3000 Bar - Five Points

If you've been anywhere near Five Points in Birmingham lately, you've seen this quaint little bar (they have food too!) nestled right next to the Pancake House.   It's usually lit up with some red lights inside, and it does have outdoor seating.

Before the trip with the pictures I'm about to show you, I'd been there twice before.  Once when one of my friends decided to pierce her tongue (I know, I know...I tried my best to talk her out of it, but a friend's a friend, and I was there to hold her hand), and then once again for said friend's 30th.  She was sans tongue piercing at this point, because she had taken it out by this point.  I'm all for experimentation, but yikes...please keep all sharp things away from my tongue.  I whine like a baby for two days when I bite my tongue or lip, so having a needle stuck through it; not my cup of tea.

Okay, so the actual bar.  The thing that draws me to it every so often?  It has the Mardi Gras daiquiri machines!  So you can get the exact same ones you get on Bourbon Street!  Now, they rarely have the banana one, which is my absolute favorite, but they have the 190 Octane thing, which is just as strong and just as delicious.  I have not had the food here yet, so sadly, I can't say anything on it.  But if you go for anything, go for one of those daiquiris.  I swear you won't regret it.

Plus you can always pretend you're in New Orleans, and that is always a good thing.

The Collins Bar - Birmingham

Whilst traversing through this great city one day, B and I came across this little bar.  Unfortunately for us, the first time we saw it, it was closed, and not opening for another two hours.

"Another time," we said.

So another time was this past weekend.  It was completely packed Friday night, and if you know me, I'm not a fan of large crowds.  No weird psychological fear, I'm just old and hate them.

So we went Saturday afternoon right at 4pm when they opened.  We were the first people in there.  And to say I was amazed at the place is an understatement.  If I were to open a bar, that is exactly what I would want to do (the delivery number on the door is a New Orleans number, by the way.  Go figure).  You walk in to cozy booths and amazing light fixtures.  Behind the bar is a Birminghamian periodic table.  No joke.  Every periodic element has a Birmingham theme.  Example:  Ba = Barons.

We haven't even gotten to the best part.  They tailor-make your drink.  The bartender asks you your spirit of choice, whether you're feeling sweet or tart or citrusy, asks you a few more questions about your taste, and voila.  A drink made just for you.  Of course they will make your favorites and have a selection of beer, but I have no clue why you wouldn't at least take this thing for a test drive at least once.  

First go round, he made me a sweet strawberry vodka drink with oregano leaves on top.  Second one was more of an island-y drink topped with mint.  Incredible.  Definitely stop by this joint next time you can.  They're even open to 1am on Sunday.  

Oh yeah.  And they have food.  Enough said.

Two Birmingham Amazenesses (Yep, that's a word)

Picture this.

It's a lovely March/April/May day in Birmingham.  It's just at that point where it isn't too cold to stay out when the sun goes down, and it isn't too hot to where your legs stick to the chair or you get that little sweat bubble thing right under your boobs.  Oh, does that only happen to me?  

So where is one to go in Birmingham when that weather is just perfect?  Let me tell you.

You head to the Garage!

Yeah, it's a tad bit grungy and dark, especially if you walk through the front part of the bar.  But make your through the tables and down the stairs to the sliding door and you've made it to the courtyard!  There's plenty of places to sit and enjoy your beverage.  I do believe they serve some food, but I can't confirm or deny.  I've never eaten their food, but enjoyed the awesome above and their outdoor seating.

Then, after a night of drinking, what is the very first thing that you want to do?

Stuff your face right?  Don't even pretend that I'm not the only one who's eaten after midnight McDonald's or Taco Bell.  Yeah, I feel bad about myself the morning after, but that moment when you're shoving French fries in your mouth or that soft taco...pretty much the best thing ever.

So what if you find a place that's even better than those two combined?  Plus they're open twenty-four hours, and their food is delicious.  You still feel pretty bad about yourself afterwards, but damn, nothing compares to Al's Deli.

I only have two words for you about Al's Deli.

Ranch.  Fries.

You will never find better late night drinking food that Al's.  It's not expensive, and they don't sell alcohol which allows you enough time to sober up before driving home.  Their gyros are pretty delicious too.

Plus, I actually did run into a grown adult here once in Elmo pajamas.  Footies and all.  

Our Days in Key West

Our days in Key West were scattered with many many key lime drinks and half price appetizers.  Get ready for picture heavy post, because it's coming.

The first night, we hit the boardwalk thing for some half price drinks and food.  Plus, hello there, oysters. The first place we went to was Alonzo's Oyster Bar.  We got some calamari, and some buffalo oysters.  I love raw oysters, but if you put some yummy buffalo seasoning on them, it seems that they can only get better.  Add a key lime mojito and a tequila sunrise for B, and we're all set.

Next stop was on to Kelley's for their own brews and some key lime margaritas. 

The next night we went to a few more bars (can't remember the names....happy hour does that to you sometimes), but we ran into an Ernest Hemingway impersonator.  As it was Hermingway Days on the island, and they have a look-alike contest.  He was a little hammered, and I wish I had videos of him, but I don't, so the solo picture will have to suffice.

         

        

        

            

            

Next we went onto Cap'n Tony's to have a few drinks.  I was absolutely in love with this place.  They had dollar bills and bras hanging from every nook and cranny in the joint, plus the bartenders were super friendly.  We drank one of their specialty drinks, and it was strong and delicious. While listening to the band/singer man harass pretty much every pretty girl that walked into the place.

If you're in Key West, definitely go for the half price everything on the boardwalk.  You can get a dozen oysters for $4.  Plus try everything key lime on the key, because if you don't, you'll regret it.

Garment - Kansas City

While in Kansas City, I went to heaven.

 

It was a placed called Garment.

 

It combined two of my most favorite things:  clothing and alcohol.

 

It was a really cute boutique shop, with a bar in the middle.  The people that owned it were so sweet and helpful.  I also couldn't leave without bringing back a few cute tops.  I probably could have bought everything in there and been completely okay with it.

 

 

 

They had this cute little chalkboard trash can outside of their store.  The two above were my favorites. 

 

Next time we're in Kansas City, we will definitely be visiting again.

 

 

 



41st Street Pub & Airplane Parts

This weekend we had heard about a new beer being introduced at Avondale Brewery via Facebook.  So of course we had to go try the Strawberry Kolsch.  And it was fantastic.  It wasn't quite as good as the strawberry brew in New Orleans; it wasn't as fruity, but it was still just as good.  And the place was packed at 2pm.  I didn't know there were so many day drinkers.

But I guess it was a Saturday.  Also enjoyed a Mr. Todd's Double IPA.  Delicious.

Yums.

But then we discovered something more awesome and less crowded.  And right across the street.  Enter 41st Street Pub & Airplane Parts.  I was only slightly disappointed to not see a single airplane part in there.  But it was definitely a nice friendly atmosphere without the, "I'm here only to be seen" scene.  

The bartender was definitely my favorite part of the whole place; he sounded exactly like Seth Rogen was was so so sweet and knowledgeable.  

Here are a few pics from the place:

 

What they call a "Moscow Mule"  Delicious.

The ginger beer they put in the drink.  This is what makes it.  I don't even know how to describe...just good.  And potent.

It was just a neat little bar.  They had cute little private booths, and big round tables for larger groups.  And even a couple shuffleboard tables.  

 

Needless to say, that won't be our last time there.