The J. Clyde

The J. ClydeThe J. Clyde
The J. ClydeThe J. Clyde
Bar, Eatery

1312 Cobb Ln S
Birmingham, Alabama, 35205-4918
United States

// CLOSED //

Casks are now tapped on Friday at 4pm; call ahead.

3 Beer Engines.
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.44
Reviews:
44
Ratings:
70
pDev:
9.46%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of phishgator
Reviewed by phishgator from Florida

4.52/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
We stopped in here before a dinner reservation we had near by. Gorgeous little brick paved entry way with cafe style wire seats outside. The bar area reminds you of an old German Beer hall; all brick and stained wood. They had at least 50 beers on tap from all over. The menu was extensive. They have many limited and aged beers. They got a great handle on hard to find and one offs. Very helpful staff that certainly know how match tastes. I would recommend anyone to stop by for a nice long visit.
Oct 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.34 by sohearn from Alabama

Dec 12, 2017
Photo of JintheHam
Reviewed by JintheHam from Alabama

2.94/5  rDev -33.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 1 | selection: 4.25 | food: 1.5
Vibe: Dimly lit, and the smell tips you off why. I bet this place has a layer of grime covering every inch of it.

Quality: Proper and clean glassware is always a plus. Even their flights are nicely done.

Service: Service here is absolutely horrible. We've left several times after waiting 10+ minutes at the bar. The servers are generally no better.

Selection: You aren't going to find a larger selection of beer in Birmingham.

Food: Greasy sub-par pub food.
Jun 06, 2017
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
The J Clyde is located on a small one way street, it is easy to spot due to the front patio. I like the black wrought iron encircling the outdoor space.

As you enter, the L shaped bar is to your right and the dining area is off to your left. There are a couple of TVs to catch a game. There is another bar room and another patio in back

The decor is dark and comfortable. Stone on the walls, dark wood bar, tin ceiling, and dark wood plank floors.

Service is friendly and beer savvy. They are easy to discuss options with, are free with recommendations and at least for me, free with samples.

They have an 8 page beer list. It is divided by style (roasty, malty, hops, sour, spice, etc.). I would guess 30 to 40 beers on tap plus a massive bottle list. Note that they seem to have a well-equipped cellar and offer some nice vintage beers.

Not a huge food menu, but my patty melt was top notch, fries were good but a little greasy.

This is a great stop in Birmingham and I can see why it is well beloved by regulars and visitors.
Nov 08, 2016
Photo of JohnChimpo
Reviewed by JohnChimpo from Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Waitress was skilled in the art of beer recommendation. Knew the local beer as well as style and customer expectation. The food was crazy good. Small menu but real high quality! I love this place!!!
Sep 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by Hans_Olo from Georgia

Aug 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jul 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.66 by Hopportunistic from North Carolina

Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by AgentMunky from New York

Jun 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.73 by klittle250 from Arkansas

Apr 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4.45 by Keene from Washington

Apr 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.48 by TheBeard89 from Alabama

Apr 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.66 by mecmd from Tennessee

Mar 20, 2015
Photo of brewskifan55
Reviewed by brewskifan55 from Mississippi

4.46/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
We were able to get in early and found a good seat (and a glass of El Gordo). Our waiter was really attentive; he even found me a great J. Clyde logo glass to purchase. My wife went nuts over her steak and egg. The chicken fingers are terrific. And the beer selection can't be beat. The patio out back was covered and heated since it was winter. I look forward to coming here again and surfing the draft menu. Wish we had a place like this back home.
Jan 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.66 by Jenebauer from Tennessee

Dec 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Evango from Louisiana

Nov 23, 2014
Photo of JackRWatkins
Rated by JackRWatkins from Georgia

5/5  rDev +12.6%
the best craft beer selection of any bar or restaurant in bham that I know of, the food is great as well
Nov 17, 2014
Photo of MOVERTON1284
Reviewed by MOVERTON1284 from Alabama

4.35/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
Great spot for rare and hard to find beers in Birmingham. It is very dark and kinda dirty, but their selection is incredible. The major downside for me is that they have a single seat bathroom and there is always a line. They take reservations, so it can sometimes be hard to find a table to eat at. The food is great, I have never had anything bad there. The service usually is lackluster, but from time to time you get a good server/bartender. Must visit if you are coming to Bham!
Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by justinm4bama from Alabama

Jul 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Vestlake from Alabama

Jun 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Big-Daddy from Alabama

Jun 21, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by watsontiger98 from Alabama

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by KMitch from Alabama

Jun 09, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by JuliusPepperwood from North Carolina

Apr 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by BeerBucks from New York

Apr 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.85 by Justinbshelton from Alabama

Mar 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by elkinbrown from Tennessee

Mar 19, 2014
 
 
Rated: 5 by Crimsontider22 from Alabama

Feb 02, 2014
Photo of AUGRAD06
Reviewed by AUGRAD06 from Alabama

4.45/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Great selection of beers on tap and in bottles. Bartenders are knowledgeable. They do flights if you want to try a wide variety, just let them know what you like and they'll make you an interesting selection to try. Food is great, but a little on the pricy side. Try the humus it's fantastic!
Jan 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Eric15 from Alabama

Dec 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by ryan604 from Alabama

Dec 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by crowbar540 from Tennessee

Dec 19, 2013
Photo of Dreizhen
Reviewed by Dreizhen from District of Columbia

4.28/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
This is not the type of place I would expect to find in Birmingham, Alabama.

