The Magic City’s Most Creative Restaurant & Bar Interiors
Birmingham's eateries are more than just delicious, they're also serving up some seriously beautiful and creative interiors. Here are 14 of our favorites!
Thereβs so much to love about Birmingham, but one of our favorite parts of the city is its ever-evolving food scene. Birmingham has been described as a foodie haven, full of spots with unique, scrumptious options for everything from specialty ice cream to five-course meals. But the food isnβt the only thing unique about the restaurants here β they also have fun and creative interiors!
Here, weβve rounded up 12 of our favorite dining spots featuring decor that is just as delectable as the food. Enjoy a peek into these restaurants and bars made special by Magic Cityβs most creative restaurateurs and designers.
Creative Restaurant & Bar Interiors
The Atomic Lounge
2113 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 983-7887
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday & Monday, closed
Crazy costumes, board games, and great music are a few of the things we love about The Atomic, and itβs overall experience is certainly enhanced by the restaurantβs unique atmosphere. Retro art dons the walls, which are covered in either unique wallpaper or throwback wood paneling. The end result? A fantastic space to gather with friends and let loose. SB TIP: Try their homemade popcorn! Delicious.
Learn more about The Atomic and its owners here.
Carriganβs Public House
2430 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 440-2430
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, closed
Whether youβre in the mood for a craft cocktail or a signature jumbo corndog, Carriganβs is sure to satisfy your craving. Marianne Strong of Marianne Strong Interiors and David Carrigan hit it out of the park in their design β the warm-industrial decor juxtaposes the exposed brick and glossy concrete floors. Behind the bar, youβll see a vintage Land Rover shell that houses the pubβs tapped beers. And if youβre in the mood for an al fresco gathering, head outside to the patio or rooftop, which are just as stunning as the interior and feature string lights, large stone slabs for seating, and modern furniture. Check out more of Marianne Strongβs work here.
The Collins Bar
2125 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 323-7995
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m. to midnight
The Collins Bar is famous for its tailor-made cocktails β tell the bartenders what you usually like, and theyβll whip up a made-to-order, custom concoction. While you sip on your new favorite drink, youβll see paper airplanes hanging from the ceiling and depicted in artwork on the walls behind circular leather booths. And the focal point, an oversized periodic table print, makes you feel as though youβre in an adult-friendly chemistry class.
Learn more about The Collins.
The Lumbar
212 29th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, closed
Continuing the science-themed decor is The Lumbar, which recently opened in Pepper Place Entertainment District. Civil and structural engineer Tim Hightower and his daughter, Rylie, a neuroscience doctoral candidate at UAB, wanted to create an open, inviting space that allowed for conversation and creativity. Features such as a 16-foot chalkboard, garage doors, and βThe Spinal Tapsβ set this establishment apart. Bright, bold accents accompany these unique features, making The Lumbar the perfect place for customers to inspire and create.
Learn more about The Lumbar here.
The Marble Ring
430 41st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday & Monday, closed
The Marble Ring, one of Birminghamβs best-kept secrets, is a speakeasy located atop Fancyβs on 5th. To enter, walk upstairs to Hot Diggity Dogs and look for the blue βPolice Phone Call Box.β There, someone will let you know if there is enough room for you and your party to enter The Marble Ring.
The setting is an intimate room with luxury finishes, chandeliers, and beautiful decor that draws its inspiration from the Zelda Fitzgeraldβs quote, βI hope you die in the marble ring,β so it is only fitting that this spot would be a place the Fitzgeralds would enjoy. As soon as you step into The Marble Ring, youβll be transported through time, back to a roaring β20s speakeasy (with appropriately attired servers.) Be sure to step out onto the rooftop patio, Zeldaβs Lounge, for a fun and funky al fresco libation.
Learn more about The Marble Ring here.
Momβs Basement
4411 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222 β’ (205) 774-6667
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Itβs amazing how well the decor of Momβs Basement matches its theme, but it really couldnβt be more perfect. Thereβs wood paneling on the walls, a large red oriental rug, mismatched furniture, foosball and Pac-Man machines, refrigerators covered in wallet-sized photos and magnets, and shelves lined with trophies and knickknacks. Youβll feel like youβre back at your motherβs house once again β except, this time, you wonβt have to hide the beer!
