There are dozens of incredible restaurants and bars to find a great cocktail across the Greater Birmingham Metro. Our reputation as a food and beverage city is much-deserved, and a walk down 1st Avenue North or 51st St. in Avondale highlights how many truly great options Birminghamians have. But where does one go when they want to stray off the beaten path and try a truly unique beverage? We share a few of our favorites here!
Mizuki at Shu Shop
Shu Shop has gained strong support from the city in their four years on 3rd Avenue North, and it’s easy to see why. They have plenty of unique takes on traditional cocktails to choose from including: the Yuzu Daiquiri, the Ol’ Dirty Fashioned, and their sake-soaked take on the Moscow Mule. But the flavor combinations that come with the gin-based Mizuki are tough to top. Add in a grapefruit peel for a little class, and you’ve got yourself quite the beverage.
Earl Grey-Tini at The Little London
If there’s two things the team behind The Little London love, it’s a good pun and introducing Alabamians to the simple pleasures that can be found across the pond in England’s capital city. These passions perfectly collide with the Earl Grey-Tini, a delicious conception that comes in a tea glass! We dare you to sip one of these drinks in Little London’s beautiful living room vibe and not smile to yourself with joy. Their blended beers and English classics like Pimm’s Cup are great alternative options.
The Legendary Sex Panther at The Atomic Lounge
There aren’t too many drinks that come with a temporary tattoo, and we’d imagine others that have tried can’t beat the coolness that is the Legendary Sex Panther tattoo. The drink immediately puts you in an exclusive club that has briefly defiled their body temples in the name of a good time. The rest of the Atomic experience is equally enjoyable, with drinks named after top-notch Birminghamians, the ability to dress up in fun costumes pre-pandemic, and an entire room dedicated to the Birmingham-born Dr. Angela Davis making it a memorable experience and then some. The Atomic recently announced they will be closing their legendary doors on September 11th, so the time to taste this delicious beverage needs to be in your plans sooner than later!
Liquid Gushers at Unplugged
Stepping into Unplugged isn’t simply stepping into a bar, it’s taking a journey into the 90s. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and classic wrestling videos can often be found on the TV, as R&B or grunge classics play in the background. This dedication to the last decade of the 20th century extends to the drinks, with names like “The Fresh Prince of BHM” showing where the bar’s heart lies. The Liquid Gushers is a great way to take this all in, with a variety of juice flavors joining tequila to make for a wonderful drink–and a couple gushers added on top! The bar also includes a menu from local favorite McFly’s for the full Birmingham experience.
Of course while every cocktail is great, the people behind them are the lights that keep the city shining! Supporting the creativity and deliciousness that comes out of these unique establishments is such a fun part of living in Birmingham, and we look forward to seeing what crazy concepts our Magic City businesses come up with next.
