Meh. I went here for the first time a few weekends ago to see a couple great bands. As you walk in, there's a ground-level bar with pool tables (and food I think) to your left and stairs that lead up to the patio and venue on the right. I went right up the stairs. The patio sits above the street, has plenty of wrought iron tables for seating and has its own outside bar. It's definitely the best thing about the whole place. The venue on the top floor is a dungeon. The flooring is just plywood nailed down to beams and sinks in certain spots when you walk on it. It's painted black from top to bottom and the ceiling is low. This makes the large room actually feel likes it's closing in on you. The bartenders were fast and pleasant. Drinks seem a little cheaper than other places, but not when you realize that they have most of their liquors dispensed through a gun that perfectly measures out 1.25 ounces instead of the typical 1.5. I hated to not love this place. I'm all for a good dive bar, but their needs to be some kind of charm and this place didn't have it.
(3)
Katie S.
The only thing good about Zydeco is the people you're going to see perform. I went to see Hail Marry Mallon, and they were fantastic. As for Zydeco itself...eh. i mean, its not the worst place ever, but it's dark, dirty, overcrowded (like dangerously. I'm not sure such large amounts of people should be in this room. The floor feel unstable), and the bar upstairs is kinda weird. The only thing bottled they had was beer. I wanted water and had to walk around with a dumb plastic cup. Its basically a tiny black room. By all means, if you want to see someone you love perform, go! Just don't expect some amazing experience. Its sweaty. Its crowded. You're so close to that guy behind you that you can smell his beer breath.
(2)
Mark K.
Went to see a show a few nights ago. I had never been to Zydeco because I heard it was awful and nasty. Well... awful and nasty aren't harsh enough words and don't begin to describe this place. The "stage" where the band performs is not elevated. The venue is basically a long narrow room. They obviously exceed capacity to dangerous limits and the result is that you enter to find a wall of humans and a flicker of light from the far end of the room where the band you can't see or get near is performing. Worse than awful. Now let's address nasty. I've been in some nasty bars over the years but this place wins the prize. I don't think the floor has ever been mopped - EVER. As I was standing around in the back, whenever I would move to try to get a glimpse of the stage or avoid some drunk frat boy, the floor was soooo sticky it was literally trying pull my shoes off my feet. Disgusting. Based on the roaches I could see on the patio, I'm sure the inside is crawling with them too. I wouldn't even want to drink a beer from this place without washing the outside of the bottle. I'm sorry I gave in to a friend and came to zydeco because this was my first and last visit ever.
(1)
Matthew K.
This place is laughably bad. The service is horrible. Had a bartender stare at me for 5 minutes while serving other people when finally someone else came over to get me a beer. The clientele makes this place even worse to deal with. You'll have a great time if you enjoy being around a bunch of young obnoxious frats and bros who bump into you constantly and think skrillex is the greatest artist of our time. They do occasionally book some good shows here but the venue itself is setup horribly and makes it impossible to enjoy. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Sarah Ford H.
One of Birmingham's biggest dive music venues. Zydeco typically gets a wide array of acts and hosts your random Birmingham patrons. The main stage is upstairs with an outdoor and indoor bar. Bathrooms are pretty mucky and service is very dive-typical. Drinks are in ridged plastic cups and don't ask for anything crazy. Personally, I love this spot if there's a halfway decent act playing- I've had some great nights at the Co! Great little slice of Birmingham.
(3)
Tushar R.
Zydeco is the bar of choice for birmingham Greeks to hang out at. Notorious for condoning underage drinking, they make a lot of their money from frat boys who can't get into any other bars. Also a great music venue - trotline comes often, which is awesome.
(4)
Brian B.
Been here a few times and had fun. Last night was a bit humorous to say the least. This venue constantly overshoots their capability. Sure people like Trinidad and RiffRaff come, but how much money are these artists losing by going to Zydeco and their shows selling out after 2 groups buy tickets? Tell whatever artist that is performing that there are tons of people outside with $30 a piece ready to spend 3 times that on alcohol, I'm sure they'll be thrilled about not making more money ya know? Lol. I'm so glad that places like Tin Roof and Iron City are open now, cause Zydeco sucks. On top of all this, while I'm standing in line with crutches on a surgically repaired foot, some short lil ugly shaved head hard to even look at dude says "Hey! You got a ticket?" I say "I need a ticket for the downstairs bar?" He responds "oh ok no you're okay" of course I'm okay, I'm standing in line trying to give money to some assholes that couldn't even organize a soccer game much less a concert. Slow people are so cute.
