Alabama Shakes
Birmingham’s craft bar scene lights up the city
by Christiana Roussel
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN IN THE MAGIC CITY, its vibe instantly amplifies. Without a doubt, Birmingham buzzes with social energy, and convivial spaces that are ripe for raising a glass and toasting the day are well-sought out and easily found.
Order the Bayonet Martini and watch as they construct it for you table-side. They say it tastes like you’ve kissed a mermaid; photograph courtesy of Bayonet.
Come for the cocktails and stay for dinner at this seafood-centric spot from acclaimed chef Rob McDaniel. Settle in at the bar and order their signature Bayonet Martini, made with Gray Whale gin, a drop of saline, and a freshly shucked oyster. They like to say this one tastes like you’ve kissed a mermaid. If you’re ordering this cocktail at the table, they’ll wheel over a fancy brass-and-glass bar cart and construct the martini table-side. Stopping by for a postprandial sipper? Order the Espresso Patronum, created by barman Dylan Lunsford. In this version, Wheatley vodka is fat-washed with local Non-Fiction Coffee, a method that extracts the coffee flavors but leaves behind any trace of bitterness or sediment.
Hailed for their sustainably sourced seafood, Bayonet is equally popular for its innovative craft cocktails, like the signature Bayonet Martini; photograph courtesy of Bayonet.
Who knew that an old farrier’s shop in the heart of Southside Birmingham’s historic district would become the ideal bar? Owners and hospitality veterans Phillip Crowe and Michael Tobey had the vision. Aside from having killer cocktails, Bygones aims to be a coveted third space for connection, and it succeeds via its thoughtful design. Maximizing reclaimed lumber, brick, and stamped concrete floors, the duo added an acoustically perfect sound system. The horseshoe-shaped bar gives a nod to the building’s original use.
A late-nineteenth-century farrier’s shop trots into the spotlight as Bygones, a rustically elegant place to get cozy and sip a drink—or two; photograph by Kristopher Noah.
On any given night, you might find a table of folks playing pinochle, while another hosts a long-overdue couples’ night out. Bygones’ signature Old Fashioned shows off the duo’s bartending chops: bottled-in-bond bourbon with cherry molasses Demerara sugar and an unusual blend of aromatic bitters, garnished with a Luxardo Marasca cherry skewered with a custom B-sword, and misted with “the expression of orange peel,” served over a large, crystal-clear block of ice.
Billing itself as Birmingham’s premier bourbon destination, Sloan’s invites both bourbon connoisseurs and newcomers to indulge in the spirit of the city; photograph courtesy of Sloan’s.
Birmingham is a city replete with history, something the husband-and-wife team behind Sloan’s embraces. A specter of a sign advertising Sloan’s Liniment, once an equestrian staple, served as the jumping- off point for this cozy bourbon-centric bar, founded by restaurateurs Christina and Tom Saab. With a selection of more than 200 varieties of bourbon, Scotch, and whiskey, guests can order a flight or two to sample a range of flavors—something smoky, peaty, earthy or just simply smooth. We’re partial to their signature Bramble-ham (Bulleit bourbon, simple syrup, and blueberry concentrate with a lime muddle, served over ice.) Need a side snack with the flight? Order bourbon-spiced nuts, pimiento cheese, and charcuterie or a warm cup of seasonal chili or gumbo.
A sign advertising “Sloan’s Liniment”, once an equestrian staple, was the jumping-off point for this cozy bourbon-centric bar; photograph courtesy of Sloan’s.
Find out more about the establishments shaking up the Birmingham bar scene at bayonetbham.com, bygonesbar.com, and sloansbham.com.
This story appears in our Winter 2026 Issue.
