Birmingham, Alabama

Talladega Days and Nights

It’s the most remote spot of all of the NASCAR venues. The wildest two weekends of the nearly 10 month NASCAR season can be summed up in one word. “Dega!” It has often been compared to Mardigras, only instead of New Orleans, it takes place on thousands of uninhabited acres in central Alabama. No bull, you should bring some Mardi-gras style beads. It may not be the best scenery in the world, but you will see more than you could ever want. This is one to leave the women and children you love, and also the faint of heart at home.

Hotel Overview

Depending on why you are in Birmingham you will probably either want to stay downtown or near Mountain Brook. Both areas have great nightlife so staying here will put you close to the action. Here is a link that has a description of a lot of the hotels

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Birmingham is truly a haven for avid golfers.  The legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail offers more than 26 golf courses across the state of Alabama. Two of the Robert Trent Jones courses, Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge, are located in the Birmingham area. 

City Stages - Music Festival in Birmingham, Alabama

Update:

City Stages was a three-day, family-friendly, arts and music festival in downtown Birmingham, Alabama that took place in and around Linn Park
from 1989 to 2009. City Stages featured 150 to 200 acts from hip hop to
country on 9 to 11 stages. Many of the world's renowned performers and

Shopping in The 'Ham

For everyone who loves to shop when they’re in a new place, Birmingham won’t disappoint!  Shoppers should make their way to downtown Homewood, where almost all of the stores are locally owned, and serve up their own style of southern hospitality. Ladies can find designer jeans and trendy tops at SOCA clothing. A.K.A. Girls Stuff boutique offers stylish accessories, cute gifts, and sassy Mary Phillip’s products.  Buy the perfect gifts at the White Flowers , or shop for contemporary home furnishings at New Environs.

Taziki's

3439 Colonnade Pkwy
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 26' 29.1588" N, 86° 43' 42.0348" W

If you are in The 'Ham on a Friday or Saturday, then you would be sorry if you missed Taziki's special. Served only on these days the special is quite possibly the best kept secret of Birmingham. Taziki's is a locally owned Greek restaurant with a couple locations around town, so you are never too far from one.

Rojo

2921 Highland Ave S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 23.5152" N, 86° 46' 51.024" W

Rojo is a great Mexican/American eatery that serves up a wide array of dishes.  An enclosed porch, chill atmosphere, and the famous chicken salad keeps locals coming back time and time again.

Sol Y Luna

2811 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 40.5792" N, 86° 47' 18.8628" W

For a unique upscale dining experience in Lakeview, hit up Sol Y Luna.  Here they serve  authentic Mexican cuisine along with some great seafood dishes as well.

Bell Bottoms

Bell Bottoms
2001 Highland Ave S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 29' 58.9092" N, 86° 47' 41.4132" W

Bell Bottoms is Cobb Lanes's answer to Nana Funks, and is the place to dance late night in the area.

The J. Clyde

The J. Clyde
1312 Cobb Ln S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 29' 51.684" N, 86° 47' 42.9432" W

The J. Clyde is a beer lover's dream.  They have one of the best selections of brews in Birmingham.

The Blue Monkey

The Blue Monkey
1318 Cobb Ln S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 29' 51.5832" N, 86° 47' 42.8388" W

Located in the Cobb Lane District, The Blue Monkey has an extensive list of signature martinis.  The atmosphere is hip and the collection of people hanging out there is second to none.

Oasis

Oasis
2807 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 40.5" N, 86° 47' 19.0392" W

Oasis is one of the oldest bars in the Lakeview District.  Before he made it big on American Idol, Taylor Hicks used to perform here fairly regularly.

Nana Funks

Nana Funks
708 29th Street S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 41.9292" N, 86° 47' 14.4492" W

Every city has "that place", where people never seem to leave with their dignity in tact, and Nana Funks is exactly that in "The 'Ham".  Nana Funks is Birmingham's late night dance headquarters.  There is no better place in town to dance away all the booze you consumed, because Nanaf Funks does not close until everybody leaves, which is great for those that are slow to seal the deal.

