Birmingham, Alabama, August 26, 2025
News Summary
Birmingham, Alabama, is seeing a surge of new businesses, including dining, fitness, and recreation. Key highlights include the opening of Armory Square Pickleball and Faith Kitchen, along with rebranding efforts at local favorites like Creole Connection, now Bayou on 8th. The city’s culinary scene continues to grow, showcasing local eateries gaining recognition for their offerings.
Birmingham Welcomes a Wave of New Businesses
Birmingham, Alabama is experiencing a vibrant surge of new businesses this summer, with several exciting openings and a notable rebranding. Among the latest establishments, residents can look forward to unique dining and recreational experiences across various neighborhoods.
New Business Openings
One of the highlights in Birmingham’s newest business landscape is Armory Square Pickleball, now operational at Crestwood Festival Center. This venue claims the title of the largest indoor pickleball facility in the city, featuring seven courts, along with amenities like table tennis and pool tables. Open 24/7, it also offers coaching to players of all skill levels.
In the realm of culinary offerings, Faith Kitchen recently celebrated its grand opening in Adamsville on August 18. This new meat-and-three restaurant provides a diverse menu, allowing patrons to choose from various meats alongside made-to-order dishes, such as wings and cheesesteaks.
Another exciting addition to Birmingham’s dining scene is the Sea Bar, which is set to open this fall in Mountain Brook. This coastal-inspired restaurant, developed by the Revival Restaurant Group, will feature an array of seafood dishes influenced by Italian and Japanese culinary traditions.
Rebranding News
The popular Creole Connection restaurant near Legion Field is undergoing a transformation as it rebrands to Bayou on 8th. This establishment will continue to offer authentic New Orleans-style appetizers and entrees, alongside a crafted cocktail list and a delightful Sunday brunch.
Moreover, Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila will serve its final dishes on August 31 before rebranding into Vecchia Gelato & Café. This shift marks a move away from tacos to a focus on Italian gelato and café offerings, all while retaining its current location.
Fitness and Recreation
Birmingham is also expanding its health and wellness offerings, as seen with the opening of Soli Deo Gloria Fitness & Health in Bluff Park. This holistic fitness studio emphasizes a comprehensive approach to wellness focusing on strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance, all grounded in a faith-based mission.
Additionally, K1 Speed, an indoor electric kart racing venue, is set to open its second location in Irondale at The Hill at Grants Mill. The new space follows the success of its first venue in Bessemer, bringing exciting indoor racing experiences to an even wider audience.
Luxury Experiences
Golf enthusiasts will soon have a new venue with The Back Nine, set to launch soon off Highway 280. This luxury indoor golf experience promises state-of-the-art technology and high-end finishes, catering to golfers of all skill levels.
Notable Recognition
In spite of the new openings, the culinary landscape continues to celebrate longstanding establishments. Bayonet, a seafood restaurant and raw bar that opened in March, has made it onto Garden & Gun’s August/September 2025 Hot List. Furthermore, Golden Age Wine and Salud, a Mexican taqueria, also received recognition, showcasing Birmingham’s growing culinary reputation. Standout pizzerias like Tortugas Homemade Pizza, known for its Chicago-style stuffed pizza, have gained accolades, being recognized by Food Network as serving the best pizza in Alabama.
Highlands Bar & Grill, once a celebrated fine dining destination, remains closed but continues to hold hope for a future revival in a reimagined format.
Conclusion
With an abundance of new businesses blooming in Birmingham and existing ones evolving, the city is brimming with dynamic options for dining and entertainment, enriching the local economy and lifestyle.
FAQ
What types of new businesses are opening in Birmingham?
New diverse offerings include indoor pickleball facilities, restaurants featuring various cuisines, and fitness studios.
Are there any notable rebranding efforts?
Yes, Creole Connection is rebranding to Bayou on 8th, and Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila will become Vecchia Gelato & Café.
What culinary recognitions have Birmingham eateries received?
Birmingham restaurants such as Bayonet and Tortugas Homemade Pizza have received honors, including a spot on Garden & Gun’s Hot List and recognition from Food Network.
When is Faith Kitchen’s grand opening?
Faith Kitchen celebrated its grand opening on August 18 in Adamsville.
Key Features of New Businesses in Birmingham
| Business Name | Type | Location | Description | Opening Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armory Square Pickleball | Indoor Sports | Crestwood Festival Center | Largest indoor pickleball facility with seven courts and 24/7 access. | Now Open |
| Faith Kitchen | Restaurant | Adamsville | Meat-and-three restaurant with made-to-order options. | August 18 |
| Sea Bar | Restaurant | Mountain Brook | Coastal-inspired seafood restaurant opening this fall. | Fall 2023 |
| Bayou on 8th | Restaurant | Near Legion Field | New Orleans-style appetizers and entrees. | Now Open |
| Vecchia Gelato & Café | Restaurant | Formerly Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila | Focusing on Italian gelato and café offerings. | August 31 (Transition) |
| Soli Deo Gloria Fitness & Health | Fitness Studio | Bluff Park | Holistic fitness studio emphasizing strength and balance. | Now Open |
| The Back Nine | Indoor Golf | Off Highway 280 | Luxury indoor golf experience with state-of-the-art technology. | Coming Soon |
| K1 Speed | Recreation | Irondale | Indoor electric kart racing venue, second location. | Coming Soon |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Tortugas Homemade Pizza Crowned Best in Alabama
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JPMorgan Chase Launches Alabama Capital Access Collaborative
Alabama Climbs in CNBC’s Business Rankings
Birmingham and Tuscaloosa Recognized as Small Business Hubs
Alabama Emerges as a Key Player in Aerospace and Defense
Coastal Alabama Business Expo Set for September 2025
Additional Resources
- Bham Now: 3 Birmingham Establishments Make Garden & Gun’s 30 New Restaurants
- CBS 42: When is Highlands Bar & Grill Coming Back to Birmingham?
- Yellowhammer News: Food Network Named This Birmingham Restaurant as Alabama’s Top Pizza Slice
- AL.com: Miss Alabama 2025’s 5 Favorite Restaurants in Birmingham
- Eater Atlanta: Best Birmingham Alabama Restaurants
- Wikipedia: Birmingham, Alabama
- Google Search: Birmingham new businesses
- Google News: Birmingham restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham, Alabama
- Google Scholar: Birmingham food scene
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.
