The 18 Best Bars In Atlanta - Atlanta - The Infatuation (2024)

Atlanta is a sprawling city with new bars popping up every other weekend. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re looking for the perfect place to grab a beer with friends, feel like drinking alone in a dive, or just need a reliable place to watch the Atlanta United game. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of bars for every occasion.

THE SPOTS

Strangers In Paradise is the fun alcohol anchor for the Lee + White food hall. A neon green alligator leads the way to the bar. But if that somehow eludes you, the dance music thumping in the retro speakers is a good tip off. Pull up a bar stool and snag one of their extra boozy tropical drinks. Get The Pink Flamingo, which comes in a giant glass in the shape of, well, a flamingo. It’s a pleasant blend of bitter aperol, dry prosecco, and sweet watermelon nectar. We like that all the drinks (especially the tequila-heavy Shark Bite, which you drink out of a shark’s mouth) remind us of a beachy resort bar that fully commits to the schtick. It’ll be flip-flop season here year-round.

It’s easy to find this bar downtown because of the red phone booth that sits out front on Andrew Young Boulevard. But it’s a little harder to get in. After the bouncer clears you (the dress code is strictly enforced), you’ll dial the day’s secret number on the phone, which will open the booth's hidden doors that lead into an alcohol oasis. Inside, cigar-puffing business colleagues sit on leather couches that sink-in easily while groups of friends toast their tropical rum swizzles and elderflower martinis at the bar. And while exclusivity is the allure here, the swanky speakeasy is chill enough (there’s a pool table in the back) to feel comfortable if you're just looking for a cigar bar without the stuffy country club pretense.

El Malo is a vibey co*cktail lounge in the Atlanta Dairies in Reynoldstown. Giant art deco light pillars make the bar seem primed for a Charleston dance-off. But clubby hits played by weekend DJs and colorful neon lights bring us back to the present day. If the Bad Bunny mash-ups are too much, disappear into the Serpent Room in the back (padded from floor to ceiling in plush green fabric). There are a handful of solid (but small) signature co*cktails featuring rums, mezcals, and other Latin-Caribbean spirits. And food items like plantain chips and ropa vieja keep the sexy bar's menu petite. This is a stand-and-sip spot, so save those uncomfortable shoes for another day unless you make a booth reservation ahead of time.

It’s called Our Bar for a reason—they’re constantly hosting events to bring the community together. So, the vibe here will vary depending on if it's a rowdy Edgewood Idol karaoke evening, a clubby night, or random kid-friendly daytime event (their IG will light the way). Even when the DJ’ed tunes get every single body moving, the small space never feels cramped. It reminds us more of an old school dorm commons, except with string lights on the ceiling and rotating pop-ups cooking up late-night eats. On more relaxed nights, you’ll see your fellow drinkers playing Uno, spades, Connect 4, or video games on the TVs. Just make sure to snap a pic of the ‘Dis ATL Hoe’ neon sign out front—it’s an Edgewood rite of passage.

The unmarked silver door to Dryver is hidden in the back of Yeppa and Co. in Buckhead. Inside, things go from 0-to-100 when you’re immediately immersed in their moody, red-hued Formula 1-meets-Tron theme. Drinks sit on top of tire tread coasters, racing stripes line the floor, and neon signs in the odd shapes of F1 courses cover the ceiling. We don’t know much about F1 other than Max Verstappen (which we did have to Google), but we do know a lotabout alcohol. So, get the Dryver because it’s a tasty dirty martini that comes with an edible cloud (yep, little lemon-flavored gas bubbles) hanging above the co*cktail. Despite all the gimmicks, it’s a sceney spot with well-made co*cktails that makes a good pit stop before dinner.

In O4W, on the patio ofsits an easy-to-miss wooden staircase that leads to Ranger Station. Your eyes aren't failing you. This speakeasy is f*cking dark inside (seriously bring your glasses and maybe a flashlight), and yes, it's giving mountain lodge circa 1970. They’ve got plaid couches, taxidermied ducks, and so many photos of birds the decorator must have monogrammed binos for bird watching. The fun and cozy decor puts us in an exploratory mood to break away from our go-to co*cktails and try items like the fresh gin-based Thunderbolt or vodka-heavy Old Faithful. If one drink turns into four, only you can prevent a hangover—by devouring the not-so-little Lil’ Ranger Burger or the snack pack with standouts like smoked sausage and mushroom jerky.

Dad's in Virginia Highland has a large patio that's always bumping with a crowd, who sips on everything from Appletinis to Old Fashioneds. But in a rare reversal, we actually prefer being inside because the man cave digs feature funky red bulb lighting above the bar, a working jukebox full of generic rock songs, and movies likeKindergarten Copprojected on the walls. It’s also worth a visit to the bathrooms to peruse the wall of famous dudes from sitcoms and movies (not to brag but we could name ‘em all). After a few drinks, try one of their culinary odes to latchkey kid Americana with items like cheesy pizza rolls, a fancy honey-drizzled uncrustable, or “White Kastle” burgers.

