Lou’s Pub & Package Store

If you enjoy top shelf bourbons, Lou has brands you won’t find at other stores and can be difficult to find at other stores. The bartenders are very good and can be informative if you need them to be. I don’t really care about the ability to mix drinks since I tend to drink good bourbon neat. However, I do like folks that are nice and responsive. The best thing about Lou’s is they have Jefferson’s Reserve Ocean. A glass will set you back a few. It is all worth it, especially if you enjoy bourbon.

Sitting down at this bar felt like putting on the right pair of jeans, or easing into that spot on the couch that knows and understands me. I can definitely see myself becoming a regular here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bar and package store operating as one — in concert. The bartenders I met tonight, Ms. O and Mike, were awesome and super welcoming — which means so much when you’re new in town and trying to figure things out. It’s not a flashy, glamorous place to see and be seen, it’s a neighborhood spot that’s been around longer than I’ve been alive. Wood accents, wallpaper, classic rock and well-​made drinks — what more could you ask for?!
Sidenote: I feel like if Niki’s West served liquor, this could be its bar. (Can we please make that happen, BTW?)

Traveled to Birmingham from Chicago for New Years Eve and was looking for a place that sold liquor after 9pm. This place was near the hotel and looked cute being a bar and liquor store. My boyfriend and I walked in saw their great selection of liquor, picked up a bottle of Bombay, and went to the counter to purchase it. We stood there completely ignored for about 5 minutes then went back to the shelves to get some juice to go with our drinks and wait for service. After another 5 minutes and being walked by multiple times by the bartender without even being acknowledged my boyfriend, very politely said that we were ready to check out the next time the bartender passed us (just in case he didn’t know that we were buying liquor). The bartender turned around sharply and in an extremely intense and rude manner said, and I quote, «yeah guy just give me ONE FUCKING second» and walked away. So stunned by his blatant rudeness we walked out and did not give them our business. Never in my life has someone been so rude to me for absolutely no reason. I would give this place zeros stars if I could, which sucks because they did have a decent selection of liquor (even though it was over priced).

I always enjoy having drinks at Lous. The bartenders are great. They definitely know how to make any drink you like or will suggest something if your not quiet sure. This a perfect place I’m Lakeview to meet friends for drinks. The patio is nice to have for smokers and enjoy nice weather.

When you are looking for top shelves bourbons that other liquor stores don’t have, this is definitely the spot. The bartenders are on point and understand their product. They are also attentive, friendly, and good mixologists. Of course, we tend to drink bourbon neat or on the rocks when we go to Lou’s. We enjoy the crowd as well. Most of the time, they are welcoming and willing to chat. Sitting on the patio, you can people watch til your heart is content, which is a great asset since Lakeview is definitely a place to people watch.

What a cool place. I’m going to become a regular. It is pretty close quarters in here but in a good way. It has a classic feel, with a well stocked bar complete with a slushy machine. They really took their time when they were deciding what to put I. Here alcohol wise. They have all of the classic ingredients for almost any standard cocktail you can think of. The bar staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. You can even purchase alcohol here at a very fair price to take home with you.
Definitely stop in here. It is a hidden gem in lakeview

Lou’s is a sunny place for shady people in the best sense of the phrase. Populated largely by a post undergrad crowd and service industry people, Lou’s is unlike the other lake view bars. Bartenders there are friendly and knowledgable and their selection of libations is expansive — able to satisfy those craving light beers and ‘bushwackers’ or those looking for a more esoteric Italian digestif. Wednesday’s and Sunday’s are ‘Churchnight’ in which Lou’s hosts a guest bartender offering a unique cocktail menu that changes monthly.
If you’re looking for a place to drink while still being able to hold a conversation this is the place for you.

Lou’s has become one of our favorite places to hang out and have a drink. The bartenders are all GREAT, very friend and attentive, and make some amazing drinks. Their Old Fashioned is one of the best that I have ever had… same with their Manhattan. Love sitting out on the patio, looking out over Lakeview as well. Love this place!

