The Battery is somehow both Birmingham’s best kept secret and one of its most exciting locations. The one block collection of restaurants, retail spaces, and fitness studios brings together people with completely different passions who get to know each other while enjoying local entrepreneurship. The businesses that call The Battery home even throw “block parties” and make sure to go out of their way to uplift their neighbors. From the beer and biking fun that is Birmingham Pedal Tours to the floral beauties found at Gaia Florals (formerly Magic City Flower Market) - there are many opportunities to create a special memory at this downtown hub.
Wasabi Juan’s
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There is no denying that Wasabi Juan’s sushi burritos provide one of the most unique eating experiences in the Magic City. The restaurant first made waves with their original location next to Avondale Brewing, but required more space for their expanding business which led to the move to The Battery in 2018. Visitors of this 2nd Ave S hotspot are thankful that such a tasty restaurant calls the left corner of the property home! Fan favorite meals include the 4:20 Nachos, The LHM (Lord Have Mercy), and The Toro (contains steak and shrimp).
Magic City Nutrition
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Life can sometimes feel like a never-ending balance of eating scrumptious food then trying to work it off. The good people at Magic City Nutrition boldly proclaim to the people of Birmingham that this is a problem of the past. Their main goal? Provide yummy food in a fast setting to make being healthy an easy choice. Meal replacement protein shakes with flavors like chunky monkey and birthday cake provide the nutrients and fullness needed to make it through the day, while still making the taste buds holler with glee. Their sugarless energy teas include peachy keen, which we were told “tastes like a summer day”, lemon berry, and a wide variety of other refreshing options. They also have a fat-burning doughnut shot, which sounds like a little bit of heaven snuck its way to our mortal earth and plopped itself in a cup.
Birmingham District Brewing Co.
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Birmingham’s beer scene is constantly expanding, and there are many great options to choose from. But Birmingham District truly stands apart from the pack. It’s easy to lose track of time with games galore, one of the city’s best outdoor seating sections, and delicious food options nearby. But it’s the impressive selection of beers like the Fresh Prince West Coast IPA that fill this pint of success up to the brim. They are also continuously putting out new brews, with their most recent announcement being the Hoodoos Hazy IPA. The Hoodoos is a combination of orange blossom honey, El Dorado, cryo citra, and sultana hops - and will be released on April 16th!
True40
The True40 franchise is serious when it comes to fitness - their motto is “Shake, sweat, and burn” after all. But community is just as crucial to this company, and this fact is very apparent at the downtown Birmingham studio. The True40 team, like every other tenant at The Battery, absolutely loves uplifting their neighbors and collaborating on fun events.
A typical class begins with cardio before transitioning into legwork, then combo work (typically arms, back, and upper body). Glute work follows before closing out with yoga - talk about a full work-out! They are more than able to adapt classes to injuries and limitations, and the whole studio has undergone changes to stay safe during the pandemic. The Mindbody app is used for class registration, and the entrance area contains some great fitness and clothing merch as well!
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Just as Wasabi Juan’s welcomes those walking to The Battery from the left, Gus’s Fried Chicken is there to introduce the wonderful aroma of fried chicken to those coming from the right. Founded in Memphis, Gus’s hot chicken, fried pickles, and more found an eager audience when they made the jump to the Magic City in 2019. You can even order in the restaurant and take your meal to the Birmingham District patio for an ultimate Battery experience.
Support Local!
The best part of The Battery is the ability to support so many terrific local establishments in one location. Every door you enter brings a smiling face that’s proud of their city and ready to make your day a bit brighter. Whether you go for a beer, a workout, a shake, a meal, or a flower - you’re getting out and making this city an entrepreneur’s paradise.
