Somewhat dissapointed in the Ham (Birmingham, Homewood: best neighborhood, condo, hotel)

[stx12499]

I have only been here one night but it is not the vibrant city I was hoping for. Five points south was absolutely dead, and only 3 bars were open tonight. I found a couple Meditteranean late night restaurants open on University. No late night indie record shops, hookah bars, or anything. I also went over to Lakeview and was rather unimpressed, it seemed to be about two blocks with 3 or 4 bars. I spoke with several locals, and not one could give me a good coffee shop rec. I did see two starbucks.

On the plus side, Birmingham has WONDERFUL architecture. I mean, the city almost reminds me of a mini Detroit but not nearly as bad of shape. It is pretty clean save for deserted storefronts downtown, but there is absolutely no pedestrian or even car activity after dark. I enjoyed some of the historic homes and midrises on Highland Ave and the medicla center district is impressive for a city its size. I think downtown needs to see more condo conversions like the City Federal building and at least some sort of an entertainment district. I will be here all day tomorrow, and I am staying at a hotel in Homewood. Any more ideas for this urbanite? A good indie record store or live music venue may save the trip. Any good jazz or blues bars on a Tuesday? How about hookah bars? I plan to try Rojo tomorrow. Thanks to all who have given recs before, and I would appreciate more.

[urbups]

I'm not sure what city you're coming from but compared to Atlanta where I moved from there is no comparison in the amount of night life choices. Especially on a Monday night. Things now are the best they've been in the last 7 years though so here's a few suggestions....
First, what is a hookah bar? A bar for hookers?
I don't go out much but there's a lot of different little music spot around and I ususally look in the black and white city paper to get a listing of bands and happenings around the city by date http://www.bwcitypaper.com/19227.111...optracking=411

The Birimingham Weekly is another paper with a listing. Its a free paper usuallly availiable at restaurants on the southside. www.bhamweekly.com/

One cool new music and coffee shop is Java and Jams downtown 321 20th St N
Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 321-5282 Steel, a bar and upscale pizza spot on 4th Ave downtown looks cool.

There's a lot of new condo developments, many moreso than the City Federal. They're all less than two years old.

[Socal2Bham]

Monday's are dead downtown. Most of the restaurants are closed on Mondays for some reason.
I've learned Thursdays seem to be the night to go out in Birmingham. It doesn't sound like you will be around then but try again tonight.

My friends and I are actually going to meet for drinks at Rojo tonight so there will be at least 8 women there making a rukus.

I highly recommend you check out the Garage while you're here. It's a little off the beaten path but very cool IMO. It's an old garage that was used to park the cars for the surrouding homes back in the day. The owner travels all over and buys a TON of antiques. All the garge bays are chock FULL of them.


Garage Cafe (blues, soul, rock)
2304 10th Terrace South
254-9018
Garage Cafe- Birmingham, AL

Assuming by hookah bar you mean a smoking bar, you might want to check out the Blue Monkey. It is a martini and cigar bar.

Blue Monkey
1318 Cobb Lane
933-9222
An upscale martini and cigar bar.
Blue Monkey Lounge

The Blue Monkey is kind of hard to find if you don't know where to look for it. There is a map on their website above.

[Socal2Bham]

Uhhhg, guess I won't be at Rojo tonight. They decided on Pablos instead. Getting the "280 dwellers" to meet anywhere downtown is like pulling teeth. Grrrr.

[fishmonger]

Agree with above poster... Sunday/Monday nights will give you a bad impression, probably in any mid-sized city. There aren't any hookah bars but they do sell them at Cloud Nine at 5 points.

[Sinkbean]

You'd be better off with Rojo! It's by far one of the best neighborhood cafe's in Birmingham. I'm not fond of any 280 hangouts.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by Socal2Bham

Uhhhg, guess I won't be at Rojo tonight. They decided on Pablos instead. Getting the "280 dwellers" to meet anywhere downtown is like pulling teeth. Grrrr.

:>))) Drive, parking ... We stay on the other side of the mountain.

[AQUEMINI331]

Dude you went out on a Monday night. Even in big cities like New York and Chicago it's not exactly jumpin on a Monday night save for some sports bars and that's only during football season.


As someone who is quick to criticize Birmingham, even I have to say that you've gotta give the city a second chance, on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night.

[Socal2Bham]

Originally Posted by Threestep

:>))) Drive, parking ... We stay on the other side of the mountain.

Typical 280 burb dweller. It's 15 minutes to downtown! I live out in BFE (to me anyway) and it's worth the short trek downtown where the good stuff is.

Originally Posted by AQUEMINI331

As someone who is quick to criticize Birmingham, even I have to say that you've gotta give the city a second chance, on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night.

Do we have a breakthrough?

[AQUEMINI331]

Ha!


Look - I still mean every negative, harsh, condescending word I ever said about Birmingham. It's just that some have claimed that I am too negative about the city, and since I honestly don't mean to be, I'll try to provide positive feedback whenever I can.