I went to Paper Doll for happy hour on a Friday. I was the only one in there until my friend showed up. The bartenders didn't seem to eager to wait on us and we sat there for a couple of minutes. When we finally did get a drink I decided on sparking cocktail. It was good but nothing to write home about. I didn't get another drink because the bartenders never came back over to ask if we wanted something else. I might try this place again, but there are many other places around that are better. read more

Loved it. We had such an amazing server! She helped explain the drinks in detail and helped designate what would be best for my desired taste. (I don't drink much so the menu was complex for me lol). I liked the low light atmosphere. Nice and dark. Great furniture. Elegant feeling. read more

I don't regularly go to any bar, except Paper Doll! Everyone, from the bartenders and waitresses, to the owners, is superb! The atmosphere is gorgeous and swanky but really inviting and comfortable and the craft cocktails are the best and most inventive I've ever enjoyed. A bartender friend, who doesn't even work there, says they serve the best Old Fashioned you can get anywhere. It's the perfect place to meet friends, go for date night, or even enjoy happy hour by yourself. read more

Loved the atmosphere!!! They have a great list of signature cocktails, wine, and domestic/local craft beers! My favorite was The Pink Panther cocktail! read more

Paper Doll POP - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I came here on a Wednesday, which meant $5 Old Fashioneds. Come and try it! A very well balanced (not too sweet, not too strong, not too many bitters). I was thoroughly impressed. read more

Paper Doll POP - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Excellent cocktails made with serious attention to quality. They have a nice menu of custom creations, craft cocktails they invented. I'll have to come back to work my way through that menu, because the one I had was excellent. Also made a custom version of a standard cocktail for my wife who us very picky and she enjoyed it, so don't be afraid to ask! read more

My first time coming to this bar and it was amazing. The service was great, the couch was comfortable, and the drinks was good and strong.

LOVE! So many drink options. My husband and I stopped by for drinks before dinner at a nearby restaurant. We had time for several and drinks were great and servers/bartenders we're very nice and very efficient. However, unexpectedly the best part of our experience came after dinner when I realized I'd forgotten my phone in the (super comfy) couch seating area. The bartender had not only kept my phone safe but charged it. 10/10, will visit again. read more

Excellent craft cocktails and a gorgeous atmosphere. Bartenders truly know their craft. I can't wait to visit again!

Birmingham's downtown scene is getting better and better. Each time I'm in town, I discover a new mixology bar. This time, my family and I tried the Tavern on 1st. It's a hometown spot with a flair for flavorful and creative drinks. They make their whiskey sours with egg whites, so that is a huge plus. They're in a transition stage, so a few drinks might be rotating on and off the menu. This is perfect for foodies and taste experts, or at least people who call themselves those things. If you don't like a drink, let the bar know, and they'll do all they can to doctor it up for you. I'm definitely adding to this my Bham hideouts. It's a cool bar with an old fashioned twist. read more

Great new venue with wonderful ambiance, an impressive happy hour offering and great staff! Feels swanky and polished...loved it!

My new go-to for drinks with friends.... especially when trying to impress visitors from out of town. The drinks are delicious and different then you will find most other places. The interiors is head and shoulders above the standard in Bham and the crowd is fun. My group of 4 raised the average age of the place by decades but it was fun hanging around the "young people" and they did not stare at us to badly even though we were old enough to be most of their parents. It's definitely a fun place and I plan to return soon and often. read more

I've only been to Tavern on 1st once, but I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. They have booths and bar seats. Just off the bar is a small private room that can be reserved for events. It's not a super large space but does have multiple nice wood tables and stools. My favorite part of this bar is that the walls are lined with old photographs from around Birmingham. It looks like the era of the photographs ranges some, but many contain actual people in their historic outfits instead of just city landmarks. The bar is nice but it doesn't take long before people are lined up 2-3 deep waiting on a drink, so you may want to get in line towards the end of your beverage on a busy night. read more

Paper Doll POP - Old photo of Avondale park's amphitheater in the 20/30s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

We went for drinks. It was ok. I wasn't impressed by our server so, that made for a worse experience. I'd try it again just to be sure.. the craft drinks are affordable and taste good. We went during the day on a Saturday and although it was really pretty on the inside, I was freezing so we sat outside. read more

Just stopped for a bit. Cool environment. Friendly and capable bartender. Not too busy but we were pretty early. No detail missed. The Basil Smash is very yummy! Decent beer selection read more

Paper Doll POP - Basil Smash. Light and refreshing. Yum. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Nice bar for a drink before dinner or night cap after. Seating is pretty limited (as most bars) but the owner spared no expense with decor, it's gorgeous inside.This bar is the right type of spot for a date night. It has a pretty romantic vibe I'd say.. They also have private events. The womens restroom was clean and it's more than one stall. It's a pretty tight space and can become super tight as the evening gets later... but nonetheless, it's a cool spot. read more

