Turning 21 is a significant milestone in adulthood; it does not only mean you can legally drink and purchase tobacco. When you turn 21, you can gamble, rent a car, and even adopt a child! Let’s be real though, students at The University of Alabama are mostly concerned with being able to legally drink. It is exciting when Alabama students realize they can finally go to bars that have been turning them down since freshman year. In addition, you no longer have to stand outside of Gallettes and wave goodbye to your friends who are already 21.
Best bar route for your 21st birthday
“Wait, what happened last night?” is a common phrase said by people the day after their 21st birthday bar crawl. Students at The University of Alabama plan bar crawls for their 21st birthdays, but it takes time and dedication. Surprisingly, there is a method to the madness. The idea of a bar crawl, especially on your 21st birthday, is to make it all the bars on your list. To ensure you make it to all the bars, you will want to start at bars your underage friends can go to and smaller, quieter bars in the downtown Tuscaloosa area. To minimize the stress of planning your bar crawl, I have created the perfect bar route to follow and listed the best shot or drink to get from each bar. In addition, many bars offer drink specials during the week, so whatever day your birthday falls on, there will be a deal!
Stop 1: Rhythm & Brews
Rhythm & Brews is a bar located in downtown Tuscaloosa that features live bands every weekend. The bands range from country music groups from Nashville to rock and roll groups such as the Velcro Pygmies. Rhythm is a great first stop because located in the back of the bar is a mechanical bull you must ride on your 21st birthday. You will want to make sure you are sober enough to stay on the bull and impress your friends. In addition, Rhythm is an 18+ bar, meaning your underage friends can join you on your first stop! The best shot to get your night started is a kamikaze shot.
Stop 2: Tavern 1831
Your second stop will be Tavern 1831, a bar located right next door to Rhythm & Brews. 1831 is full of Tuscaloosa locals and has a small, warm vibe that is perfect to get your night started. The bar offers a spin-to-win game where players pay $5 to spin a wheel in hopes of winning drinks or a T-shirt. The best shot to get is one of their famous pickle-back shots. After all, it is what they are known for.
Stop 3: Catch 22
Catch 22 is an intimate cocktail bar located in downtown Tuscaloosa. The atmosphere is friendly and the bartenders make you feel like a part of their family. They specialize in gourmet cocktails that are made with vodka infused with real fruits, coffee beans, and even vegetables. Since this is your third stop, you might be feeling drowsy. The best drink to combat sleep is the espresso martini.
Stop 4: Moes
At 9:00 p.m. Moes BBQ stops selling food and turns on the party lights. The back room in Moes is perfect for partying with your friends because there are fun lights, good music, and a lively atmosphere. Every Thursday Moes offers 32oz wells for just $3 which is perfect for your friends who are trying to save money. The best shot to get is the white gummy bear shot.
Stop 5: Innisfree Irish Pub
Head to the Free! You’ve finally made it to the only Irish pub in Tuscaloosa that is filled with Irish food, drink, and good music. If you have never tried a car bomb, Innis is the place to lose your car bomb virginity. You and your friends must have a race to see who can finish their car bomb first! In addition, if your 21st birthday bar crawl is scheduled on a Wednesday, Innis offers $1 single glass bottles of wine and trivia.
Stop 6: Houndstooth
Houndstooth is known to students at The University of Alabama as the hardest bar to get into. Honestly, they should train Rounders’ bouncers. Anyway, Houndstooth is a large sports bar with a massive front patio that is perfect for bringing all your friends to for your 21st birthday. If your bar crawl is on a Thursday, take a seat and play a round of bingo; you probably need a break anyway. In addition, they feature a shot of the week that you must get on your 21st birthday bar crawl. The shot of the week is typically a fruity shot that is easy on the stomach.
Stop 7: Beartrap
Beartrap is the only rooftop bar on The Strip since Rounders sadly closed theirs about one year ago. Beartrap always has the best DJs, who get the crowd going with their upbeat remixes. If your bar crawl is on a Tuesday, take a seat and play a round of bingo. Who knows, you might win something. In addition, every Thursday they offer liquor buckets for $3. As this is the seventh stop on your birthday bar crawl, you are probably hungry. Good thing they serve food all night. The best shot to get is a grateful dead shot.
