Avondale

East of Birmingham is Avondale, a former company town that’s now “the hippest haven in the ‘Ham”. It was incorporated on March 18, 1887 and comprises three separate neighborhoods: North Avondale, East Avondale, and South Avondale. Now far removed from its origins as a humble company town, Avondale is best known for its large collection of craft breweries, trendy coffee shops, and restaurants, earning it another nickname: “The Coolest Town in Alabama.” Standout attractions in Avondale include the eclectic music venue Saturn, the casual neighborhood bar Avondale Common House, and the historic Avondale Park. Homes in Avondale range from newly-built condos to restored older homes. Local real estate has a median list price of $424,000 and have floor areas of around 2,500 square feet, making them especially attractive to people who want to live large.

The best of Avondale

• • The Marble Ring – One of Avondale’s best-kept secrets, The Marble Ring is a speakeasy-style lounge famous for evoking the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties. Adding to its ‘20-era appeal is its location: The Marble Ring can only be accessed by going through a former beloved Avondale restaurant, Hot Diggity Dogs, which closed in 2020.

 

• • MAKEbhm – Another must-visit destination in Avondale is MAKEbhm, a shared co-working space designed for artists, designers, architects, and other creative professionals. Aside from providing workspaces, MAKEbhm also holds different creative classes for interested participants, such as ceramics, pottery, woodworking, metalworking, and screen printing.

 

• • Sozo Trading Co. – An upscale thrift shopping center, Sozo Trading Co. spans 18,000 square feet and boasts an amazing variety of items such as clothing, home goods, and accessories. Sozo Trading also leases booths for local vendors, most of which offer top-notch handmade goods.