All About Birmingham

A comprehensive guide to Birmingham, Alabama, for new and current students.

Welcome to Birmingham!

Welcome to Birmingham!

Birmingham is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and growing industries. Whether you’re new to the city or have been here for a while, there’s always something to discover.

History of Birmingham

Founded in 1871, Birmingham has a deep history rooted in the iron and steel industry. Over the years, it has transformed into a major hub for medical research, technology, and education. The city also played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, with many key events taking place here.

Neighborhoods

Birmingham is home to diverse neighborhoods, each offering its own unique vibe:

Downtown: The heart of Birmingham, filled with businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Avondale: Known for its trendy eateries, bars, and parks.
Five Points South: A historical district with a mix of dining, nightlife, and cultural attractions.
Homewood: A charming suburb with boutique shops and a friendly atmosphere.
Mountain Brook: A beautiful, upscale community known for its scenic parks and village-like atmosphere.

Things to Do

Birmingham offers a variety of activities for residents and visitors alike:

Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art: Home to thousands of art pieces from around the world.
Explore the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: Learn about the city’s significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Hike at Ruffner Mountain: A nature preserve with beautiful hiking trails and scenic views.
Take a Walk at Railroad Park: A 19-acre green space in downtown Birmingham, perfect for picnics and outdoor activities.
Catch a Show at the Alabama Theatre: A historic theater that hosts concerts, movies, and other events.
Attend a Sporting Event: Cheer on the UAB Blazers (graduate students get free tickets to UAB sports) or the Birmingham Barons baseball team. There is also a new professional soccer team, Birmingham Legion FC.
- Birmingham Squadron: An NBA G League team affiliated with the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Birmingham Bulls: A professional hockey team playing in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).

Food and Dining

Discover some of the city’s best restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries.

Restaurants

El Barrio: A vibrant Mexican restaurant known for its fresh, modern take on traditional Mexican fare.
Bottega: An upscale Italian restaurant offering a mix of classic and contemporary dishes.
The Essential: A chic spot for brunch, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.
Makarios Kabob and Grill: Serving up Middle Eastern cuisine, Makarios is a long-standing favorite for fresh kabobs, shawarma, and falafel.
Falafel Cafe: A go-to spot for Mediterranean dishes, Falafel Cafe offers authentic falafel, hummus, and gyro plates in a relaxed setting.
Surin West: A popular spot for Thai cuisine, Surin West has been a Birmingham favorite for years, known for its fresh sushi and flavorful curries.
The Pancake House: Located in Homewood & Five Points, The Original Pancake House has been serving classic breakfast dishes for decades, known for its large portions and family-friendly atmosphere.
Hero Doughnuts & Buns: Originally a pop-up, Hero Doughnuts now has several locations, offering fresh-made doughnuts and savory buns in a casual setting.
Bawarchi Indian Cuisine: A popular spot for Indian food, Bawarchi offers a wide range of traditional dishes, from biryanis to curries, in a cozy, welcoming space.
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant: A long-standing favorite for Chinese cuisine, Great Wall offers a variety of dishes, from General Tso’s chicken to lo mein, in a casual setting.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: A fast-casual chain with a location in Birmingham, Taziki’s offers fresh Mediterranean dishes like gyros, salads, and hummus plates.
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q: A Southern barbecue chain with a location in Birmingham, Jim ‘N Nick’s is known for its slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, and sweet tea.
Big Bad Breakfast: A beloved breakfast/brunch spot offering hearty Southern-inspired dishes, from biscuits and gravy to classic omelets and pancakes.

Coffee Shops

The Red Cat Coffeehouse: A popular spot in Pepper Place and Railroad Park, The Red Cat offers a variety of coffee drinks, teas, and light bites in a comfortable, eclectic space.
FILTER-Coffee Parlor: A local favorite in Five Points South, FILTER offers single-origin coffee and a variety of teas in a cozy, welcoming space.
O’Henry’s Coffee: A Birmingham staple with multiple locations, O’Henry’s offers a range of coffee drinks, teas, and pastries in a relaxed setting.
Frothy Monkey: A Nashville-based coffee shop with a location in Birmingham, Frothy Monkey serves up coffee, breakfast, and lunch items in a cozy, modern space.
June Coffee: Located downtown, June Coffee offers a variety of coffee drinks, teas, and pastries in a sleek, minimalist setting.
Santos Coffee: A local coffee shop in downtown Birmingham, Santos Coffee offers a variety of coffee drinks, teas, and light bites in a cozy, welcoming space.
Bandit Pâtisserie: A French-inspired bakery and coffee shop in downtown Birmingham, Bandit Pâtisserie offers a variety of pastries, coffee drinks, and light bites in a charming setting.

