Oktoberfest returns to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 with a 5k run benefiting the American Cancer Society and a German-themed festival featuring food, drinks and family-friendly entertainment.

Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest, presented by Visit Tuscaloosa, will occur 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Druid City Social (301 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL  35401). The traditional tapping of the keg will kick off programming that also includes a dachshund race presented by the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, steinholding contest and a variety of live music, including a performance by German band Oompah-Calypse, and more.

“Visit Tuscaloosa is thrilled to host Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest alongside Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and their 5k race,” said Kelsey Rush, Visit Tuscaloosa president and CEO.  “We understand our community desires more events, and given the connection to Mercedes as well as our Sister City in Schorndorf, Germany, we feel confident this can become an annual festival our community looks forward to each year.”  

General admission tickets for Oktoberfest are $10, include a special edition commemorative stein, and will be available beginning Sept. 1 at TuscaloosaOktoberfest.com. Children 12 and under get in free.

Multiple craft breweries will be on hand to make a diverse selection of beers available for purchase. Additional vendors will sell German food, pretzels, desserts, soft drinks and more.

VIP tickets also will be for sale for $75, featuring a package that includes food, access to indoor restrooms and tvs broadcasting college football, special seating for the dachshund race and three beer tickets. Two hundred VIP tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

The 5k race is presented by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and will start at 9 a.m. from downtown Tuscaloosa. Registration is available at a $45 early bird rate until August 20 and includes race entry, a race t-shirt, a commemorative beer stein exclusive to race participants, free admission to the Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest and a free beer (for runners 21 and older).

Visit Tuscaloosa will continue to provide additional updates on vendors, activities, and more at TuscaloosaOktoberfest.com and through social media. Businesses or organizations interested in partnering may send inquires to info@visittuscaloosa.com or call 205-391-9200.

Tuscaloosa is one of those cities where going with the flow is just as fun as strategically planning out your day. From local restaurants and small shops to beautiful outdoor spaces, there’s so much to explore. No matter where you decide to stop along the way, you’ll love where the journey takes you! See what this city has to offer on your exciting and eventful experience through Tuscaloosa!

Shop ‘till you drop

Effie’s Inc.

Effie’s Inc. is a women’s contemporary clothing boutique located in downtown Tuscaloosa. Effie’s carries the latest trends for every style and age, including jumpsuits, tops, shoes, jewelry, and so much more. They pride themselves on their one-on-one customer service, and for good reason! Customers constantly rave about the boutique’s spectacular selection of clothing and incredibly friendly staff members. Stop by Effie’s on Queen City Avenue today and pick up something that’s sure to be stylish!

Kentuck Gallery Shop

If you’re looking to spruce up any space this summer to find that “it” factor, look no further than Kentuck Gallery Shop! The Kentuck Art Center is a local treasure that has added such value to our community for over 45 years, and they don’t plan on slowing down any time soon. You can find one of a kind mugs, jewelry, platters, paintings, and so much more on their user-friendly site. To experience the full magic of Kentuck check out their virtual exhibition to showcase how artists are bringing joy in the midst of uncertainty. To support the future of Kentuck culture, despite the recent cancellation of this year’s festival, you can go here to donate to the Festival Forever Fund.

Cravings

Imagine a quaint café mixed with a pizzeria, bar, and an ice-cream shop. Well, this place exists and it’s called Cravings. Whether it be chocolate peanut butter cheesecake, a mix and match six-pack of your favorite craft beer, or a Mexican Coca Cola, something is bound to be calling your name while browsing this local gem. No matter what age you are, Cravings has the perfect little treat for kids and adults alike. For example, kids absolutely love the unique sodas and vintage candies while the parents tend to lean toward the vast selection of beer and wine.

Eat

Flavaz Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant

Tuscaloosa is perhaps one of the best cities to experience the southern, satisfying soul food. Flavaz Seafood and Soul Food Restaurant is a prime example of our city representing southern hospitality in its truest sense. Customers can’t decide which is better here: the phenomenal food or the unbelievable customer service. When you come by to see what all the fuss is about, expect to be greeted with a smiling face as soon as you come in the door. The welcoming atmosphere combined with the enormous and authentic flavor in every bite makes this establishment a local staple no doubt.

