The Refinery — Restaurant in Birmingham

My wife and I shared "lobster corn dogs and conecuh". Best I can describe this dish is they were corn dogs except some with lobster and some with smoked sausage. The batter was lighter than a corn dog like a cross between corn dog and tempura batter. They came with two dipping sauces, one was sweet and mildly spicy with a consistency of an au jus and the other was a creamy aoli which was also mildly spicy. Both dogs were very tasty. The lobster tasted fresh and the conecuh sausage was lean. Almost a sin to dip them but I love sauces so I alternated with and without. We also shared a brussel sprout caesar salad. The salad was quite fresh and the dressing was light and not fishy at all like some that I have experienced. And then there were the grouper tacos. We should have ordered more of these. I don't know how a land locked restaurant gets grouper this fresh. There wasn't even a hint of gaminess. The slaw was fresh and crisp, the pico de gallo was mild and not overbearing and the avocado/lime sauce was light and complimented the mildly blackened grouper. They came with a side of fresh waffle fries which were cooked to perfection, browned and crispy but not greasy. We both had two drinks. I hesitate to order drinks at a restaurant because it often seems like they wave a bottle over a glass of water but not here. The drinks were the real deal which made sense since the establishment is basically a NY speakeasy with a couple of small high tables. The atmosphere was like an upscale "Cheers" with obvious regulars and a friendly and attentive wait staff who seemed more like a friend than a waiter. If I lived closer, I might become one of...

Kris & Andy were awesome & kind to my husband and I. They were amazing bartenders & servers! The vibes were positive, fun, and the music was cheerful, energetic, & uplifting. A place for all kinds of people. We didnt match most of the people there, yet, we had the best time! Defined, Refined, Elegant, & yet down to earth at the same time. Everyone was cool and having a good time. Lots of laughing. The service is the best!! Such a fun place! It’s like your back beach bar, yet you’re not at the beach. You would swear you were in a different place. Even reminds me of a couple of New York bars. You forget where you are in downtown Birmingham. It’s wild. The food & drinks though— they are the shining star. You HAVE to have the ISLAND NECTAR SHOT. And the OHANA & HONEYCOMB, that has a little bee and honeycomb you can eat. They are the best drinks!!!! And you HAVE to have the SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP. The best one I’ve ever had. And I wasn’t too drunk when I ate it to not know the difference. Lol We also liked the TRUFFLE FRIES too. The only thing that could make this place better would be another bathroom somehow, & the actual beach to be in the...

Awful Experience and gross food. I ordered a beer and was served a can, which is fine, and asked for a glass to pour it in. The first glass i was handed had a spot of mold on it and the second was given to me and seemed clean at first glance but when i poured my beer in it, a bunch of stuff was floating in the glass. The food was no better. I ordered the pork chop, which came with brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. The pork chop was overcooked and dry. The mashed potatoes had a weird chemical taste to them and the brussel sprouts were somehow overcooked on the outside and undercooked on the inside. The entire experience was terrible and the inattentive bartenders were the moldy cherry at the bottom of the spoilt sunday. Plus they charged $0.25 for ketchup. Needless to say i will not be back and i hope they get shut down by the...