Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
The iconic fountain in Five Points South. After a Dec. 17 approval by the Birmingham City Council, the neighborhood is to become the city's third official entertainment district as of March 1, 2020.
Five Points South — already one of the most popular spots in the Magic City for bars, eateries and music venues — has been designated an official entertainment district by the Birmingham City Council.
After a public hearing on Tues., Dec. 17, members voted 8-0 to make a portion of Five Points South the city’s third entertainment district effective March 1, 2020.
Within the boundaries of the district, patrons are allowed to carry open containers of alcohol outside of bars and restaurants.
“It’s about improving the experience of not only those who live here, but those visiting from other cities,” said Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Public Safety Committee, in a news release from the City Council. “You can walk around with a drink, listen to music and just have a great time experiencing all that the area has to offer. We believe it will add to increased sales revenues at the businesses within the footprint of this district.”
According to the ordinance, the hours of operation will be Thursday from 5-11 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. till midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.
The district is located on 20th Street South between 10th Avenue South and 13th Avenue South and will take in some portions of 11th Avenue South and 12th Avenue South.
“I think it’s going to be a real shot in the arm for the Five Points South business district,” Councilor Valerie Abbott said. “You know, Five Points was the original entertainment district in Birmingham. It’s important that we have the extra incentive here for people to visit Five Points and spend money.
The Uptown area at the BJCC was approved as an entertainment district in 2015, and Pepper Place was approved in January.
State law allows Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to have as many as five entertainment districts.
