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The '''Atomic Bar and Lounge''' | [[File:Atomic mural.jpg|right|thumb|450px|The mural above the bar at Atomic Lounge]] | ||
The '''Atomic Bar and Lounge''' was a cocktail bar at 2113 [[1st Avenue North (downtown)|1st Avenue North]]. It was opened in [[2017]] by [[Feizal Valli]] and his then wife, [[Rachael Roberts]]. | |||
The bar's interior | The bar's interior was inspired by 1960s pop-art and mid-century decor, with several nods to favorite patrons and Birmingham notables, including a large-scale mural of [[Angela Davis]] and a recreation of the cover of the Beatles' ''Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' album cover featuring images of [[Frank Stitt]], [[Mother Angelica]], [[John Archibald]] and [[Electra]]. The bar's private party room was named for Angela Davis. | ||
Bar patrons | Bar patrons were allowed to borrow costumes, and the bar's signature cocktail, the "Sex Panther", was served with a temporary tattoo of a panther. Other cocktails on the menu were named in honor of regular patrons, including [[Austin Dennis]], [[Mindy Rohr]], [[Safia Ladner]], [[Jess Parsons]], [[Palmer Mordecai]], [[Jason Koenig]], [[Artemus Hill]], [[Russell Hooks]], [[Randall Porter]], [[Irene Richardson]], and [[Virginia Newcomb]]. | ||
Atomic Lounge was nominated three times for the James Beard Foundation's national "Best Bar Program" award, and was selected as a semi-finalist in [[2020]]. Though the bar was closed for several months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the owners kept all staff on payroll. | |||
The bar closed on [[September 11]], [[2021]], following the owners' separation. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Poe, Kelly (January 11, 2017) "First Look: Atomic Lounge will bring costumes and vintage character to First Avenue North." {{BN}} | * Poe, Kelly (January 11, 2017) "First Look: Atomic Lounge will bring costumes and vintage character to First Avenue North." {{BN}} | ||
* Edge, John T. (June 11, 2019) "[http://www.oxfordamerican.org/magazine/item/1755-social-engineering Social Engineering]" ''Oxford American'' No. 105 | * Edge, John T. (June 11, 2019) "[http://www.oxfordamerican.org/magazine/item/1755-social-engineering Social Engineering]" ''Oxford American'' No. 105 | ||
* Rebman, Stephanie (August 6, 2021) "James Beard-nominated bar in downtown closing." {{BBJ}} | |||
* Taylor, Drew & Lee Hedgepeth (September 10, 2021) "[https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/a-menu-of-memories-atomic-cocktail-namesakes-remember-the-unique-birmingham-bar-as-it-serves-its-last-drink/ A menu of memories: Atomic cocktail namesakes remember the unique Birmingham bar as it serves its last drink]" CBS42.com | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Former bars]] | ||
[[Category:2017 establishments]] | [[Category:2017 establishments]] | ||
[[Category:2021 disestablishments]] | |||
[[Category:1st Avenue North]] | [[Category:1st Avenue North]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:42, 13 September 2021
The Atomic Bar and Lounge was a cocktail bar at 2113 1st Avenue North. It was opened in 2017 by Feizal Valli and his then wife, Rachael Roberts.
The bar's interior was inspired by 1960s pop-art and mid-century decor, with several nods to favorite patrons and Birmingham notables, including a large-scale mural of Angela Davis and a recreation of the cover of the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover featuring images of Frank Stitt, Mother Angelica, John Archibald and Electra. The bar's private party room was named for Angela Davis.
Bar patrons were allowed to borrow costumes, and the bar's signature cocktail, the "Sex Panther", was served with a temporary tattoo of a panther. Other cocktails on the menu were named in honor of regular patrons, including Austin Dennis, Mindy Rohr, Safia Ladner, Jess Parsons, Palmer Mordecai, Jason Koenig, Artemus Hill, Russell Hooks, Randall Porter, Irene Richardson, and Virginia Newcomb.
Atomic Lounge was nominated three times for the James Beard Foundation's national "Best Bar Program" award, and was selected as a semi-finalist in 2020. Though the bar was closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the owners kept all staff on payroll.
The bar closed on September 11, 2021, following the owners' separation.
References
- Poe, Kelly (January 11, 2017) "First Look: Atomic Lounge will bring costumes and vintage character to First Avenue North." The Birmingham News
- Edge, John T. (June 11, 2019) "Social Engineering" Oxford American No. 105
- Rebman, Stephanie (August 6, 2021) "James Beard-nominated bar in downtown closing." Birmingham Business Journal
- Taylor, Drew & Lee Hedgepeth (September 10, 2021) "A menu of memories: Atomic cocktail namesakes remember the unique Birmingham bar as it serves its last drink" CBS42.com