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to help you find your next go-to spot.

Dog-friendly third places around Birmingham

City of Irondale, Tails by the Rails dog park
Tails by the Rails dog park (City of Irondale)

Dogs need a social life too, and these third places make it easy. Read on to find the ideal third place for you and your furry friend.

1. Good Dog Park + Bar

GoodDogBar 20250611 135625 13 third places you will love in Birmingham
Good Dog Bar is a great outdoor space where your dog can roam freely.

Good Dog is an entertainment spot for you and your pup where you can let them play off-leash while you hang out at the bar. Check out their website for information about memberships, day passes and the rules for entry.

2. The Barkery at City Walk BHAM

The Barkery, City Walk Bham
Larry stylin’ at The Barkery (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The Barkery at City Walk BHAM encourages on and off-leash fun for dogs, featuring an agility training course and easy access to the Social area of City Walk. You can fill out a membership form or temporary permit form online to save time when you get to the park.

3. Trails by the Rails at Ellard Park

City of Irondale, Tails by the Rails dog park
Tails by the Rails dog park (City of Irondale)

Trails by the Rails at Ellard Park gives pups the chance to play off-leash in fenced areas equipped with obstacles, separate spaces for large and small dogs, and a scenic walking trail. This park is free to enter and open as long as the sun is up.

Third places for book lovers in central Alabama

Thank You Books
Thank You Books hosts many Birmingham authors. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now).

Whether you’re trying to finish that book you’ve been working on for weeks, or looking for a new favorite to finish in a single day, these third places are for the book worms. Check them out below.

1. Thank You Books

bookstore
Thank You Books storefront in Crestwood neighborhood in Birmingham. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Thank You Books is an independent bookstore in the Crestwood Shopping Center, often hosting events like book club meetings and author visits. An expansion project has their doors temporarily closed, but Thank You Books expects to re-open August 1.

2. Church Street Coffee + Books

Church street coffee (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)
Church street coffee (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Everyone knows books and coffee are a match made in heaven, so we love to see a location that brings both to the table. Church Street Coffee and Books in Mountain Brook, Alabama does just that. Don’t forget to try the iconic Breakup Cookie while you’re there.

3. The Burrow Bookstore

Leeds
The Burrow Bookstone in Leeds, Alabama. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The Burrow Bookstore is an indie bookstore in Leeds, Alabama, welcoming individuals and groups into their space for a quick browse or a relaxing afternoon reading session. They will also take your donations of gently used books, games and puzzles.

4. Jefferson County Public Libraries

Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch exterior
Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Public libraries can be the ideal third place for someone who loves to read, but doesn’t have any more room on their bookshelves at home. It may seem like an obvious choice, but your local library is an underrated resource. Need a library card? You can apply for one online.

  • Locations of all branches of Jefferson County Public Libraries can be found here.
  • Hours vary by location, check the website for their schedules.
  • Website | Facebook

Arts + crafts in third places in Jefferson County

Two members of the Bib & Tucker Sew-Op sit at sewing machines and work on a quilt.
Two Sew-Op members work on a quilt for Quilts of Valor, a nonprofit that benefits U.S. military veterans. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Whether you’re an experienced crafter or trying your hand at something new, a third place can provide a like-minded community and an opportunity to learn. Here are four third spaces for artists around Birmingham.

1. The Craft Room

The Craft Room
(The Craft Room)

The Craft Room is a secondhand arts and crafts store in Homewood, Alabama, featuring a wide variety of second-hand materials, an open making space, and workshops for those picking up a new skill. Events and classes are posted to the calendar on their website.

2. Knit Bham

Knit B'ham
Enjoy a day of knitting at local yarn shop Knit B’ham. (Jordyn Davis / Bham Now)

Knit Bham is a knitting and crocheting community space, promoting sustainability in fashion, and teaching people fiber arts. They have a variety of classes from the basics for beginners, to advanced project “knitalongs.”

3. Bib + Tucker Sew-Op

IMG 4705 scaled 13 third places you will love in Birmingham
A selection of the many fabrics for sale at Bib & Tucker Sew-Op. The fabric is often donated from folks doing some spring cleaning or going through a deceased loved one’s belongings. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Bib & Tucker Sew-Op is a non-profit in Birmingham aimed at encouraging sustainability and economic growth through sewing. Don’t know how to use a sewing machine? Don’t worry – they offer classes for both adults and children.

Third places to keep you active around Birmingham

Birmingham Track CLub
Running solo is cool, but there’s nothing like running with a group. Photo via Alex Morrow and the Birmingham Track Club Long Run Group

Trying to work some exercise into your schedule? Let a third place help you find your team and stay motivated.

1. High Point Climbing + Fitness

highpointclimbing 2 13 third places you will love in Birmingham
The community at High Point is unbeatable. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

If you’re not afraid of heights, try High Point, a climbing and fitness club that appeals to all skill levels. The Birmingham location offers a variety of classes, from bouldering to belaying, even yoga. Class offerings and schedules can be found on their website.

2. Trak Shak

Trak Shak is a Birmingham-based running apparel and footwear shop + social run host. Trak Shak hosts three weekly runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – all paces are welcome to join. Find the schedule here.

3. Rise + Refine Hot Yoga

riseandrefine 13 13 third places you will love in Birmingham
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Yoga can be a great way to decompress after sitting at a desk all day. Rise & Refine can help you find your flow, from a classic hot yoga session to a more therapeutic massage experience. The full schedule can be found here.

Do you have a third place in Birmingham that we didn’t mention? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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Madelyn Alexander
Madelyn Alexander
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