Atlanta's
57
Best
Bars
From high-brow to low-, cheap to chic (and everything in between), here are our top spots for drinking all over town
By Carly Cooper, Scott Freeman, Rachel Garbus, Josh Green, Lia Picard, Sucheta Rawal, Xavier Stevens, and Myrydd Wells
Photography by Growl, photo assistant Kathie McClure
The S.O.S. Tiki Bar
Atlanta's
57
Best Bars
From high-brow to low-, cheap to chic (and everything in between), here are our top spots for drinking all over town
By Carly Cooper, Scott Freeman, Rachel Garbus, Josh Green, Lia Picard, Sucheta Rawal, Xavier Stevens, and Myrydd Wells
Photography by Growl, photo assistant Kathie McClure
Atlanta’s drinking days go way back. The British founded Georgia as a dry colony in 1733, but it only took 12 years for Governor James Oglethorpe to sail back over there and throw a fit. By the late 19th century, railroads had transformed the state’s new capital into a go-to good-time destination. Prohibition tried to muzzle Atlanta’s unruly saloons, but its repeal in 1935 brought the city’s nightlife surging back to life, ever a phoenix from the flames. Some of those early iconic spots remain open today, like the Royal Peacock.
Much has changed about Atlanta since then, but our collective love for late nights and good times endures. When a global pandemic shuttered restaurants and bars, we kept our beloved establishments alive with to-go orders, crowdfunded donations, and six-feet-apart gatherings (thank goodness for plentiful patios). They haven’t all survived: The last few years have marked the demise of too many Atlanta gems, including Elliott Street Pub, Noni’s, Little Trouble, and Biltong Bar. Atlanta’s nightlife has roared back post-pandemic, but razor-thin margins and rising rents threaten our independent watering holes, whether they sling craft cocktails or Coors tallboys. And the craft beer scene faces challenges, too.
Nevertheless, we’re happy to report that Atlanta’s bar scene remains robust. The city’s wide-ranging locales offer something to love for drinkers of every stripe, even those who don’t drink. After much deliberation, we’ve narrowed down the nearly limitless options to 57: the best of Atlanta’s music bars, lounges, classics, and more, listed in no particular order. Did we try them all? You bet. Do we expect y’all to agree with us? Certainly not. If your local favorite was neglected, invite us by: we can hash it out over a drink.
P.S. The Porter Beer Bar was still closed while we reported this story, but now, it's finally back and pouring under its new ownership.
New
Ranger Station
Photograph by Wedig + Laxton
Ranger Station
Warm and wooden, this dimly lit, park ranger haven gives off rustic, wilderness vibes while still attracting the hip crowd for which sister spot Ladybird is known. Guests lounge on plaid and leather couches, listening to Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley on vinyl, while bartenders mix herbaceous drinks inspired by national park landmarks. Try El Capitan, a composition of sage- and cardamom-infused gin, pineapple, lemon, and clove. Hungry? Order a “Snack Pack”—smoked sausage and mushroom jerky, plus house-made pimento cheese, pickles, and saltines; you’ll feel like you’ve gone off the grid.
@rangerstationatlMambo Zombi
Part Día de los Muertos, part tiki, and all over-the-top, this funky Edgewood bar celebrates life and its aftermath. Walk through a hot pink casket into a room bursting with colorful murals, red brick walls, and greenery galore. A collection of skulls adorned with butterflies and fruit—yes, fruit—hangs from the ceiling. At the bar, co-owner Kysha Cyrus serves mezcal-, tequila-, and rum-filled drinks with house-made shrubs and fresh sugar cane inspired by her Afro-Caribbean heritage. Drink up, and don’t miss the Island of the Dolls restroom.
