The City of Montgomery teamed up with 2WR / HolmesWilkins Architects Inc. to renovate Grocer's Alley into Montgomery's newest entertainment district. The Alley, currently the home of Dreamland Barbeque, Alley BAR, 129 Coosa and soon to be SAZA's Serious Italian Food, has people coming from all over to dine, hear live music and engage in conversation over cocktails. Future plans include many new retail shops, loft apartments and a Children's Museum. With entrances on Commerce and Tallapoosa Streets, and a lighted historic water tower as the landmark, the atmosphere found in The Alley is unmatched by any other venues in the area.
The Alley's newest establishment, Alley BAR, held its grand opening on June 5, 2009 and has had record crowds every night. Mike Watson, CEO and President of 2WR / HolmesWilkins Architects Inc. and owner of Alley BAR describes the bar style as industrial chic. "Taking the original building materials; brick, wood, steel, and combining them with a contemporary setting," explains Watson. Although the VIP lounge areas, one of the more talked about features of Alley BAR is the 32 degree enclosed shot room, where friends gather to put on fur coats and sample various shots of pre-mixed and imported liquors served from ice shot glasses.