The Barking Kudu

The Barking Kudu
2929 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 44.5788" N, 86° 47' 10.3632" W

Barking Kudu is across the street from Innisfree, and has plenty of seating room inside and out.  It boasts one of Birmingham's most impressive selections of draught beers and new world wines. 

Innisfree

Innisfree
710 29th St. S
Birmingham, AL
United States
33° 30' 41.8248" N, 86° 47' 14.3448" W

Innisfree is an Irish Pub that is very popular with college students.  The inside is usually standing room only, but in the back there is a big area for outdoor seating.  Tuesday is student night and Thursday is ladies night, so there is always something going on there.  If you went to an SEC school, then this is the sort of place you will be very comfortable in.

The Rare Martini

The Rare Martini
2839 7th Ave S.
Birmningham, AL
United States
33° 30' 41.148" N, 86° 47' 17.628" W

The Rare Martini offers a trendy upscale vibe, complete with signature martinis and live music three nights a week.  You will find both college students and young professionals frequenting this Lakeview District nightspot.

Birmingham Overview

Birmingham is a charming southern city with tons to offer for a visitor. It is home to Samford University and University of Alabama Birmingham. There is a lot to do in the Downtown area and the suburbs like Mountain Brooke.

Downtown Birmingham

Festivals

Birmingham Crawfish Boil

This is one of the biggest events in the South and draws college students from all the surrounding areas. Students from Auburn and Alabama frequent the event as something to do when school lets out. It is fun for students not only because of the delicious crawfish, but the huge party that goes on all day. Some of the biggest bands in the country even come to entertain the screaming crowd.

History of the Event

Location Subsection

  • Birmingham is a charming southern city with tons to offer for a visitor. It is home to Samford University and University of Alabama Birmingham. There is a lot to do in the Downtown area and the suburbs like Mountain Brooke.

    Downtown Birmingham

    Festivals

    Birmingham is home to numerous cultural festivals that feature music, films, and regional heritage. City Stages is a world-renowned music festival that takes place in Birmingham's Linn Park on Father's Day weekend. It offers three days of music from all genres on 11 stages.

    Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival brings filmmakers from all over the world to Birmingham to have their films viewed and judged. This festival usually is scheduled on the last weekend in September at eight venues around downtown. Screenings are concentrated at the Alabama Theatre. Another musical festival is the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival, presented at the end of September each year, concurrent with the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival. This all day festival features national and local jazz acts. In 2007, the festival drew an estimated 6,000 people.
    Festival
    The Southern Heritage Festival began in the 1960s as a music, arts, and entertainment festival for the African-American community to attract mostly younger demographics. Do Dah Day is an annual pet parade held around the end of May. The Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil, an annual music festival event held in May to benefit local charities, always includes an all-star cast of talent. It typically draws more than 30,000 spectators for the annual two-day event. The annual Greek Festival, a celebration of Greek heritage, culture, and especially cuisine, is a charity fundraiser hosted by The Cathedral of Holy Trinity & Holy Cross. The Greek Festival draws 20,000 patrons annually.

  • Shopping in The 'Ham

    For everyone who loves to shop when they’re in a new place, Birmingham won’t disappoint!  Shoppers should make their way to downtown Homewood, where almost all of the stores are locally owned, and serve up their own style of southern hospitality. Ladies can find designer jeans and trendy tops at SOCA clothing. A.K.A. Girls Stuff boutique offers stylish accessories, cute gifts, and sassy Mary Phillip’s products.  Buy the perfect gifts at the White Flowers , or shop for contemporary home furnishings at New Environs.

  • The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

    Birmingham is truly a haven for avid golfers.  The legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail offers more than 26 golf courses across the state of Alabama. Two of the Robert Trent Jones courses, Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge, are located in the Birmingham area. 

