The Nick is definitely not for everyone -- but it's absolutely an experience you'll never forget. After my friend (who was hosting us) passed out, my other friend and I decided to see more of Birmingham's nightlife. A friendly bartender at Up-Down Arcade Bar (another must-visit!) told us about this place, mentioning it's one of the few bars open 24 hours on the weekend. Naturally, curiosity won. From the jump, this place had character. There's a bouncer at the door, a makeshift elevated DJ booth to the right where you have to pay cash for a "membership." Don't worry -- there's an ATM conveniently behind the booth, ready to charge you a nice little convenience fee if you didn't bring cash. The membership lasts a year, but still, that was a first for me. Inside? Small. Crowded. Lively. And at 1 AM, there was a guy passed out in a chair right by the entrance -- with his dog roaming freely around the bar. I honestly couldn't make this up if I tried. The bartenders were solid -- fast, cool, and trying their best to keep up with the rush. There's a selection of local beers (pretty good ones too) and two pool tables... well, technically one, since they only had one cue ball. The pool sticks? Ancient relics. The bathroom? I'll spare you the visuals. Outside was much more breathable. There was a local guy named Walter -- from Georgia, of all places -- selling BBQ. Cool dude. The turkey wing was a little tough, but his attitude made up for it. Now, the real highlights? The people and the atmosphere. You've got folks eavesdropping on your conversations, tossing around racially backed jokes at me (that I politely corrected), a row of chain-smokers out front, and a woman openly asking for cigarettes or change that may have been homeless, but was definitely a crackhead and she so eloquently vocalized. It's a gritty and downright raw type of place, but somehow, it works. There wasn't any live music when we came, but I'm sure that's what makes this place shine more than it already does in its own unique way. I'll definitely be back for a performance night. Bottom line: Five stars because The Nick is exactly what it's supposed to be -- an unfiltered slice of Birmingham nightlife that refuses to apologize for being itself. read more

The Nick - Dive Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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It seems like I'd heard of this place since the day we moved to Birmingham in 2012. I've heard some interesting stories about it since then also. lol! I went at 4:30'ish on a Tuesday for happy hour with some pals. Very slow time which was perfect for us. The bartender was very laid back. The customers seemed like regulars... familiar. Good drinks. The walls are super super busy. You can't look and not see something you didn't see before. I definitely recommend going for the experience if you've never been. read more

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It is an institution. If local then great for live music. But not some place that will be welcoming. read more

What's not to love about a good dive bar?!?!?! The former "Wooden Nickle" was rebranded "The Nick" in 1982 and, in its previous life, was a "Birmingham's Finest Quik Mark." I find it hard to believe it has a capacity of 250 - that would be a tight fit in this building! You're practically on stage with the band when it's a packed house. The Nick is where you go for live music, cheap beer, or Jack and Cokes, and late nights. It is open till 4 AM, and either does or does not close on the weekends. (Here are their hours from their website: We Are Open Sun - Thurs: 2:00 pm till 4:00 am Fri - Sat: till 6:00 am.) Maybe due to their "after hours" hours, the Nick is now a "membership only" place - from their website: "The Nick is 21 and Up Private Club Membership Card ($5 Per Year) & Valid ID to Enter." They don't serve food, it's just a bar and it was a smoking bar until about 10 years ago. Bono (along with Adam Clayton) visited The Nick and coined it "Birmingham's Dirty Little Secret." Back when I frequented it, the Red Hot Chili Peppers played the Nick (5 times), as did Janes Addiction, Wheezer, Korn, and the Black Crowes, among other famous bands. Good local/regional bands played here too! I recall cheap cover charges, maybe $10.00 and bands always starting after their scheduled time. As you would expect, the restrooms are graffitied, and the walls are covered with stapled band paraphernalia, such as stickers, photos, etc. Faded old band photos are even stapled to the ceiling! There's an ample front deck/porch area with benches, and a landmark marquee that overlooks the tiny, dicey parking lot. We usually parked streetside on 10th Avenue and made the short walk to the Nick. Do stop by the Nick, to get a shot of Tequilia or a cold PBR, to say you did! read more

Stay away, far away. Employees are under trained to resolve any kind of dispute. Use personal relationships to resolve business issues at every turn. Every turn. Security is non existant. Weapons and such are brought in at will through re-entry and pass outs. Typically asks patrons to be stand in security during bathroom, smoke breaks etc. Allows fired employees access to return to place of business and continue problematic behavior that got them fired in the first place discouraging new patronage and existing patronage that could possibly increase revenue. Illegal activity on the premises inside and out is tolerated. Overcharging patrons by bar staff is rampant and out of control. Ownership is oblivious by design. Undermanaged by far. Been coming for years, has never been this bad. Ever. Stay away. Far away unless you'd like your car broken into by the homeless encampment on the side of the building. read more

