Atlanta’s bars are on standby and have a barstool with your name on it. There are plenty of recently opened bars to check out, too, offering style in spades. Here’s where to grab a drink in Atlanta.
LessWe don’t know who Jojo or their beloved is, but we do know that this recently opened cocktail lounge is the place to go for retro ‘70s and ‘80s vibes. From the music to the color palette of burgundy, pink, and orange. Expect to find drinks made with brightly hued spirits such as Midori. Disco attire not required but encouraged (by us).
Drawbar in located in the Bellyard Hotel's lobby, but the sweet spot is the terrace, which looks over 14th street and has a beautiful skyline view. Catch happy hour, a.k.a. “Recess,” from 4–7 pm, Monday through Thursday, for discounted drinks and snacks.
Sometimes you want to go where nobody knows your name and Lloyd’s hopes (or doesn’t hope) to be that place for you. It’s retro, but not necessarily sexy. Instead you’ll find lighting fixtures reminiscent of a Ruby Tuesday (before the remodels) and plenty of wood paneling. What we’re saying is it’s an excellent spot to post-up, drink a $5 martini (between 5–7 pm) and eat some pizza and pesto pillows.
A geek’s paradise known for its trivia night, Battle & Brew is a gaming meets bar venue in Sandy Springs. The dining room is open for business, as are the arcade games, but it’s also created an outdoor space that’s almost as fun. Known as BNB After Dark, the space is accessible 7pm to midnight Friday and Saturday. There are projectors and outdoor tables and plenty of drinks and snacks to order.
Set in a former 1920s gas station, this new retro bar in historic Marietta offers plenty of outdoor seating. Pull up and sip one of its 1920s-themed cocktails like the Daisy Buchanan with gin, white vermouth, peach, and rosewater.
There’s a little bit of everything at Suite Food Lounge. There’s a more subdued dining room and bar on the main floor, but head upstairs and you’ll find a Miami-inspired rooftop bar. This is the ideal spot to catch a big sports game or party late into the night with a DJ. Don’t miss its weekly Crablegs & Karaoke happy hour where martinis are just $5.
Muss & Turner’s is great for lunchtime sandwiches, but at night, head through the walk-in door in the back of the restaurant and you’ll be treated to a speakeasy surprise at Eleanor’s. The intimate bar features cocktails like the Brown Thrasher made with bourbon, smoked apple shrub, cynar, lemon, and maple syrup.
You can sit inside or on a shaded patio at this former gas station. Leon’s is the sibling to Brickstore Pub but the cocktails are seasonally driven and expertly crafted. Give the Tropical Americano a whirl if you want something on the lighter side (aromatized wine, passionfruit, pineapple, soda, and bitters). If you’re feeling snacky, order up some stuffed peppadew peppers and house-made ricotta served with grilled sourdough.
The tropical vibes are strong here. Whether you sit on the patio or the dining room, you’ll forget all your troubles after you’ve had one or two of their strong tiki drinks.
Sure, Manuel’s Tavern has delicious bar food (even on its current limited menu) and a cool old school bar vibe, but it’s the bar’s history that makes it so interesting. The original owner of the bar, Manuel Maloof, was known as the Godfather of Georgia Democratic politics and the tavern has played host to many political events and politicians in its lifetime.