  • Hotel Overview

    Depending on why you are in Birmingham you will probably either want to stay downtown or near Mountain Brook. Both areas have great nightlife so staying here will put you close to the action. Here is a link that has a description of a lot of the hotels

  • Birmingham Crawfish Boil

    This is one of the biggest events in the South and draws college students from all the surrounding areas. Students from Auburn and Alabama frequent the event as something to do when school lets out. It is fun for students not only because of the delicious crawfish, but the huge party that goes on all day. Some of the biggest bands in the country even come to entertain the screaming crowd.

    History of the Event

  • City Stages - Music Festival in Birmingham, Alabama

    Update:

    City Stages was a three-day, family-friendly, arts and music festival in downtown Birmingham, Alabama that took place in and around Linn Park
    from 1989 to 2009. City Stages featured 150 to 200 acts from hip hop to
    country on 9 to 11 stages. Many of the world's renowned performers and

  • Sol Y Luna

    For a unique upscale dining experience in Lakeview, hit up Sol Y Luna.  Here they serve  authentic Mexican cuisine along with some great seafood dishes as well.

  • Rojo

    Rojo is a great Mexican/American eatery that serves up a wide array of dishes.  An enclosed porch, chill atmosphere, and the famous chicken salad keeps locals coming back time and time again.

  • Taziki's

    If you are in The 'Ham on a Friday or Saturday, then you would be sorry if you missed Taziki's special. Served only on these days the special is quite possibly the best kept secret of Birmingham. Taziki's is a locally owned Greek restaurant with a couple locations around town, so you are never too far from one.

  • The Rare Martini

    The Rare Martini offers a trendy upscale vibe, complete with signature martinis and live music three nights a week.  You will find both college students and young professionals frequenting this Lakeview District nightspot.

  • Innisfree

    Innisfree is an Irish Pub that is very popular with college students.  The inside is usually standing room only, but in the back there is a big area for outdoor seating.  Tuesday is student night and Thursday is ladies night, so there is always something going on there.  If you went to an SEC school, then this is the sort of place you will be very comfortable in.

  • The Barking Kudu

    Barking Kudu is across the street from Innisfree, and has plenty of seating room inside and out.  It boasts one of Birmingham's most impressive selections of draught beers and new world wines. 

  • Nana Funks

    Every city has "that place", where people never seem to leave with their dignity in tact, and Nana Funks is exactly that in "The 'Ham".  Nana Funks is Birmingham's late night dance headquarters.  There is no better place in town to dance away all the booze you consumed, because Nanaf Funks does not close until everybody leaves, which is great for those that are slow to seal the deal.

  • Oasis

    Oasis is one of the oldest bars in the Lakeview District.  Before he made it big on American Idol, Taylor Hicks used to perform here fairly regularly.

  • The Blue Monkey

    Located in the Cobb Lane District, The Blue Monkey has an extensive list of signature martinis.  The atmosphere is hip and the collection of people hanging out there is second to none.

  • The J. Clyde

    The J. Clyde is a beer lover's dream.  They have one of the best selections of brews in Birmingham.

  • Bell Bottoms

    Bell Bottoms is Cobb Lanes's answer to Nana Funks, and is the place to dance late night in the area.

  • Talladega Days and Nights

    It’s the most remote spot of all of the NASCAR venues. The wildest two weekends of the nearly 10 month NASCAR season can be summed up in one word. “Dega!” It has often been compared to Mardigras, only instead of New Orleans, it takes place on thousands of uninhabited acres in central Alabama. No bull, you should bring some Mardi-gras style beads. It may not be the best scenery in the world, but you will see more than you could ever want. This is one to leave the women and children you love, and also the faint of heart at home.

Top Events

SAE Boxing Tournament
March 8, 2012 7:00 pm
Knoxville, TN

 SAE Boxing tourney is one of the oldest and largest fraternity events in the country.