This is a cool spot. But keep in mind BOTH BATHROOMS ARE DISGUSTING. This is to be expected at a dive bar though. I like the lighting inside and it's nice that they're open 24 hours on the weekends. The staff is friendly. There was a fight when I was there but security handled it quickly and no one else was hurt. I would've felt uncomfortable if I came there without my friends but we were looking out for each other. I think i paid $10 for a year membership. There's a pool table inside and a stage. read more

The Nick, please clean your bathrooms. It's diabolical. I almost puke every time I go. It's getting worse. I won't be returning until it's done. It smells like you haven't disinfected them since the time of the ancient Roman Empire. Ancient piss. It's disgusting, inhumane, and putrid to have people breathe in straight ammonia every time they need to use the restroom. All I smell is the urine of the hundreds of people who used the restrooms before me. It smells like people pee on the walls in there. I asked the bartneder why the bathrooms were 10x worse than what they normally are and he didn't have an answer . He also said it was weird because they had been cleaned that day. THERE IS NO WAY. The smell i smelled was so horrid it singed my nose hairs. Please do not put bleach on the urine because it will create mustard gas and make everyone pass out within a 2-mile radius. I would suggest Pine-Sol or an industrial cleaner. What yall are using is not working. I've never smelled such a funky stanky smell. I love coming here to watch bands play and enjoy the music, play pool, and chill. Unfortunately, I won't be returning until it's disinfected and thoroughly cleaned. It's just common courtesy for your customers, no matter how shady they might be. Sincerely, someone who has spent hundreds of dollars over the years at your establishment. Do the right thing. Use the bucket and mop. read more

Went to see Trapt and local band Hill St. the place had good atmosphere and the sound was very smooth, it wasn't over bearing and the guitars did not sound harsh the sound tech had it dialed in good. Hill St. started the show with really good energy and continued to build throughout the set while holding nothing back. Trapt came on stage and did their set. If another band I like comes to town or Hill st. Is playing I will definitely return , the place also has decent street parking and was easy to get to FYI they charge a member fee to get in on top of ticket sale. read more

The Nick - Hill St. - Dive Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I went to see an early concert. Doors at 7, show from 8-930. I read the reviews and was a bit hesitant but this place is just simply a dive bar. Robin the bartender was nice, chatty, and attentive. The bathrooms are grungy to go like a dive bar but the actual toilet and sink were clean with properly locking doors ( make sure you lock the door, people just pull on the door, too loud to worry about knocking ). Now as the night went on the cleanliness decreased but that is because people are just gross and messy, no fault to the bar. They can't keep cleaning up after drunk people that can't pee in the toilet vs on the toilet. I was up front and the "acoustics" were fine, not too loud and very clear. The part that was a bit weird but I understand bc it's a private bar...I was a fool and bought a ticket online ( fees and such) I paid an astronomical amount vs at the door. He didn't really care about my ticket I just showed the email with a confirmation number. I had to still pay $ and put a bunch of personal information on a sheet to be a "member". All of the patrons were nice and non judgmental. I would go back and rec. To others. read more

Amazing atmosphere!! I love the private bar experience!! You have to pay $5 for a year membership but who cares when you get to hear live music that's awesome?? read more

Super cool dive bar! Tons of history with this joint and if you are nice enough the bartenders may tell you about it. The bartenders are awesome and treat you like a local. If you love Dive Bars, this is one you don't want to miss. read more

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The service and ambiance is great. We just didn't like that they move the tables when the band gets going to make a dance floor. The hubby likes a table to put his drink on. read more

Found this spot on a recent trip to Birmingham and I gotta say it was exactly the type of place I was looking for. Cheap drinks and a low key vibe. Will be returning if I'm ever back in the area. read more

If you're looking for a late-night dive bar in Birmingham, this is your place. I've been going to The Nick for many years (I even went on a first date here, many years ago...) and I think it has only gotten better. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better spot in town for live, local rock music. The drinks are always cold and the people are friendly. I love hanging out on the large front deck between bands as well. You can always meet someone new there. Be sure to check out the ceiling and walls once you're inside. It's plastered with posters from bands that have played there in the past. There are some pretty big names hidden in there. read more

