Our Story
A bit of back story on us:
It all started with our first venture, a small bar in downtown Birmingham called The Speakeasy. Opening in 2006, without a kitchen, we fine-tuned the atmosphere and personality of what would someday become the Black Market Bar + Grill.
In January 2009, George Cowgill and Elise Yarbrough opened the first location of the Black Market Bar + Grill, off Highway 280. From there, we carved out an eclectic niche, with an amazing food menu, original cocktails drinks, and a loyal fanbase. And it only got better from there! In 2012 we set our sights on a second location in Birmingham, this time on the southside of downtown.
And 14 years later we are stronger than ever… with a reputation as a Birmingham staple! We’re ranked fourthas the best bar in Alabama, with our Sunday Brunch ranked in the Top 10. Further, we are ranked the 22ndbest dive bar in the US! (Whatever a dive bar is…) We have defied all odds and statistics in the restaurant world, which proves we’re either really lucky, or doing something right. What’s even more amazing is how many employees we’ve had with us for a decade or more! We firmly believe that the best workers are the ones who are respected and appreciated by their bosses, so we try hard on that front.
The original spirit of the Speakeasy is still alive and well in our locations. The Black Market décor is a mix of Southern history, local artists, horror movies, comic books and punk rock! We tend to wear our “hearts on our sleeves,” as they say.
Black Market Bar + Grill is open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner, and a late-night food menu. We do a killer brunch on Sundays and serve beer, wine, and ice-cold spirits to boot.
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