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    SideBar

    3.2 (43 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Open 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    SideBar Photos

    SIDEBAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - SideBar

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    Decor
    Jade B.

    If you're looking for a fun and youthful spot to hang out in Bham, this is it. Fun and energetic atmosphere. They require ID and charged for entry after a certain hour so be sure to have identification and cash on you to avoid using the ATM. The drinks were okay and the $10 bucket was a DEAL! Shoutout to the DJ who had a variety of music playing and had everyone dancing! Definitely planning to come here again when in town.

    a blue drink in a plastic cup with a straw
    Whitney H.

    Loud music, good drinks, plenty people. What's not to love? The bathrooms were actually nice and clean and did not smell of old vomit and regret. This place gets two thumbs way way up.

    people sitting at tables in a dimly lit bar
    Alex R.

    This is a fantastic place. It has a lot of outside space. Games like pool, jenga, darts, and for the more energetic beach volleyball (minus the ocean). They have a reasonable selection of draft beer and any mixed drink you could want. They do not serve food. If you plan to go on a weeknight (Mon-Thurs) the inside bray be closed and the outside bar has a limited selection of beer. But it is quiet and relaxing. If you go on Friday or Saturday it's a different world. At 7 it is quiet and peaceful but by 9 the scene changes. The Yuppies start showing up in droves and it becomes a friendly rowdy crowd (which I enjoy). By 11 it is packed. I love this place except for one thing. Cigarette smoking is permitted in the outside area so it can get quite smokey if there is no wind. It is almost a flashback to the Southside of the mid 80's

    beer taps on a bar counter
    Linda R.

    If you have never been to Sidebar, you should at least check it out. Located in the Lakeview district, they have an outdoor sand volleyball area, Jenga and darts. They are called Sidebar because there is an actual bar on the side of the building which is open most of the time. There is also an inside bar but everytime I have been there, except once, it was closed. The have a pretty good craft beer selection and the prices are typical. There is an outdoor patio with a fan in the front but alot of people smoke there, so if you don't smoke be aware. People of all ages come to this bar, but FYI late at night, there is a younger crowd.

    Fireball shot in a medical cup.

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    Page 2 of 2

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    Review Highlights - SideBar

    Want a place to just unwind after work or a great place to hang with friends on the weekend then Side Bar is the real deal.

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    The Refinery - Burrata salad, Spinach artichoke dip and spiced ahi tuna

    The Refinery

    4.3(138 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I wish I could give The Refinery a proper review, but unfortunately they made that pretty…read moredifficult. When I walked in they handed me the full menu... and then immediately told me I couldn't order from it. Apparently they're running on a very limited menu right now, which consisted of maybe three or four things. Bit of a letdown since I came specifically because I saw pictures of their smash burger and had dreams about it on the drive over. Instead I settled for the tacos, which were actually pretty tasty. No real complaints there. The drinks leaned pretty sweet, which makes me think there's a heavy hand with the syrups. The space itself is very small. It's decorated nicely, but you'll definitely feel like you're accidentally best friends with the people sitting next to you. The staff was fine overall, but very close and boisterous with each other. In a room that small, if one of the servers has the cackle of a woman who skins Dalmatians on the weekends... maybe don't pair her up with the funniest coworkers on the planet. All in all, a fine experience but not ideal. Call ahead if you actually want access to the full menu.

    Chill atmosphere with great food and service. Want some good cocktails? We were alcohol free…read moretonight but they looked pretty good! Want truffle fries? They've got that too. Want to splurge on a smashburger or go light with a salad? Want some sports television on three big screens? You know the answer by now. Lunch menu is served all day and they have a weekly dessert (I forgot to ask, I failed the mission darnit) . Very personable and small space - less than 30 seats in the house - so be prepared for the close quarters if you have a larger party. For hubby and I we had the perfect spot for two and enjoyed the industrial touches. Bathrooms were in the back, single rooms, and they were well taken care of and beautifully arranged. Thank you as always Birmingham.

    Photos
    The Refinery
    The Refinery - Chickpea tostadas, truffle fries, mozzarella cheese. All were very good!

    Chickpea tostadas, truffle fries, mozzarella cheese. All were very good!

    The Refinery - Shot

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    Shot

    Bygones Cocktail Bar

    Bygones Cocktail Bar

    4.8(35 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I finally got to check out Bygones! My friend and I went for a late night bite and a cocktail, and…read morewe sat at the bar. The service was quick and the hospitality was unmatched. They have a food truck that I've heard wonderful things about and I ordered the chicken Caesar salad. It was almost like a chopped Caesar salad and it was just the right amount for a small girl dinner. If you like Parmesan cheese, this is a must order as they do not skimp on that! What was really nice however was that you couldn't tell the food was from a food truck. It was great quality and you are able to order from inside the bar and they deliver it to you. That was a great service. I can't quite remember which cocktail I got, but it was very delicious and at one point the server had even given me a new chilled glass so my drink would remain cold as I sipped on it. This is definitely a great date night spot or just a place to grab a drink with friends, definitely a little more upscale as we were there in the evening, so the lights were dim. I won't drop my rating as it's spring time in the South but I remember being cold immediately as I walked in- but that's typical for a lot of places.

    Yall! Get down here!!! The absolute best SEXY bar ever. Sophisticated. Dark wood…read morecabinets....exposed brick walls ...black and brass fixtures...great music. But the real jam! The mixologist! These guys aren't bartenders! They have science in the back! I'm talking Suvied fruits and centrifuges! It's fabulous. So much so, my plane was delayed and I was thrilled to find out while I was still there! Drake and Dustin....Dustin and Drake they are Pros!

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    Bygones Cocktail Bar
    Bygones Cocktail Bar
    Bygones Cocktail Bar

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    The Garage - The Fritz!

    The Garage

    4.3(232 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    The Garage kicks ass. Tons of history, extremely dope vibe, great service, solid sandwiches/soup…read more If you get the chance go check out this historical gem tucked away in Birmingham. Voted one of the top bars to travel to in multiple magazines. The owner basically built a bar around his workshop. The middle looks way better during the summer, but a must visit if in the area.

    We had a lovely lunch at the Garage!…read more Their sandwiches are fresh and made to order. It's very straight forward and you choose all of your own toppings. Soup changes daily and this day was chickpea and chorizo. Nothing life changing about it but it wasn't bad. We walked into a small, dark, crowded dive bar and ordered amongst several other people after waiting in line shoulder to shoulder with other customers. I say this not to complain (because with a crowd like this on a random weekday, they're obviously doing something right) but to take your kids in car seats (‍) with caution. Crowds in small spaces stress me out and it would have been even worse if we'd had the boys with us. I'd also highly suggest going on a day when you can sit outside. There's very minimal seating inside. They do have a lovely, spacious patio that also feels like a garden with plenty of trees for shade. However, they make it clear they don't want dogs there. Parking was horrific. A narrow street with cars on each side. We barely fit through it. If there wouldn't have been an open spot on it, I'm not sure what the next option is because I didn't see anywhere else and this street only held so many. I would dine here again because the sandwiches were fresh and delicious and they obviously know what they're doing! I was pleasantly surprised that they had prosecco as well. Just heed my few warnings and you'll enjoy as well!

    Photos
    The Garage
    The Garage - Club Sandwich

    Club Sandwich

    The Garage - Prosecco

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    Prosecco

    SideBar - bars - Updated June 2026

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