To learn more about Momβs Basement,Β check out this article.
Moon Shine at The Elyton Hotel
1928 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 731-3600
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Situated on the rooftop of The Elyton Hotel, Moon Shine is an indoor-outdoor restaurant and lounge that will make you feel like youβre in New York City. Lounge in the sleek, yet comfortable, seating areas as you overlook the beautiful city lights below and take in the best view in the city.
Learn more about Moon Shine and The Elyton here.
RELATED: Automatic Seafood & Oysters: Adam Evansβ New Birmingham EateryΒ
Paper Doll
2320 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 283-6391
Hours: Monday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, closed
Itβs only been a few months since doors opened to the luxurious, vintage bar, Paper Doll. The space was once home to Tavern on 1st, which Andrew Brown Interiors transformed into something new and different. Now, tasteful wallpaper lines the walls; velvet drapery separates seating areas for added privacy; and dramatic mood lighting makes it the perfect setting for a date night or girlsβ night.
Additionally, a partnership with the team behind the nonprofit Kulture City has made Paper Doll the first sensory inclusive bar in the nation. Sensory bags containing noise reducing headphones, fidget toys, and a feelings thermometer are now available to patrons who may be prone to sensory overload.
Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar
2015 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 β’ (205) 502-7600
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday & Monday, closed
What do you get when you pair a gorgeous, 150-year-old brick building with the movie Blade Runner? A very handsome pub! Pilcrow Cocktail Cellarβs modern, futuristic aesthetic creates just enough excitement to interest you without taking away from the buildingβs original features. The forward-thinking design-build firm Creature knocked it out of the park designing this one.
Learn more about Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar here.
Queenβs Park
112 24th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Monday, closed
Owner Laura Newman drew inspiration from British Colonial and French Creole interior design when creating the tropical environment at Queenβs Park. Rattan furniture, plenty of green plants, and palm print upholstery give off island vibes while the white marble countertops, gold accents, and grand crystal chandeliers add a luxurious touch. Custom wood shelving holds the barβs curated selection of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey.
Get to know the female force behind the bar here.
Saturn
200 41st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222 β’ (205) 703-9545
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday, closed
If you havenβt been to Saturn yet, you are missing out. Itβs part coffee shop, part bar, part concert venue, and part vintage arcade β pleasing almost anyone who walks in. Featuring furnishings that look like they could be straight out of βThe Jetsons,β a professional concert stage, a rocket ship, and funky vintage art, youβll feel free to let loose and enjoy yourself in this fun, eclectic space.
The Garage Cafe
2304 10th Terrace South, Birmingham, AL 35205 β’ (205) 322-3220
Hours: Monday, 3 p.m. to midnight; Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. to midnight
Nestled in historic Highland Park, The Garage is a unique sandwich shop/dive bar. The interior features is a hodgepodge of items repurposed as decor, including motorcycles that hang from the ceiling, a trombone, and a tree made out of glass beer bottles. Step outside and enter a gorgeous space covered in greenery and trees thatβs peppered with vintage and antique lawn decor. Charming and relaxed, this hidden gem will beguile you with its charms.
Habitat Feed & Social at The Grand Bohemian Hotel
2655 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223 β’ (205) 203-4745
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Within the beautiful Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook Village is a true masterpiece of a restaurant: Habitat Feed & Social. The hotelβs signature purple is showcased all over the indoor dining room, including the carpet and the chairs. Unique, wooden antler chandeliers hang above, setting the perfect mood for this upscale dining experience. After dinner, head into the billiards room to enjoy a warm fire in the grand fireplace and play a game of pool with friends. Lastly, be sure to hit the outdoor rooftop patio β the faux grass, purple captainβs chairs and settees, and large art deco potted plants will make you feel like your a cast member of Alice In Wonderland.
Pabloβs Deck at Pabloβs Restaurante & Cantina
611 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35242 β’ (205) 991-1311
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Do you love the outdoors, Mexican food, and bright, bold colors? Pabloβs Restaurante & Cantina combines all three while featuring a towering oak tree that grows through the center of its second-story patio and provides shade for outdoor diners. Youβll feel like you are in a treehouse β albeit one with incredible food@ Bright chairs, tables, and umbrellas only add to the fun.
Get out there and enjoy Magic Cityβs creative eateries! Cheers!
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