The Nick - Dive Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I've been trying to get to the Nick for months and I finally got to stop by on a Monday night. Now I know you're thinking, "Monday? How could that be fun??", but it was pretty much perfect. I was given the chance to end a dreary Monday with a fun evening having a few drinks with some new friends. Everyone was so nice and the drinks were great! The feel of this place is incredible with a great group of people, lovable and bubbly bartender, great conversation and a playlist that I can really appreciate. Upon first look it seems like parking would be a nightmare but keep in mind that there's plenty of parking on the street, especially under the bridge. Walking up can be a bit intimidating because of everyone sitting outside and the hardcore dive bar vibe this place puts off, but keep in mind that everyone is there to have a good time and to make some new friends. The inside of this place is like nothing I have ever seen. There's posters, stickers and flyers that act as the wallpaper. I spent a good twenty minutes just sitting at the bar and reading over everything that was covering their walls and ceilings. They have their specials/beer prices posted on a board right beside the bar so check it out before you order. They also have a tons of shows here. Although I haven't been for a show yet, I have looked a couple of times. There's typically three or four bands that play in one night with a cover charge of only $5. It'll more than likely be bands that you've never heard of but that's the fun of it all isn't it? read more

The Nick - Dive Bars Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Great bar and great music. If you are visiting Birmingham you have to experience The Nick at least once. The area around the bar tends to not be the safest, but as long as you watch your surroundings you should be fine. read more

Held together by staples, tar, and sin, The Nick is still a Birmingham classic. I don't go as much as I used to but I'm still glad it's there. The shows still start too late but damn if that PA still doesn't sound great. And, if you're a band, you'll find The Nick has excellent on-stage sound -- so even if you'll playing to a bunch of inebriated ne'er do well's (and why wouldn't you be?) it'll still sound like your best show ever... And maybe it was. Nighthawks take note: The NIck stays open well into the wee-hours of the morning most nights and doesn't even bother to close on the weekends. Party. read more

One of the best music venues/dive bars in existence. You have to like: 1. It's in an old gas station. 2. It's open late all the time 3. Big time artists have played here at some point. 4. It's never atrophied as a place to hang. A true institution. Great place to drink or watch a show. read more

This review mainly pertains to the physical aspects of The Nick. They do consistently bring in some pretty good acts, so if someone I loved was playing a gig there, I might consider going (especially since the smoking ban has finally gone into effect). That being said, the venue itself is nasty. While it is cool that my dad used to hang out there (decades ago) and it was called The Wooden Nickel, it feels like I'm stepping back in time when I walk inside. The bathrooms are tiny, smell bad, and, in the multiple times I have been there, were not clean. It is dimly lit, has pool tables and darts, a low ceiling, a stage (obviously) and is very smoky, which I assume will change. As a woman, I would not feel safe going there by myself, because it isn't in the safest neighborhood, but in a group I think it's ok. So, if a band you really like is playing, you can tough it out. Or, if you really like uber-dive bars, this would definitely be a good place to visit. It just isn't my personal scene, which is probably why I prefer to spend my nights out elsewhere. (but I do love that a local establishment has been around for so long and continues to be a local institution...) read more

WOW! I have NEVER, repeat NEVER, had a bad time here- which is a big statement when it comes to drunken nights and dive bars. This place knows how to rock, how to serve a cold beer and how to keep its people happy. The crowd is about as diverse as it gets, MINUS the chotchskie's which is refreshing. My hope is that this place never becomes a sell out and moves to a glitzy or new location as I love everything about this bar!! (Cue music from "I love this bar' by Toby Keith.)... Disclaimer: I am not a country music fan just find this song hilariously entertaining and entirely fitting. It started playing in my head the second I started writing this review! read more

This place isn't only a staple In Birmingham, it's also help up by all the staples from years of show posters. The main complaint about the Nick is the smoke and show start times. In the past, you were lucky to see a four band show start before 11pm. Now a days, things are getting better. The new smoking ordinance and other local venues are starting to force some great changes to a great venue. Go see a historic venue, see great bands, go home before 6am, and don't feel like like you have to burn your clothes. read more

Take an old 7-11, board up the front, dump black paint all over it, then hold the whole thing together with millions of rusting staples from past show flyers. Coat the ceiling with old band promo pictures, and encrust the front of the place with band stickers. You then have The Nick. It's one of the divey-est of dives, with a low ceiling and the general feel of being in a bomb shelter. That said, it's a great place to see a concert. It usually attracts local bands and some other un-heard-ofs- but every now and again, they'll get some better-known musicians. (Fishbone was one of the last notables I saw here, on a surreal day that involved taking Angelo to get his sax fixed, then having him inspect my car thoroughly when he thought he left his cell phone in there....) I've seen this pace from the point of view of someone working with a band, and from the point of view of an audience member, and I've never really had a bad experience here. I won;t say the staff is always overly friendly or overly helpful- but they're also not bad at all. You will NOT leave hating the people who work there. In some cases, you may rave about one particular staff member who treated you very well- but most of my experiences have been just on the good side of average. Beer geeks: Not the place for you. There are a few better-than-average offerings.....but remember, this is a dive. That's its personality. If you want a dive like The Nick but with good beer, try Lovejoy's in Austin, TX. read more

Well to say this is my favorite bar would be an understatement! Great live music the coldest beer in town! I have seen some of the best local and national acts here over the years, many refer to it as the CBGB's of the south!!!! read more

