Garth Brooks
Protective Stadium's first concert featured Garth Brooks in Birmingham.
north-america
Birmingham
AL, USA
Birmingham Fan Travel Guide
Birmingham is a major fan-travel destination in USA, known for high-demand sports, concert, and festival weekends.
Birmingham Fan Travel Blueprint
FanTravel tracks 0 events and 12 fan-favorite local spots in Birmingham — here's how to turn them into a fan trip:
- What fans can already use: 2 city sightings already on the board and 12 fan-favorite hotels, restaurants, bars, and things to do.
- Main event anchor: Use the yearly city calendars below to choose your anchor event.
- Stay + eat core: Elyton Hotel with Automatic Seafood and Oysters can frame your pre-event window.
- Night + recovery: Avondale Brewing Company plus Alabama Sports Hall of Fame can round out day two.
Sample 48-Hour Fan Route
- Day 1 Arrival: Check in at Elyton Hotel, settle near the event zone, and open your first local meal block.
- Day 1 Peak: Pick the strongest event from the city calendars and then push into post-event fan energy at Avondale Brewing Company.
- Day 2 Closeout: Use daytime space for Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, then finish with Automatic Seafood and Oysters before departure.
Celebrity Sightings in Birmingham
Celebrity Hotspots in Birmingham
All City Hotspots →
Restaurants
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Hotels
Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Attractions
Iron City Birmingham
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Bars
Paramount Bar Birmingham AL
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Attractions
Protective Stadium Birmingham AL
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Attractions
Protective Stadium Fan Experience
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Bars
The Collins Bar
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Hotels
The Westin Birmingham
2 source links · 2 celeb-linked mentions
2 city sightings
Attractions
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
2 source links · 1 celeb-linked mention
2 city sightings
Bars
Avondale Brewing Company
2 source links · 1 celeb-linked mention
2 city sightings
Bars
Cahaba Brewing Company
2 source links · 1 celeb-linked mention
2 city sightings
Attractions
Civil Rights District & Protective Stadium Walking Tour
2 source links · 1 celeb-linked mention
2 city sightings
Venues in Birmingham
Where to Stay in Birmingham
Fan Stay
Elyton Hotel
Stylish boutique hotel housed in Birmingham's historic Empire Building in the heart of downtown. Walking distance to both Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium, it's become the preferred stay for visiting fans and performers with its rooftop bar offering skyline views of the Magic City.
Fan Stay
Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
Boutique luxury hotel in Mountain Brook featuring rotating art galleries, a full-service spa, and the acclaimed Habitat Feed & Social restaurant. A sophisticated base for visiting fans attending Talladega, Birmingham Bowl, or SEC events.
Fan Stay
Redmont Hotel
Birmingham's oldest hotel, built in 1925 and beautifully restored with a stunning rooftop bar offering panoramic city views. Walking distance to both Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium, the Redmont's Roof bar is a prime pre-game cocktail spot for fans and visiting performers alike.
Fan Stay
The Tutwiler Hotel
Historic downtown hotel originally built in 1914, offering classic Southern elegance steps from Birmingham's entertainment district. Football fans in town for Iron Bowl watch parties or Legion FC matches at Protective Stadium enjoy the grand lobby bar and prime location.
Fan Stay
The Westin Birmingham
Connected to the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and steps from the entertainment district, the Westin Birmingham is the top hotel for sports travelers attending events at Protective Stadium or the BJCC Arena. The Heavenly Bed is the reward after Alabama's legendary hospitality takes its physical toll.
Where to Eat in Birmingham
Fan Eats
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
James Beard-nominated seafood restaurant in Birmingham's Lakeview District serving Gulf oysters, wood-grilled fish, and creative Southern-inflected dishes. A short drive from Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium, it's become the celebration dinner destination for fans after big Birmingham sporting events.
Fan Eats
El Barrio
Trendy downtown Birmingham taqueria and tequila bar serving creative tacos, ceviches, and an extensive margarita menu. Steps from the BJCC entertainment district, it's become a go-to pre-game and post-concert destination for fans attending events at Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium.