The three day event attracts 3,000+ students from all over the south east. It has been going on annually for the last 28 years occurring in the last week of February or the first couple weeks of March. In 2012, SAE Boxing Tournament is March 8th, 9th, and 10th.  The tickets are $15 a night or $35 for the 3 nights and the proceeds normally raise over $70,000 for charity.
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Update:

Double Decker Arts Festival at Ole Miss
April 23, 2012 10:00 am
Oxford, MS

The Double Decker Arts Festival is definitely the most exiting weekend at Ole Miss in the spring. “Taking its name from the town's authentic double decker bus imported from England in 1994, the festival brings together visitors and residents alike for a daylong celebration of music, food, and the arts held on the picturesque Courthouse Square of Oxford Mississippi.” Double Decker has been known to draw more than 50,000 people in attendance; making it another Mississippi spring day that you cannot miss!

Charity Bowl at Ole Miss
April 2, 2012 3:00 pm
Oxford, MS

Want to see overweight, out of shape High School Heroes strap back on the pads? How about beautiful sorority girls competing for the cheerleading championship?

St. Patty's Day in Baton Rouge
March 17, 2012 10:00 am
Baton Rouge, LA

The St’ Patty’s pic by bethanykingDay Parade in Baton Rouge is one of the biggest St’ Patty’s day celebrations in the country and a great reason to head to LSU for a weekend. The parade starts at 10:00 A.M. on March 14th, 2009 and will be a rocking party all day long.

The A Day Game at Alabama - 2012
April 14, 2012 3:00 pm
Tuscaloosa, AL
If you are a Bama fan, wish you were, or just want to head to T-Town for an awesome weekend then this is the time to go. The Crimson Tide had a great season last year as they rose back to being a top competitor at a national level.
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This is the biggest event of the spring at Bama and draws fans from all over the South. It is very similar to going to a Bama game during the fall except for one major difference, everyone everywhere you look is a Bama fan.

Volapalooza
April 24, 2012 6:00 pm
Knoxville, TN

Volapalooza is a free concert hosted at Fiji Island in Fraternity Park at The University of Tennessee. This annual event normally takes place at the end of the school year and draws about 1,000 UT students for the night of fun. In the past the All Campus Events committee has been able to bring in some pretty big bands like Ben Folds, Cake, and Dashboard Confessional.

A Week of Concerts - Row Week - Arkansas
April 30, 2012 9:49 pm
Fayetteville, AR

 
 
Row Week at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville

Each spring, a phenomenal music opportunity draws thousands to the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville campus.  Students gather just before finals to celebrate and enjoy a variety of music from country to urban to hip-hop and more.

UVA: Springfest 2010
March 26, 2012 12:00 pm
Charlottesville, VA

UVA SPRINGFEST 2011 on Nameless field

UVA Springfest is one of the biggest events hosted at UVA each year. It is a huge concert held at Nameless field in late March or early April. They have had some great acts in the past like Ben Folds and Ok Go. They have not announced who they have this year yet, but continue to check back here or post it in the comments if you find out.

Vanderbilt Rites of Spring
April 20, 2012 2:00 pm
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Vanderbilt’s Rites of Spring concert, or “Rites” as VU students like to call it, is an annual concert series hosted on campus to celebrate…you guessed it…the start of spring.

It is hosted on Alumni Lawn which also plays host to Vanderbilt Graduation and other large events. It is the perfect area because it is in the center of campus and surrounded by picturesque trees. In the past, Rites has hosted big name bands creating an excuse for students to have a 3-day party instead of studying for finals.

It draws a huge crowd

Halloween at UNCs Franklin Street
October 31, 2012 3:09 pm
Chapel HIll, NC

Halloween is enormous in Chapel Hill. The city shuts down the main drag, Franklin Street, and people from all the surrounding towns and colleges descend upon Chapel Hill for a night of debauchery. It is a really fun time as there are often upwards of 80,000 in the streets enjoying themselves.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans
February 24, 2012 12:00 am
New Orleans, LA

Every February, people around the world gather to celebrate Mardi Gras

A tradition of parades, masks, beads, dancing, and of course drinking.  With celebrations all over the world, the headquarters for this “holiday” is in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The week long  event builds in size and celebration each day before ending on Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).

New River Gorge - Bridge Day Festival
October 16, 2012 10:00 am

Check out Bridge Day!