Photo Credit: (iStockPhoto/lisegagne)
Friendly, charming and sociable, Atlanta is the epitome of Southern grace. As spring turns into summer in this gorgeous, hospitable city set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, grab a friend, pull up a barstool and slowly sip a drink in one of the 10 best bars in Atlanta.
The Northside Tavern
Why: This laid-back jazz and blues club epitomizes everything wonderful about the South: friendliness, comfort – and plentiful beer. Sure, the place is a hole in the wall and has generally lousy restrooms, but the people are fun, drinks are affordable and there’s live music. What more do you need?
What to Drink: This bar is one of the few places you’ll find PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) tallboys, so drink up and enjoy your minimal tab at the end of the night.
Brick Store Pub
Why: For good beer on tap and delicious bar grub, visit this bar in the eclectic city of Decatur (just east of Atlanta). Beers here are often high-octane, and true beer connoisseurs will appreciate that beers are served in appropriate glasses. Upstairs, there’s a separate bar that serves only Belgian beers.
What to Drink: When in a Belgian pub, drink Belgian beer – on tap, if you can. High alcohol-content beers include Terrapin Monks Revenge, Malheur12 and the rich, dark Gulden Draak.
Krog Bar
Why: Meet other Atlantans as you sit in the communal setting at Krog Bar, a one-room bar with a heated patio. This bar is renowned chef Kevin Rathbun’s baby, born from his desire to create an intimate wine bar with tapas after he returned from a visit to Spain.
What to Drink: Drink Spanish wine, of course. Choose from La Rioja, Cava, Denominacion Jumilla and Sherry-Jerez.
East Point Corner Tavern
Why: With a “Cheers”-esque neighborhood bar feel, East Point Corner Tavern serves the East Point, College Park and Hapeville areas of south Atlanta. Pool tables, darts, trivia nights, table games and the patio will make you stay, and good pub grub, cheap drinks and a welcoming staff will keep you coming back for more.
What to Drink: Order one of the specialty beers on tap, especially if it’s from Sweetwater Brewery, which is located in Atlanta.
Limerick Junction
Why: For a friendly, warm Irish bar (complete with local Irish music), pull up a barstool at Limerick Junction. Crowds are plentiful, pints are full and the popcorn is free, plus some of the Irish musicians take requests.
What to Drink: To liven up your group, order a round of the shooter Irish Quaalade, a mix of Irish whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Crème and Frangelica, or a 20 oz. Magner’s Irish Cider.
Elliott Street Deli and Pub
Why: For the ultimate in Atlanta dive bars, visit the Elliott Street Deli and Pub, a sandwich spot, bar and jazz club. The owners love to cook and socialize, so they make sure everyone has a good time.
What to Drink: Drink the IPA beer for $3 a glass, which is on the honor system. And be good – once you meet the owners, you won’t want to make them mad.
Smith’s Olde Bar
Why: If you’re looking for a place to have a drink, listen to live music, play pool or darts and watch the game, Smith’s Olde Bar is the place for you. Smith’s has a good beer selection and lots of drink specials, plus the intimate upstairs music venue allows you to see the stage no matter where you sit or stand.
What to Drink: If you visit on a Wednesday (when you’ll find the weekly singer-songwriter showcase), order the $3 Budweisers in the bowling pin-shaped bottles.
Whiskey Blue
Why: If you’re the type who likes to see and be seen, visit the sky-high Whiskey Blue bar atop the W Hotel in the affluent Buckhead neighborhood. Cocktails aren’t cheap, but they’re interesting, and so is the crowd, composed of the Atlanta professional elite (or wannabe elite) in their 20s and 30s. The adjoining rooftop deck provides glorious views of the Atlanta nighttime skyline.
What to Drink: For refreshment from the Atlanta heat, try the Pure Silk cocktail, which has vodka, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice and basil; or the Clementine Crush, made of Svedka Clementine Vodka, orange juice, ginger root, tonic and sugar. Drinks change seasonally.
East Andrews
Why: A mini-mall of bars with a fountain in the center, East Andrews is the bar for Atlanta 20-somethings where the male patrons outnumber the females 3-to-1. Try Cellar 56 for affordable, delicious tapas and wine ($3 for half glasses and $6 for full glasses), and stay to enjoy the Top 40 hits playing in the indoor atrium or live music in one of the upstairs bars.
What to Drink: Take shots of SoCo and lime, and follow them up with draft beer.
Noon/Midtown Café and Bar
Why: You can find cheap drinks anywhere, but for truly handcrafted drinks, sit at the bar manned by bartender/mixologist Reggie Weekes at Noon/Midtown Café and Bar. Fresh, high-quality ingredients and classic techniques mean you’ll savor every sip of your beverage. Drinks are typically Spanish/Caribbean.
What to Drink: Sip the Painless Brazilian, whose addition of pineapple juice softens the traditional Caprihina, or the Pancho Villa, a tequila-based drink with lime, Cointreau and rosemary.
{ 0 comments… add one now }