(1)
Jenn D.
I drove to Atlanta to see a show here, and sadly it was not worth it. The bar is slow, the staff is surly and unfriendly, the music room has a low ceiling which makes it hard to see the band and the sound is not that great either. The worst part of the venue was the oppressive heat generated near the front of the stage. The best part was the relief stepping out on the great outdoor patio in the back.
(2)
Holli D.
Went to see a band. I didn't really like the set-up of downstairs to upstairs. The outside area is cute and a good place to mingle. I felt the drinks were a bit pricey and just average....nothing to write home about. I played pool, but they need new pool tables. Balls were missing, tables were old and torn.....just overall the experience was ick.....
(3)
David P.
One of the worst music venues I've ever been to, but always a good time so I'll keep coming back. The venue upstairs feels like you're in someone's cramped attic. The ceiling gets lower the closer you get to the stage. You probably won't see much unless you're super close to the stage. Drinks are reasonable and good beer selection. The patio is cool and the bar downstairs is good for watching sports and pregaming before a show.
(3)
Katie Q.
We drove 6 hours to see Shooter Jennings play here (Shooter gets 5 stars as well btw...he totally kicks ass) and we were not disappointed. This place is huge without losing the intimacy that you crave at a smaller venue show. They have three main floors. One is just a regular bar with some pool tables, a few tables to sit at, and some TVs to watch the game. LSU was playing Auburn (LSU won- yay!) and the crowd was totally into it and even though there were clashing fan bases everyone kept their cool. Upstairs there is a large outdoor patio with about 20 tables and a bar. Up one more set of stairs and you are in the music venue which has low ceilings and standing room only. Beer was cheap and the bartenders were quick and friendly (maybe a little too quick and friendly as I staggered out of the place around 3am). All in all it was a great time....this may be colored by the fact that Shooter was AMAZING and totally worth the trip through three southern states.
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Music : DJ, Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Yes Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes
Danielle S.
Meh. I went here for the first time a few weekends ago to see a couple great bands. As you walk in, there's a ground-level bar with pool tables (and food I think) to your left and stairs that lead up to the patio and venue on the right. I went right up the stairs. The patio sits above the street, has plenty of wrought iron tables for seating and has its own outside bar. It's definitely the best thing about the whole place. The venue on the top floor is a dungeon. The flooring is just plywood nailed down to beams and sinks in certain spots when you walk on it. It's painted black from top to bottom and the ceiling is low. This makes the large room actually feel likes it's closing in on you. The bartenders were fast and pleasant. Drinks seem a little cheaper than other places, but not when you realize that they have most of their liquors dispensed through a gun that perfectly measures out 1.25 ounces instead of the typical 1.5. I hated to not love this place. I'm all for a good dive bar, but their needs to be some kind of charm and this place didn't have it.
(3)Katie S.
The only thing good about Zydeco is the people you're going to see perform. I went to see Hail Marry Mallon, and they were fantastic. As for Zydeco itself...eh. i mean, its not the worst place ever, but it's dark, dirty, overcrowded (like dangerously. I'm not sure such large amounts of people should be in this room. The floor feel unstable), and the bar upstairs is kinda weird. The only thing bottled they had was beer. I wanted water and had to walk around with a dumb plastic cup. Its basically a tiny black room. By all means, if you want to see someone you love perform, go! Just don't expect some amazing experience. Its sweaty. Its crowded. You're so close to that guy behind you that you can smell his beer breath.
(2)Mark K.
Went to see a show a few nights ago. I had never been to Zydeco because I heard it was awful and nasty. Well... awful and nasty aren't harsh enough words and don't begin to describe this place. The "stage" where the band performs is not elevated. The venue is basically a long narrow room. They obviously exceed capacity to dangerous limits and the result is that you enter to find a wall of humans and a flicker of light from the far end of the room where the band you can't see or get near is performing. Worse than awful. Now let's address nasty. I've been in some nasty bars over the years but this place wins the prize. I don't think the floor has ever been mopped - EVER. As I was standing around in the back, whenever I would move to try to get a glimpse of the stage or avoid some drunk frat boy, the floor was soooo sticky it was literally trying pull my shoes off my feet. Disgusting. Based on the roaches I could see on the patio, I'm sure the inside is crawling with them too. I wouldn't even want to drink a beer from this place without washing the outside of the bottle. I'm sorry I gave in to a friend and came to zydeco because this was my first and last visit ever.
