This is Birmingham's premier karaoke spot. It's a small, dive bar. I've never been before sunset, although apparently they serve food. Pool tables, a couple arcade games, a wonderful stage for performances. The bar is fairly small, so it can take a while to get a drink when it's really packed. Additionally, the women's bathroom is just one room, so the line there can get pretty long, too. They have a nice patio outside with some cornhole. There's often a $5 cover. read more

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Stephanie is rude and obnoxious and does nothing. she seriously belittled me for no reason as soon as I got there and I said excuse me why are you being rude and it turned into a big thing. she should not be behind the bar. everybody else is very nice but I won't be back till she's gone. read more

I had always heard my friends talking about this place, but it never really appealed to me. It just seemed like a dive bar so I had no real interest in coming here. Well this weekend my friends were planning on going, and I figured why not join them. They don't have much parking themselves, but since I assume most people will be coming here at night, you can probably park at an office building nearby after hours with no worry. The place itself is divided off into three sections. When you walk in, you get carded and can buy a drink/play darts. The next room has karaoke and few pool tables. Then the outside patio has cornhole. It was packed when I came here Saturday, probably more than 100 people. As for drinks, I had a cranberry vodka. It was okay, more juice than usual. This seems to me more like a place you come to hang out and have a good time with your friends than it does for people looking to really expect good drinks. Fine with me, I'm here to see my friends and listen to mediocre karaoke! read more

The Brown Derby - Cranberry vodka - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Derby offered a "patty melt" today along with other options such as BLT or chili and grilled cheese combo. The patty melt was delicious with grilled onions, meat and mayo along with chips and a beverage. Denita, as aways. did a great job of getting orders out promptly and refilling beverages as needed. Try the patty melt. You will not be disappointed ! read more

I didn't get any food or drinks here, but the atmosphere was awesome. The karaoke was fun, but they were so behind schedule. I signed up at 11:30 and didn't get to sing when they closed (1:30). read more

Great staff, amazing atmosphere terrific pricing! This is Birmingham's best secret. If you're going for a drink after work, this is the place to be. The food is top notch as well. read more

Staff are friendly. Bartenders are honest. I didn't eat here just sang karaoke, which was a fun time. read more

I would give 5 stars but the woman who hosts the karoke might be one of the rudest people I have met. She won't smile. And makes you feel like you have to walk on egg shells. I wish they could hire someone who actually enjoys karoke. It's painful to see this woman. #hireanewhost #anyonebuther read more

Came here with some friends after the Magic City Brewfest. First time here. Saturday night dive bar and there weren't many people in here (8;30ish). We grabbed a few drinks and kicked back for a bit. Went outside (wasn't hotter then the sun anymore) and talked with some 'locals' for awhile. The people here were all so friendly and made you feel at home. By the time we went back in to get more drinks they were probably pushing about 100 people and were absolutely busting at the seams. People singing karaoke and just in general having a good time. Wide variety when it came to age group. Twenty-one to sixty one (ish) they had all age groups here and everyone seemed to get along really well with one another. Specialty vodka drink was $6 each, so pricing was really reasonable. Staff was friendly and made sure that you didn't sit empty. They also sang karaoke from time to time. To be honest I would have never found this place, and I'm not sure it would have really stood out as a bar of any sorts. When we were leaving there was a line out the door, so it was a little more obvious. Remember I said this is a dive bar, and they can be very hit or miss depending on what you like for a dive bar. For me, it worked! I wouldn't mind comin back here again. Definitely worth a try, you never know you may find a place to add to your rotation for a night out in B'ham. read more

Equidistant between Forest Park, Avondale and Lakeview, this gem is WHERE YOU NEED TO GO at least once while you're in Birmingham. Packed to the gills with friendly regulars, you might even happen upon one of their famous monthly birthday parties and experience a genuine coma of deliciousness. The outside back yard area ia amazing. Tiki bar, TVs for the game and of course the "Corona" wedding. You've gotta see it to believe it. Friday & Saturday nights are karaoke, hosted by ya boy Young Elvis. I mean that. An elvis impersonator in a Hawaiian shirt is the DJ. I clown way too much when he's in charge, so this could be equal parts hilarious and dangerous. Great for gameday. It's Alabama in bar form. Take your out of town friends, or stumble in when you're looking for a hipster antidote. read more