We go here often. The drinks (old fashion, manhattan etc) are amazing. Both bartenders know how to make a good quality drink. The atmosphere is laid back… wonderful place!

Came here with a friend for the Wed. night cocktails. I really liked this place! The bartender was super friendly and the cocktail was great.

Such a special place. It’s my favorite bar and that’s compared to hundreds of bars around the whole wide world. Nothing like it anywhere. And my good friend Mike Capri isn’t even paying me to say this.

Sunday night cocktail specials at Lou’s are hard to beat. With bangin’ ingredients, inventive pairings and inspired names (if you don’t crack a smile reading the menu, you have no funny bone), this is THE place for a last weekend libation before Monday morning rolls around. Further adding to this place’s awesomeness is the Bushwhacker: a cold and tasty treat that is equal parts sinful and saintly. As for the staff: I’ve only ever been when Eric and Angel are behind the bar both of whom are down-​to-​earth, friendly and professional. Parking can be a little frustrating (when is parking in Lakeview not frustrating?!) but this place is worth a couple blocks walk. Better yet, arrive by bike and lock up out front. Overall, this place offers genuinely kind service, tasty drinks and a non-​pretentious atmosphere… I’d feel equally comfortable sitting here in weekend errand casual or business professional attire.

If you can’t jive with this place, I don’t think we would be friends. The employees are good folks, they make good drinks and there’s nothing pretentious about it. I had 2 gin and tonics plus a 7&7, which came to $ 25. Not the cheapest place around, but it is in Lakeview, so you can park the car early, chill and Lou’s, then head to dinner at a nearby place. They also have food options, which are tasty.

Nice little bar and package store close to downtown Birmingham. Very, very, verrrry friendly staff. Overly so for an ol’ Yankee like me, but most places totally ignore you, so it was a nice change of pace. Both I and my companion ordered an old fashion (make with Maker’s Mark). Frankie made the first one, a different bartender made the second. I must admit, Frankie’s was better, so if you order an old fashion, make sure Frankie makes it.
It was a bit pricey (4 old fashions ran me $ 28), but the place has a nice vibe.

Funky joint with the combo of package store and bar. Can meet some interesting folks always as guests and employees are friendly and chatty. Recently noticed they are doing more cocktails with a special menu couple nights a week.

I am in town visiting from Chicago. My friends, boyfriend and I decided to come to this bar because they have all had fun experiences here. I am saddened to say that my experience here was extremely disappointing and heartbreaking. We were at Lou’s for a little while, when my boyfriend wanted to suddenly leave because the bartender was making derogatory racist jokes about Mexicans. As a Mexican-​American, I was hurt. When my friends became angry about these jokes another rude and discriminatory remark about Hispanics was uttered. Although the bartender apologized (after being told how offended I was about his remarks) making comments and jokes about someones race/​culture in the 21^st century is simply unacceptable. It is disappointing and inexcusable behavior. It is safe to say that I will not be returning to this incredibly (insert sarcasm) welcoming establishment.

Can’t say I love Lou’s, but I’d feel bad giving it less than 3 stars. I mean, I get the sense that they’re trying at least. It’s got to be the brightest bar I’ve ever been in. That’s not to say I enjoy the really dark bars, but they should really tone down those fluorescent lights. As the name implies, they are also a package store, but I don’t see how they compete with the ABC down the street.
The older bartender dude will make a point to tell you at least one dirty joke before you leave. Also, he thought it was weird that I kept ordering different beers instead of just getting the same thing every time. Definitely a bar for an older generation than myself. The main problem is that they never have drink specials, so you can bet it’ll usually be a sparse crowd.

Neat Little bar. The bartenders are attentive and are glad to let you sample a new brew or liquor. The concept is different, it’s a pub, but also a package beer and liquor store. If you want food, Michael will take your order and go next door to Rags Bistro to place and then deliver it to you. Esquire Magazine knows it’s stuff.

went monday, small crowd, great music… draft glass could be bigger