A speak-easy morphed with Casa Bonita brings you the Blue Monkey!
For myself, there's a trifecta checklist when it comes to thoroughly enjoying a bar, and the Blue Monkey crosses off all three:
1) Originality, from the menu to the venue, it's gotta be unique and boy is the Blue Monkey. It has plenty of seclusive seating areas from leather couches, to a cobblestone patio. It also entertains a piano man that isn't the center of attention, but is more of an ambient surprise.
2) Quality of drinks, From the old fashions to the martinis, the Blue Monkey has knowledgeable bartenders that spend time on your drink and it pays off. Sure they're pricy but it's comparable to the quality.
3) Mood/atmosphere- This is more subjective and greatly varies from me to you, but for my third must-have, a bar must have the right setting. The Blue Monkey isn't a blaring cover band kind of place, but rather a venue that has positive vibes from real conversations flowing throughout the entire place. It makes you feel good to sit back and take it all in while enjoying a fantastic cocktail.
The Blue Monkey has a gravitational pull that lures me in after dinner at Five Points. Best time to arrive is between 9 and 10 -- later than that, and the place is standing room only.
Regarding martinis -- the BEST, most consistent cocktails regardless of whether you're looking for classic greatness or sweeter concoctions. I truly enjoy the Manhattan version I ordered. Well balanced, bold, and accompanied by a side car (basically an extra martini in a tall shot glass).
The ambiance is provided by a dark, intimate lounge perfected by comfortable leather furniture from armchairs to sofas. The bar in front provides seating for about 30; outdoors patio is great in the spring and fall. Stroll past the bar through the various rooms until you find one that you want to enjoy. Piano lounge in the back is the best place to sit back and sip.
Diverse clientele. Come dressed up or down. Nobody feels out of place here. Absolutely love it!
Great drinks. Average value. Unique atmosphere. Â We were in b'ham for the weekend. Â Stopped there on a Friday night (11/16/12) and had an extremely friendly server who was helpful in navigating the extremely large martini menu for my wife. Â We sat at a table in the bar area. Â When we returned Saturday night @530 for drinks before a concert we sat at the bar. Â The bartender seemed to be pushing us into one of the other rooms. Â My wife wanted to see the football game and instead of putting it on at the bar he mentioned he could put it on in another part of the bar (it has many rooms). Â He mentioned it so many times we finally went to it. Â Other than that they were friendly and on top of refills. Â As far as the areas other than the bar the rooms felt den or living room like. Â Lots of couches/sofas and cushy chairs. Â Very dark. Â Also has a large patio area that would be nice on warmer nights. The drinks seem to be consistently poured so you know what you're going to get.
Review Source:Hard to find & hard to park - but looks so cool inside! Â My complaints... another patron had a gun in the waste -band of his pants... Don't know what that was about but it was time to go then. Â And it would be nice if they had some sort of food items to munch on while you are enjoying such a unique location with unusual rooms.
Review Source:Overall: Great place to visit after work or before a night out on the town. Comfortable for 2 people or 10 people.
Atmosphere: Very low lighting and narrow walk ways. Beautiful outdoor patio available on comfortable Southern nights. Candles and Starlight create a beautiful setting. Private rooms available for larger groups..but get there early if you want one.
What makes it special: Great drink specials Mon-Thurs. If you like trying new drinks, martinis, bourbons..this is the place to go..If you're looking for a Miller or Coors Light you might want to go somewhere else.
What to Watch For: Nightly piano player cranks up around 8pm in the back room. Loves Elton John and looks a little like him too.
Recently a work-related trip took us from Chicago to Birmingham. Â We had never been there so we were in search of great things to do. Â Unfortunately, what we found on the internet was not helpful. Â I am not sure how this did not come up on any of our searches. Â A random conversation with a valet let us down the little brick road to the Blue Monkey. Â We were not sure what we were going to get into, as the valet explained it was the basement of a house with little rooms where people just hung out. Â And when we walked in, that was exactly what we found. We ventured to the back where they had couches, tables, chairs, and a really great piano player. Â The place is adorable and unique and romantic. Â If seeking a great lounge, this is the place to go!
Review Source:My friend got hit by a drunk driver who was leaving this bar. The owner of blue Monkey tried to get her to not report it to the police. Apparently this bar has great ties with the police and think they can get out of anything.
Any bar who acts shady like that shouldn't be allowed to operate.
It's a bit difficult to rate this place completely objectively given that a good friend of mine works here, but I can say that the drinks themselves are pretty tasty. Â Back in the old days, as Chelsea E. mentioned, their food came from the now defunct Cobb Lane (only one of the best restaurants I have ever tried). Â On my latest visit, I didn't have an opportunity to sample the food. Â
Basically, this is one of the few places in Birmingham you can go to lounge around while drinking martinis. Â The crowd generally leans towards superficial, but they also lean towards photogenic. Â A number of people have complained about noise levels, but apparently, when you reach Blue Monkey as late as I do, noise is either a factor that is no longer important or ascertainable. Â
Here is my admittedly overly simplistic take: If you want your sophisticated experiences in a darker, more lounge-like bar, then Blue Monkey is probably your best bet. Â If you like mixology, go to Veranda. Â If you like high end restaurants that also serve drinks, go to either Highlands or Bottega. Â If you are looking for something dive-like, then this is probably not your best bet.
