re: Birmingham Weekend

I would check out Paramount or Carrigan's Public House. They are great new bars.

As for downtown restaurants, go to El Barrio. Order a margarita, cheese dip with chorizo, and either the chorizo meatloaf or anything with the prime rib. You are welcome.
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Good advice here....Carrigan's does take a while to get your drink, but there's always a crowd of women there to talk to while you're waiting! And El Barrio is the bomb. There's also The Collins bar midway between Paramount and El Bario...it's cool too. Downtown is only 5-10 min from Soho, so its no big deal either way...