Visit Birmingham’s Top 3 Music Venues in One Night
So you are sitting on your couch, listening to your ipod, trying to decide what to do on a Friday night. You obviously love music, and you obviously love to party. Ditch the ipod and go hear some live music! The best city in Alabama to hear great bands is Birmingham. The top three clubs are close together, so you don’t have to worry about too much driving, and the greatest thing is you could visit all three in one night!
You want to start your night off your night of live music in Birmingham at Workplay. This classy and artsy venue has a very romantic vibe. This place is perfect if you have a date. There are three levels, the lowest in front of the stage, then a slightly higher level surrounding the floor with tables and booths, and there is also an upstairs looking down onto the stage. The bar is in a separate room, but there is a TV screen showing the band inside. Everyone in the club is guaranteed to see the band. The venue is an attraction just as much as the band. The atmosphere is unlike any other place in Birmingham.
Live music shows at Workplay usually start pretty early. You can expect to leave by 10 or 10:30. The bar has a very wide selection. Occasionally the shows are all ages, but Workplay is mostly an 18 and up club. There is no smoking inside, so you don’t have to worry about smelling like a big ashtray when you leave. There is a small parking lot across the street. If you don’t get there early you will definitely be parking on the street. This venue attracts a large crowd of all ages. Tickets are usually $20 or more, depending on the band. Some artists that have played here are Pete Yorn, Guided by Voices, Kings of Leon, and The Pernice Brothers. After the band, you’ll want to put your caramel apple martini down and head out to the next venue! For more info check out workplay.com.
The B & A warehouse is the next place on your list of bars for live music in Birmingham. This charming antique building holds a very large crowd. There are two large rooms open to the public during a show. The first room you walk into is the bar room. People are also selling merchandise in that room. The main room has the stage, and there are pillars wrapped with Christmas lights to set the mood. This venue is very laid back. If you are a huge fan of the band playing, you will want to get there early so that you can see the band. The venue is so big, if you stand in the back, you will be on your toes and straining your neck trying to see the band.
B & A parking is limited. You will want to get there early or you will park 2 blocks away. It is 18 and up, and you will leave around 11 or 11:30. The door cover is usually between $15 and $25, depending on the band. This club holds a ton of people and usually attracts a large crowd. There are just enough people there to take with you to your next destination! For more information check out www.bawarehouse.com.
You definitely want to end your night at The Nick! This doublewide, grungy, yet laid back bar is one of the greatest places in Birmingham to go for live music! There is a stage at one end, pool tables and slot machines on the other end, and a bar right in the middle. How convenient is this set up? There is not a very expensive cover at the door, because you will spend all of your money at the bar! This is definitely not the place to buy a caramel apple martini though! You may be safer with a beer. The best place to talk to people is the bathroom line! You will be there for a while, and it is the only place in the bar that you can hear!
If you don’t snag a parking spot at the front of the bar, you will just have to get your tires dirty and park under the bypass in the rocky triangle across the street. This is strictly a 21 and up bar. There are a ton of local bands that play at The Nick. Some bigger bands that have played there are: Jet, Hot Hot Heat, Superdrag, and Paloalto. Everyone goes to The Nick to end his or her night of partying. You will definitely be there for a while though! Don’t be surprised if the sun is up when you leave! There are mostly musicians and an indie rock crowd at The Nick. When you leave, you may want to stop and buy some perfume or you will definitely smell like smoke when you leave! For more info check out www.thenickrocks.com.
After your night of partying in Birmingham, you may want to stop by Waffle House for some coffee and food to settle your stomach. You will also need to find a comfortable bed and get ready to rest after the greatest night of your life!
