This cute little place was a gem. Great drinks, great service and the French dip sandwich was incredible. Highly recommend.

I wish I could give The Refinery a proper review, but unfortunately they made that pretty difficult. When I walked in they handed me the full menu... and then immediately told me I couldn't order from it. Apparently they're running on a very limited menu right now, which consisted of maybe three or four things. Bit of a letdown since I came specifically because I saw pictures of their smash burger and had dreams about it on the drive over. Instead I settled for the tacos, which were actually pretty tasty. No real complaints there. The drinks leaned pretty sweet, which makes me think there's a heavy hand with the syrups. The space itself is very small. It's decorated nicely, but you'll definitely feel like you're accidentally best friends with the people sitting next to you. The staff was fine overall, but very close and boisterous with each other. In a room that small, if one of the servers has the cackle of a woman who skins Dalmatians on the weekends... maybe don't pair her up with the funniest coworkers on the planet. All in all, a fine experience but not ideal. Call ahead if you actually want access to the full menu. read more

Chill atmosphere with great food and service. Want some good cocktails? We were alcohol free tonight but they looked pretty good! Want truffle fries? They've got that too. Want to splurge on a smashburger or go light with a salad? Want some sports television on three big screens? You know the answer by now. Lunch menu is served all day and they have a weekly dessert (I forgot to ask, I failed the mission darnit) . Very personable and small space - less than 30 seats in the house - so be prepared for the close quarters if you have a larger party. For hubby and I we had the perfect spot for two and enjoyed the industrial touches. Bathrooms were in the back, single rooms, and they were well taken care of and beautifully arranged. Thank you as always Birmingham. read more

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Easy free parking. Arrived and was uncertain what drink I wanted so Alyse whipped me up a wonderful drink that tasted like Smarties candy! She was so nice and cheerful. read more

The Refinery - Caprese salad - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Came here to meet a friend and catch up and on Saturdays they have $6 shots. the bartender will mix up whatever your preferences are bared off what you tell them. I had a tequila shot with citrus added for some tart. I also had a French 75 and it definitely hit the spot. Got the spinach dip for an appetizer and I have to say it didn't taste like spinach dip but queso. The pita chips were good which we were told were made in house. I could eat those by themselves. I'll This place is on the small side inside but they do have seating outside for when the weather is nice. Right in the midst of Lakeview there are several eateries and bars in the area to meet all your needs. read more

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This is such a great bar. I usually come mid-week for snacks and drinks. They have a great food menu. I've tried everything from the salad to the burgers. No complaints. Their cocktails are really good as well. They have amazing bartenders that aren't only friendly but great at their craft and willing to make any drink to your liking. Always a great crowd and a cool environment to meet new people. read more

The Refinery - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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The drinks were great! I always have a good time when I visit. I had the pickles and they were sweet. read more

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My friends and I stop here regularly for a quick bite and some drinks. We absolutely love it. The spot is a bit small, so you have to get there early for lunch: we went around 11:15 and found good parking across the street. I have gotten a variety of items during my visit. For lunch, I love their wings and I also love their waffle fries. They are both always cooked perfectly. I love that their menu is small and not overwhelming. read more

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I've had lunch and a late night drink at Refinery recently. They have a very flavorful vegetarian bowl on the lunch menu. There's only 1 vegetarian option on the late night menu - fries. I asked for fries with cheese and they accommodated me. They were good. Our bartender, Andy, was awesome. My drink was mixed and smoked to perfection. The decor is very classy, and the vibe is great for girls night and date night. read more

The Refinery - The Vegetarian - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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We were on the road and stopped in here passing through Birmingham. Cute little bar on a strip of restaurants and bars, plenty of seating. We sat at the bar, we did not know on Mondays it's a limited menu but we liked the concept of different chiefs having their own menu every Monday. We really enjoyed our meal if we ever pass back through Birmingham I will definitely be back! read more

The Refinery - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Second visit! It was nice. Good drink. I didn't eat but the food I saw looked worth trying! read more

The Refinery - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Wow! This little spot is a hidden gem in Lakeview. While the exterior is unassuming, inside you are greeted with a posh, exquisitely decorated interior. You could easily be in a sophisticated NYC bar. The bartender waiting on us was so personable and really went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of. Drinks were delicious! I ordered a smoked old Fashioned that was so smooth and smoky. The mozzarella sticks appetizer came out super quick and was deliciously crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle. We split the burger and the chicken piccata. The burger was utterly delicious. A thick patty with the perfect char but a juicy interior. The piccata wasn't a traditional preparation, but it was oh so good. A thick, crispy crumb coating encased a juicy, tender breast. The buttery piccata sauce was bright with capers. The broccolini was maybe the best I've ever had. I'm pretty sure it was deep fried to get a crisp-tender stalk and a crown that started a little crispy but melted as you ate it. A wonderful spot for an intimate date night! It's small, so not a place for a large party, but that's also part of its charm. We absolutely loved it! read more

