By Chanda Temple
Earlier this week, a woman on Instagram challenged her followers to write a letter to God, telling Him what they wanted in 2026.
The message got to me to thinking: What prayers do owners in Birmingham’s food industry have for 2026?
I posed that question to Kelli Caulfield, of PopUp Bar Bham on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham, during her Influencer Night event this week. As the DJ played Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna …”, which lured creators to dance floor to do Karaoke, Kelli shared her prayer: coverage and protection for others in the culinary community.
In running a business, owners face rising food prices, rent and wages. And Kelli prays that businesses survive.
“I think 2025 really was a survival year,” she said. “And if you make it in 2026, you can breathe a little bit, but you can’t let up.”
Kelli is aware that patrons eating out and visiting bars is a luxury, especially in today’s economy. But she appreciates the support from patrons as she and others work to give people a place to unwind at the end of the day.
“I just really want people to hold their heads up and just keep focusing on God, and just keep making it happen,” she said. “It’s scary right now. You hear stories every day of people not making it, especially in this industry. Sometimes, it’s the stress of it all. Sometimes, people feel defeated and take matters into their own hands.”
“I just pray that everybody does not stop and keeps going.”
Launched earlier this year, the PopUp Bar is designed to have different themes to fit the season. They had a jungle theme during the warmer months. Currently, the venue is decorated with Christmas trees, nutcrackers, reindeers and holiday movies playing on flat screens. (Home Alone 2 was playing during my visit.) There’s also a menu full of Christmas-themed drinks. In February, they’ll shift the decor to Valentine’s Day.
“I think our atmosphere and vibe set us apart from others,” Kelli said, adding that their drink creations, some of which come in Naughty or Nice cups, are big attractions, too. Take their Christmas in London. Made with D’usse, Demerara syrup and eggnog, it’s a creamy comfort delivered with a smooth, caramel edge.
They have a DJ every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Dec. 6, they will have the SEC Championship game, Alabama vs. Georgia, playing on the flat screens. The game will air at 3 p.m. CST on ABC.
The PopUp Kitchen will serve flavored wings; Cajun Ranch fries; and its “Whitening Sammich” with fries. Operation hours are Monday – Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight.
The venue is located at 2335 Morris Ave., Suite 104, which is down from the restaurant, Wooden City.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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