Dryver
Inside Yeppa & Co. lives this neon-lit Formula One bar. Created by a former racecar driver, Dryver is the place to sip after-dinner cocktails and watch the Grand Prix. Decorated with Ferrari’s signature red, Dryver is long and narrow with high-top tables and roll-up garage doors. The theme goes far—a black-and-white finish line flag hangs by the bar, and the floor features a starting line. Hand-crafted cocktails bearing names like Brake Balance and Paddock Club beckon. A sign dictates the philosophy: “Drink To Survive.”
El Malo
Photograph by Growl
El Malo
Swanky and sensual, El Malo exudes opulence. There are semicircular red velvet booths with bold tropical wallpaper, sparkling disco balls, and Art Deco-style pillars. Using colored lights and a DJ, El Malo fosters an energetic vibe—dancing welcome. Beverage director Gabe Bowen creates clarified and large-format cocktails with rum and agave that balance Brad Forsblom’s small bites menu—think oysters, hamachi crudo, and a caviar-topped egg. Save room for Claudia Martinez’s desserts, including guava pastelito and pineapple rum cake.
Burle’s Bar
The BeltLine’s latest attraction off the Eastside trail is a plant shop with a gem of an upstairs bar. Burle’s Bar, above The Victorian Atlanta, takes its design cues from the mod styles of the 1960s, with checkered marble floors and a green subway tile bar. The intimate space seats a little over 40 patrons with a small outdoor patio. A rotating cocktail menu features standouts like the Painkiller (rum, crème de coco, pineapple, orange juice, and lime) and the Zombie (rum blend, lime juice, pineapple, passion fruit, Herbsaint, and bitters); a small beer menu and refined selection of natural wines complement. On Tuesdays, stop by Burle’s for live jazz from 7 to 9 p.m.
Classic
Johnny’s Hideaway
Photograph by Growl
Johnny’s Hideaway
If you want to twirl under the disco ball to a range of genres spanning the ’50s to today, Johnny’s Hideaway on Roswell Road is the place to be. The vintage nightclub opened in 1979 and remains frozen in time aesthetically (with the cougars to match). The drinks are strong, and if you get hungry, the bar food is above-par, though the tater tots are truly where it’s at. Don your best leopard prints and swing by soon.
Clermont Lounge
There’s something beautiful about watching strippers of all ages and shapes doing their thing in the basement bar behind Hotel Clermont. The Clermont Lounge opened in 1965, making it Atlanta’s oldest strip club, and it’s where the iconic Blondie gained notoriety for crushing beer cans with her bosom. You won’t find Instagrammable moments here—in fact, you can’t take pictures at all—but you will find cheap PBR, an omnivorous range of music, and a perfectly scuzzy bathroom; all part of the charm of this legendary establishment.
Manuel’s Tavern
This democratic watering hole in Poncey-Highland has weathered plenty of storms since it first opened in 1956. Through it all, the spacious, no-frills bar has kept doing what it does best: Serving huge portions of pub grub (think classic fare like mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken wings, and burgers) and strong pours of beer. It’s still one of the best places in Atlanta to bring a group—and there’s trivia on Sunday nights.
Brick Store Pub
When Brick Store Pub opened in 1997, it was ahead of its time. The warm interior lacks televisions and beer signs but features a keen attention to detail that beer enthusiasts appreciate. The ground floor channels old school English pub vibes, with beers from around the globe; upstairs, the focus is largely on Belgian brews. There’s an enticing food menu to soak up the ale, with hearty standouts like Brunswick stew, fried pierogi with brown butter and caramelized onion, and a soft pretzel with spicy mustard.
Trader Vic’s
While hotel bars have gotten sleeker and posher in recent years, one relic of a bygone era remains: Trader Vic’s, located in the basement of the Hilton Atlanta, where the kitsch is part of the fun. Here, among the tiki carvings and rattan furniture, there’s a certain comfort found in cocktails served in over-the-top fashion (think flames and garnishes galore) and fusion dishes like Polynesian fried chicken and crab Rangoon, rumored to be created by Trader Vic’s founder himself, Victor Bergeron.