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Such friendly staff in a super cute but modern small space. I loved the decor, vibe and options for drinks! Even for going on a Sunday afternoon we were greeted by the friendly staff, enjoyed our drinks and our time there! Id be excited to come back in the evening for dinner and cocktails read more

The Refinery - Red Mountain Mist - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Yesterday I was invited to a tasting of the new and improved menu at The Refinery. They are now under new management and have totally renovated their space. We were able to sample a few cocktails including the Aperol spritz as well as the Wealth Espresso Martini that has a pistachio infused tequila. They also had a great wine selection. For the entree options we tried the mozzarella sticks, the heirloom tomato salad, the smash burger, the twice fried wings, the filet, and my ultimate favorite the lobster toast. Every item was seasoned and cooked to perfection. I cannot wait until they officially open. I have no doubt they will do well under new management. Make sure you check them out when they reopen. read more

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This is a neatly designed space with a nice music selection, the service was pretty good, Jasmine took care of us and made sure we got everything we needed. The tostadas were awesome. Loved how the flavors and textures came together. Would definitely get those again. The croissant club was good but nothing special, the house salad picked up everything the sandwich was lacking. Overall great experience and customer service. read more

The Refinery - Croissant Club and side house salad - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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Wow!!!!!! What a little treasure! We have heard about this place and decided to visit on Friday night after a fun Birmingham brewery tour. The BEST smash burger! Kris was a fabulous server and made an awesome cocktail! We started with a chickpea tostada that was incredible!! My husband and I shared the smash burger. Well seasoned and every bite was "mmmm" worthy. A must try!!! Nice cozy atmosphere. read more

Server with short hair was rude, annoyed when asked to repeat things. Felt rushed. Food was okay, but not coming back. She definitely was judging me based off of appearance, so hopefully she can learn not to do that! Not a very welcoming experience, she was completely gross. read more

We loved this place! Very intimate setting and great service! The food came out super quick and was very delicious. Highly recommend. read more

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Great atmosphere and fantastic service. The food was well prepared, great presentation and flavorful. Truffle fries and French dip was terrific. Give this place a try. read more

Hi squad! Coming from Japan, SF, LA via NYC, this place blows been here twice - tried to the second chance thing- didn't pan out. Came today for lunch sat for 51 minutes and never got greeted or asked for water or asked for food or beverage. I'm from Bham and lived in many countries, states and never seen worst service than this. Cheers read more

We came here for dinner one night when visiting Birmingham for the bowl game. The owners and staff were fantastic! It's a small place, and they made room for our table of four. There was a small mishap with our order, but they made it right and gave us a discount on the bill for the inconvenience. The food and drinks were incredible! I highly recommend The Refinery!! Will definitely come back next time I'm in town! read more

Great spot to grab a drink and have lunch. The menu changes, but everything I've had is excellent. And they make a great gimlet!

This place was amazing. The ambiance was well lite. The natural lighting was a plus. The service was bar non. The steak was cooked to perfectly. The broccoli and potatoes were a chef kiss. The drinks were top tier. This place is a vibe read more

As soon as I walked in I knew this place was a great place to be. In the past that location was notorious for not lasting very long. Come to find out they have been there longer than I thought. We lived downtown but moved a couple of years ago so I guess that's why I haven't been there. Needless to say I enjoyed myself. The decor is spot on! Even the fine details in the hallway and the bathroom. The door knob, the soap AND lotion dispenser, the wallpaper even the silverware was noticeable along with the lighting throughout. We plan to go back this week especially after the bartender specifically invited us back when she was working. I say it's a definite PLUS to the lakeview community! read more

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Well, very nice atmosphere. Other than that, the menu is very limited your standard/average restaurant prices. I was a little put off because I got there around 5 o'clock and I said oh do you have any specials/happy hour and the response goes well it's a dollar off domestic beer. That was it end of conversation so I opted for a glass of wine. It was eight dollars, which is a good price but it was a six dollar glass as far as the portion size was concerned. It turned me off from wanting to order dinner at that point so I paid my eight bucks and I got out of them. I went down the road to the next block on the corner and this wonderful restaurant had happy hour nine things for happy hour or under $10 and every drink beer, wine or liquor had a special not this place. read more

Great vibes, a little on the expensive side but not a dealbreaker, great food, drinks and ambiance. Overall I'd give it an 9/10 and would definitely go back again! read more

The Refinery - My partner had the smash burger with fries, I had the Cesar Salad with the salmon which is a must-try. - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The good reviews seem unexplainable given what I experienced. I got the special which was tacos. They were incredibly greasy and didn't have any flavor. The place was loud with people who had been over-served. With all the amazing restaurants in Birmingham, I have no idea why people would come here. My guess is it's a spot to drink, in which case the food isn't the draw. read more

