ALLEY OOP

BY JENNIFER KORNEGAY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH MOATES / KIM BOX PHOTOGRAPHY

An alley-oop is a basketball move in which a high, arching pass is made to a teammate close to the goal, who jumps to catch the ball, and in midair, drops or stuffs it through the basket. The play requires precise teamwork and timing. One look at downtown’s Alley district, and it’s no leap to say that all involved in the project have used the same precise teamwork and timing to score a slam-dunk.

Step inside one of the city’s newest event venues, 129 Coosa Street, and you’ll catch a glimpse of Montgomery’s past. Located in the Alley downtown, its walls are lined with historic photos that show a vibrant area, a place bustling with life. Ten years ago, you could have truthfully claimed that these images captured our downtown’s hey day, a time long gone, probably never to return.

Not anymore. Today the energy those photos illustrate is back—and in a big way. While Biscuits baseball, the Riverwalk and the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa came first and have unquestionably played a large part in downtown’s rebirth, at the center of it all now is the Alley, a project over a decade in the making that is one more impetus for a flood of renewed activity in the heart of our city.

The Hot Spot
And in the center of the Alley itself sits AlleyBAR, a new space for mixing, mingling and listening to live music that opened in early June. While AlleyBAR adds another option to the capital city’s nightlife list, thanks to its sophisticated, yet warm atmosphere, it’s more than just a local watering hole. Mike Watson, the bar’s proprietor, is a Montgomery architect, and since it was he who designed the Alley project for the city, it’s only fitting that his place is playing a prominent role in the area’s success. “I’ve owned the Anderson Block Building that houses AlleyBAR [and his company, 2WR/HolmesWilkins Architects Inc.’s offices] since 1982, and the space where the bar is now was once a parking garage,” he said. “I always thought it would be a good spot for a bar.”

Watson explained the bar’s style. “The genesis of the idea was the adaptive reuse of a historic structure,” he said. “Many of the materials are recycled. I made a real effort to keep the historical details of the building; it is the oldest on Commerce Street and on the National Register of Historic Places.” Watson forged a contrast by pairing rough exposed brick with smooth steel for a result he calls, “warehouse chic.” One truly unique material utilized is manganese, a metal used by the military for shrapnel protection. Watson “wallpapered” one wall with discarded rectangles of the metal.

Watson achieved the right look at AlleyBAR, and his timing has been pretty perfect too, despite a sluggish economy. “Montgomery has been starving for a spot like the Alley and AlleyBAR,” he said. “Now we’ve got a hub for an entire entertainment district. Since opening, the response has been fantastic, from the numbers to the diversity of the crowd.”

A big draw for AlleyBAR will be music; the adjacent Music Hall will accommodate a broad range of musical entertainment, including “dueling pianos.” AlleyBAR offers a wide selection of beers, including eight on tap and gravity beers. Tapas are served nightly, and there’s also outdoor seating. Another plus for many capital city citizens—AlleyBAR is non-smoking. One more interesting feature: a room so cool it’s cold. In the separate Cold Room, patrons of AlleyBAR don faux fur coats (appropriately in an “alley cat” pattern), and enter the room to imbibe a frosty shot.

A Room With a View
When 129 Coosa Street opened its doors in late 2008, it blazed a trail for the other Alley establishments that have followed. Developed by Jerry Kyser Builders, 129 Coosa is an event space that’s filled a void in the menu of area venue choices. When transforming the old grocery storage building into an entertainment space perfect for luncheons, after rehearsal dinners and such, Kyser chose to keep and highlight exposed brick, wood beams and even the enormous metal doors that sealed the old refrigeration units. The result is a place that pays homage to Montgomery’s heritage while offering the modern amenities needed to pull off an event with style. Downstairs at the same address, plans for a restaurant are underway.

Nothin’ Like It
Welcoming visitors with a giant neon grin beaming from its sign, Dreamland can claim the distinction of being the first restaurant to open in the Alley, serving up the barbeque joint’s “world-famous” ribs and other favorites starting back in April. Since opening day, crowds have packed the eatery, some even braving the recent heat to enjoy the outdoor seating. The ‘cue is delectable, but the location is equally delicious.

Coming Soon
In early September, the Alley will start sporting some Italian flair with the opening of Sa Za’s Serious Italian Food. The name means “slice” in Italian slang, and that’s just what you’ll find at this restaurant—slice upon slice of delicious pizzas, along with other Italian dishes. The original Sa Za’s was in Naples, Fla., and it is the brainchild of celebrity chef Joe DiMaggio Jr. Montgomery restaurateur Ken Register is a partner in the company that’s opening the Sa Za’s in the Alley, and he’s excited about both the restaurant and having Chef DiMaggio here. “Chef Joe is moving here; that’s really a big deal for the city,” he said. According to Register, DiMaggio may get people in the door, but the authentic tastes will bring them back. “The food is amazing,” he said. “Most of the recipes are from Chef Joe’s grandmother. He grew up in Italy and then New York’s Little Italy working in his family’s restaurant.”




Outside the Alley
The activity at the Alley is exciting, but there are also other new and notable places adding to the appeal of downtown.

The Hampton Inn & Suites, which had its grand opening in early May, has brought a historic property back to its former glory. Occupying the building that was most recently the Tuskegee Bank and, before that, the Greystone Hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites offers 86 posh, comfy rooms, including the Hank Williams suite, decorated with memorabilia commemorating the country crooner. The lobby has been restored and boasts beautiful architectural details and a grand staircase (often used by blushing brides for photography sessions). One factor distinguishing Hampton Inn & Suites from other hotels, particularly in a downtown area, is the free parking. A valet greets guests at the front doors and parks their car in Hampton’s nearby lot, at no charge. Another plus is the complimentary breakfast. And it’s not just muffins and cereal here. The hotel serves a hot breakfast with grits, bacon and the like.

Two other restaurants are now a part or about to be a part of the downtown scene. Bama Bistro opened earlier this summer and serves Southern favorites infused with global flavors. Wintzell’s Oyster House, the famous spot founded in Mobile, is opening a Montgomery location in next few months, promising to bring a bounty of mouth-watering oyster options for area seafood lovers.