‘Tis the season for sharing a round of drinks (or two) with friends in the Alabama sunshine. From swanky hotels and speakeasy lounges to local favorites serving Southern fare with a twist, these rooftop bars are a fabulous way to enjoy the warm weather while taking in some of the Magic City’s finest views. Here are nine Birmingham rooftop bars you should have on your radar!
Guide to Birmingham Rooftop Bars: Updated August 2022
Moon Shine at The Elyton Hotel
1928 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 731-3600
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Closed Sunday
Located atop the Elyton Hotel (formerly Empire Building) in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Moon Shine pairs unbeatable city views with craft libations, local brews, wine, and small plates. The historic beauty of the Elyton Hotel is made modern with cozy yet upscale lounge areas, fire pits, twinkling lights, and both indoor and outdoor seating options.
In addition to a vast beverage selection, Moon Shine offers delicious small plates ideal for sharing, including pizza from their hearth oven. Moon Shine was once known to host a fabulous lineup of themed happy hours — they’ve been on hold since the pandemic, but be sure to keep an eye on social media for their return. You won’t want to miss out!
Roots & Revelry at the Thomas Jefferson Tower
1623 2nd Avenue North, Suite B, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 730-1907
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Closed Monday
Located inside the historic Thomas Jefferson Tower, Roots & Revelry brings an upscale, delicious, and swoon-worthy dining experience to downtown Birmingham. Their outdoor rooftop patio offers incredible downtown views in a stunning and elegant yet inviting atmosphere.
Chef Brandon Cain has created a delectable dinner menu with shareable starters like tuna tartare and lox with Focaccia. Their main plates are sure to impress with lamb shank, scallops, roasted chicken, crispy pork ribs, and more. They also serve a tasty brunch menu that includes options like buttermilk biscuits, beignets, and chicken and waffles. As if that’s not enough, be sure to try one of their signature cocktails like The Basic (our favorite), made with vodka, St. Germaine, strawberry, lemon, and bubbles. Or, go with a classic Old Fashioned!
Terrace Bar at Valley Hotel
2727 18th Street South, Homewood, AL 35209 • (205) 354-0171
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Homewood’s swanky Valley Hotel plays host to Terrace Bar at Ironwood. This intimate cocktail lounge begins at the indoor bar and extends onto a terrace complete with a fire pit, cozy seating, and open-air views of the surrounding neighborhood. Beverage offerings include a handful of locally-inspired craft cocktails, a selection of beers (mostly local, some domestic), and a wine list. Enjoy a full meal at Ironwood after a round of drinks, or opt for a few small bites from the Terrace Bar menu — shareable plates like deviled eggs, flatbread, and a chilled “seafood martini.”
Zelda’s Lounge at The Marble Ring
430 41st Street South, Suite B, Birmingham, AL 35222 • (205) 202-3967
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Closed Sunday through Tuesday
If you haven’t checked out The Marble Ring in Avondale yet, you’re missing out. This speakeasy-themed bar invites patrons to enter a “Police Box” to call in your party number and be welcomed into a secret, swanky bar. This spot is known for its craft cocktails, including the F. Scott Fitzgerald, which features gin, lemon, rosemary syrup, Boston Bitter, and rosemary. If you’re looking for something lighter, we suggest a classic Aperol Spritz or the Champagne Cocktail featuring cava, sugar, and Angostura bitters.
Step outside to the rooftop bar, called Zelda’s Lounge, for a one-of-a-kind Magic City experience. The bar’s decor features crystal chandeliers, burgundy fringe hanging from the ceilings, and Roaring ‘20s-themed pieces that mirror The Marble Ring’s iconic aesthetic. Learn more about Zelda’s Lounge here.
Habitat Feed & Social at The Grand Bohemian Hotel
2655 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223 • (205) 203-4745
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
How does an Alice in Wonderland-esque dining and drinking experience in the middle of Mountain Brook sound? With oversized lighting, regal purple seating, and gilded accents, The Habitat Feed & Social atop the Grand Bohemian Hotel brings that vision to life.
The farm-to-table menu features only the freshest ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy a light salad or shareable plate like the Habitat charcuterie to start, followed by one of their scrumptious entrées like the Black Angus filet, Gulf fish, or seared scallops with grilled rapini. Wash it down with one of their signature seasonal cocktails. We love the Spring Forward, a sweet and refreshing cocktail of rum, cucumber, lime, mint, and soda, as well as classics like the margarita and Moscow Mule.
The Southern Kitchen and Bar
2301 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 278-7270
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Located in Uptown, The Southern Kitchen & Bar is a local favorite. The rustic-chic decor is paired with elevated Southern fare and craft cocktails for the ultimate Birmingham dining experience. This is an excellent choice for treating out-of-town guests!
Step up to the sprawling rooftop to enjoy small, shareable plates like fried okra, bacon-wrapped shrimp, or fried pickles. Ready for a meal? More substantial options include entrées of lemon thyme chicken, ribeye mac and cheese, Southern stir fry, and the catch of the day. An extensive brunch menu is also available, offering something for every taste. The drink menu features plenty of craft cocktails, local brews, and wine.
Carrigan’s Public House Downtown
2430 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 777-4925
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday
Carrigan’s has an industrial, upscale pub feel that has quickly become a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Their bartenders are known for a lineup of unique and delicious cocktails, like the Southern Culture, which features gin, Harvest Roots kombucha, vermouth, lime, and celery bitters, or the Fightin’ Words, a sophisticated mix of rye, Cocchi Rosa, fernet, orange blossom water, Angostura bitters, and flamed orange.
The cocktails are rivaled only by their wildly popular lunch and dinner menus. For lunch, we suggest the Super Salmon Salad, the street tacos, or the famous corn dog. For dinner, we go for the Dalai Lamba melt, falafel ball sub, mac and cheese, or loaded fries.
The Roof at the Redmont Hotel
2101 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 • (205) 957-6828
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Nestled atop the historic Redmont Hotel, The Roof offers sweeping views, indoor and outdoor seating, inventive cocktails, local brews, and more. This is the perfect spot to impress out-of-towners with a Magic City sunset in an upscale atmosphere. Throughout summer, they offer Rosé on the Rooftop, with half-price rosé bottles every Monday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Paradise Thursdays with a special menu, live music, and $3 Trim Tab brews all night long. PLUS, their standard happy hour is every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. We spy an after-work rooftop date in your future!
Mayawell Bar
2900 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 957-4485
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Closed Sunday and Monday
Relatively new to downtown Birmingham is Mayawell Bar, a bar specializing in agave spirits, good times, and, of course, great views. Since opening its doors in December 2019, Mayawell has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Best known for its tasty tequila and mezcal drinks, we recommend ordering a classic margarita or Paloma to enjoy the full experience at this Mexico City-inspired bar and restaurant. We’re looking forward to enjoying the outdoor spaces at Mayawell well into the autumn months.
Cheers to drinks with a view!
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