I have been here three times now and each time it gets better! This is a great addition to Birmingham's growing assortment of mixology bars. Things I love about this place: lower key. It's not ragingly loud in here on a weeknight so you can actually have a very nice and quiet drink with friends. The decorations are pretty with gorgeous old photographs of Birmingham, lots of exposed wood and brick, and cool Edison bulb hanging lights. They have lots of bar space and booths to choose from. The bartenders absolutely love their craft, they treat mixology as an art. Their passion shines through in their drinks. They have a short cocktail list, but if you tell them what you like they can shake you up anything you can dream of. They have a great assortment of spirits, homemade bitters and syrups, and fresh ingredients. Be adventurous and step into the world of exciting syrups and bitters. If you let them they will make you cocktail tailored to your mood. Try this place !! read more

The absolute best Old Fashion you will get in Birmingham! If I'm going to order this cocktail, I want perfection. You can order it smoked, one Giant ice cube, a variety of top shelf bourbon. Do I need to say more? Also, you immediately feel like you have left Birmingham. This bar makes you feel like you are in NYC or Chicago. Definitely a must for a night out on the town. read more

A fabulous night out in downtown #birmingham Loved our time with Ry at @tavernon1stbham Not only did they mix us some kick ass cocktails, from the menu and some to please our palettes, they filled us with very cool Birmingham history and places to visit on our walk about the next day. #livinglocal #mainegirltravels #showmeyourcity read more

Paper Doll POP - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

This is such a cool bar in the downtown area. It is small, so there aren't a lot of places to sit down and it tends to get pretty crowded as the night goes on. The bartenders are very nice and the drinks are unique. Great atmosphere! read more

We actually decided to check the Tavern out on Halloween night of this year, so it was not as crowded as it may usually have been (which was fine by us, since we were trying to get away from the crowds and parties.) The two bartenders on duty were amazing...very attentive, and making delicious craft cocktails. Apparently the cucumber smash is one of their most popular menu items...and I can definitely see why!! I also had a couple of great bourbon concoctions. The atmosphere is very cool, with vintage pictures of Birmingham lining the walls. A shuffleboard table sits toward the back, if you are looking to play a bit. I also like that they have plenty of room inside...lots of booths and good seating at the bar as well. I only wish that they had at least a couple of patio tables along the sidewalk outside, if you want to step out for a moment. We can't wait to go back soon!! read more

Paper Doll POP - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

It's a neat bar. Pretty similar to most bars in birmingham. It's not very large, but has comfy couches to sit on when available. The drinks are strong. Most interestingly, they have an amaro flight. We went on a Friday night around 9:30 and it was pretty packed with standing room only. read more

Paper Doll is a nice addition to the downtown loft district bar scene! Swanky interior and nice cocktail list. We enjoyed it and will be back! read more

Super swanky place w good drinks. We are practically only group here & waitress hasn't come to check on us in 25 mins :-/ Will be back but not impressed w service at 6:00 on a Fri with plenty of servers & hardly any patrons read more

This place is well worth it! As a business owner myself, I understand how critics can be but this place is well worth it. I highly recommend it! read more

I thoroughly enjoy this 1st Ave cocktail joint and frequent it often. Unless there's an event (BMR Bourbon Trail, Central City Meetup, etc.), they usually only have a few customers (5-15) when I visit. If you're looking for solid cocktails with a calm atmosphere, you should definitely check this place out. Because they put a lot of effort into making these pieces of art, the wait for a drink is usually a bit longer than your average bar, even if they aren't busy. Tips for TO1st newbies: 1) Unfortunately, on busier nights, the wait for a drink can be quite long, so make sure to account for this in between rounds. 2) Check out the Fredo's Folly (not on the menu) if you enjoy an Old Fashioned with a twist. They make it with a delicious Clyde May's whiskey. read more

The paper doll bars has a positive vibe. The dims lights make it a great place to relax and have a drink. The music is played softly making it a great place to talk to coworkers/friends. The bar tenders are great and have fast customer service. Paper Doll is a great place to go for happy hour. A lot of professionals come to this bar. It's is definitely work checking out. read more

Tabitha aka "Tabi" is an amazing bartender! She makes delicious adult beverages and has an awesome demeanor. The cocktails here are superb with house made syrups and bitters. On Tuesdays they have $5 Sazeracs, which are fabulous. Come out and enjoy your time to unwind! read more