(1)Matthew K.
This place is laughably bad. The service is horrible. Had a bartender stare at me for 5 minutes while serving other people when finally someone else came over to get me a beer. The clientele makes this place even worse to deal with. You'll have a great time if you enjoy being around a bunch of young obnoxious frats and bros who bump into you constantly and think skrillex is the greatest artist of our time. They do occasionally book some good shows here but the venue itself is setup horribly and makes it impossible to enjoy. Avoid at all costs.
(1)Sarah Ford H.
One of Birmingham's biggest dive music venues. Zydeco typically gets a wide array of acts and hosts your random Birmingham patrons. The main stage is upstairs with an outdoor and indoor bar. Bathrooms are pretty mucky and service is very dive-typical. Drinks are in ridged plastic cups and don't ask for anything crazy. Personally, I love this spot if there's a halfway decent act playing- I've had some great nights at the Co! Great little slice of Birmingham.
(3)Tushar R.
Zydeco is the bar of choice for birmingham Greeks to hang out at. Notorious for condoning underage drinking, they make a lot of their money from frat boys who can't get into any other bars. Also a great music venue - trotline comes often, which is awesome.
(4)Brian B.
Been here a few times and had fun. Last night was a bit humorous to say the least. This venue constantly overshoots their capability. Sure people like Trinidad and RiffRaff come, but how much money are these artists losing by going to Zydeco and their shows selling out after 2 groups buy tickets? Tell whatever artist that is performing that there are tons of people outside with $30 a piece ready to spend 3 times that on alcohol, I'm sure they'll be thrilled about not making more money ya know? Lol. I'm so glad that places like Tin Roof and Iron City are open now, cause Zydeco sucks. On top of all this, while I'm standing in line with crutches on a surgically repaired foot, some short lil ugly shaved head hard to even look at dude says "Hey! You got a ticket?" I say "I need a ticket for the downstairs bar?" He responds "oh ok no you're okay" of course I'm okay, I'm standing in line trying to give money to some assholes that couldn't even organize a soccer game much less a concert. Slow people are so cute.
(1)Jenn D.
I drove to Atlanta to see a show here, and sadly it was not worth it. The bar is slow, the staff is surly and unfriendly, the music room has a low ceiling which makes it hard to see the band and the sound is not that great either. The worst part of the venue was the oppressive heat generated near the front of the stage. The best part was the relief stepping out on the great outdoor patio in the back.
(2)Holli D.
Went to see a band. I didn't really like the set-up of downstairs to upstairs. The outside area is cute and a good place to mingle. I felt the drinks were a bit pricey and just average....nothing to write home about. I played pool, but they need new pool tables. Balls were missing, tables were old and torn.....just overall the experience was ick.....
(3)David P.
One of the worst music venues I've ever been to, but always a good time so I'll keep coming back. The venue upstairs feels like you're in someone's cramped attic. The ceiling gets lower the closer you get to the stage. You probably won't see much unless you're super close to the stage. Drinks are reasonable and good beer selection. The patio is cool and the bar downstairs is good for watching sports and pregaming before a show.
(3)Katie Q.
We drove 6 hours to see Shooter Jennings play here (Shooter gets 5 stars as well btw...he totally kicks ass) and we were not disappointed. This place is huge without losing the intimacy that you crave at a smaller venue show. They have three main floors. One is just a regular bar with some pool tables, a few tables to sit at, and some TVs to watch the game. LSU was playing Auburn (LSU won- yay!) and the crowd was totally into it and even though there were clashing fan bases everyone kept their cool. Upstairs there is a large outdoor patio with about 20 tables and a bar. Up one more set of stairs and you are in the music venue which has low ceilings and standing room only. Beer was cheap and the bartenders were quick and friendly (maybe a little too quick and friendly as I staggered out of the place around 3am). All in all it was a great time....this may be colored by the fact that Shooter was AMAZING and totally worth the trip through three southern states.
(5)