 

Depalma’s

Depalma’s is one of the best places in Tuscaloosa for authentic Italian favorites. Located in downtown Tuscaloosa, the restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere and incredible dishes like pasta Pomodoro, veal marsala, and hand-crafted pizzas and calzones. Depalma’s also offers a wide selection of wines by the glass or bottle as well as beers and cocktails. Depalma’s is a favorite of locals, so stop by on University Boulevard and see what all the talk is about!

Dreamland BBQ

Dreamland BBQ has been a staple of the Tuscaloosa restaurant scene since 1958. Since then, Dreamland has established itself as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the state of Alabama, not to mention the city of Tuscaloosa. Along with their popular barbecue favorites, they offer smoked items including half chickens and sausage. Pick up an order of their famous ribs, white bread, and BBQ sauce from their 15th Street location in Tuscaloosa today and try what’s been the talk of the state for over 60 years!

Play

Sokol Park

Enjoy the great outdoors this summer at a local hidden treasure in town, Sokol Park! They have plenty of amenities for visitors to enjoy, including multipurpose playing fields, a playground, and a dog park. With over 11 miles of trails, there’s also plenty of space to hike or jog. Picnic in the grass, follow the trails, or play some soccer on the fields. If you’re interested in enjoying the great outdoors, Sokol Park might just be the perfect getaway for you!

Loosa Brews

Established in 2014, Loosa Brews is a bar and specialty retailer for quality craft beer and wine. Loosa always keeps 30 of the freshest draft beers from Alabama breweries plus rare beers from all over on tap. Their cozy atmosphere makes enjoying a pint and shopping their extensive selection an enjoyable experience. While at Loosa Brews, be sure you check out their wide assortment of vintage arcade and pinball machines including Ghostbusters, Aerosmith, and Guardians of the Galaxy!

Shindig

Looking for an all-encompassing entertainment experience for families, friends, or those just looking to have a little fun? Shindig, located on McFarland Blvd E, is one of Tuscaloosa’s newest additions! The possibilities are endless at this place, with 28 bowling lanes, putt-putt golf, laser tag, axe throwing, arcade machines, and a stage for live music. There is also a restaurant with a lounge to sit back, relax, and recharge.

It’s summer in Tuscaloosa and locals and tourists alike are looking for ways to spend their free time. Luckily for us, The City of Tuscaloosa is hosting Live at the Plaza for the fourth consecutive summer. For those who are unfamiliar, Live at the Plaza is held every Friday night in June and July at the Government Plaza and features live music from local musicians. To prepare you for the excitement of this event, we’ve come up with 5 reasons why you should attend Live at The Plaza this summer.

 

It’s Free!

Live music, a great atmosphere, and a fun, new way to spend a Friday evening- for no cost! If you ask us, it doesn’t get much better than that. If you’re looking for a way to save money and still get the most out of your summer, this is a perfect opportunity for you. All you have to do is show up, bring a blanket or a lawn chair, sit back, and enjoy.

 

The music

There are two things in life that are pretty hard to beat: A well put on show and quality music. Live at the Plaza provides the opportunity for the community to gather together and enjoy the talent showcased not only from right here in Tuscaloosa but all over the South. The diversity of performances over the summer will satisfy music lovers few and far between. There will be a variety of music played from jazz, alternative, country, rock, and others. Some highlights from this year’s musical lineup include the Lamont Landers Band, The John Wilson Band and Orange Constant. For other bands check out our lineup list here.

 

The food trucks and vendors

Along with enjoying the performance, you will have the opportunity to shop and eat. Local vendors and food trucks can apply to have a space surrounding the lawn to sell their goods.  Look out for local nonprofits and retailers that you’ve seen around town. And we can’t forget about the food! Although we don’t know exactly who will be there yet, we know it’s going to be good. Participants can count on some of the most popular businesses around our area renting out the space. Look out for some of your favorites, such as Local Roots or La Mexicana.

 

It’s fun for everyone

One of the greatest aspects about Live of the Plaza is that anyone can go and enjoy their time. It’s the perfect opportunity to get the family out of the house and spend quality time together. Kids and adults alike will love the lively atmosphere of the concert. And you can bring your pets! Additionally, it’s the perfect way to enjoy time with friends, or a date night. Although you can’t bring your own alcohol, you are allowed to purchase drinks from surrounding bars and restaurants and stroll around the Plaza while enjoying the music and atmosphere. They’ve got it all covered: the food, the drinks, the music. How much better does it get?