Great lounge! Great location. When I lived in Birmingham, I would go on the weekends. The music near the front was Jazzy and cool and the piano bar in the back complimented the whole scheme of things.
If you're looking for something similar to the lounge Wil Smith was in in the Movie "Hitch," then you've found your place.
For casual conversation, go to the center most part of the lounge and chill. Last I remembered (and this was 2005) there was a very comfortable couch and chair there that was very intimate and cozy.
I keep forgetting to stop by when I'm in town but you can't blame a busy man right?
Staff was great and I'm sure they still are. Cocktails were all I ever went for because I was usually in "Nightcap" mode.
I consider this one of the nicer drinking establishments in Birmingham. Â It has been frequently voted the "Best Martini" and "Best Martini Bar" in Birmingham. Â The atmosphere is cool with a large outdoor patio and four or five small gathering rooms inside; starting with a bar in the first room - which gets really crowded and causes a traffic jam during busy weekend nights. The next couple of rooms offer plush furniture and subdued lighting. The back room is dark, skinny and completed by a piano player. This bar is not a dancing place. It is the perfect place to be mellow, hang out and chat with friends. Â
I only wish it wasn't so popular so that it can be enjoyed without such a crowded space.
I went to this place with a group of friends a while back. Â Honestly, I think this place is overrated. Â I mean, it's cool and all but the first thing that I thought of when I walked all the way to the back was, "oh my god, what a fire hazard". Â I mean, it was so cramped, barely any room to move and the ceilings were incredibly low. Â All I could think was, I hope a fire doesn't break out because there is no way out. Â It was like a dark cave. Â Â A 6'' tall man could easily reach the ceiling. Â There weren't enough sofas for everyone to sit on. Â There was a piano that someone was playing but I couldn't really hear him because of all the yelling and loudness. Â I felt like there were lots of young kids there trying to find a hook up for the night. Â Not really my type of place to hang out.
Review Source:We like to take friends that visit us to this place since it's great to talk and have some martini's. The patio is an excellent place to hang out if it's not too cold outside.
I don't give it 5 stars since it's a little dark and inside sometimes it's hard to find a place to sit or even stand up.
Other than that we have had great times in this bar.
This is a super place for a late night after dinner drink. The service is consistently ok, the drinks are good. (the signature "blue monkey" martini is my fav)
Do not miss heading straight through to the back room piano bar. The singer/piano player is a regular. A "unique talent" to say the least. We have been going to Blue Monkey for over 10 years. In that time frame he has not added 1 song to his set list. The same songs, in the same order, performed in exactly the same way. The seating in this area is extremely close. This has provided a chance to meet and chat with some really interesting characters.
A fun place!
I have traveled to many, many cities and checked out the night life in each and I must say, I was so impressed by the Blue Monkey that they have officially raised the bar for me. Â Literally. haha. Â
I could not get over the incredible ambiance, the outdoor patio, the charming dive feel of the decor and so on. Â I remember the bathrooms being a bit tight and quite unappealing but that was easily overlooked. Â I don't remember it being expensive (or affordable) but if I don't remember it means that it couldn't have been that bad because I clearly kept buying.
Next time I surface in Alabama, you know where to find me.
The Blue Monkey is okay. Â I really like the couches and the laid back atmosphere. Â It's awesome that the bar food comes from Cobb Lane, the best place to eat in town. Â It has a large selection of fruity drinks in all colors, including pink. Â Cigars are sold as well. Â The big sign outside with the dress code freaked me out a little.
But is is SO EXPENSIVE. Â I would expect to pay this much to drink in D.C. or a really upscale place in Dallas, not in Birmingham.
A solid martini bar with a huge variety that should satisfy anyone's tastes and help them get tipsy quickly. Â I've tried quite a few martinis there and I can't say I ever had one that I didn't like. Â They have a big patio which is great during the warmer months, and the servers will bring your drinks to you so you don't have to run the bar every time you run low. Â
It's not the most amazing club or bar I've been to, but it does a solid job and serves incredible drinks for some great times with friends.
I really believe the Blue Monkey deserves better, but I have to take some stars off because of the crowds and bathrooms. Â It's hard to find a good martini in Birmingham, yet the Blue Monkey has the best in the city. Â The patio is excellent, large and very little car traffic going by. Â The interior is filled with couches and chairs and music isn't too loud so you can have conversation with out yelling.
Now the bad stuff...
The bathrooms look like they were hit by a bomb. Â I can blame the Blue Monkey, I know it's from idiots going in there and trashing it (this seems to be common in Birmingham). Â The people that come here confuse me, why go to a martini bar and drink cheap beer? Â The majority of people seem to be just flunked out of college and can't control their liquor. Â Loud drunk girls and the hard chargers chasing them around.
The Blue Monkey is one of my favorite places in Birmingham to hang out on a summer night (though the rest of the year is great too). With their large patio and great service, its fun to enjoy a classy evening outside with friends. Once inside the bar, the experience is great as well. Though some would call it cozy, I really like the intimate feel of the bar and the ambiance it provides. This coupled with the amazing bartenders and liquor selection makes for one of my favorite places to go out to in Birmingham.
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