Lounges
JoJo’s Beloved
Photograph by Ben Rollins
JoJo’s Beloved
Melding ’70s glam with contemporary cool, JoJo’s Beloved became an instant Atlanta classic when it opened in Midtown’s Colony Square in 2021. Low-slung couches and arch ceilings evoke the city’s famed disco years, when the young and hip flocked to 24-hour nightclubs in wide-legged pants and big hair. Now they’re back—and so are the pants—sipping Porn Star Martinis in sultry lighting. We’re also big fans of JoJo’s sister bar, Okay Anny’s, which treats the ’80s and ’90s with similarly luxurious nostalgia.
Divan
A restaurant/bar/hookah lounge inside a castle should be a stretch, but Divan makes doing the most look mostly effortless. Originally located in Buckhead, the Persian restaurant recently relocated to the storied Midtown “Castle,” built in 1909 by a wealthy Atlantan with no architectural training. His zany design is no challenge for Divan, which makes superb use of each of the Castle’s five floors, including two bars, two outdoor patios, and a warren of private dining rooms. Excellent cocktails and a well-crafted wine list complement a graceful Persian menu; hookah is abundant, but easily avoided if you prefer a smoke-free room.
James Room
James Room has changed hands since it opened, but its carefully crafted drinks and sumptuous vibe have remained consistent. By day, the James Room operates as a cafe off the BeltLine’s Eastside trail, offering coffee and pastries; by night, it turns into a buzzy, speakeasy-style cocktail lounge with leather green banquettes and tastefully clubby music. Stop by Wednesdays and pair a night of classic R&B slow jams with a well-balanced Old Fashioned—the real Atlanta Way.
Our Bar ATL
Photograph by Growl
Our Bar ATL
This self-described “dive lounge” is equal parts both, but the best description might be an extension of your living room when all your best friends are over. Our Bar, located on Edgewood Avenue, brings an indelibly Atlanta flavor of community, paired with unfussy, quality drinks and an ever-changing food menu thanks to its rotating pop-up kitchen. With Spades game nights, karaoke, sets from some of the best DJ in the city, and a stream of community-centric events, Our Bar is your bar—and your bar, too. As the iconic sign says: “Dis ATL Hoe.”
Westside Motor Lounge
After D&R Auto Shop in the English Avenue neighborhood closed, a 1982 Mercedes Wagon was still hanging out in the back lot. Rather than tow it, the team that transformed the property into Westside Motor Lounge simply worked it into the design; it’s now covered in whimsical paintings by Kyle “BlackCatTip” Brooks. That “anything goes” mentality infuses Westside Motor Lounge, where there’s something for everyone, any time of day. Grab a cocktail or a beer—most of them are local—and explore everything this casual, inviting space has to offer, from live music to bonfires.
@westside_motor_loungeCocktails
Whoopsie’s
Photograph by Martha Williams
Whoopsie’s
Expect zero frills, low lights, and artfully balanced drinks at this diminutive Reynoldstown establishment. Whoopsie’s chef and owner Hudson Rouse likes to keep things simple and casual, sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms. He pays as much attention to his stunning, globally inspired Sunday suppers as bar manager Tim Faulkner does his ever-evolving cocktail menu, which features drinks with whimsical names and colors. Consider, for instance, the orange Tantalus daiquiri or the grass-green A Vesper, all served up in thrifted crystal goblets and coup glasses.
Little Spirit
Don’t be fooled by the minimalistic interior and chalkboard menu at this Inman Park staple: Little Spirit delivers big when it comes to cocktails. Here you’ll find refreshing innovations like the King Peach, which blends bourbon and Aperol with a sumptuous puree of Georgia’s favorite fruit. Plus, where on earth can you pair such sophisticated cocktails with hot dogs? Little Spirit, that’s where. Low-key happy hours evolve into standing-room-only as the night goes on.