 

The location

The Government Plaza is right in the middle of all the Downtown action. There’s retail stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. And its outside! Even though it can get hot here in the summer, the concerts are at night which will cool things off. You can bring a picnic blanket or a lawn chair as you enjoy the show. The atmosphere of Live at the Plaza is hard to beat- and something you won’t want to miss.

 

Now that you know a little bit more about what to expect, it’s time to get excited. Tell your family and friends so they can look forward to it as well. Live at the Plaza is going to be a hit, just as it has been in the summers before. We hope this has helped you know what to look forward to, and we hope to see you there!

Written by Anna McAbee

School is winding down as students around town head into spring break, but Tuscaloosa will be buzzing with events all weekend. This may be the perfect time to try that restaurant you want to eat at but is always packed. Both the Crimson Tide baseball and softball teams will be in town this weekend, and both are off to great starts this season. Band of Brothers will be rockin’ all day Saturday with the Tuscaloosa United concert. The Children’s Hands-On Museum hosts “Science Saturday” which will be tons of educational fun. Get out and enjoy the beautiful city of Tuscaloosa this weekend, and don’t forget the new entertainment district will be in effect on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9:30.

 

Alabama Baseball vs. New Mexico State

The Crimson Tide baseball team will be in town all weekend trying to sweep New Mexico State. Bama baseball is off to an excellent start this season and cheering them on in the country’s nicest college baseball facility, Sewell-Thomas Stadium, is always a blast. Friday’s matchup begins at 6:00 pm, Saturday’s is at 2:00 pm and Sunday’s is at 1:00 pm. To purchase tickets before the games visit www.rolltide.com.

 

Alabama Softball

Alabama softball has a tradition of excellence, and you’ll have multiple chances to experience it in person this weekend. The Crimson Tide will host Boston College at 4:00 pm and Fordham at 6:00 pm on Friday. On Saturday, Alabama will start off the day by playing Boston College at 1:30 pm, followed by Fordham at 4:00 pm. Bama softball will wrap up the weekend by playing Samford at 1:30 pm on Sunday. Grab your tickets before the game by visiting www.rolltide.com.

 

Tuscaloosa United Concert at Band of Brothers

Band Of Brothers will be hosting the Tuscaloosa United Concert “Coming Together Through All Forms of Music” on Saturday. This will be a full day of Bluegrass, Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Country, Jazz and more! In addition to music, the Battered Wild food truck will be on site! The doors open at 1 p.m., and music is hitting the stage at 3 pm. There is free entry for people age 10 and under. For more information contact Lawrence Edwards at (205) 246-2569 or Myrus Nall at (205) 886-9491.

 

Science Saturday at CHOM

Bring your children to “Science Saturday” at the Children’s Hands-On Museum in downtown Tuscaloosa. There will be scientific lab stations set up throughout the museum for the children to explore. The fun begins at 10:00 am and goes until 4:00 pm. Enjoy some educational fun this weekend!
Follow us on social media (@visittuscaloosa) to stay up-to-date on important events. Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts. We love seeing Tuscaloosa through your eyes!

Events In Tuscaloosa This Weekend

We are on the verge of another fun-filled weekend in Tuscaloosa. Theatre Tuscaloosa is kicking off their production of “Cabaret” on Thursday, and it’s sure to be a gas. The Alabama Men’s Basketball Team hosts Arkansas on Saturday in what will be the final weekend home game of the season. Band of Brothers Brewing Co. will be rockin’ all day Saturday for their Winter Music Festival and Gramatik will start off next week with a bang.

 

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s “Cabaret”

Opening weekend is upon us! Take a trip back in time to the 1920’s with Theatre Tuscaloosa’s performance, Cabaret! You have multiple chances this weekend to experience this unique performance. Showings will be Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm in the Bean Brown Theatre. You can purchase tickets at the box office before the show, or call to purchase them over the phone.

 

Alabama v. Arkansas Basketball Game

The Arkansas Razorbacks are coming to Title Town on Saturday to take on the Crimson Tide in a conference showdown. Alabama is looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Auburn and boost their seeding in the conference and NCAA tournaments, and this squad has been good on the bounce-back all season. The action begins at 5 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum, and this SEC matchup is one that you don’t want to miss. Visit www.rolltide.com to purchase tickets before they sell out.

