The Bank Oxford

Downtown Oxford, Alabama still carries a small piece of its banking history at the corner of Main and Choccolocco Streets, where a white marble facade reads “FIRST-NATL-BANK” above a pair of dark glass doors. First National Bank of Oxford was founded in 1903 by Davis C. Cooper, though the building itself dates to 1883 and was expanded and re-faced with marble in 1911. Today the space is home to The Bank Oxford, a prohibition-era cocktail bar that leans into the building’s vault-and-ledger past rather than hiding it.

The concept came from Gary and Laura Humphreys, who moved to Alabama from North Carolina in 2020. The couple had already opened The Redbird Coffeehouse in nearby Jacksonville in 2021, and after noticing a shortage of proper date-night spots in Calhoun County, they converted the old bank into an intimate cocktail lounge instead of simply wishing someone else would. The result pays homage to the speakeasies of the 1920s, when small groups gathered in tight, dimly lit rooms for good drinks and better conversation.

Cocktails here are built from house-made syrups and Alabama-distilled spirits rather than pre-mixed shortcuts. The Redbird Old Fashioned, named for the Humphreys’ coffeehouse, anchors the “Liquid Assets” menu alongside a rotating Bee’s Knees, a classic Old Fashioned poured over a single large rock, and a lineup of julep and Collins variations built around gin, bourbon, and vodka. Guests who prefer not to drink alcohol can order from the “Counterfeit” mocktail list, which uses the same house syrups without the spirit. Wine by the glass or bottle and a small beer selection round out the bar.

Food is served in shareable format rather than individual entrees. The “Money Market” boards revolve around a central dip surrounded by cured meats, cheeses, olives, and crackers, sized to feed two to eight people, and to-go boxes are available for anyone who cannot finish. A pimento cheese sandwich and a bread plate with house-made herb butter round out the smaller options, and Gatsby-style finger sandwiches appear on the menu for those who want a lighter bite alongside their drink. Guests consistently mention the cheesecake as a standout dessert worth saving room for.

The service model is part of the theme. Instead of servers, The Bank employs “Tellers” who walk guests through the cocktail list, explain any secret off-menu drinks, and suggest food pairings for the evening. The small footprint of the historic building keeps the room intimate, with velvet seating and low lighting that make it a popular pick for date nights, bridal showers, and small private gatherings; the venue also offers space rental and event hosting on request.

The building’s banking lineage runs even deeper than the 1903 charter suggests. D.D. Draper and Sons established the first bank in Oxford back in 1879, and in 1888 that operation merged to form the Bank of Oxford. When Davis C. Cooper founded First National Bank of Oxford in 1903, he took over the same corner storefront, and the 1911 renovation that added the marble facade is the version still standing today. Original architectural details, from the tall street-facing windows to the vault-adjacent back room, remain visible throughout the space rather than being stripped out for a generic bar remodel.

That sense of place matters to the Humphreys family, who wanted The Bank to feel rooted in Oxford rather than transplanted from somewhere else. The name itself plays on the building’s original purpose, with drink categories labeled “Liquid Assets” and food described in banking terms throughout the menu. It is a small, consistent bit of theming that guests notice without it feeling forced, and it separates the bar from the more straightforward pubs and sports bars found elsewhere in Calhoun County.

The Bank Oxford keeps limited hours that match its speakeasy concept, opening only Thursday through Saturday evenings rather than running as a full-week operation. Reservations are not required, though calling ahead is worthwhile on weekends when the small room fills quickly. Gift cards are available for purchase, and the venue regularly hosts themed evenings such as its recurring “$3 Thursday” specials. Located a short walk from Southern Girl Coffee on the same historic block, it has become one of the anchor stops for anyone exploring downtown Oxford’s small but growing restaurant and nightlife corridor.