BEST BARS IN ATLANTA:
YOUR GUIDE TO THE TOP DRINKING SPOTS
Atlanta's bar scene is a dynamic blend of historic pubs, trendy cocktail lounges, and vibrant music venues, spread across diverse neighborhoods like Poncey-Highland, Midtown, and East Atlanta Village. From sophisticated wine bars to lively dive bars, the city offers a unique drinking experience for every taste.
Top Picks in Atlanta
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.
El Capitan (sage- and cardamom-infused gin, pineapple, lemon, and clove)
Mambo 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. 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.
Mezcal, tequila, and rum-filled drinks with house-made shrubs
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. Hand-crafted cocktails bearing names like Brake Balance and Paddock Club beckon.
Brake Balance or Paddock Club cocktails
All Atlanta Bars
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.
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 and the Zombie.
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.
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 Polynesian decor, you'll find classic tiki cocktails and a unique atmosphere.
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.
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.
Monday Night Garage
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.
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.
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.
Bar Districts & Neighborhoods
Poncey-Highland
Known for its vibrant nightlife, including historic pubs and live music venues.
Best for: Casual drinks, live music, pub grub
Midtown
A bustling area with a mix of upscale and casual bars, often catering to a diverse crowd.
Best for: Date nights, pre-show drinks, wine bars
Buckhead
Upscale district with chic cocktail bars and lively nightclubs.
Best for: Cocktail bars, nightclubs, trendy spots
East Atlanta Village
Eclectic and edgy neighborhood known for its dive bars, live music, and unique atmosphere.
Best for: Live music, dive bars, late-night hangs
Little Five Points
Bohemian and alternative neighborhood with a mix of quirky bars and live music venues.
Best for: Casual drinks, sports bars, unique experiences
West End
Emerging area with breweries and industrial-chic spaces.
Best for: Craft beer, casual gatherings
Suggested Bar Crawl Route
A curated walking order through Atlanta's top bars — start early, end late.
Ranger Station
Mambo Zombi
Edgewood
Dryver
Buckhead
El Malo
Burle’s Bar
Eastside Trail (BeltLine)
Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. for live jazz
Johnny’s Hideaway
Roswell Road
Pro tip: Start around 7–8 PM at stop #1 and allow 45–60 minutes per venue. Use rideshare between stops that are more than 10 minutes apart.
Local Tips for Bar Hopping in Atlanta
- 1Consider using rideshares or public transportation, especially when exploring multiple neighborhoods, as parking can be challenging.
- 2Many bars offer excellent happy hour specials; check their websites or social media for current deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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