 

Band of Brothers Brewing Co. Winter Music Festival

The 1st Annual Band of Brothers Brewing Co. Winter Music Festival is an event that you don’t want to miss. Saturday is going to be a day full of food and fun for everyone. The 4G band will kick off the music at 2 pm and AFROUnicorn, Doobie “Doghouse” Wilson, Tarred & Feathered Band, Debbie Bond and B2B Band will keep it rockin’ all day long. There will also be several food trucks on site such as Local Roots, Be Gone and Lolly’s Sugar Shack.

 

Gramatik at Druid City Music Hall

Gramatik is an electronic artist, musician, and producer from Portorož, Slovenia and he is making a stop in Tuscaloosa on Monday night. His styles and influences are mostly a blend of dubstep, electro, trip hop, hip hop, and glitch. The music begins at 8:30 pm at Druid City Music Hall. Go to www.druidcitymusichall.com to purchase tickets to this must-see concert.

 

There are plenty of exciting events going on all over the city this weekend, so check out our events page at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for a fun list of things to do.

Another big weekend in the city of champions is around the corner, and we’ve got the low-down on all the fun events taking place. Friday is December 1, so that means First Friday Art Night will be taking over downtown T-town. Grab a drink from your favorite bar or restaurant and take a tour of the local art scene before seeing some live music at Green Bar.

 

First Friday Art Night in downtown Tuscaloosa has become a special monthly event to residents and visitors alike. Local artists and gallery owners showcase incredible works each month and this week will be no different. An entertainment district will be in effect until 10 p.m. so grab a drink from Catch-22 or your favorite bar or restaurant and head out to explore Tuscaloosa’s vibrant art scene. Galleries involved include:
– Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy 6-9 p.m.
– O’Connor Art Studios 5:30-8:30 p.m.
– The Paul R. Jones Gallery 5:30-7:30 p.m.
– Uperk 5:30-8
– Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center 5-8 p.m.
– Harrison Galleries 6-9 p.m.

These galleries would love the opportunity to host you, and some even provide hors-d’oeuvres. Best of all, the event is free, so you have no reason not to go, and you are guaranteed to stumble upon something that surprises and delights you.
When you’re finished taking in the local art scene on Friday evening, head over to Green Bar where Admiral Snackbar will be rocking all night. This Tuscaloosa band plays some of the best rock around and has been influenced by Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Rage Against the Machine. As Tuscaloosa’s music scene continues to develop its unique blend of sounds, keep an eye on Admiral Snackbar and their contributions. Bands like the Alabama Shakes and St. Paul & the Broken Bones used to play Green Bar, so you never know when you could see the next great Alabama band. The music starts around 11 and tickets are FREE!

 

Great local bands won’t just be playing downtown this weekend. Angela and the Able Brothers Band mix acoustic guitars, smooth bass, and incredible vocals for your listening pleasure. The band has seemingly played everywhere this year and this Saturday will take their show to Band of Brothers Brewing. It’s such a blast to watch a band perform next to the huge brewing equipment, and it makes Band of Brothers a special place to see Tuscaloosa’s best bands. Head over around 7 and get lost in the music.

 

It wouldn’t be a weekend in Tuscaloosa without Alabama sports. Coach Avery Johnson has the Crimson Tide Men’s basketball team off to a scorching 5-1 start, with the only loss being mostly a 3 on 5 game where young bull Collin Sexton scored 40 points, an Alabama freshman. You have got to see this team play in person, and Sunday at 1 p.m. against UCF is your chance. Tickets can be purchased at RollTide.com and are only $15, which is a steal to watch this squad.

 

There are always fun events going on around town, so visit our event calendar at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for a complete list.

Alabama football has a bye week and the weekend off, but the fun never stops in the one and only Tuscaloosa! There will be plenty of music, entertainment, and thrills for the kids to fill your Halloween weekend. You do not have to travel to catch a Rocky Horror show, we have one here! On Friday night, the Dexateens will be back in Tuscaloosa to bring the workingman’s blues consisting of high decibels of classic country, garage punk, and mainline folk. Furthermore, due to the success of the entertainment district over the course of the year, it will once again be in effect on Friday and Saturday from 9am-10pm each day. So get out, grab a drink, and explore the shops and art galleries Tuscaloosa has to offer!

