Duo Behind Tuscaloosa’s Jalapeños Restaurants Open South’s Largest Tequila Bar

The men who co-own and operate Tuscaloosa's popular Jalapeños restaurants opened what they call the largest tequila bar in the South this week in downtown's Temerson Square.

Longtime readers will be plenty familiar with Jalapeños and its co-owners Jheovanny Gomez and Justin Grimball - the Thread reported when the restaurant returned downtown in 2022 and profiled them last year during Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week. 

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Now, the entrepreneurs are doubling down on their shared love of that prized Mexican spirit and have rented, renovated and decorated the space next to their downtown restaurant and opened the Tequila Room, where more than 260 kinds of tequila and agave spirits await patrons.

The duo celebrated with friends, family and other VIPs during a soft opening Wednesday night to show off the new space and the cocktails and pours they have on offer.

The Spicy Kitty, pictured above, featured Cathead Raspberry Vodka, Ancho Reyes Chile, Prickly Pear & Lime.

The Water Malone, below, boasts Hornitos Reposado, Triple Sec, Red Bull Watermelon & Lime.

The menu Wednesday even featured three drinks made with moonshine distilled in Boligee, Alabama by the team at Bama Shines.

Grimball told the Thread that he and Gomez traveled to Jalisco, Mexico to get ideas for the space - a country where Grimball is certified by both the government's Tequila Regulatory Council and Academia Patrón for his knowledge as a tequila sommelier.

“When you hear Tuscaloosa, Alabama, you think of college football and National championships. You probably don’t think of tequila," Grimball said. "Tequila is my passion and I want to bring that passion to Tuscaloosa."

The Tequila Room is open now at 405 23rd Avenue in half of what used to be the larger 4th & 23rd bar. It connects to Jalapeños Downtown Cocina and is next to Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint.

With seating outside, on ground level, and in a small upstairs space, there's plenty of room in the decadently decorated venue.

Stop in and see Jheovanny, Justin and their team in the Tequila Room, and for more exclusive news about restaurant and retail development in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.