The Brown Derby - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I went for an office party, the drinks were on our office tab so we had an open bar. The woman hosting karaoke just honestly kept the party going. I'm not sure if she worked there or not but she was super fun! However, here's where my two star rating roots from. The bartenders were absolutely the worst and did NOT deserve any tips. The older woman was extremely rude and the guy was completely uneducated as to how to make simple drinks. He didn't know how to make a simple margarita. What brings my rating to even a two star or a one star is the younger woman bar tender that actually knew how to make drinks and was polite. The atmosphere is okay but gives me weird vibes. Needless to say I will not be returning to such establishment. read more

The Brown Derby is a fun, divey bar and is probably the best place in to sing karaoke in Birmingham. Be sure to put your name on the list to sing as soon as you get there on Friday & Saturday nights...there is always a wait to sing, but you can play pool or sit and listen at one of the many tables they have to pass the time. Again, it is nothing fancy and kind of a hole-in-the wall, but it's hard not to have a good time here. The drinks are always cold and reasonably priced. Plus, they serve their shots in mini red solo cups...what's not to like?! read more

The Brown Derby - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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They only have one women's bathroom. It's either occupied with 17 girls or clogged with poops. It's inadequate for the volume of people who attend this place. They improved the men's restroom by putting up a divider so now two can go but they've done nothing for women. Overall unimpressed. read more

The karaoke guy sucks. He's rude and takes forever to play songs/figure out someone isn't coming up to sing. Waste of a good karaoke bar. Also, drink prices are so variable? They write it down by hand. I've been there drinking the same quantity and one night it's 15 the next is 40 read more

This was the place our bachelorette chose to go late night for karaoke. I had NO idea what to expect, other than karaoke. It was definitely a little honky-tonk with a low key atmosphere (like, SUPER casual--lots of people were wearing tshirts/jeans on this Saturday night), but it had a great vibe. It's got a cute little stage, and they welcome people to get up and dance at any point they feel led. Definitely not intimidating!!! It was an intimate atmosphere, and there was very minimal waiting to sing a song. They play some fun songs between people singing karaoke--Cupid Shuffle, Wobble, etc. and so many people get up on stage and dance. They also have pool, if anyone is interested in playing. It's definitely a place I would go back to sing karaoke!! So fun! read more

Don't judge a book by its cover. This is a little gem. Great tables, if you're looking for a place to play pool.

Wow ...how the atmosphere changes. One minute you feel like you are in a country honky tonk then you turn your head and its a young crowd of city folk having a good time. Karaoke is great, you hear anything from hank williams to lady gaga. The drinks are cheap but I noticed there was not alot of alcohol in them. Maybe it depends on the bartender but she measured everything out. This is a great place to go and hang out with friends but i left there not even tipsy. read more

The Brown Derby - Asked for a glass of makers neat. this is what you get. - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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So my friends took me to the Derby for some karaoke on my first night in town. They know I like dives with friendly locals and some karaoke. Plus an Elvis karaoke DJ? I'm in. So we got there and the place was straight up dead. However, that made getting a table easy. We sat down and started drinking. The waitress/bartender was greatness. I love someone with a Southern accent who calls me honey! Karaoke was not by an Elvis impersonator, but a friendly older guy. No books, so just sign up and see if they have it. They had most of my typical jams, but lacked my Billy Squier song. We even got asked to sing backup by a nice patron on a Doobie Brothers jam and I also danced with the karaoke DJ to a song. Nothing wrong with that. Didn't get to experience the outside area. Also didn't play pool, although they do have some tables if you are in the mood. Kitchen was closed but I was drinking my dinner so it was OK. One seater bathroom but it wasn't packed so it wasn't a problem. Overall a nice local watering hole with some fun activities and some karaoke to keep you busy while you drink away the workweek! read more