On Friday night, Green Bar will host the triumphant return of Alabama rock-n-roll collective, the Dexateens. This “super group” has spanned Alabama’s punk and rock scenes over the last two decades while managing to maintain their own unique sound. The Dexateens are exactly what rock and roll has been missing, back to stake a claim on what they helped begin. These Tuscaloosa natives have returned to fill the void, gladly taking one city at a time, one venue at a time, one fan at a time. Make sure you do not miss this wholly Tuscaloosa band as they kick off an exciting weekend! Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts around 10:30.

The Children’s Hands-On Museum always has something for the youngsters on Saturday, and this weekend is no different. In the spirit of Halloween children will be able to go on a Monster Walk Scavenger Hunt from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children of all ages will have a blast following the clues to win the prize at the end!

Don’t worry, Saturdays are for the adults too. Do you like to run? Do you like to drink beer? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then we have an event for you! Run The Breweries will be taking place on Saturday, October 28th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. The event begins at Wagner’s Runwalk footwear store where they will be doing giveaways prior to the start of the run. Participants will begin by running to Band of Brothers Brewing Co. to sample some tasty craft brews. After spending some time at Band of Brothers, the run will continue on to Druid City Brewing Co. and eventually end at Black Warrior Brewing Co. If you are unable to make the start of the run you are more than welcome to join in at any of the participating brewery locations. Following the conclusion of the event, participants are welcome to hang around at Black Warrior — they have several dining options available for delivery. It is important you have your ID and coordinate a proper ride home for when you leave Black Warrior. Friday is National American Beer Day, what better way to celebrate than with the first official Brew Run in Tuscaloosa!

Another event happening on the night of the 28th is Pink Box Burlesque’s Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Bama Theatre. This will be their ninth year presenting the show, so it’s safe to say they have gotten pretty good at it. You won’t want to miss their tenth installment this Saturday night. Doors open at 7 p.m, so come dressed as Frank, Rocky, Janet, Magenta, or your favorite character for a costume contest at 8:30. The show starts at 9, which we’ll give you plenty of time to build up your antici….pation.

We have tons going on during the holiday season, make sure to check out our great upcoming events and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!

 

Written by: Will Wyatt

Tomorrow begins a big weekend in Tuscaloosa! Bama football returns for homecoming, Druid City Pride weekend runs through Sunday, and the Children’s Hands-On Museum always has something fun for the kids. The entertainment district will be in effect in Downtown Tuscaloosa again this weekend, so take the opportunity to get out, grab a drink, and explore Tuscaloosa’s unique downtown area and events.

On Friday night downtown Tuscaloosa will be buzzing with excitement and activity. In addition to the area being an entertainment district from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Druid City Pride will host a block party from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m on 22nd Avenue between Alcove and Grace Aberdeen. Druid City Pride is a local organization dedicated to celebrating, serving, and supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Tuscaloosa. Great drinks from Alcove and Monarch, cornhole, and live music by incredible blues musician Janelle Frost will give you and your friends a fun place to unwind and kick off a great Pride weekend in Tuscaloosa. Come out and enjoy a good time!

The Crimson Tide returns home under the lights of Bryant-Denny this Saturday night to battle divisional foe Arkansas for homecoming. Alabama will kick off at 6:15 as a whopping 30.5-point favorite and will be looking to Coach Saban and the fans to make sure they haven’t been affected by the “rat poison” that comes along with beating SEC teams 66-3. If you haven’t purchased a ticket yet, don’t worry. There are still some tickets left on rolltide.com. There are several special homecoming activities happening this weekend, such as a step show on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. and parade on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Get out and enjoy the best gameday experience in all of college football.

The Children’s Hands-On Museum always has fun events for the kids, and this weekend is no exception. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. things will get spooky as Halloween takes over for the Goblin Gala. Kids will enjoy treats, activities, and games in a fun Halloween setting. The Children’s Hands-On Museum is always providing fun things for kids to do in the One and Only Tuscaloosa. Stop by before the homecoming game on Saturday and get into the Halloween spirit.

Join Band Of Brothers Brewing Sunday, October 15th for Trucks By The Tracks with your favorite local food trucks. Band of Brothers is hosting Pastor’s Kitchen, Simple Southern Cuisine, Get MIX’D, Lolly’s Sugar Shack and more. This event is your chance to experience great beer, live music, and good company. What could be better? The brewery opens at 1:00 p.m. with food trucks arriving at 1:30. Live music performed by the Tarred and Feathered Band will begin at 2:00. It’s going to be a large time!