Worst customer service I've ever received. The bartender was incredibly rude. Our server took 20+ minutes to get us a drink. I tried to order from the bar since there were only two patrons at the bar at the time. I spoke with the bartender and he was very polite and respectful. After returning for another drink, the other bartender (I think his name was Jacob) was very rude. I was told to go sit down and wait for my server to get a drink. I tried to explain that our server was not coming by very often and drink orders were taking a long time. After arguing with jacob for a few minutes, we decided to all close our tabs (there was nine people in my party). He had a horrible attitude and I have no clue how he works in the customer service industry. I was shocked at how rude the staff was. The host decided to walk up and give his two cents as well and was equally as rude. The only person there that had any sense was the blonde bartender that I spoke to for my first drink. The short bartender Jacob is just an angry little guy who needs to find a new career path. Will not return. read more

Really great whisky collection.... Awesome bartender. Good selection of cocktails, homemade bitter and syrup are amazing read more

Paper Doll POP - Good whisky collection, relaxing jazz music - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Great experience. We shared a charcuterie board and a few cocktails. Properly distanced during Covid.

Maybe one of Birmingham's best kept secrets. Bar staff is excellent. Hand crafted drinks made specifically to your request. Great addition to downtown area. Good for large or small groups. read more

Had a pretty good experience here. The bartender was very knowledgeable. I really enjoyed the basil smash. The atmosphere was laid back. I like the fact you can bring in food. Great place for gatherings as well. I will be back soon. read more

Wish our night had ended better. Visited Paper Doll after dinner at Bocca Ristorante - must try! - and had the worst time. The drinks were watered down, the service was underwhelming, and there were too many people up and about for our liking. Different experience from what I've had before.....my friends and I will be giving this place a break. read more

Tavern on 1st was exactly what I wanted: quiet, classy, delicious. Its cocktail prices were no higher than any other bar downtown, and on a Saturday night, my party of five was thrilled to have our choice of seating. And, I know every other review includes this too, but... the Basil Smash is so good. read more

I loveeeee Tavern on 1st. It's such a nice, chill place to sit, talk and really enjoy a drink. They have tons of fun events and pop ups that cater to a wide range of tastes. The drink specials differ from day to day but are always a great buy. I like going on Wednesdays when they do a $5 Old Fashioned. read more

The drinks were great and the space is amazing. However our server was ride and condescending towards our group. Not only was she rude, but she made us feel very unwelcome. Until they fix their service I do not recommend going there. read more

I can't offer enough compliments about Tavern on 1st. The drinks are phenomenal, the ambiance is inviting, and the service is attentive. I have been here several times on Friday and Saturday nights from early evening to midnight. There's always somewhere to sit and get comfortable. I prefer the bar, but they have leather couches that look quite inviting, as well as high top tables and booths if you're looking for more privacy or a place to accommodate larger parties. The brick walls create a nice space, as well as the pictures of Birmingham back in the day. The cocktails are crafted with fine attention to detail and quality ingredients. I've tried many of the drinks on the menu, as well as drinks off the menu, and I am always consistently impressed. If you are looking for light and fresh, the Basil Smash is incredible. If you're a fan of whiskey, the Colonel Beauregard is not to be missed - perfect for a cool night. Honestly, you can't go wrong, as they definitely offer some of the best cocktails in the city. Also, if you can make it in on a weekday night, they have amazing $5 drink specials. What beats a quality Manhattan or Sazerac for $5? read more

PROS: Knowledgeable, professional, and personable bartender (Patrick) who recommended and made the best drinks for my hubby and myself. Nice low lighting including candles after sunset. Several seating options including the bar, tables or sofas. Minimal decor, but managed to still feel somewhat cozy. TVs that included artistic ads for in-house drinks. Sophisticated vibe and seemed like a great location for anyone 21 and older looking for a mature, non-party scene bar. Oh, and it's directly across the street from What's on 2nd, a super cool vintage/second-hand shop with a variety of unique, classic, and geeky goods. So, if you visit early enough you can include a vintage shop stroll before enjoying a few cocktails. CONS: None! :) RECOMMENDATIONS: Our favorite was the Colonel Beauregard. The Basil Smash was light and refreshing. The menu changes, and they feature different drinks regularly. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

Last night we had a rare opportunity to go downtown. This was our second stop. We were greeted immediately upon entering at 9:30 to the bartender saying we close at 10. It was a Tuesday. There were 2 patrons there upon our arrival. We considered leaving; however, the bartender insisted we had time for A drink. We're not craft cocktail kind of people. Guys had beer from decent beer selection. Our friend had a cosmo which she really liked. My wife had the FDB No. 1 at the recommendation of the bartender. Not her favorite. The ginger completely overpowered the drink for her and she wasn't able to drink more than a couple sips. The making of the cocktails was an undertaking. We felt like we should applaud when she finished making each one. The atmosphere is very cool. We like local and will continue to support local places. Next time we may ask a few more questions/ share what my wife likes and try to find a drink more to my wife's liking. read more