Retro!

The Bottletree Cafe

Plastic dinette set and a linoleum floor.  Brings back memories!

Forgotten History

Meet Birmingham photographer Brian Francis.  Brian has been a commercial photographer in town with an impressive list of clients for the last 10years.  Currently a collection his (wacky) portraits are hanging at the Bottletree Bar and Café.  The photographs are great fun in their own right, but Brian's childhood friend Tom Bagby has written an a little story to go with each one. The collection is titled Forgotten History, A Collection of 20th Century Photographs Representing Those Who Failed to Make the Cut.  I decided that Brian was way too much fun to have him just pose in front of his work. I waited till he wasn't watching and caught this one.

Holy Ghost Revival!

For those of us in the south, Byron Sonnier's work brings many fond memories.  I photographed his work last week at the Bottletree Cafe.  It has nice folk art feel to me anyway. Byron might have other ideas.  You can find him on Facebook.

A Bottletree Christmas

If you have followed this blog for a while, you know I love to meet my friends at the Bottletree Cafe on the southside from time to time. I love the decor. How to describe it??? Funky, retro , I don't know. It changes each time we vist.  They are well known for their live entertainment,  but I'm sorry to report we're outta there by the time all that gets cranked up.

The new banner photo features a delightful Nativity by artist Colin Richmond . For my Birmingham area readers, you can find them at Charlotte Woodson Antiques in Mt. Brook Village.

Dinette Set

Oh, another trip back to "Mid Century Modern". What is that??? It's my childhood, that's what. I ate many a meal at a set just like this one at the Bottle Tree Bar and Restaurant. I even felt all nostalgic about the linoleum squares on the floor. I love this place.

Showing Her Stuff!

You remember my friend and talented artist Kate Merritt Davis. Actually she started out as one of my 100 Strangers but moved into the friends category shortly after that. Yesterday I caught her at the Bottle Tree just after she hung her work for an upcoming exhibit. My Birmingham readers can meet Kate at the reception there on Friday, March 5 th from 6:00-8:00.

The Bottle Tree may ring a bell from posts here and here and here. It has the most fabulous shadows late in the afternoon and Kate and I both liked this photo because of the dappled light. The bottom photo I snapped as I left. This funky bar/cafe abounds with bottle trees. I liked the sunset behind this one.

Games People Play

I love the Bottle Tree. It's a photographer's dream, what with the vintage album covers on the tables, old TV shows playing on the big screen, and its hilarious and very electic decor. Today's photo is a prime example. Anyone care to challenge me to a rousing game of Hungry, Hungry Hippos???

Waiting - December Theme Day

Waiting......for what???

Today my CDPB friends from all around the globe ( that gets smaller every day) are putting their spin on the theme..........waiting. I had a hard time making up my mind, which is not unusual. My friend Bob Crowe moved me "off my dime" yesterday afternoon and declared this my entry. Here you have it. Want to give your caption to this photo? Go on and have your say!!!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Bar Fly???

My friend Chuckeroon at Richmond Upon Thames Daily Photo does photos from time to time that he has titled "Bar Fly". I always enjoy the bars/taverns he surreptitiously ( or maybe not) photographs. He was my inspiration for this shot. Last Friday night I went back to the Bottle Tree with my friends Sis and Bill. Bill's a photographer too. Unlike 'roon, we blatantly whipped out our cameras and had a mini photo shoot right there. The younger set tolerates us, and we do appreciate that! You know from previous photos here, that the Bottle Tree is a fun and funky place. Today...... more proof!

Yes, Satan has a painless way for you to pay your bar tab

The Bottle Tree

The Bottle Tree on Birmingham's southside is just a great fun and funky place to have a drink, some good food and hear live entertainment.   Chef Tom Bagby is a dear family friend,  and he's known for his killer pimento cheese,  as well as some delectable sounding vegetarian dishes,  which I regret to report I've not tried.  It's also a photographer's paradise,  and there will be more photos in days to come.  Don't you just love this table and chairs???