Dirty! Loud! Awesome! Loud rock club of the best old school kind read more

One of the Best Dive Bars in the South! I was taken here by my friend Greg McR (B'hamsters will know him) after visiting Ona's and the Blue Monkey AND The Furnace (hey I was in town for a wedding). In other words, we were there LATE and still got served. If you remember The Antenna or Barrister's in Memphis or CBGB's in the Bowery (rip-both) you'll understand the attraction. The rock is LOUD, the drinks are strong and cheap. read more

There is a such a thing as "Nick time" which means that the first band will go on oh...about 1-2 hours later than expected. Also, no food served so very smoky still. Every night I ever spent at The Nick ended like this: Me: "You guys, I seriously have to go. I'm wiped." Them: "Nooooooo, stay for one more." Me: "Okay, ONE more" -three hours later - All of us, while sitting on the front porch of the Nick: "Why is it so bright out here? Oh sh*t! Is that the sun coming up? F'in NICK!" The Nick rocks. read more

The Nick is essentially the CBGB's of Birmingham. This music venue/dive bar is just one of those iconic places that you want to be able to say you've been to. So many stories to be told. You will occasionally hear the story of when Bono was there or when Jack Black came just to hang and hear some tunes. Rest assured you will always experience something at The Nick whether you like it or not. read more

Definition of a Dive bar. Decor? Well their are staples everywhere on the walls with old posters of past bands. They do have some good bands and are open very late. read more

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The Nick is open 24 hours on the weekend now. I think this is pretty cool for the service industry people who like to go out but don't get off till the very early hours. So kudos to them. A very cool place with some history. Hell, my mother saw a show here when she was younger. Come here to drink a cheap beer, play some pool, and catch a band you've never heard of that's touring their asses off around the country or perhaps a local band. read more

Terrible service, OK prices, shady atmosphere. I live within walking distance of this place and gave it more than enough opportunity. The owner was incredibly rude, I witnessed him curse a customer out for voicing a different political belief from that of the owner. As a local who loves a good Rock dive bar, this is a HARD pass. read more

A hidden gem and definitely a dive hole in the wall bar. A place where musicians from close and far come come and play there best stuff. Tons of local service industry come here to unwind after a long shift of serving us regular folk lol. If you are out and about and don't want the night to end come on down and grab a cold beverage at the nick. read more

Dive bar complete with torn bar stools, awesome beer, and random music acts! Cool little hole in the wall.

Wasn't much happening on a Wednesday night. The band didn't start until 10:00. As for the atmosphere well it'd been even less exciting without the sound check. read more

The walls are like a rusty cheese grater, built up from decades of staple gun attacks. Home of the nastiest bathrooms I've ever seen. Customers who look like they show up every night (forever,) no matter what band has shuffled their amps in the door. Every single thing about this place screams DIVE at you. Despite (or maybe because of?) these things, The Nick is a landmark and deservedly so. None of the stuff I've mentioned got the star taken off. The star comes off because of an actual gripe that I don't find charming like the other things: you can safely assume that ANY show will start a minimum of 2 hours late... and there will be 4 bands before the headliner. read more

I went to The Nick for the first time this past weekend and I must say- I was pleasantly surprised. Driving by the venue during the day for the past couple years gave me little hope for what I might find inside after the sun went down. Boy was I wrong. The decor(you shouldn't call it that but I just did) is so rock-venue-vintage-grungy that It provokes nostalgia in raised-on-rock kid like myself. The staff was friendly, drinks were fairly priced and India Ramey jammed some great, soulful country tunes. But if country is not your thing, keep an eye on their other acts because this is the type of place that Stillwater could've debuted Fever Dog back in the fictional day. The 3-Star rating is just because all of the regulars tell me that the crowd is dictated largely by the act, which makes for a slightly inconsistent atmosphere. read more

Can you say dive bar? However, bartenders are fast and friendly. I usually just order a beer or a jack/coke. The prices are good. The outside has a lot of sitting room but the inside is very cramped (especially if a good band is playing). The bathrooms are disgusting ( just an FYI) read more

Bottletree stole the good shows from The Nick, the same way Iron City is stealing the good shows away from Bottletree. The Nick is a classic venue, but it was disgusting 10 years ago--I hate to think what you might catch there now. Occasionally a great band will want to play there for the history, but that's about it. read more

DIVE!DIVE!DIVE! Cramped, awful acoustics, dark, nonmemorable acts, small bar. Stay away! Better dives around.

Best dive bar, hole in the wall or what ever you want to call it! Dark and dingy and full of character. A must see for any thrill seekers.

Dive bar with cheap beer and live music. Not my type of crowd. More of a biker crowd when I was there. Pool tables and televisions are a plus. read more