Birmingham Approves $450K in Incentives for New Restaurant and Speakeasy Concept
The city of Birmingham has approved tax incentives amounting to $450,000 for a new restaurant and speakeasy concept set to be established in downtown Birmingham. This decision was made during the latest Birmingham City Council meeting.
New Restaurant Concepts in Birmingham
The city council enthusiastically okayed a liquor license for Sloan, a novel concept by the purveyors of Bocca Ristorante and Bistro 218. The iconic yet casual Sloan will soon be opening in the Renovated Pale Eddie’s Pour House located at 2308 2nd Avenue North.
On the other hand, a lion’s share of the approved incentives, $450,000 spread over five years, is destined to facilitate two groundbreaking ventures in the historic Armour & Co. building. The rennovated building is poised to house a posh restaurant known as Armour House and an enigmatic speakeasy called Pogo.
What to Expect at Armour House
Conveyed through its website, Armour House intends to be a refined brasserie that seamlessly merges locally-sourced meals, creative artisanal cocktails, world class wines and matchless hospitality into an unprecedented dining expedition. Patrons can look forward to offerings such as:
- A stunning raw bar with shareables encompassing fresh oysters and seafood towers.
- Appetizing small plates like snapper crudo, beef tartar and charred asparagus cavatelli.
- Enticing entrees such as the CAB filet mignon, braised lamb shank and grilled king salmon.
- A La Carte options featuring pomme puree and morelle mushrooms that perfectly supplement the main dishes.
Pogo: A Hidden Gem
Also included in the project is Pogo, a hidden speakeasy nestled within the time-honored walls of the Armour & Co. building. Provisional details about Pogo are sparse, but the establishment is anticipated to take pride in its exquisite cocktails and a delightfully vintage atmosphere.
Exciting Anticipation
Cornell Wesley, the Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity with the City of Birmingham, is part of the community eagerly awaiting the offerings that Armour House and Pogo will bring. Wesley expects Armour House to address a current gap in the downtown scene and stimulate enriching culinary experiences, encouraging locals and visitors to embrace the inviting food scene downtown Birmingham offers.
The novel ventures of Armour House and Pogo not only augur well for Birmingham’s culinary landscape but will also generate employment and economic growth. Further news and details about these exciting developments will hopefully emerge in the forthcoming months, and we can’t wait to update you on them.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