Breweries

Good People Brewing Company: Birmingham’s oldest and most well-known craft brewery, Good People offers a wide variety of beers, including their famous IPA and Coffee Oatmeal Stout. Located near Regions Field, it’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
TrimTab Brewing Company: Known for its creative small-batch brews and unique flavor profiles, TrimTab is a favorite for those looking to try something new.
Cahaba Brewing Company: With a large taproom and a wide range of beers, Cahaba Brewing is perfect for gatherings. Their American Blonde Ale and Oka Uba IPA are among the local favorites.
Avondale Brewing Company: Located in the trendy Avondale district, this brewery offers a laid-back atmosphere with a large outdoor space. It’s great for watching football and other sports and often has concerts.
Back Forty Beer Company - Birmingham: Originally from Gadsden, Back Forty opened a Birmingham location with a full-service restaurant. It has the best burger in Birmingham.
Birmingham District Brewing Company: Located in The Battery development, Birmingham District focuses on small-batch, high-quality craft beers like their seasonal IPAs and Saisons.
Monday Night Social Club: The Birmingham location of this Atlanta-based brewery, Monday Night Social Club offers their popular IPAs and stouts in a fun, social environment.
Hop City Craft Beer & Wine: A specialty store for craft beer and wine enthusiasts, Hop City offers a large selection of local and international beers, as well as a variety of wines and homebrew supplies.

Transportation

Birmingham has several transportation options to help you get around the city:

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM): The primary airport serving the Birmingham area.
Public Transit: Birmingham offers bus services through the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA).
Rideshare: Popular services like Uber and Lyft are available.
Birmingham On-Demand Transit: A new on-demand transit service that allows you to book rides through an app.

Weather and Climate

Birmingham has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Expect a fair amount of rain throughout the year, with occasional thunderstorms during the summer months.

Learn more about Birmingham’s climate here.

Events and Festivals

Birmingham hosts a variety of annual events and festivals:

Birmingham Restaurant Week (January & August): A week-long event showcasing local dining experiences, with special menus from participating restaurants.
Birmingham Wine Festival (February): A festival celebrating wines from around the world, with tastings, food pairings, and live music.
Birmingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March): A parade through Five Points South celebrating Irish culture with music, food, and family-friendly activities.
Magic City Art Connection (April): A three-day art festival featuring artists from all over the country, with live performances and food vendors.
Birmingham Taco Fest (April): A celebration of tacos, featuring local food trucks and restaurants offering a variety of tacos, along with live music and activities.
Cajun & Creole Food Festival (April): A celebration of Cajun and Creole cuisine, with food vendors, cooking competitions, and live music.
Birmingham BBQ & Blues Festival (April): A festival combining Southern BBQ with blues music, featuring local and regional BBQ vendors and live performances.
Magic City Mimosa Festival (May): A festival dedicated to mimosas, with local restaurants and vendors offering creative mimosa variations, along with food and music.
Magic City Caribbean Food & Music Festival (June): A festival celebrating Caribbean culture with food, music, and entertainment, showcasing the diversity of the Caribbean community.
Vulcan Park and Museum’s Thunder on the Mountain (July): Birmingham’s largest fireworks display, held every Fourth of July at Vulcan Park.
Sloss Music & Arts Festival (July): A popular summer music festival held at the historic Sloss Furnaces, with a lineup of local and national artists.
Sidewalk Film Festival (August): A celebration of independent film, featuring screenings of features, shorts, and documentaries across multiple venues downtown.
Birmingham Restaurant Week (August): A second week-long event of the year showcasing local dining experiences, with special menus from participating restaurants.
Alabama State Fair (September): A traditional state fair held at the Birmingham Race Course, featuring rides, games, food vendors, and agricultural exhibits.
Greek Festival (September): A three-day cultural celebration featuring Greek food, music, dancing, and shopping, hosted by the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Alabama Butterbean Festival (September): A family-friendly festival in Pinson, featuring food, crafts, and activities, centered around the butterbean.
Birmingham Oktoberfest (October): A Bavarian-style festival with German beer, food, music, and games, celebrating Oktoberfest traditions.
Moss Rock Festival (November): An eco-creative festival featuring art, design, and sustainability exhibits, with outdoor activities, live music, and food trucks.
Birmingham Holiday Market (December): A holiday market featuring local vendors, handmade crafts, food, and holiday activities, perfect for gift shopping.

Final Thoughts

Birmingham is a city on the rise, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and opportunity. Whether you’re here for school, work, or leisure, there’s always something new to explore and experience.