@littlespiritatlKimball House
We tried our best to rule out restaurant bars, but exceptions must always be made for Kimball House. Miles Macquarrie’s cocktail program is almost insultingly good, with a taste for nuance that puts us further in our cups than we care to admit on pilgrimages to this award-winning Decatur restaurant. Whether it’s a masterclass Sazerac or a quirky innovation like the Tropical Negroni No. 3, the entire list pairs ever-so-nicely with a dozen fresh oysters.
Bar Margot
This swanky bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta—named for Margot, the smokey-eyed provocateuse played by Gwyneth Paltrow in Wes Anderson’s film The Royal Tenenbaums—aptly honors its stylish namesake. The exquisite décor, with dark red velvet couches, blue-gray walls, and peculiar paintings, is worthy equally of impressing a date or closing the deal. Nick Middlebrooks’s impeccable beverage program uses certified organic products to create picture-worthy cocktails; with a glass in hand at a low-slung banquette, you’ll feel utterly cinematic.
Bon Ton
From the bubble gum pink exterior to the whimsical dining area, Bon Ton is the quintessentially quirky neighborhood bar where your spontaneous conversation with the mixologist turns into a weekly friendship. The cocktails are fun, serious and tropical, all at the same time. Try the smoky Bourbon Mai Tai or a BonTon Hurricane with rum and absinthe. The Cajun menu is heavy on seafood, with an inspired Vietnamese streak. For a sultrier vibe, head upstairs to Bon Ton’s sister lounge, The Waiting Room.
Queer
Mary's
Photograph by Growl
Mary’s
Mary’s has been holding queer court in the heart of East Atlanta Village since 1998, and it’s still going strong as a late-night get-down destination. Its narrow, festooned interior always feels like a fete, drawing revelers of all kinds for “Mary-oke” Wednesdays, drag shows, and dance parties that spill late into the evening. At the bar, drinks are stiff and prices are low—you’ll have to push through the crowd to order, but at Mary’s, in the thick of it is where you always want to be.
Bulldogs
It may be the longest-running gay bar in Atlanta, but Bulldogs still knows what’s good. The Midtown nightclub predominantly caters to Black gay men, but everyone is welcome at this gayborhood institution. Known for strong drinks, tasty bar snacks, and an excellent—if tiny—dance floor, Bulldogs is packed on weekends, with partygoers spilling out onto the spacious backyard patio. Live shows often feature jaw-droppingly talented male dancers; pair them with a Bulldogs-strength Hennessy margarita for a night you won’t soon forget.
Heretic
This Cheshire Bridge Road institution has been bumping since the early nineties, and the party’s still going strong. A sweeping dance floor leaves plenty of room for your best moves, while a rotating selection of themed nights offers festivities for all stripes. On Thursdays, don’t miss DanceOut ATL, where you can join a free country two-step class and learn the latest line dances; after lessons, dance your boots off late into the night. hereticatlanta.com
Atlanta Eagle
The Atlanta Eagle may have flown its original, historic-landmark home, but this classic bar brought the whole party along to its new location in Ansley Square. The two-story space serves as both community watering-hole and event-packed nightlife destination, offering everything from drag bingo to late-night circuit parties. Bears, cubs and leather daddies always have a home at the Eagle, but there’s room for everyone in this iconic nest. atlantaeagle.com
My Sister’s Room
One of only two dozen lesbian bars left in the U.S., My Sister’s Room has survived thanks to its deep connection to Atlanta’s queer communities. The Midtown venue sports two stories and a large front-yard, and whatever the hour, it always feels like a party. Weekends boast events galore, from drag shows and speed dating to fundraisers for LGBTQ+ politicians, and bring in a crowd as diverse as the city; at My Sister’s Room, it’s always a beautiful day in the gayborhood.
