The Best Places to Drink in Birmingham
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The best places to drink in Birmingham, according to the experts: the James Beard Awards, the Spirited Awards, and Wildsam have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Continental Drift comes out on top.
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Red Lion Lounge and Adiós Bar hold the next two places. The Spirited Awards show up on more of this list than any other guide, with the James Beard Awards next.
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The awards
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service · Eric Bennett
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Top 10 Nominee · U.S. Bartender of the Year · Eric Bennett
Why #1, not #2
Both places show 80. This one's exact Score is 80.1 and the next is 80.0, so it ranks first. We round what you see, but we rank on the exact number.
- #1 Continental Drift (this place) 80.1
- #2 Red Lion Lounge 80.0
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The awards
- Wildsam The 50 Most Essential Bars in America
Why #2, not #1
Both places show 80. This one's exact Score is 80.0 and the one above is 80.1, so it ranks second. We round what you see, but we rank on the exact number.
- #1 Continental Drift 80.1
- #2 Red Lion Lounge (this place) 80.0
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The awards
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service · Jose Medina Camacho
- Spirited Awards Spirited Awards: 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards Spirited Awards: 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- James Beard Awards 2025 · Nominee · Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service · Jose Medina Camacho
- Spirited Awards 2024 · Regional Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
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The awards
- Spirited Awards 2026 · Regional Top 10 Honoree · Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central
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The awards
- Difford's Guide Difford's Guide: Difford's Guide
- Difford's Guide Difford's Guide