The Brown Derby is an interesting dive bar. During the early evening hours, the crowd is generally older and are just sitting around having drinks. About 9 or so, the crowd drastically changes and becomes very diverse. The karaoke on Saturday night is so much fun! I have never heard such a wide range of music sung at karaoke before, which is awesome. I really love the patio and "yard" out back as well, and end up spending a lot of time there. The only negative is that, at least the last time we went, the drinks seemed VERY weak, but still regular priced. Overall a great time! read more

The Brown Derby - Pretty cool dive bar. - New American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I think Miranda R. said it best: Just go. This place might look a little sketchy from the outside, but I promise you that a fun time is waiting inside. Be sure to go on Friday or Saturday nights when the karaoke game is more than poppin'. The bartenders are always very friendly and you're guaranteed to be among the most diverse group of patrons in Birmingham at The Derby. I can't speak for the food, but the mixed are always beautifully stout, the beer is always flowing, and the karaoke is always entertaining. Let go of your inhibitions against getting up on stage and have a good time! read more

This is a cool bar. I enjoy the karaoke and the diverse crowd. According to What time you guy it can be an older crowd and the later it gets younger. One minute there's a small crowd and then it can be crowded. Bar service can be slow at times. Overall I like it and would recommend. read more

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Super solid dive bar! Pool tables - bar stools - high top tables - karaoke and even better ... It's affordable. Nothing too fancy as far as selection is concerned - you could probably have a $40 night and order anything your heart desires. We rolled in a little late so I'm not sure how busy it usually is. But it was awesome. People were friendly and karaoke was free !!! read more

The Brown Derby is a dive bar that you'll find older regulars or younger folks that just want to go to a non-pretentious place to imbibe. They have billiards, a quarter pusher machine that I'm addicted to, inexpensive drinks that they'll serve you in a plastic cup, very cold beers, frosty mugs, a nice patio that is fenced in and insulated by clear tarps during the colder months. All the old neon bar lights you could ask for. You'll sometimes find older regulars chain smoking and intently watching their favorite TV shows or sports teams on the patio. Respectful, humble people. There's karaoke and the crowd is generally receptive to the best and worst singers. I've seen food out on a table before, but never dared to touch it because I don't know if it's for the public or a party. Maybe you'll be braver than me and try it out? read more

The brown derby is a local divey bar. Definitely a place to come that's not for the fru fru lol. It's a drinkers bar. All the traditional stuff you need, very unassuming just show up ask for what you want and they serve it. Some pool tables in the back and juke box also. One of the local bars that make birmingham unique and cool at the same time. Again not a fancy place but that's what is cool about it. Places like these in addition to the trendy spots are what provide the city with balance definitely should give this place a try if you want to just grab a cold one. read more

So, I'm not one to leave a bad review, but geez... The door guy was extremely rude to us. Kept saying "one in, one out", but still wouldn't let us in when people would leave. But he had no problem letting in other people that were cutting the line. We probably watched a dozen people cut in front of us and he wouldn't turn them away. When we tried to go in he would yell at us. read more

I had never heard of the Brown Derby before coming here on a beer bike with friends, which was a cool way to check it out. It's a pretty divey bar and is super dark inside. The bartender was super friendly and made the experience enjoyable. As for drinks, they have your standard domestics (and for decent deals too!), but nothing else jumped out at me. It was nice to experience the Brown Derby once, but I don't think I'll be back. read more

My go to place on a Friday or Saturday. The people are always friendly, the mix of folks is great, and so much fun when there is a song that the patrons join in on. Come by, try it... What do you have to lose read more

Don't expect to sing unless you are a regular(even if you tip). Also, we finally got up to sing hours later and he gave a regular a microphone to sing with us. How rude!? read more

I decided to make my first brown derby experience happen on a Friday night! I absolutely love a good dive bar with a diverse crowd. This place was awesome!! Very open inside, friendly crowd, nice employees, ice cold beer, awesome karaoke, clean bathrooms, cool patio area outside, pool tables. What more could you ask for in a Birmingham dive?! read more

This is my go-to local bar. Old school beer joint with 3 pool tables and an eclectic group of regulars: construction workers, health care professionals, lawyers, archaeologists, musicians, artists, students and the occasional "where did they come from?". Very reasonably priced home cooked lunches Wed. through Fri. In the Fall, college football reigns supreme on the 5 TVs. read more