Neighborhood
Euclid Avenue Yacht Club
Photograph by Growl
Euclid Avenue Yacht Club
If Hemingway was a darts-tossing Braves fanatic who rode a fixie bike, he’d probably be here every night, alongside the colorful, proudly tipsy, back-slapping cast of regulars. Bedecked with a dusty array of faux marlins, sharks, and random Peach State memorabilia (see: the Georgia State Patrol car door above the bar), this Little Five Points stalwart has been slinging Narragansett and Coors Banquet for nearly four decades. It’s proof that polish would only diminish some diamonds.
97 Estoria
Outside of strip clubs, this could be the least family-friendly establishment in Atlanta come weekend nights, when illicit smoke pervades the parking-lot patio and profanities thunder in the CBGB-esque dining room. That’s exactly what you’d want/expect from 97 Estoria, which straddles the Cabbagetown-Reynoldstown line and has been named one of America’s top bars for PBR consumption by volume. Here, there’s not a damn thing on draft—but there is a decadent, bacon-packed grilled cheese and fries for $10, perfect with a $3 High Life sidekick. Offers like that make this an all-too endangered species of dirt-cheap ATL dive.
The Brake Pad
A College Park staple for two decades, the charming, converted service station that is The Brake Pad exudes friendliness that feels almost small town, 10 minutes from the planet’s busiest airport. Crowds pack the dining room all week (often spilling through garage doors onto the patio), attracted by daily drink specials, knockout burgers, and a smart, constantly changing draft list. Tip: Don’t sleep on the French dip, with a BP Bloody Mary (infused with Hanson habanero vodka and Guinness) to wash it down.
The Local
To the great joy of ATL nightlife enthusiasts young and old, The Local—that squalid scion of Ponce de Leon Avenue—has again been spared from the jaws of potential high-dollar development, living on now indefinitely. Known for legendary wings, buck-wild karaoke, and bare-bones wooden booths for miles, this rollicking, 21-and-over treasure is too subversive for social media or even a proper website; eternal proof that life is truly better IRL, especially when chili cheese fries are involved.
Chairs Upstairs
This East Point watering hole looks like it was designed by Tom Hanks’s inner kid in the movie Big—and that kid did a great job. Vintage arcade games, pool tables, and year-round Christmas lights give this second-story bar its timeless charm, while the crowd—a jubilant mix of airport employees, industry folks, and locals—feels like a neighborhood unto itself. A smoker out back elevates the bar food menu, while the drinks list features riffs on a theme—you guessed it, it’s chairs.
Wine
Lucian Books and Wine
Photograph by Martha Williams
Lucian Books and Wine
Love books, wine, and food, preferably concurrently? You’ll find all that and more at this classy establishment near Buckhead Village. Lucian, an airy wine bar meets bookstore named for the British painter, Lucian Freud, makes it easy to justify day drinking while you browse through a curated selection of art, lifestyle, and cookbooks. Between sips, snack on exquisite steak frites and caviar omelets. Choose from over 350 wine bottles, as well as a page-long selection of wines by the glass.
El Viñedo Local
If you find yourself in Midtown, stop by El Viñedo and take a journey through South America with proprietor Robert Kaster. He hosts weekly wine nights at this casually elegant bar, pairing flights with food and sharing stories of wine makers, while educating patrons about sustainable and organic farming practices. Latin-inspired pinchos and tapas round out the inviting day-or-night menu, and a dog-friendly patio is optimal for afternoon coffee or al fresco evening meals. Located steps from the Fox Theatre, El Viñedo also makes for a perfect pre-show destination.
Fermented Wine Boutique
Fermented in downtown Alpharetta is not just a wine shop, but a window into the world of natural wines. Founder Adam Danielson is passionate about educating consumers about what goes into wine, and personally sources from boutique winemakers all over the world, including an ample array of Black-owned vineyards. Fermented offers tastings at its classy in-house bar, but if you prefer your grapes with notes of at-home-in-pajamas, select a to-go flight and curate your own personal tasting room.