Met a friend here for a late lunch in route to New Orleans and I was very pleasantly surprised. Very good selection of beer (I say that after coming back from a summer in Brussels) and not terribly expensive (aside from a few things, namely the Belgian beers). I had a flight that was pretty reasonably priced in relation to the selection and a very good burger. Had a recommendation for something from a bartender at the Mellow Mushroom around the corner, but I forgot the name. Regardless, I'd stick with the sandwiches or burgers. And add goat cheese to whatever you get. Pleasant atmosphere, nice waitstaff and bartender, cool interior. Wasn't too packed at 2-4 PM when I was there, but there were a few regulars, all of whom seemed nice enough.

If you're in the area, you definitely have to try it out.
Aug 17, 2013
Photo of osupuck19
Reviewed by osupuck19 from Ohio

4.78/5  rDev +7.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3
Great place for great beer selection and quality. Food was average, but everything else about this place was amazing. Definitely try one of the cask beers if you go here - a unique experience that you don't find many places. Had my first World-Class beer here when traveling for work.
Mar 25, 2013
Photo of RyanInGA
Reviewed by RyanInGA from Georgia

4.88/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Great place to hang out and enjoy some beer and food with some friends. This is the first place I ever tried a cask style beer. I definitely recommend trying a cask beer as it is a unique beer experience. I love the pub feel of the place. Our server was knowledgeable of the beer selection. Ask for the beer list as the selection is extensive.
Mar 25, 2013
Photo of joshodonn
Reviewed by joshodonn from Florida

4.1/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I have been frequenting the J. Clyde for almost 3 years now as a business traveler. I am in Birmingham about one week a month and usually find myself at the J. Clyde more evenings than not when I am in Birmingham. As far as beer bars go, this used to be THE place to go in Birmingham if you wanted to find unique and hard-to-find brews. The unfortunate thing about that is the staff knew that as well and thought VERY highly of themselves. I have seen a lot of folks get pretty bad service or be sold on crappy beers just so they can empty a keg and put something new on. Thankfully for me I usually get pretty decent service because I've gotten to know most of the bartenders and I tip well, so they remember me even though they don't see me all that often. I'm thinking that now that there are a few new places popping up in town (World of Beer, Hop City, etc) that the J. Clyde may have to re-evaluate their attitudes or risk losing business. Don't get me wrong, I love the place and will continue to frequent it, I'm just saying the staff can be somewhat pretentious. The beer selection can vary from day to day and they aren't real consistent with updating their draft lists so that can be quite frustrating when you ask for 5 beers before you find one they actually still have on tap. The food is really good, I don't know that I've had anything there that I wouldn't recommend. I really love their BLT made with a fried green tomato. Their house made balsamic vinaigrette dressing is also phenomenal.
Feb 14, 2013
Photo of StuartCarter
Reviewed by StuartCarter from Alabama

4.35/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
UPDATED 4 SEP 2012
This is definitely the best beer bar/restaurant in central Birmingham. They have beers that are not available anywhere else, and their choice has exploded since they opened the refurbished back bar area. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are their "insanely busy" days so avoid them if you don't like crowds!
---

This is the regular pub for my wife and me. We go in on average once a week, usually on Tuesday or Thursday to take advantage of the half price draft!

Food quality and choice are fantastic, and the chef has shown himself to be versatile and willing to experiment.

The owners are trying very hard to increase the choice of beers, aggressively pushing their suppliers to get everything they can despite the 6% restriction on beer ABV in Alabama.

If you ever go there, I recommend the fish & chips - just get the sweet potato fries instead of the chips, have a pint of a good pale ale, and relax while enjoying the friendly atmosphere that is the J Clyde :)
Sep 04, 2012
Photo of Ksims1
Reviewed by Ksims1

4.83/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
It is definitely my favorite place to grab a beer and hang out with friends. The atmosphere is very unique with the old stone walls and wood. It is a great atmosphere. The service can be slow at times but the servers are VERY knowledgable and helpful with the different beer selections. There is a wide variety of beer that will fit most anyones likes. The best food selection is the sweet potato fries, you just can't go wrong. The food is very good! Overall the J. Clyde is a perfect place to kick back and hang out. I would recommend to anyone!
Apr 13, 2012
Photo of kopfjaeger
Reviewed by kopfjaeger from Alabama

2.78/5  rDev -37.4%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2.5
What good is having a big selection of beers if your customers can't get one? You could sit down anywhere at the J. Clyde and die of thirst waiting for someone to bring you a beer. It would be a good place to go, if they ever hired good people and trained or managed them, which they obviously have no interest in doing. They have always had the worst bartenders and servers in Birmingham, and they just don't care. I have always tried to support them anyway, because I love craft beers, and they do too. However, the last time I went there the "bartender" aggressively ignored me for so long, and pissed me off so bad, I swore I would never go back there again.
Dec 11, 2011
The J. Clyde in Birmingham, AL
Place rating: 4.44 out of 5 with 70 ratings