Toast to 2026: New Year’s Eve Bars, Events & Sports in Birmingham
As 2025 winds down, Birmingham’s nightlife heats up — with bar parties, bar crawls, live music, chill lounges, and even activities for New Year’s Day and early January. If you’re a young professional looking for fun ways to welcome 2026 close to home, here’s your go-to guide for what’s happening Dec 31–Jan 4. 🍾 New Year’s Eve Events (Dec 31, 2025) 🔥 2026 New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl — Downtown + Midtown 📅 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM Kick off NYE with one of Birmingham’s biggest party experiences. The bar crawl gives you access to multiple hotspots around the city with drink specials, DJs, and a festive crowd ready to toast at midnight. It’s camera-ready energy and a great way to explore different scenes in one night. 🎉 NYE Party @ The Upstairs at Avondale Brewing Company 📅 Dec 31, 10:00 PM – Jan 1, 2:00 AM Dance and celebrate into 2026 at this lively concert-style party in Avondale, featuring DJ sets and a fun crowd — ideal for young adults who want a mix of bar vibes and live music in one place. 🍻 New Year’s Eve Party @ Back Forty Beer Company, Birmingham / Tin Roof / Elysian Gardens Local favorites like these typically host NYE events, with live music, DJs, and midnight countdowns. For example, Tin Roof often has live bands and a midnight champagne toast, perfect for friends who want high energy and big crowds. 🍽️ Elevated Dinner & Party Options If you want a slightly more refined NYE, downtown spots like dinner parties or prix-fixe menus (e.g., at local restaurants or boutique hotels) usually offer reservations followed by live music or dancing — check Eventbrite or restaurant sites for details closer to the date. 🍹 Festive NYE Cocktail (to get the party started!) Here’s an easy, crowd-pleasing NYE specialty cocktail you can mix at home — perfect for pre-party vibes or a social media-ready toast: ✨ Midnight Sparkler 2 oz vodka 1 oz blackberry or blueberry liqueur ½ oz fresh lemon juice Top with sparkling wine or prosecco Garnish with fresh berries + a lemon twist This cocktail is visually striking, celebratory, and pairs perfectly with a midnight countdown. Cheers to 2026! 🥂 New Year’s Day (Jan 1, 2026) After NYE, keep the good times going: 🎶 Live Music & Nightlife — Saturn, The Nick, & More Many bars and venues around downtown Birmingham stay lively even on Jan 1 with post-NYE sets, chill hangs, and late-night bites. Places like Saturn and The Nick often host music nights or social gatherings — perfect for winding down or bringing friends together after celebrations. 🍻 Game Night Vibes — Birmingham District Brewing Co. While this popular brewery’s NYE party wraps up, it’s a great spot for early January game watching or laid-back get-togethers with board games, drinks, and easy vibes. 🏈 Sports on TV (Jan 2–4, 2026) If you’re in town and want sports-centric viewing with friends or at a bar: 📺 College Football Bowls (Jan 2) Though specific teams and times for January 2 bowl games vary year to year, college football bowl games like the Liberty Bowl often air on ESPN or major networks in early January — check your TV listings or ESPN’s schedule for exact kickoff times. 📺 More Games (Jan 3–4) Early January weekends are prime time for college football postseason games and early NBA matchups — perfect content for watching with a beer at places like Black Market Bar+Grill or Mojo Pub. Exact schedules get posted closer to game day on sports networks and bar TVs. 🍷 Best Bars & Spots for NYE + After Parties Here are some beloved local venues where the young professional crowd will be out celebrating (and where TVs are likely tuned to the games if you pop back in early January): Avondale Brewing Company – Craft beer + lively events Juniper bar – Stylish cocktail bar, perfect for a cocktail before or after midnight Black Market Bar+Grill – Classic bar vibes + big screens Saturn – Music + celebration hub SIDEBAR & Oasis – Great for casual drinks & after parties Elysian Gardens – Outdoor garden bar with live music 🎉 Final Tips from EventBrite Buy tickets early for bar crawls and popular NYE parties—they often sell out. Make reservations at dinner spots or lounges if you want a more relaxed start to your evening. For the latest parties & listings, check local calendars on Eventbrite and Birmingham event guides as the dates approach.