El Valle
Guacamole and wine? ¡Claro! This designer space, which features upscale regional cuisine and a unique collection of Mexican wines, will upend what you thought you knew about Mexican gastronomy. El Valle has pioneered the introduction of Mexican wines to Atlanta, sourcing from producers across rising wine-making regions, like Valle de Guadalupe, San Vicente, and Ensenada. Superb cocktails and a global selection of wines beyond Mexico round out the drinks menu at this elegant Midtown restaurant.
Barcelona Wine Bar
The Spanish tapas bar has a versatile personality, befitting a casual happy hour, romantic date night, or a group celebration. Variety seekers, prepare to be dazzled: Barcelona boasts over 500 wines by the bottle and 40 by the glass (including organic varietals), spanning 100+ regions, making it one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the United States. Happy hour starts at 4 p.m. on weekdays, and dining goes late into the night at both the Westside and Inman Park locations, in true Spanish style.
Breweries
Monday Night Garage
Photograph by Growl
Monday Night Brewing
Monday Night boasts two locations: its original Westside taproom and the Garage in West End’s Lee & White complex. You’ll find Monday Night’s signature brews at both, along with Neapolitan pizzas and cocktails made with their own spirit line. We think the Garage location edges out the original ever so slightly, thanks to the giant hanging T-Rex skeleton and animal head sculptures adorning the walls. IPAs dominate the year-round offerings—the tropical Slap Fight is a perennial stand-out—but you’ll always find limited sours and stouts.
@mondaynightgarageAtlantucky Brewing
We’re always gonna have a good day at Atlantucky, the brainchild of Nappy Roots members Fish Scales and Skinny Deville. But this is no celebrity gimmick: the duo takes their brewing as seriously as their music. The Castleberry Hill brewery is filled with art and boasts a stage where, yes, Nappy Roots has been known to perform. Beers rotate; try the Not Just NE IPA, or the delightfully named Ale Ale Cool J, paired with a pizza or panini from Atlantucky’s new restaurant.
Halfway Crooks Beer
This quirky brewery in Summerhill, beloved by local beer enthusiasts, earned a reputation for whipping up excellent German pilsners and lagers back when many craft breweries were all IPA, all the time (even the merch exclaims, “lager lager lager lager”). The industrial interior is eclectically designed: the menu and beer labels look like they were printed with a dot matrix printer, and old floppy disks serve as table numbers. There’s plentiful outdoor seating for gorgeous weather, and be sure to stop by for Oktoberfest, just in case the currywurst is on the menu.
Bold Monk Brewing Co.
This unique Westside brewery is Cathedral-esque in scale, but still serves up pub-like charm with warm wood tones and cozy velvet booths against stone walls. When the weather turns balmy, Atlantans flock to the tree-lined upper patio to split orders of fries, brussels sprouts, and rich brisket poutine. Bold Monk specializes in Belgian brews, but you’ll also find plenty of lagers, including the notably smooth Umibozu rice lager. If you like a beer in one hand and a book in the other, mosey over to Bold Monk’s on-site bookstore.
@boldmonkbrewingThree Taverns Brewery
Three Taverns opened in 2013 as the state’s first Belgian-style brewery. They still pay homage to those roots through a variety of “new monastic” brews, but you may be more familiar with their their ubiquitous, delicious A Night on Ponce IPA, or the perfectly sweet Rapturous raspberry sour. The original location in Decatur, with warm wood and red brick walls, is cozier than a typical warehouse-style brewery; their new outpost across town, Imaginarium at the Atlanta Dairies, showcases the brewery’s many experimental beers and serves tacos from nearby Muchacho.
@threetavernsMusic
Smith’s Olde Bar
Photograph by Growl
Blind Willie’s
When Blind Willie’s opened its doors in 1986, blues music was riding a wave of popularity spurred by Stevie Ray Vaughan. The club was anchored by its house band, the Shadows, and often hosted legends of the genre. Blues bars come and go, but nearly 40 years later, Blind Willie’s stands as a local institution and remains the blues club in Atlanta. When a local band gets a gig there, it means they have achieved status in the city’s blues pecking order.
