Photo by Alyx Chandler.
The unique facade of Brät Brot’s building in Lakeview. The Birmingham pretzel and sausage spot has recently reopened with an expanded bar and redesigned menu.
When Brät Brot closed for a seasonal reassessment in December 2018, owner David Carrigan said the team for the German-style biergarten took some time to rethink some of its original concepts.
“We were pretty sure we were going to re-open. We had to do some soul searching and really dive into the numbers, and we had to do the public feedback, which was very helpful. [Birmingham] had a very positive and strong response to us,” Carrigan said. “That was good to see affirmation that people did want us to stick around and come back.”
Brät Brot, located in Lakeview at 2910 Sixth Ave. S., originally opened last summer as a spacious, one-of-a-kind spot that included an outdoor patio and an open-air indoor space with long tables and a ton of natural lighting. After a four-month hiatus, they opened back up this spring.
Taking some time to get feedback from the public, Carrigan said, has been helpful in determining what changes needed to be made to keep people coming back.
Brät Brot is expanding to be a full bar, Carrigan said, and presenting their interpretation of a German biergarten. Instead of only offering people two signature liquor cocktails, they are now serving six. The inside also got a redecoration to feel “a little cozier,” with different seating options and stools around the bar. The grill has been converted into a fireplace, with the area’s leather couches and rug more closely resembling a living room set up.
They got rid of the TV aspect of watching European sports but will still have SEC games playing on Saturdays and other big sports events. If you previously came to the bar, Carrigan said not to worry because it still has “a similar feel.”
Additionally, Brät Brot won’t be serving lunch anymore and is instead transitioning to an evening bar that opens at 4 p.m. With that, they are putting more of an emphasis on the bar itself, and all patrons must be 21 years or older. Another big change will be the redevelopment of the food menu.
“The foundations are still around the pretzel and the sausages, but we are going to have some different options,” he said.
This includes pre-built boards, small sandwiches at a lower price point and more fleshed out salads and desserts. Even though German-style beer is remaining the focus, they are offering more variety with craft and packaged beer.
“We are really excited about opening back up,” Carrigan said.
For updates, follow them on social media at facebook.com/bratbrotbham or on their website at bratbrot.com.
