Atlanta’s bar scene is one of the most dynamic in the Southeast, encompassing everything from historic dive bars with live blues seven nights a week to sophisticated craft cocktail lounges, rooftop venues with skyline views, and underground speakeasies that reward those who seek them out. The city’s warm climate extends outdoor drinking season well into the calendar year, and Atlanta’s population of young professionals, creative industry workers, and entertainment seekers sustains strong demand across the full range of bar formats. Neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, East Atlanta Village, and Buckhead each carry distinct bar cultures that reflect their resident communities.
When choosing a bar in Atlanta, the quality of the beverage program and the competence of the bartenders are the clearest quality signals. A well-run Atlanta bar will maintain a clean, organized back bar, offer a thoughtfully constructed cocktail menu that reflects seasonality and technique, and employ staff who know the difference between stirred and shaken cocktails and can make clear recommendations based on guest preferences. Georgia ABC licensing is a legal requirement for all bars serving alcohol, and establishments should be able to produce proof of current licensing on request. Red flags include visibly untrained staff, poorly maintained kegs that produce flat or skunky beer, and cocktail menus built entirely from pre-made mixes without fresh juice or quality spirits.
Top Bar Companies in Atlanta
1. Red Phone Booth
Address: 17 Andrew Young International Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 425-0055
Website: https://www.redphonebooth.com
Service Area: Downtown Atlanta, near Centennial Olympic Park
Services:
- Premium craft cocktails
- Whiskey and spirits collection
- Members club and speakeasy atmosphere
- Private event space
About: Red Phone Booth is one of Atlanta’s premier speakeasy-style cocktail bars, consistently rated among the city’s best drinking establishments on Yelp and Google. The bar is entered through a transformed British phone booth, setting the tone for an immersive experience that combines meticulous craft cocktails with an atmosphere of intimate exclusivity. The back bar features an exceptional whiskey and spirits collection, and the cocktail program is executed with the technical precision expected at the highest level of the craft. Red Phone Booth has become a destination for visitors and locals alike who seek a genuinely elevated bar experience in Downtown Atlanta.
2. Northside Tavern
Address: 1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: (404) 874-8745
Website: https://www.northsidetavern.com
Service Area: West Midtown, Howell Mill corridor
Services:
- Live blues seven nights a week
- Cold beer and well drinks
- Pool tables
- No-cover weekday admission
About: Northside Tavern is Atlanta’s most beloved dive bar and live music institution, operating for decades in a former gas station on Howell Mill Road and maintaining the kind of authentic character that cannot be manufactured. The bar hosts live blues music seven nights a week, drawing musicians and audiences who are serious about the genre, and has become a cornerstone of Atlanta’s live music culture in the same way that CBGB defined New York’s punk scene. There is no food, no pretense, and no frills – just cold cheap drinks, pool tables, and great music. Friday and Saturday nights and special events carry a $10 cover; weeknights are free entry.
3. Grant Park Social
Address: 490 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: (404) 748-1145
Website: https://www.grantparksocial.com
Service Area: Grant Park, East Atlanta Village, Southeast Atlanta
Services:
- Craft cocktails and local beer selection
- Bar food and pub fare
- Community events and gatherings
- Patio dining and outdoor space
About: Grant Park Social has established itself as a cornerstone neighborhood bar for one of Atlanta’s most historically rich and rapidly evolving communities. The bar serves as a genuine social hub for Grant Park residents while also drawing visitors from across the city who appreciate the combination of quality drinks, approachable prices, and a welcoming atmosphere free of the scene-chasing that characterizes some of Atlanta’s trendier nightlife destinations. Grant Park Social consistently ranks among Atlanta’s top-rated bars on Yelp, reflecting the genuine hospitality and quality that has made it a community institution. The patio provides one of Southeast Atlanta’s most pleasant outdoor drinking environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What neighborhoods in Atlanta have the best bar scenes?
A: Atlanta’s bar culture is genuinely distributed rather than concentrated in a single district, which is one of the city’s strengths. Midtown and Buckhead offer the widest range from upscale cocktail bars to nightclubs and sports bars, serving a dense residential and visitor population. Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward have developed strong craft cocktail and neighborhood bar cultures along the BeltLine corridor. East Atlanta Village and Grant Park support authentic dive bar and live music institutions with real community character. West Midtown along Howell Mill Road has a mix of serious craft cocktail bars and live music venues. Each neighborhood rewards exploration with distinct options you will not find duplicated elsewhere.
Q: What is the typical price range for cocktails and drinks at Atlanta bars?
A: Craft cocktails at Atlanta’s quality bars generally range from $12 to $18 for single cocktails, with premium or elaborate drinks reaching $20 to $25 at upscale speakeasy or hotel bar concepts. Draft beer at neighborhood bars runs $5 to $9 per pint, while bottled and canned craft beers typically fall between $6 and $10. Happy hour discounts at Atlanta bars commonly run from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and can reduce cocktail prices to $8 to $12. Dive bars like Northside Tavern maintain significantly lower price points, with well drinks and domestic beers often available in the $4 to $6 range.
Q: What should I know about Atlanta’s bar hours and cover charges?
A: Georgia law permits bars to serve alcohol until 2:00 AM seven days a week in the City of Atlanta under the current regulations. Individual neighborhoods and unincorporated areas may have different cutoff times, so confirming with the specific venue is worthwhile if you plan to visit late. Cover charges in Atlanta are common at nightclubs and live music venues on Friday and Saturday nights, typically ranging from $10 to $30 depending on the event and the venue’s positioning. Neighborhood bars and craft cocktail lounges typically do not charge covers except for special ticketed events. Most Atlanta bars do not have a dress code, though a small number of Buckhead and Midtown nightclubs maintain selective door policies on weekends.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s bar scene spans the full range from the craft cocktail precision of Red Phone Booth to the raw, authentic live blues culture of Northside Tavern and the genuine neighborhood warmth of Grant Park Social. Each of these three operations represents a distinct and irreplaceable piece of Atlanta’s drinking culture. Whether you are seeking an immersive speakeasy experience, a night of real live music, or a great neighborhood bar where the staff knows your name, contacting or visiting any of these Atlanta institutions will not disappoint.