Lets face it, 1st dates tend to go either one of two ways: Either you’re smooth enough to talk your way into a 2nd date or you crash and burn to the tune of: “I’m just not ready for something serious right now”, or my personal favorite: “I think we’re just much better as friends”. If you hear any of the latter, shoot me an email and I promise to walk you through another of my lists entitled “Top Ten Places for a Rebound.”
Now I can’t exactly walk you through what you should say, how you should dress, or even where you should go to guarantee you take that first step towards “happily-ever-after”; However, I can tell you about a couple local Birmingham spots that always seem to be overflowing with couples of all ages who appear to be in their own mushy, self absorbed universe where the only reality they know is the person sitting next to them. Chances are the majority of you are reading this and are mentally picturing exactly who I am talking about. However, if you’re reading this and are in a relationship but can’t quite picture the kind of couples I am talking about, there is a more than likely chance you and your significant other are that couple. Disclaimer: If you are happily single and want to avoid those types of couples; you should definitely avoid the places I have listed below.
Below I have listed spots in Birmingham and the surrounding areas that I think make good spots to get to know someone. These are certainly not the only spots. This list is just here to help provide some insight for all those that might not know the Birmingham area too well.
10. Picnic at Railroad Park
Personally, I feel like a picnic in a park is more of cliché than Cupid on Valentine’s Day. I have to admit that there is certain kind of draw to Railroad Park. The park is located right next to Region Field, and offers views of the downtown area in every direction. The park is 8 square blocks of nothing but streams, trees, grass and running/walking paths. This is a refreshing place to simply get away from all the noise and chaos that is a hallmark in the downtown area. If you have a dog, I highly recommend you bring it along (on that note, just a piece of advice, bringing your dog will likely significantly improve your chances of pulling off a successful first date). Obviously, this is a seasonal location. During the summer and spring months the park hosts a variety of events. Everything from weekly concerts in the amphitheater to movies on the grass, this venue truly offers a wide variety of different activities to get to know that potential special somebody.
For more information on Railroad Park and to get a list of upcoming events, check out the website:
9. Taco Mama
I can’t say enough good things about this local, affordable, tasty taco spot located smack dab in the middle of Crestline Village. This is the perfect, low-key spot to figure out if the person sitting across from you has potential. I am a full believer that the Lord designed love and tacos hand-in-hand. The only drawback to this spot is that you might need to plan dinner a little on the early or late side because it tends to fill up around dinner time. I highly recommend getting the taco basket and ordering one Mayor taco and one Sizzler Taco. However, you can’t go wrong regardless of what you get.
8. Five Restaurant
If you are looking for a cool spot where you don’t have to worry about long menus and complicated meal names that you probably couldn’t pronounce if you wanted to, then look no farther than Five Bar. This date night gem simplifies thing quite a bit by only offering five dinners, five white wines and five red wines. If wine really isn’t your thing, I assure you Five also has a stocked bar that offers anything you could want. Now guys, that right there means that there is little room for your date to be indecisive. The menu is short and sweet and the portions are beyond generous. The atmosphere personifies an ideal date spot that is perfect for a couples’ first, second or 120th date.
http://five-bar.com/birmingham/
7. Dram
I can’t think of a better way to break the ice with somebody you barely know than over a nice, specialty cocktail! Dram is a great after work and weekend spot to grab a drink and bite to eat. They advertise having the most extensive Whiskey collection in Birmingham. Located in the heart of Downtown Mountain Brook, Dram offers custom drinks of all shapes and sizes. I highly recommend going to check out the outdoor areas during the seasonal months. It is the perfect place to meet up with the potential Mr. or Mrs. Right to see if they are actually Mr. or Mrs. Wrong. I highly recommend the Alabama Gentleman or the Dram Sour however, you can’t go wrong with any of their drink specials.
6. The Alabama Theatre
If you have never heard of the Alabama Theatre then it is probably a safe assumption that you aren’t from Birmingham. Personally, I believe that this is the coolest venue in the area. Not only is it beautifully restored, it makes you feel like you have stepped back into a decade that is lines up with one of your grandparents stories that starts with, “when I was a kid…etc.” This place just screams class and will make your date think you have an appreciation for some of the finer things Birmingham has to offer. Alabama Theatre offers both movies and concerts. Regardless of what you see it certainly is worth the show.
Photo by: Sarah Overby
5. Cooking Class
Girls love a guy that can cook. It is pretty much a proven fact. So, what better way to get a relationship off to a good start then taking her to something that can showcase those skills? With that being said, I highly recommend Sur La Table at The Summit. It is a unique store in the fact that the front sells kitchen supplies while the back contains a room specifically for cooking classes. There is a complete list of the different courses they offer on their website. While this isn’t exactly a local cooking shop, it is still a unique spot to switch things up a little. The only negative to this is that the classes can be a little pricey. But hey, look on the bright side, if she is impressed with your creativity you have the perfect excuse for a second date. All you have to say is that you want to practice what you have learned in the class and boom welcome to happily ever after.
http://www.surlatable.com/browse/storeCalendar.jsp?storeId=119
4. Birmingham Botanical Garden
This might even be more of a cliché than a picnic in a park but they are clichés for a reason. AKA this stuff works. The good news about the Birmingham Botanical Garden is that it is free. The bad news is that if you and your don’t have that much in common there could potentially be a lot of awkward walking in silence. Keep in mind it is a seasonal venue. However, based on the time of the year, this spot is the perfect place to get to know someone. It is a great destination that is filled with private gazebos and benches. Not to mention multiple greenhouses and things to see for hours on end. It’s a top spot in Birmingham to get to know the person you are with.
http://www.bbgardens.org/index2.php
3. Iron City
Iron City might just be the coolest music venue in Birmingham. They are constantly bringing in popular acts or fun and creative activities such as Latin dancing or screening popular holiday classics. It is a less formal spot to just grab a table and a drink and catch a great show. The venue also features a great restaurant to grab a bite to eat before a show. It’s a cool place and frequented by a lot of young professionals after work and on the weekends. Its also good because if the date fails miserably you still have a great show going on in front of you to make up for the lack of company.
2. Regions Field
Who doesn’t love a cold beer and America’s greatest past time? If that sounds as great to you as it should, I highly recommend grabbing that girl you’ve always been too scared to ask out and going to catch the Barons play a game. The night games are always a blast. Even if the person you’re with does not exactly share your love baseball, it is a great venue to just sit back, enjoy the Birmingham skyline and talk. I completely recommend this as being one of the best experiences you can do with your significant other. Go check out a night game and then go grab a beer at Avondale Brewery after the game.
http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t247
1. Hike Oak Mountain
Rounding up the countdown we have Oak Mountain State Park. Guys, I promise you can’t go wrong spending your first date here. What is better than hiking a mountain and looking out at all that Alabama brings to the table? I will go ahead and be the first to answer that for you. Nothing. Nothing is better than the views and scenery available at Oak Mountain. Anybody can buy somebody a nice meal. If you really want to work for that second date you have to be willing to show them you will move mountains if that’s what it takes to get the job done. So, pack some snacks, throw on some hiking boots and get out there. The scenery alone is enough to do the trick for any young couple starting out.
http://www.alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park
As I already mentioned, this list is my opinion. It does not mean that there are not other spots out there to create that perfect first date. Ultimately I’m just trying to show you all the wonderful spots Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas have to offer. Best of luck out there and if these dates don’t exactly work out with the first person you take there; just remember there are plenty of fish in the sea.
If you have another spot you would like to see mentioned that didn’t make the cut, just add it in the comment section below.
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