Photograph courtesy of Bon Ton
Photograph courtesy of Bon Ton
Eric Simpkins, an alum of New York’s famously pioneering cocktail bar Pegu Club, is an expert bartender who never takes himself or his drinks too seriously. The rollicking late-night spot he opened in 2017 with Crawfish Shack’s Hieu Pham and Top Flr’s Darren Carr reflects that ethos. The drink menu at Bon Ton includes both impeccable takes on New Orleans classics (like their French 75, served “Hannah-style” with Cognac to honor the former head barkeep at the French Quarter establishment where the drink was invented) and more Bourbon Street–reminiscent party fare like hurricanes, plus whimsical riffs on tropical and tiki staples like the smoked-bourbon mai tai. This is a bar with an energetic vibe that carries on into the wee hours; to that end, should you need a late-night pick-me-up, their frozen Vietnamese Irish coffee made with condensed milk will do the trick. 674 Myrtle Street, 404-996-6177, bontonatl.com
