Main Street Now 2024
May 6th, 2024 - May 8th, 2024
Check back often as we continue to post updates.
Whether you arrive early, stay after, or have some downtime during the Main Street Now conference, Main Street Alabama is here to make sure you have a good time. Check out the following...
Things to Do
Food & Drink
Adios Bar - Named one of 15 best places to drink tequila in the entire country! Open 7 days a week. Visit Adios Bar's website.
Birmingham Mayor Woodfin asked residents to list their favorite restaurants. Read the top responses here.
Bourbon drinkers? Check out these local spots according to Bham Now.
Birmingham doesn't have a shortage of fabulous mocktails. Check out this list of a sampling of what's available.
Chocolata, 701 37th Street South, Suite #5, Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 11-4
Pizitz Food Hall, Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 AM - 8 PM, Website
Weather in May can be unpredictable in Alabama, however best odds - it will be warm! Cool down with this list of frozen beverages at local establishments.
Birmingham Restaurants Spreadsheet
Experiences
Disney Costume Display at the Birmingham Museum of Art
Places to Visit
A.G. Gaston Motel, open Thursday-Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Open Tuesday - Saturday.
City Walk Located beside the conference hotels and convention center, this reimagined area will be the location of the Opening Reception. City Walk's website.
Five places to learn more about Birmingham's civil rights history.
Sloss Furnaces, location of the Big Bash.
8 Historical Congregations to Visit and Explore
Staff Picks
Mary Helmer Wirth
Mary's picks won't surprise anyone who knows her and her love for Mexican food. Her dining go-to is El Barrio, located at 2211 2nd Avenue North, open Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 AM - 8 PM and open until 9 PM Friday-Saturday. The Adobo Chicken is her favorite and we all know that you can't measure a great Mexican restaurant without trying the margaritas. For Mary, the El Barrio margarita fits the bill...on the rocks with salt, please.
For an amazing view of the city, Mary says to look no further than Vulcan Park & Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, where Vulcan keeps a watchful eye over the Magic City. Learn more about the Original Iron Man. Park hours: Monday-Wednesday, 10 AM - 6 PM, Thursday - Sunday, 10 AM - 10 PM.
Another great spot to take in the views is the rooftop bar, Moon Shine Bar, at Elyton Hotel, 1928 1st Ave North. Soak in the views and enjoy a fun cocktail while noshing on southern cuisine. Hours: Monday - Saturday, 4 PM - Until.
Jennifer Schuette (pronounced Shoe-T)
For food, Jennifer recommends Le Fresca (Italian), 2218 2nd Avenue North, Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 AM - 9 PM, Jenn's favorite dish: Rigatoni Al Ragu, Reservations Recommended
If you don't want to be in a pasta coma, consider Tasty Town (Greek), 16 14th Street South, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM - 9 PM, Saturday-Sunday, 11 AM - 10 PM. Jennifer suggests you start with Hummus and a glass of white wine. Reservations Accepted
If you are looking for a nice cocktail, check out the Black Walnut Old Fashioned at the speakeasy, Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar, 2015 1st Avenue North, #1E, Closed Sundays, For groups - Reservations Accepted
Trisha Black
When Trisha stays in Birmingham, you can count on seeing her at one of her favorite spots. For food, she loves Automatic Seafood, 2824 5th Avenue South, and has been known to eat there multiple nights in a row. The menu changes often but her go-to is usually the pork belly/seafood combination. She is also a fan of their weekend brunch with a French 75, substituting cognac instead of gin. Hours: Nightly 5 PM - 10 PM, Happy Hour 4-5 PM, Weekend Brunch 10 AM - 2 PM.
Trisha has become a tequila fan lately and enjoys Mayawell. This tequila bar doesn't disappoint and has a rooftop seating area along with a taco food truck for nibbles. Her favorite beverage is Cool Your Jets. Mayawell is located at 2900 4th Avenue South and just a block away from Automatic Seafood. Hours: Tues - Thurs 4 PM - 11:30 PM, Friday 4 PM - 12:30 AM, Saturday 2 PM-12:30 AM.
For a true delicacy, stop by the Alabama Peanut Company, 2016 Morris Avenue, for boiled peanuts. The love of boiled peanuts isn't shared statewide and is mainly a staple in L.A. (lower Alabama), especially in the Fall when the new crop of goobers is unearthed. In the Wiregrass, Trisha explains that they didn't mess with various flavors, but instead noted that the best batches were soft and salty. Her recommendation at APC, green-boiled peanuts if they have them, if not, stick to the classic salt boiled. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM
Lastly, if Trisha really likes your company, she'll likely invite you to the House of Found Objects, 2205 2nd Ave North. Words cannot fully describe the ambiance of this bar. The fun, retro vibe will take you back to the days of metal-themed lunch boxes and Sesame Street. Trisha's drink - the Kevin Chappelle. Hours: Tues - Thursday 4 PM - 12 AM, Friday - Saturday 4 PM - 2 AM
Tanya Maloney
Got kids coming with you to Birmingham? If so, Tanya has you covered with her picks. Having three little girls of her own, she has some suggestions for food and family fun that will be a hit with the little ones! First up is breakfast. Hop in an Uber for a short ride to Mt. Brook village for Another Broken Egg. Here you will find traditional breakfast and brunch options but also some southern favorites like biscuits and gravy. After breakfast, just down the street, The Birmingham Zoo is always a hit with the kids. In addition to visiting the animals, the Zoo always has extra fun opportunities for families. Tanya’s girls especially enjoy feeding the giraffes, camel rides, and the butterfly house. Bring a change of clothes for the kids because they will undoubtedly end up at the splash pad.
Need something out of the Alabama heat? Within walking distance of the conference hotel is the McWane Science Center. This hands-on museum is a one-of-a-kind experience that both your children and you will love. Four levels of a world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics themed fun. Tanya’s youngest daughter Rosie (4); and let’s be honest, everyone in the family; loves the Bubble Room! Check out all the cool exhibits on their website and see what will be showing at the IMAX Dome before you head over. For lunch or dinner while visiting the McWane Center, walk around the corner to the Pizitz Food Hall. Lots of options for those picky eaters.
Finally, Spring in Alabama means baseball season! If you are coming into the conference the weekend before, you can head over to Regions Field in downtown Birmingham to check out the Birmingham Barons against the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Purchase tickets here.
Other Tidbits
10 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Birmingham!
Get to Know Birmingham's First Poet Laureate
Think we're missing something? Let us know by sending us an email.
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex - BJCC
Birmingham, AL 35203