If a member of the Addams family ever designed a bar, we think it would look something like the interior of Mambo Zombi. Located on Edgewood, above the former Georgia Beer Garden space, this bar is full of skull decor, loosely inspired by the Day of the Dead. And you enter through a neon-lit coffin. Their original co*cktail creations are mainly rum-based tropical drinks, and you can indulge your (presumably) inner pyro with the Monkey Screwed, a banana-infused rum that’s lit on fire before being served. After downing a few co*cktails, make sure to hit the doll-stuffed bathroom where the nightmares of Chucky and Annabelle become a disturbing reality.

If you want to feel like a VIP, head to Jojo’s Beloved at Colony Square for a co*cktail. You’ll need a reservation to get in, but if they’re not busy the host will make one for you when you arrive. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, from the oval bar accented with plush purple bar stools and booths lining the outside of the room to the record player decor, low lighting, and the ’70s classics and deep cuts playing in the background. Jojo’s only has co*cktails (there are just two beers on the menu), so this one’s for the liquor lovers. If you’re hungry, you can exit straight into the Politan Row food hall, where you'll have options from sushi to tacos.

Remember when you went to the mall and spent all your money playing arcade games while your mom shopped? You can bring that feeling full circle at Joystick, where you can spend all your money playing arcade games while you drink. The divey bar in Edgewood has cheap beer, well drinks, and a ton of old school arcade games that will make you feel nostalgic for simpler days. If you’re looking for a group game, there’s another room with Jenga, foosball, and board games, along with big coffee tables and couches.

My Sisters Room, better known as MSR, is one of only a handful of lesbian bars left in the U.S.(last time we checked it was less than 25). It's a queer-friendly space to grab a drink or get your groove on out on the dance floor. Although their address changes frequently, MSR is always somewhere in Midtown, and they’ve always got something going on. Karaoke, dance parties, drag shows, and comedy nights are just a few of the events you’ll see on their calendar. They do offer standard light bites like hot dogs and tacos, but you’ll probably want to eat before you go so you can prioritize taking shots at the bar and dancing. Most nights it’s more of a party, but there’s a patio you can hit if you need to reset and take a break from the flashing lights upstairs.

Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead is a bar classic that attracts just about everyone from wild partying types to empty nesters exploring their newfound freedom. Their DJ (who has been with them for more than 20 years) keeps the energy high on the dance floor, which makes it a good option for a birthday or friends’ night out.

The Rooftop at Hotel Clermont has one of the best rooftop views of the Atlanta skyline and is a great place to kick it with friends. The drinks are heavy on the alcohol and sometimes come in large, pre-mixed batches to keep up with the demand of the swarming, younger crowds. The addition of a taco truck in 2023 (get the incredibly good elote or queso fundido packed with a sweet chorizo, pico de gallo, and cilantro) helps us stick around longer once the strong drinksmake their way into our bloodstream. We like to come here for the vibes and to be part of the scene, but we’ll always rest easy knowing we can book a room at the hotel downstairs if the view gets too fuzzy.

This spot on the Westside was made for big groups, whether it’s a Happy Hour with coworkers or a bunch of people looking for late-night drinks after dinner at Miller Union. There’s a big bar upstairs with plenty of tables, and downstairs there’s another large bar where you can play things like bocce or darts. It gets packed here, so come early if you want to avoid the crowds of Georgia Tech students releasing their college stress with social drinking and games.

Northside Tavern has been around since 1972, which makes it a classic by default, and it hasn’t changed much over the years. That’s why we like it. It’s the definition of a dive bar, with cheap beers and strong drinks. With all the development in West Midtown, it’s the kind of place that you may be tempted to drive by and dismiss because of its less-than-shiny exterior, but once you’re inside, we think you’ll be charmed by the live music that plays nightly and the comfortable atmosphere where everyone is welcome.

When bar hopping on Edgewood, every good night out needs a last stop, and Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium (better known as “Church”) is the perfect one. If the name didn’t already tip you off, this bar is a little different, starting with $5 PBRs being the go-to drink here and with its religious-themed decor. Church took over Edgewood Corner Tavern and almost doubled their square footage, adding more room and an additional bar to help speed up wait time. It’s packed on the weekends, so if you aren’t able to grab a couch upstairs by the ping pong tables, try your luck on the patio outside.

The James Room is just off the BeltLine near Krog. During the day, it doubles as a cafe, serving brunch and light bites. But when you enter the cafe at night, you'll walk through doors disguised as bookshelves and into a hidden lounge with a swanky interior. It's like a speakeasy that just happens to serve up some truly noteworthy co*cktails. If you’re just here to drink, may your cup runneth over. But if you’re hungry too, you can fill your table with shareables like crab cakes, charcuterie, and vegan meatballs. Most often it’s a chill retreat, but on certain nights when they have live music sets with DJs to fill the downtime, things are, it’s a party.

If you need a spot to watch a game, particularly soccer, Brewhouse in Little Five is your sports bar. They have TVs on every wall and are frequently overrun with Atlanta United fans on game day. Brewhouse has a wide selection of beers with an option for buckets if you’re with a group. If you’re feeling brave, grab a Painkiller—there are three levels of strength, so you can gauge how wild you want to get. If the interior is too crowded, head outside to the large patio. And yes, sports fans, there are TVs outside too.