re: What to do in Birmingham

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Birmingham was brutal for pickups, went there for a conference and every girl was full of themselves...and redneck

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I lived in Hoover for 2.5 years not too long ago, and most of the girls I saw out at bars were the sorority type. I don't recall ever trying to pick up any "redneck" girls. You must have been in the wrong spot...you sure you weren't in alabaster or something?

Apparently for the next 2-3 months avoid a tornado.

Place is always getting them things.
Sucks.

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Billy's is a great bar to eat at before going out if you're just looking for a pre-game like dinner (same with el Barrio).

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Not a fan of Billy's food at all.


To the comment about tornado season approaching... I'm actually ready it because that will mean Spring and Summer will be here. So sick of this cold weather.

I'll see if we can get a newcomers guide to Birmingham ready.

I read through the first two pages and quit when I saw the amount of suggestions for Collins Bar. I live 2 blocks from it and still don't go there. You pay 10 dollars for drinks and are stuffed in a crowded bar area.

I'm in my early 20s too. Assuming you're only a couple years out of college here are my suggestions for places to go.


Brewery: Avondale. Good People is currently being renovated and is supposed to open this weekend I think but you may want to double check before you go.

If you want a good selection of beer go to the J Clyde. It was voted one of the top beer bars in America. Also has good food and is in Five Points. While you're over there you can check out Black Market, Blue Monkey Lounge, and Zydeco (don't recommend it).

If you want a college bar experience go to Sidebar, Innisfree, Tin Roof, and then Nana Funks after the other bars close (stays open till 6 AM). This is where the recent Bama and Auburn grads hang out.

Iron City is a fun place to see a show. I know Lucero is playing there this Thursday but I don't know their weekend lineup.

If you're on 2nd Ave N in the CBD you're much better off in my opinion going to Pale Eddies or Paramount. Paramount is a recently opened "barcade" similar to Barcadia (although smaller) in New Orleans.

ETA: For food, assuming you aren't wanting to drop $100 on every meal there. Some good restaurants in the area are Melt (a variety of grilled cheese), Post Office Pies (pizza), any of the Saws, Wasabi Juans (sushi burritos, interesting), Al's is a UAB staple, Paramount and JClyde mentioned previously, Carrigans has decent food but pretty pricey, El Barrio, Billy's is okay.

I'm sure I forgot some but there you go. Just my $0.02.

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Lulz - we did the McWayne Center for my son's 7th bd party, last weekend. That was the way to go: pay the money and they provide a cake, a hostess, and entertainment. I just sit in the corner and shoot the shite with the other dads.

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We've done that before. I think it was her 4th birthday. For her 5th, we went to Disney World. It fell on a Friday, so we flew down on a Wednesday night, spent the day at the pool on Thursday, all day at Disney on her birthday, then did some stuff on Saturday morning and early afternoon before flying home. Last year we took a Disney Cruise. My wife was still working and spending that kind of money wasn't an issue, but now that I'm the sole bread winner we're not doing anything fancy.

Trust me, we tried to look for places to have parties that we had not been to before. Bruster's Ice Cream was crazy expensive for 90 minutes of a room and maybe a 10-15 minute "tour" of their facility. One of the other places was like $300 for 15 kids and 2 hours. We kind of let it creep up on us, and I didn't want to do one of the inflatable places again, and that's about all that was left when we called around to book things. So she's having friends over to play with all of their overpriced American Girl dolls and watch a movie.

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El Barrio

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Thanks for that, I will be trying that this week. Doesn't look pricey at all. Nice lunch menu too.

LINK

Love Collins. Blanton's for $10 a glass. That is very reasonable. The mixologists can make something for everyone's tastes.

Haven't read the whole thread, but has El Barrio been mentioned?

If not, for shame. Chorizo queso is the tits. All the food there is good, Chorizo meatloaf is fantastic. Margaritas are very good as well.

ETA: Saw it was mentioned above. They have a brunch on Saturdays that is very good. (Breakfast tacos were not very good however, would avoid)

Woodlawn area is the place to be.

If you see a gold TransAm on blocks with it's hood up then business is open. If hood is down, just keep on driving.

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Jimmy or Alfredo

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I still talk to Jimmy on occasion. Alfredo was impossible to talk to unless he was in the store. Never answered his phone. I worked at the Hoover location sometimes too, filling in when they needed someone on my off days. It had really low overhead and was simply a way to keep their footprint out there.

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When I worked/hung out there it was a party damn near every night with Karaoke and general drunkin' fun...more of a bar then a restaurant especially out on the patio.

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When I was there we didnt have karaoke, nor any real entertainment of any sort. Just TVs and music. Reason we did so well when I was there is I concentrated on cleaning it up, and food. When people stay and eat, they drink more. Also got our health score from a 91 to a 97. Tried to bring in some more unusual stuff, Like Mead. Also tried to get on the craft beer train, and did somewhat, but the price point wasnt there on bottled for us to make it worth it.


One place I havent seen mentioned is Dram, a whiskey bar in Mountain Brook. Have a better variety, if you specifically like whiskey, than most places around there. At least in my experience.

As far as things to actually DO, since everyone seems to be trying to get the OP drunk and fat. I advise walking/running Jemison Park in Mountain Brook one morning if ya'll exercise. Gorgeous part of the city, with multi-million dollar homes everywhere. The Botanical Gardens are one of the best around imo. Especially in the south. Zoo is small and overpriced. If you like reading, music, games, tv, movies, and memorabilia go to Second & Charles in Hoover. Huge used retail store that is owned by Barnes & Noble. Everything is in excellent condition, usually under $10 a book(paperbacks are around $3.00) and they have a huge amount of stuff. My wife and I have purchased upwards of 450 books from them in the 2 years they have been open. You may have been, there are 2 in Louisiana as well. Just wanted to throw it out though, its my favorite place to spend time in Bham that is indoors.


Does anyone know if the spot to go diving in Alabaster is still open? That would be something fun to do.