Nightlife in Birmingham

Once inside Barrio Tacos and Tequila, one is immediately struck by the smoky blues and warm blooms of color that fill the space. Frosted panes of azure glass line one side of the restaurant, and vibrant murals overtake the other walls—the ones that aren't stacked with shelves of tequila bottles, anyway. Orange lights from above branch into glowing tendrils, studding the navy ceiling with miniature suns and illuminating the mortar and pestle on each table. These points of color are akin to the sparks of flavor inside the menu: pleasantly surprising and, in the words of the Detroit News, "bright and well-balanced."

Executive chef Ryan Porter is the brain behind Barrio’s inventive recipes. As a teenager, Ryan cooked for his family every night, honing the creativity that would lead him through American-, Asian-, Italian-, and finally Mexican-themed kitchens. Today, he looks in all cardinal directions for culinary inspiration, fashioning platters in the style of Oaxaca and Acapulco, among other regions. He stuffs tortillas with nine types of taco fillings, including housemade chorizo. On the side, scoops of chili-dusted sweet corn transport guests to Mexico without forcing them to throw out the giant bottle of shampoo they keep hidden under their shirt.

Picture a pub so packed with soccer fans that the ones lucky enough to have seats at the big, wooden bar can barely cheer without thwacking the people on all sides of them, and you’ll have some idea of what Dick O’ Dow's was like during the last World Cup. While such sporting events of such importance come only once every four years, the pub manages to maintain the fun-loving—and authentically Irish—atmosphere day in and out, in particular by enlisting live musical acts to perform as guests gulp pints of Guinness and solemnly discuss the latest Fun Street Journal. Even the party room suggests Old-World Ireland, with its stone fireplace, climbing ivy, and color palette of rich reds and browns. Here and in the main bar area, visitors feed on a full menu of traditional Irish fare, such as shepherd’s pie, irish stew, chicken pot pie, and bangers 'n' mash.

Overview:

Since its inception in May of 2002, The Corner has become recognized as The Birmingham Lounge. Located adjacent to The Townsend Hotel, The Corner serves unique cuisine with a light fare menu, and an extensive selection of award-winning cocktails, martinis, and premier spirits.

An instructor of the Argentine tango, James Valentino moves gracefully, his feet instinctively hitting the floor in time with the music that fills the ballroom. As the owner and founder of City Style Tango, Valentino imparts his grace to dancers of all experience levels during private and group lessons, sharing the secrets of the tango as well as other dancing styles such as swing, salsa, and the fox trot. Beyond the classes for adults or children, James encourages his pupils to show off their skills during student showcases or venture together to local clubs to dance amid the real world's oil-slicked floors.

Voted best karaoke bar by Hour Detroit magazine three years in a row, Royal Kubo complements amateur entertainment with an extensive menu of Filipino fare and liquid libations. Appetizers and entrees such as lumpia shanghai, topping meat eggrolls with sweet-and-sour pepper sauce ($8.95), and pansit guisado, a mix of bihun rice noodles, pork, chicken, and shrimp ($10.95) please palates. Diners can also sink sharpened mouth knives on yakitori chicken, marinated in teriyaki sauce and served alongside garlic-fried rice ($9.95), or dive into kalderata baka, beef tenderloin swimming among veggies in a tomato-sauce sea ($10.95). Halo-Halo, a colorful concoction of shaved ice, leche flan, tropical fruit, and ice cream allays post-dinner doldrums ($5). On warmer days, diners can enjoy meals on Royal Kubo’s wood-sheltered patio or enjoy a cocktail of courage at the bar, lined with hanging beveled glass lamps, before taking the karaoke stage for a rousing rap rendition of “Greensleeves.”

Anecdotes about Wellington Chophouse vary greatly, depending on the person you ask. Gastronomes probably will talk about thick, hefty steaks, plates of succulent beef wellington, and cold mugs of English beers, while sports fans will most likely excitedly describe its 17 flat-screen televisions. Party lovers will regale listeners with tales of their nightly karaoke and DJ dance parties, while music buffs will speak of a stage that hosts live music from local musicians and sung recitations of the weekly specials from waiters who lost a bet. No matter what camp patrons fall into, they'll find something to appreciate at the elegant, wood-paneled eatery.