The Alabama Crimson Tide soccer team is in town on Sunday afternoon taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 5 p.m. Both teams are coming off of loses and will be fighting hard to get their schedule back on track. The Crimson Tide’s record is 9-6-1 and the Bulldogs are 7-3-3. Sporting events at The University of Alabama are always a good time. As always, admission is free so it is a great event to take the whole family to.

 

We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events below, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements.

Contributors: Danny Owen & Rachel Horton

In 2009, the “Free the Hops” bill passed in Alabama allowing the sale of beer with an ABV content higher than 6.0%. A nearly five-year process provided Alabama with the opportunity to join 46 other states in the sale of high-gravity craft beer. In 2012, Tuscaloosa’s city council also voted to change the city’s zoning ordinance which allowed for brewpubs and breweries. This series of law changes provided a culture change and sparked a flourishing craft beer scene in the city of Tuscaloosa. Druid City Brewing Co., owned by Bo Hicks and Elliot Roberts, became the first official brewery in November of 2012.

Tuscaloosa is known to locals as “The Druid City” because of the giant water oaks lining the city streets in its early years, according to Encyclopedia of Alabama (Lewis, 2013). It’s only fitting the first official brewery derived its name from this fact. Initially, the two co-owners worked out of an office space before deciding to open a taproom in July of 2013. Druid City Brewing Co. is known for its Downtown North Porter which is described as, “a full-bodied malt bomb with rich chocolate and vanilla flavors from beginning to end” on their website. Coming in at an ABV of 9.1 this distinctive beverage is sure to have you in a blissful state of mind after a few sips. Druid City has other local favorites such as the Lamplighter IPA, Druid City Pale Ale, Riverside Saison, Tuskaloosa Stout, and Druid City Wheat. Each of these brews is uniquely named after a feature specific to Tuscaloosa. They have a variety of fun events throughout the week such as trivia and open mic nights as well as live music on site. DCBC is also credited as the first to legally sell beer exclusively brewed and bottled in Tuscaloosa. The brewery hand-bottled 144 22-ounce bomber bottles and released them at local stores such as Loosa Brews, Spirits, and Corks & Tops in March of 2015.

A second brewery arrived on the scene in November of 2013 when four friends: Joe Fuller, Eric Hull, Jason Spikes, and Wayne Yarbrough founded Black Warrior Brewing Co. These four gentlemen realized their dream could become reality and started home brewing in Jason’s basement. An extensive search eventually led to a perfect location to call home in the heart of Downtown Tuscaloosa. After months of hands-on work and renovation, they were able to open up the brewery named after the Black Warrior River which flows through Tuscaloosa County. Throughout the week Black Warrior has events such as trivia, movie nights, and American Outlaw watch parties. They have a vast selection of brews which makes it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy! Some of the local favorites include the Apricot Wheat, Crimson Ale, Broad Street Brown, Lock 17 IPA, Tashka Double IPA, and Sipsey Strawberry Blonde. No matter what style you prefer, you’re sure to find something you’ll fall in love with. Black Warrior Brewing Co. also distributes their Apricot Wheat and Lock 17 IPA throughout the area. This is the perfect way to take a little taste of Tuscaloosa with you wherever you go!

The newest brewery to arrive on the scene, Band of Brothers Brewing Co., opened its doors in September of 2015. Owned by brothers Jeremiah and Jeremey Donald and friend Quintin Brown this establishment provides a unique, easygoing atmosphere. With plenty of space to utilize, Band of Brothers frequently hosts live music, movie nights, games and much more! Their stellar selection of brews includes local favorites such as the Voodoo Mild, Monk on the Radio, and Station One Saison. Each of these beers provides a flavorful and noteworthy taste leaving you wanting more. Band of Brothers also distributes their Monk on the Radio Belgian ale to local craft beer hotspots such as Corks & Tops, Loosa Brews, and Cravings.

If you are in Tuscaloosa for a gameday at Bryant-Denny or concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, be sure to check out one of the many craft beer stores around town! They provide the perfect opportunity to take a taste of Tuscaloosa home with you. Loosa Brews features 63 different craft beers on tap with an even larger selection of bottled and canned beers to be bought for purchase. What better way to decide on which beer to take home than by trying it on draft first? Loosa Brews is a great place to bring the entire family! They have a plethora of arcade games for all ages to enjoy as well as a large back patio deck perfect for viewing the sunset.