@blindwilliesbluesSmith’s Olde Bar
There aren’t many small music rooms with the pedigree of Smith’s Olde Bar. The list of stars who performed at Smith’s early in their career includes Janelle Monae, Jason Isbell, and John Mayer, to name a few. This expansive bar features two music rooms, upstairs and down, along with three more rooms for those who prefer to talk. Stop by on a Tuesday for the music open mic: you might just catch tomorrow’s biggest name tonight.
Star Community Bar
Founded in 1991 in what used to be a bank, the Star Bar is one of Atlanta’s iconic music venues. The floors are sticky, the vibe is divey, and a visit is not complete without a pilgrimage to the Grace Vault. Inside the former bank safe, at the center of the room, the Grace Vault is a shrine to all things Elvis. The Star Bar has thankfully dodged demolition, and lives on to offer a range of live music, comedy nights, and good old late-night hangs.
Northside Tavern
Dark and funky, the Northside Tavern is about as close as you can get in Atlanta to an authentic Mississippi blues juke joint. The building began as a neighborhood grocery, then years later morphed into a bar. What Blind Willie’s is to upscale, the Northside is to downscale. The bar—like the music—is hot, sweaty and smoky. The Wall of Fame features lovely portraits of seminal Atlanta blues figures by artist Drew Galloway.
@thenorthsidetavernThe Earl
In 1999, John Searson took a decrepit East Atlanta storefront that was used to store mattresses and turned it into one of the most acclaimed music bars/restaurants in the country. Like the rest of EAV, The Earl is equal parts gritty and glam; the bands that have performed there include Mastodon, The Rock*A*Teens, Cat Power, and The Avett Brothers. Hungry music fans, rejoice: The Wall Street Journal decreed the Earl Burger one of the best in America.
Sports
Brewhouse Cafe
Photograph by Growl
Brewhouse Cafe
As a soccer bar, Brewhouse keeps some unusual hours. Every Saturday morning, fans pack this Little Five Points mainstay to catch European league matches. Club scarves line the walls, as well as street signs from Premier League stadiums, acquired by bar patrons in methods that may have been less than legal. On the drinks end, you’ll find two dozen beers on draft, including European imports, and brunch cocktails for the bleary-eyed early spectator. The food menu has breakfast options backed up by solid burgers, pizza, and tacos. Stop by for Atlanta United away games or the Champion League final (June 1)—but plan to arrive early.
Park Bar
Located a block away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, Park Bar is an exceptional pregame and postgame spot, but also holds its own as a viewing venue itself. The TVs aren’t as huge as your normal sports bar, but its food and drink make up for it. The burgers and wings make any visit worthwhile, and the liquor selection is massive; a range of bourbons is the highlight.
Midway Pub
This East Atlanta Village watering hole is a great hang any time, but especially on game days. Garage doors from an old auto repair shop open onto a sprawling patio; inside, there are enough TVs for every sports fan to find their match. The bar food amply delivers, with wings, sandwiches, and burgers. For drinks, choose from 130 beers with 32 on draft, plus a wide variety of cocktails and wines.
Woofs
As Atlanta’s only LGBTQ+ sports bar, Woofs takes its responsibility to both communities seriously. Sports fans of all stripes will enjoy wall-to-wall televisions playing any game they hope to catch, as well as plentiful pitchers of reasonably-priced beer. At the same time, Woofs flies its pride flag with enthusiasm, hosting LGBTQ+ events like fundraisers for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and sponsoring teams in local gay sports leagues. The food menu features reliable bar staples; the Cuban sandwich is a notable standout.
Elbow Room
Elbow Room is a gem of a dive in Buckhead. The bar gets packed during the Falcons season, but you can catch live any American sports game here. Seating options are limited compared to other sports bars, so arrive early if you plan on actually watching the game. Elbow Room offers extensive liquor choices, along with a dozen beers on draft and a small wine selection. The bar fare is standard but leans Italian; we’re fans of the stromboli and pizza. The bar parking lot fills up quickly—we recommend finding street parking or using rideshare.
