When the pandemic began, there was a lot of economic uncertainty for many businesses, including restaurants that had once relied on packed dining rooms. With advocacy and policy-drafting support from REV, the City of Birmingham approved a Shared Space Permit in September 2020 that would allow restaurants and bars to utilize outdoor public space and follow social distancing guidelines.  

The new Shared Space Permit allowed Birminghamians to start thinking about public space differently. It gave us a wider set of tools to address the needs of businesses and patrons during the pandemic and beyond. Plus, it looks cool.

Tables and chairs, umbrellas, planters and more creative touches have popped up on sidewalks outside some of our favorite Birmingham eateries. Local restaurants—including Rojo, Trattoria Zaza, The Lumbar, El Barrio and more—created fun spaces for al fresco dining that attracted customers.

The 20th Street flex lane—created by the City and REV in 2020 and made permanent in 2021went one step further by encouraging innovation within the lane reclaimed from vehicular traffic, using a new colorful pattern to express that this was something new and different.

One Birmingham hot spot reported an 11% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2019. That jump began only after Birmingham’s Shared Space Permit was implemented 

At REV, we love seeing the added vibrancy on the street as patrons enjoy outdoor dining in our beautiful city. As indoor dining reopens, cities across the country are realizing that ending expanded outdoor dining could mean leaving money on the table.  

We need to look at these examples as we start thinking about the future of outdoor dining in Birmingham. City officials, restaurant owners, and residents of Boston all agree that outdoor dining has positively impacted their community. Not only does it benefit the community, but it is also a great way to help the restaurant industry bounce back post-pandemic. Read more about Boston’s experiences with outdoor dining here!

Have you enjoyed outdoor dining in Birmingham?

Let us know what you’d like to see in the future of outdoor dining by taking a short two-question survey below. Your feedback can help us shape our next steps!

Take the survey!

Related News

  • Why your voice on historic preservation is essential

    Filed Under: Front Page, Get Involved, Historic Preservation, Residential

    President and CEO of REV Birmingham David Fleming writes about the importance of historic preservation and highlights the advocacy efforts that saved the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Forest Park neighborhood in Birmingham. The article concludes with a call to action, urging for new leaders and the implementation of various strategies to protect and celebrate Birmingham’s historic buildings and places.

    Read More

  • It's show time at the Woodlawn Theater!

    Filed Under: Filling Vacant Spaces, Front Page, Small Business, Woodlawn, Yaysayers

    Lights, Camera, Action! The rebirth of the Woodlawn Theater is happening this weekend in the heart of Woodlawn. The theater is opening its doors to the public with two extraordinary opening events that are FREE to the public. The 1400 square foot venue has a wide range of amenities and even has a full-service bar. Because of the Mason Music Foundation, this venue is filling a much needed resource for local musicians to perform. Keep reading to discover how the theater came back to life and its impact on the community.

    Read More

  • What Stallions cornerback, Brian Allen loves about Birmingham

    Filed Under: Downtown Birmingham, Events, Front Page, Yaysayers

    Brian Allen, a talented cornerback, has made the remarkable transition from a small town in Texas to the vibrant city of Birmingham. Choosing Birmingham for his football career for two consecutive seasons, Brian’s unwavering dedication and exceptional skills have made him a standout figure in the world of football. To dive deeper into Brian’s journey and discover his genuine appreciation for the city, watch this video with the link below!

    Read More