We had some friends visit from Florida who wanted to give this spot a go. We were pleased with the ambiance (cozy), service (friendly), food (nice selection) and drinks. My wife enjoyed her Reuben and I was pleased with both the flavor as well as portion size of my club sandwich. They had a nice selection of local craft beers as well as mixed drinks. We would be more than happy to come back. read more

The Refinery - Reuben - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and good flavor. The staff serve with care and respect. The restaurant is tidy and welcoming. Dining here feels calm and comfortable. read more

The have a great Chardonnay. I asked the bartender what the name of it was and she showed me the bottle but I forgot to take a picture. Definitely a nice chill spot. They do serve food but they stop after a certain time. read more

The Refinery - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The service was great and the smashburger was good....but my fries were cold. Which is extremely disappointing considering the meal was overpriced at nearly $20. I ordered the Vixen as well and at $14 you'd think you'd at least taste a little bit of alcohol in the drink. I won't be coming back. It felt like a ripoff. read more

The Refinery - smashburger - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

The Refinery is tiny but what they lack in size they definitely make up for with flavor! When we walked in, we weren't sure we were at the right place. It was a narrow room with a bar that probably didn't have a dozen stools and four tiny tables along the wall. Our hesitation was quickly resolved, though, the moment we sat down. We were immediately greeted by the super sweet bartender/server. She said they started a brand new menu that night and didn't have printed copies yet so she brought over the laptop for us to read. She recommended the mac and cheese bites so we bit. The plate of eight golf ball size bites were absolutely delicious. Crunchy on the outside, creamy in the middle and although they were jalapeño, there was just flavor and no bite. They were accompanied by a sraracha sauce that was more reminiscent of an aioli than anything else. As we were in such small quarters, one of the guys at the bar was close enough to be a table mate. He was a regular and started to tell us what to order - he said the pork chop was awesome but we opted to share a French dip. He seconded that decision. While we waited for our food, he was served the pork chop. Wow! It looked amazing - we should have taken his advice though we weren't disappointed with our selection. Thinly sliced beef piled high on a house baked French roll made for a terrific sandwich. The au jus was just right - not cloyingly salty like most. The accompanying waffle fries were hot and crisp - they put Chick-fil-a's waffle fries to shame. The sandwich looked small but, like the restaurant, it packed big punch. We barely finished it. The Refinery doesn't have beer on tap but does have a good selection of crafts and cocktails. I ordered the OPB - peach Ketel and some other stuff - it was refreshing - not too sweet like so many cocktails. It went down so easily that it could prove dangerous! The prices were moderate. Adding a beer to the above brought our check to $44. That seemed a little high for what was really a bar, not a restaurant but the food was high quality, plentiful and delicious and the service was top notch. We don't come to the 'ham very often but I'd definitely drive out of my to try that pork chop! read more

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The Refinery is the best. Great food, great service, great drinks with great friends. A local staple.

Great place.. the bar was really clean and had good cool feel to it. Quaint little place with great food and service.. jasmine was very nice to us. The food was awesome! I got a French dip and mac and cheese! The French dip was very good, great tasting sandwich with Swiss cheese and Ajou.. the mac and cheese was SO DANK. my girlfriend had a salad and truffle fries.. also really good ranch to dunk the fries in!! Will be back next time we're down there!!! read more

This place is awesome! It's really cozy with limited seating so I figured to call ahead for my son's 18th birthday. The food is fantastic, andq the ambience was exactly what we were looking for . The staff was super accommodating . We even got a little birthday cheesecake. I really appreciate the entire team for making our night special !! read more

The Refinery - American Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Amazing! Food. Service. Ambiance. Great place for a date night, lunch, meeting friends or coworkers for drinks.

If you are looking for a great local bar, this would be it. This place was hopping with regulars. The interior is small but we were able to grab a table outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. The owner is really friendly and we chatted with him quite a bit. I can see why he has regulars. The menu is mostly sandwiches and the prices are reasonable. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with waffle fries. It was a good sandwich with a nice sized piece of chicken. I couldn't eat the whole thing. I got the key lime martini to drink. So good, I had two! I look forward to another visit. read more

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Husband said burger was amazing. I had the hot wings and they were HOT! Great mozzarella sticks for app. Drinks were perfect. Great ambiance. Would definitely go back. Service also top notch! read more

My husband ordered a chicken sandwich with garlic marbled potatoes. Chicken was dry and the potatoes had no flavor not even a hint of garlic could be tasted. I ordered lobster toast and the menu didn't say it had raw onions. I asked before ordering what all was on it and she said just avocado and lobster I took one bite let her know it was awful and she didn't offer to take it back. I don't recommend this place at all read more

Went with coworkers after work on a Friday. The ambiance is beautiful. The team working were fantastic. The bartender made great recommendations on both food and drinks. The food was very good. The bartender made up some peanut butter old fashions and chocolate cherry martinis. YUM!!! I highly recommend and will be returning. read more

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