With over 80 available draft beers from around the globe, Brass Tap is another must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts in the Tuscaloosa area! Some other places to purchase local craft beer include Corks & Tops located off of Bryant Dr. and Cravings located downtown off University Blvd. Both of these exceptional stores allow you to “build your own six pack” providing the opportunity to try a profusion of local specialties. Cravings also has a patio section in front of the store where customers can pour a cold one and enjoy the sights and sounds of Tuscaloosa.

Whether you’re a craft beer connoisseur or new to the wonderful world of beer, Tuscaloosa’s craft beer scene will leave you delightfully pleased. With plenty of places to #drinklocal, you can’t go wrong in the quest for the perfect beer. Craft beer culture in Tuscaloosa is still young, but expanding at a rapid pace which is great news for all of us! If you’re in town in the coming weeks for some Alabama football make sure to give one of these great locations a try.

Written by: Will Wyatt

Friday begins another weekend in Tuscaloosa that offers something for everyone! Halloween season is in full swing so opportunities to visit haunted places abound. Band of Brothers offers up good music and good beer, and Alabama soccer is in action as well. You will also have a chance to experience Disney’s Aladdin Jr, or go to an antique and classic car show!

Tuscaloosa is one of the most haunted cities in the state of Alabama. Locations rumored to be hotspots for paranormal activity include the Jemison-Van de Graff Mansion, Old Bryce Hospital, and Capitol Park. Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours will lead you on a journey of discovery through these haunted locations and more. This includes a tour of the infamous Drish House, known for its ghost that lights candles for her lost love at night. Tickets to this event are available for the 7:00 and 8:30 tours, but they are going fast! Check out our blog for more information about these haunted locations before you go.

The party will be rocking at Band of Brothers Brewings as they host the Frayed Knot Band on Friday night beginning at 7:00 p.m. This local group plays 70’s and 80’s music, but they have some new songs up their sleeve as well. They pair well with a Band of Brothers’ IPA or their “Monk on the Radio,” and what could better than good beer and good music? Band of Brothers is just one of Tuscaloosa’s three breweries that is turning the city into a beer destination, so this event is great for music-lovers and beer-lovers alike.

Downtown at the Bama Theatre, you will be able to see a play based on Disney’s Aladdin. Based on this iconic animated film with an Academy Award-winning score, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. is sure to send audiences soaring on a flying carpet ride filled with romance and adventure. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, but also has showings on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m, so you have all weekend to enjoy this wonderful performance.

Start your Saturday off with an antique and classic car show at The Word Community Church. This show is free to the public and will feature many different old-school cars. Car registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and viewing begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. There will also be food and craft vendors and a raffle. All proceeds benefit the East Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, so this event is good fun for a good cause.

The Alabama soccer team is in action on Sunday, October 8 against their arch-rival Auburn. The Tide are currently 8-4-1 on the season including a big win over #6 Florida State, so come out and cheer them on as they try to keep their momentum through the meat of their conference schedule. The Iron Bowl of soccer kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Complex with FREE admission to all.

We have a ton going on throughout the fall months and are excited about the upcoming holiday season. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!

Written by: Danny Owen

 

Spring is here and with it come showers! No need to worry though, Tuscaloosa offers a bunch of interesting and fun things to do indoors! Alongside the typical museum visit – which is of course still an awesome adventure – we show you some exceptional and memorable things to do on a rainy day!

  1. Any of Tuscaloosa’s Museums

Yes sure it is the cliché part of this list, but even at a classic topic like museums, Tuscaloosa has some places to surprise you. Have you ever been to a car museum? The Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center, located 15 Minutes outside of Tuscaloosa, offers you an inside view on car production in America’s only Mercedes factory and the famous brand’s history! On top of that, guided tours are available.

For the ones who are rather interested in extinct models, the Alabama Museum of Natural History is a perfect place to visit with its impressive dinosaur bones and many other exciting things to discover!

  1. Art Galleries

As John F. Kennedy already said, “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” and so the diverse art galleries in town are always worth a visit. The Kentuck Art Center in Northport is an all-in-one museum, gallery and event location that offers exciting exhibitions at all times. In the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa lies the Paul R. Jones Gallery, currently showing the exhibition “Perspectives: Individual Explorations of Identity Through Image” and the Sarah Moody Gallery, which is known for the UA’s Permanent Collection!