Defying Category
Righteous Room
A vibe like Righteous Room’s cannot be curated—it must ferment naturally. The perennial dive lord of Poncey-Highland is still going strong after nearly thirty years, with a gritty, black-brick interior that happily bites its thumb at the glass-and-chrome gentrification blasting up around it. Order a pitcher of local beer, grab a table beneath an R. Land painting, and get your old gang back together; it’ll almost feel like nothing’s changed.
Ticonderoga Club
Tucked in the back of Krog Street Market, one of Atlanta’s most award-winning establishments just keeps getting better. Ticonderoga Club reopened last May after a burst pipe shut things down for five months, and the playful menus are as superlative as ever. The tavern-like space pairs a casual atmosphere with elevated dining and drinking; on the latter side, ingenious concoctions abound, but we’re fond of the classic Ticonderoga House Cup, a sensory delight of aged rum, cognac, and sherry mixed with lemon, pineapple and mint. Bartenders pour late most nights at this industry-crowd favorite, but #NeverWednesdays, as the shtick-turned-slogan goes.
Octopus Bar
If East Atlanta Village gives Atlanta its edge, then Octopus Bar gives East Atlanta Village’s edge its edge. The bar takes over So Ba Vietnamese restaurant once it closes, operating on slightly mysterious hours that generally begin at 10:30 pm, making this a favorite locale for night owls with artful tattoos. Small plate dishes range the globe but lean, sumptuously, toward East Asian and French; on the drinks end, a snappy menu features savvy cocktails and some of the best sake options you’ll find in Atlanta—often packaged, adorably, in juice boxes.
Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping-Pong Emporium
Technically, it’s a bar, but Sister Louisa’s—or Church, as it’s commonly known—is more properly an experience. Come for the eye-popping, irreverent art—much of it made by owner Grant Henry—stay for the quality drinks and lively atmosphere. During the warmer months, DJ Vicki Powell holds down the spacious backyard with her weekly Sunday Service dance party, and upstairs, you can don choir robes while waiting your turn for table tennis. As Sister Louisa says: “Come on in, Precious!”
Wrecking Bar Brewpub
The Victorian mansion that houses Wrecking Bar is over a hundred years old, but inside, this brewhouse-meets-pub feels like it’s tapped into a drinking experience that is even older. Maybe it’s the stone walls in the back, or the deep list of dank and flavorful ales, but it really feels like the Vikings would have loved Wrecking Bar. Atlantans love it too, from its inspired, locally sourced menu to its classic cocktails and dozens of draft beers, many of them Georgia-made. Forget Valhalla: we’ve got our own right here in Little Five.
@wreckingbarbrewpubBar Vegan
Commanding a lofty, well-appointed section of Ponce City Market’s second floor, Bar Vegan—part of Pinky Cole’s ascendant Slutty Vegan empire—operates from the foundational premise that the meatless among us can own the night, too. And they do, as any packed Saturday night here can tell you. The cocktails here are finely crafted and botanical forward: try the Ol’ Fashioned Killa, which infuses the classic with a zesty dash of rosemary. The menu features several Slutty Vegan favorites, as well as vegan takes on bar staples, like the surprisingly meaty Cheezesteak Eggrollz.
The S.O.S. Tiki Bar
Decatur Square may not be anyone’s idea of a beachside idyll, but The S.O.S. Tiki Bar is serving island vibes regardless. This nook of a bar, festooned in chintz, offers up impeccable versions of rum-forward classics like Mai Tais and daiquiris, plus tasty originals like the “Cosmic Sex Panther”—gin and rum, plus ube milk, coconut, and a dishy mix of spice and citrus. S.O.S. also hosts one of Atlanta’s best holiday pop-ups, for those who prefer a sandy Santa.