Fan Eats
Highlands Bar and Grill
James Beard Award-winning restaurant by chef Frank Stitt serving refined Southern French cuisine in Five Points South. An essential Birmingham dining experience for fans in town for UAB football, SEC events, or Talladega race weekends.
Fan Eats
Saw's BBQ
Award-winning Birmingham BBQ joint known for its white sauce chicken, smoked pork, and loaded baked potatoes. Located in the Homewood area, it's a ritual stop for fans heading to Legacy Arena or Protective Stadium, drawing tailgaters and visiting SEC football faithful alike.
Best Bars in Birmingham
Avondale Brewing Company
Flagship Birmingham craft brewery with a sprawling beer garden and regular live music in the revitalized Avondale neighborhood. A beloved pregame gathering spot for Alabama and Auburn fans when the Iron Bowl buzz takes over the city.
Cahaba Brewing Company
Birmingham's original craft brewery with a spacious taproom and outdoor beer garden in the Pepper Place district. UAB Blazers fans and SEC football followers gather here for cold IPAs and watch parties, fueling Birmingham's growing craft beer reputation.
Carrigan's Irish Pub
Carrigan's Irish Pub is Birmingham's most celebrated soccer and sports viewing destination, packing in passionate fans for Premier League, Champions League, and local UAB Blazers games. The rotating guest taps, dedicated supporter section, and welcoming regular crowd make it the first stop for visiting football fans arriving in Birmingham.
Ghost Train Brewing Company
Popular Birmingham craft brewery in the Avondale neighborhood with a spacious taproom and regular live music events. A growing fan-favorite gathering spot before heading to Protective Stadium or Legacy Arena, known for hazy IPAs and a welcoming Southern atmosphere.
Good People Brewing Company
Birmingham's pioneering craft brewery with a spacious taproom and outdoor patio in the Lakeview District. A beloved game-day gathering spot just minutes from Protective Stadium, fans flock here for flagship IPAs, Brown Ales, and watch parties during college football Saturdays.
Paramount Bar Birmingham AL
Paramount Bar on 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham is one of the city's most popular sports bars, a well-appointed multi-screen venue where Alabama and Auburn fans put their fierce rivalry aside long enough to watch NFL, college basketball, and major sporting events together in raucous company. The craft beer selection showcases excellent Alabama breweries alongside national favourites, and the kitchen serves elevated bar food well above the usual pub standard. On Iron Bowl Saturday the atmosphere rivals anything in the SEC.
The Collins Bar
The Collins Bar is a sleek downtown Birmingham cocktail lounge known for meticulously crafted drinks and a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. Fans heading to Legion Field or the BJCC for concerts and college football events find it a refined pre-game warm-up.
Fan Attractions in Birmingham
Attraction
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in downtown Birmingham honors the state's greatest athletes including Hank Aaron, Jesse Owens, Bo Jackson, and Bear Bryant. Over 5,000 memorabilia items chronicle Alabama's rich sporting heritage across all sports.
Attraction
Alabama Theatre
Birmingham's stunning 1927 movie palace is one of America's most beautiful historic performance venues, where the Mighty Wurlitzer organ, gilded ceilings, and ornate Moorish interior create a concert setting of extraordinary grandeur and romance. Attending a show at the Alabama Theatre is a genuine time-travel experience that connects fans to America's golden age of entertainment architecture. The venue's eclectic programming covers everything from classic film screenings with live organ accompaniment to contemporary concerts.
Things to Do
Civil Rights District & Protective Stadium Walking Tour
Birmingham's Civil Rights District sits just blocks from Protective Stadium, creating a uniquely powerful sports pilgrimage — visitors can walk from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and 16th Street Baptist Church to a soccer match at the stadium in under 15 minutes. The juxtaposition of Birmingham's painful history with its vibrant current sports culture gives visiting fans essential context for understanding the city.
Attraction
Iron City Birmingham
Iron City is Birmingham's legendary mid-capacity music hall, a converted industrial space with a massive outdoor courtyard stage and indoor main room that has hosted major touring acts and UFC viewing parties. The outdoor bar area under the Birmingham skyline creates a festival atmosphere that blends perfectly with the city's sports-event calendar.