Stop 8: Gallettes
You’ve made it to your second-to-last stop: the home of the yellowhammer. Gallettes is another bar that students at The University of Alabama can’t wait to go to since the beginning of their freshman year. Gallettes has two rooms, the back being for strobe lights, good music, and lots of dancing and the front being for taking a seat and chit-chatting with your friends. Obviously, you have to grab a yellowhammer before you head to your last stop.
Last Stop: Rounders
I know, Rounders is the freshman bar and “not cool” for upperclassmen, but everyone loves a good throwback. Rounders is the best ending bar for your 21st birthday because you get to feel “young and alive” again. Rounders has been renovating the inside for the past year, so you need to check out the new and improved upstairs. They offer drink specials every day of the week, so no matter what day your birthday bar crawl is, you are sure to get drinks for cheap. My drink suggestion for Rounders is whatever your favorite drink was freshman year.
Best 21st birthday restaurants
To ensure you make it through your bar crawl alive and well, you need to eat a nice meal beforehand. While there are plenty of restaurants in Tuscaloosa, you want to choose a restaurant that is suited to you and your friends. Not only have I included a list of high-priced restaurants, but I also included low-priced restaurants because some of us are broke college students and can’t afford restaurants that require a reservation.
Four high-priced restaurants
Dillard’s Chophouse
Dillard’s Chophouse is a sophisticated restaurant featuring extravagant steaks and seafood. It is the perfect place to go if you have a special someone that wants to take you on a nice date for your 21st birthday.
Side by Side Kitchen & Cocktails
Side by Side offers upscale, contemporary southern comfort food as well as specialized cocktails. For special events, they offer a three-course dining experience which includes bottles of champagne. In addition to Chophouse, Side by Side is another great restaurant to go to if you have a special someone you want to spend a nice evening with.
Chuck’s Fish
Chuck’s Fish is a top-notch dining experience with seafood that comes from their own wholesale market at Harbor Docks. Their seafood goes beyond the traditional catch of the day platter by also including an exquisite sushi bar. Chuck’s Fish not only offers seafood but also offers a variety of hand-cut steaks and hickory-oven pizzas.
Evangeline’s
Evangeline’s is an intimate, fine dining restaurant located in the downtown Tuscaloosa area. It has a romantic atmosphere that is perfect for a 21st birthday dinner date night. Their menu consists of new American cuisine and an extensive wine list.
Two medium-priced restaurants
Avenue Pub
Avenue Pub offers a variety of contemporary pub food all your friends will enjoy. Avenue pub is perfect for a large group of friends because it’s spacious and includes a large selection of beers. They have a large wall of beer on tap ranging from your typical Michelob Ultra to drafted beers brewed in the state of Alabama.
Taco Mama
Taco Mama is a fun and friendly Mexican restaurant anyone can enjoy. They offer build-your-own burritos, which is perfect for your picky friends. Taco Mama has a large front patio dining area that is perfect for large groups of friends. In addition, they offer 13 different margaritas.
Two low-priced restaurants
La Hacienda
Every student at The University of Alabama has either been to La Hacienda, also known as La Ha, or at least heard of it. It sits right in the middle of downtown and The Strip. La Ha is always filled with college students looking to get their famous $8 margarita pitchers. If you tell the staff it is your 21st birthday, they might even let you control the music!
Buffalo Phils
Buffalo Phils is a stable restaurant at The University of Alabama because they take dining dollars. Who doesn’t love a “free” meal? Bphils is a great restaurant to take a large group of friends to for your 21st birthday. The atmosphere is always lively and the walls are covered in Alabama memorabilia. Make sure you try their famous philibuster.
Hopefully, the bar crawl route and restaurant suggestions help you plan your or your friend’s 21st birthday. Roll Tide.