  1. Coffee Shops

What cozier place could there be to hide from a rainy day than a traditional coffee shop? The smell of coffee and pastries in the air, people reading the newspaper, studying or chatting steadily alongside a laid-back playlist…. sounds perfect to us! Tuscaloosa offers many such magical places. For example, the local chain Heritage House, the brand new Monarch Espresso Bar downtown or the traditional Edelweiss in Temerson Square. Choose one and enjoy!

  1. Brewery

The three big breweries in Tuscaloosa are the perfect place to spend a gray afternoon among friends and America’s favorite drink: Beer. Druid City Brewing Company, Black Warrior Brewing Company and Band of Brothers offer great brews and some even offer guided tours to learn something about the brewing process. Of course, it’s also a nice place to just sit and enjoy drinking it in a nice and homely atmosphere!

  1. Theatres

It doesn’t matter if you prefer classic theater or movie theater because Tuscaloosa has both and either is the perfect place to escape a rainy day! Enjoy a new blockbuster or any other genre you like at the Cobb Theaters Hollywood 16 Cinemas and choose between 2D, 3D and even more fancy options to make your movie experience a perfect fit. You could even dive into more old school theater as you watch a play at the Bama Theater, whose old atmospheric style is almost magical! It offers concerts, independent movies and stage play.

We couldn’t decide on just 5 for this article so here’s our encore! Two more to add to your rainy day to-do list:

  1. University Mall

Shopping is always a great choice! The “place to be” on a rainy day is University Mall! Located on McFarland Boulevard, it offers tons of stores with all your favorite styles and brands. Children’s entertainment and numerous restaurants also offer fun and entertainment for anyone and guarantee a relaxed day of shopping.

  1. Breakout Tuscaloosa

You are adventurous and looking for a real challenge on a rainy day? Then you should definitely try the new trend of escaping room games! The reopened location “Breakout Tuscaloosa” offers four different themed breakout rooms in which you have to solve a riddle and escape the room in a certain amount of time. There’s also a breakout expedition downtown with laser tag! The escape rates are between 20% and 35% – it must be a challenge!


Written By: Katharina Horvath – Intern

We have a lot going on in the One and Only Tuscaloosa this weekend! Friday night will play host to the anxiously awaited reinstatement of Live at the Plaza! This event has been a hit every year during the summer months and is starting back again this Friday with a new entertainment district! Magic City Smooth Jazz are kicking off the season with their laid back vibes. Grab a blanket and find yourself a seat on the lawn because Live at the Plaza is back!

If you’re not too keen on the great outdoors, we’ve got you covered. Right down the road, the Mojo Trio Band are playing at Band of Brothers Brewing Co.! The Tuscaloosa band has been around for nearly a decade and will be playing all of your favorite rock, country, funk, and other songs. It gets even more exciting as Band of Brothers will be hosting a Crawfish Boil! Bring your appetite for this delicious event because it doesn’t get any better than craft beer and crawfish!

All weekend long you can enjoy a softball tournament as University of Alabama graduate Haylie McCleney returns to Tuscaloosa to play fastpitch at Bowers Park! She will be donating the funds from the tournament to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Ultimate Fastpitch Experience is a tournament series designed to promote and showcase the individual brands of professional fastpitch players through the vehicle of amateur fastpitch tournaments!

Saturday is just as exciting as Friday and is kicked off by the One and Only Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup! Whether you run, walk, or ride in a stroller, everyone wins in this cup! Now in its 11th year, the 5k has raised more than $211,000 for the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative. While Mayor Maddox won’t be running this year, that just opens up the opportunity to root on the runners with him from the sidelines! This event is always a hit each year and we expect it to be even better this year!

Wrap up your Saturday by heading to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater for their second show of the season! The amphitheater will be featuring American R&B singer and former rapper, Jaheim! Jaheim has been constantly on the top of the R&B charts since his debut album “Ghetto Love” and the second effort “Still Ghetto” both hit platinum! He will follow after his openers: Leela James, Eric Benet, & Daley. It’s sure to be an incredible concert so don’t miss out!

We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and events. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!

Written By: Barrett Elder – Digital Media Specialist