Things to Do
Legacy Arena at the BJCC
The newly renovated Legacy Arena at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex is Alabama's largest indoor sports and entertainment venue, hosting professional basketball, hockey, and major concerts that bring a unified Birmingham fan community together in a world-class facility. The 2022 renovation transformed it into one of the finest mid-sized arenas in the American South, with improved sightlines, premium club spaces, and a dramatically updated concourse experience. Attending a Birmingham Squadron G-League basketball game here gives a front-row view of the next generation of NBA talent.
Attraction
Protective Stadium Birmingham AL
Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham is Alabama's premier urban football venue, a state-of-the-art 45,000-seat facility that hosts UAB Blazers college football, the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL, and major high school championship events that showcase the deep football culture of the Alabama region. The stadium's downtown location and modern amenities make game-day a genuine urban festival with tailgating on the surrounding streets and a passionate crowd that reflects Birmingham's fierce football identity. College football Saturdays in Protective Stadium capture everything intense and joyful about football in the Deep South.
Things to Do
Protective Stadium Fan Experience
Experience a match at Protective Stadium, the downtown home of Birmingham Legion FC in the USL Championship and host venue for the 2022 World Games. The 47,000-seat venue anchors Birmingham's growing sports district and fan culture.
Things to Do
Regions Field Music Events
Birmingham's minor league baseball park transforms into a concert venue that combines America's most nostalgic sporting setting with live music events that draw fans from across Alabama and neighbouring states. The park's downtown location and the combination of Southern hospitality, local food, and quality entertainment creates the kind of authentic regional fan experience that large national touring productions can never replicate. Country and Southern rock fans find the atmosphere here genuinely matches the music they love.
Attraction
Resorts World Arena
Birmingham's primary concert arena hosts major touring acts in a comfortable mid-size venue that Alabama's passionate music fans have supported through decades of memorable performances. The adjacent Barclays Center entertainment complex and easy highway access from across the state makes it the natural gathering point for fans from throughout Alabama. Country, rock, and R&B shows here attract devoted regional fan communities who travel hours to attend performances by their favourite artists.
Things to Do
Sloss Furnaces Music Events
Birmingham's historic Sloss Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark from the iron industry era, transforms into one of America's most atmospheric outdoor concert settings for music festivals and events throughout the year. The industrial iron structures create a dramatic, otherworldly backdrop that gives performances here a visual intensity impossible to manufacture in purpose-built venues. Fans of music who also appreciate history find Sloss Furnaces events an irreplaceable combination of cultural experiences.
Attraction
St. Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium
St. Andrew's is the historic home of Birmingham City FC, one of England's oldest professional football clubs, where generations of Blues supporters have followed their team with fierce passion through the highs and heartbreaks of English football's top two divisions. The ground's compact terraces and the roar of the Tilton Road End on a full house create an atmosphere that belies the stadium's modest size, and the club's recent resurgence under new ownership has reinvigorated supporter enthusiasm. Note: this entry references the UK Birmingham; for Alabama sports fans, Legion Field and Protective Stadium host the action locally.
Attraction
WorkPlay Theatre
Birmingham's beloved independent music venue has been the hub of Alabama's indie and alternative music scene for two decades, with an intimate theatre-style layout that puts fans in extraordinary proximity to artists on the cusp of breakthrough. The attached bar and rooftop space create a complete night out experience for the city's devoted music fan community. Many Alabama musicians who went on to national success have described WorkPlay as the place that first made them believe in their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham
Popular celebrity dining spots in Birmingham include Automatic Seafood and Oysters, El Barrio, Highlands Bar and Grill. See our full guide for more recommendations.
Visit our Birmingham city guide for a complete list of sports teams, venues, and upcoming events.
Top-rated fan bars in Birmingham include Avondale Brewing Company, Cahaba Brewing Company, Carrigan's Irish Pub.
Recommended fan stays in Birmingham: Elyton Hotel, Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, Redmont Hotel. All within easy reach of major venues.
Use our city guide plus events calendar for Birmingham to plan your fan weekend route.