If you ask me, Happy hour is the real golden hour of the day. For most professionals, it symbolizes the end of the work day and acts as a smooth segue to the livelier side of the work-life balance we’re all trying to manage. Happy hour can mean different things to different people, whether it’s a round of drinks with coworkers or a solo shot. With all intents and purposes, happy hour is meant to help us unwind as we indulge after long work days and even longer days. Luckily, Atlanta provides professionals and leisurely bar hoppers alike with a plethora of opportunities to partake in happy hour.
Read on for a list of my favorite Atlanta bars. Cheers!
Decatur
Brick Store Pub
125 E. Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030
Located in Decatur Square, it is the perfect spot to go during happy hour if you’re located in that area. There are two levels: The first level is quaint with an exposed-brick interior and contains The Main Bar while the second level is The Belgian Bar, cave-like and aged. The pub itself offers a variety of American craft beers, German specialty beers and English specialty beers – all of which are regionally, locally and/or nationally acclaimed. The massive list of curated beers the pub offers is a beer connoisseur’s dream, but if you find yourself intimidated, ask your server for his or her favorite. Even if beer is not usually your 21-and-older alcohol preference, Brick Store Pub might make you a believer.
Edgewood
Edgewood Corner Tavern
464 Edgewood Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
The Corner Tavern has a few locations in the Atlanta area, but Edgewood is my personal favorite. There are other bars located on the same strip, which makes it an ultimate location to participate in bar-hopping endeavors. I love that it has daily specials, like a $1 PBR on Mondays and $4 drinks on Whatever Wednesdays. The hurricane shots are divine, and if you’re looking for a great happy hour option that’s no frills but chill fun, Corner Tavern is your new after-work hangout. Plus, there are pool tables.
East Atlanta Village
The EARL
488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
The EARL is an EAV staple. Even its name pays homage to the little slice of hipster heaven the hole-in-the-wall calls home: EARL = East Atlanta Restaurant and Lounge. Live performances from obscure acts are abundant nightly at The EARL when the dive bar opens up to both local and national artists. During the day, you can enjoy everything from its straightforward menu at 10 bucks or under, including delicious Hedonistic Burgers paired with shoestring fries. Due to its smoke-friendly environment, it can get a little hazy in there. Luckily, though, outdoor patio seating makes The EARL a prime spot for indulging in a little daytime drinking.
Buckhead
The Bucket Shop
3475 Lenox Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Right across the street from one of Atlanta’s most coveted malls, Lenox, is The Bucket Shop Café, a bar and grill. TVs line the walls on either side of the bar as well as outside in the patio seating area to accommodate drinkers who prefer the ambiance. I like the fact that the establishment’s main entrance wall is made completely of floor-to-ceiling windows. At night, when the mall and nearby buildings are all lit up, it makes for quite the view. The drink menu consists of lagers, wines, local beers, featured cocktails and draft beers. There are also weekly specials like $2 taco Tuesdays after 4 p.m. and $4 el Jimador Margaritas and $9 pitchers of Bud Light or Yuengling on Thursdays.
Virginia Highlands
The Family Dog
1402 North Highland Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
This family-friendly bar/restaurant is located in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood and is known for its wide variety of beers and specialty cocktails. The décor is so quirky; it reminds me of a bar-meets-diner aesthetic with wood surfaces and wall detailing alongside white booths with teal green cushions that give it that nod to another era. The vibe is very laidback and comfortable while the food is out of this world in terms of what you’ve come to expect at bars. Every Georgia eatery should have an obligatory decadent entrée of chicken and waffles. The Family Dog does that phenomenally.
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Midtown
Blake’s on the Park
227 10th St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Blake’s is considered one of Atlanta’s premier gay bars and also happens to be very straight-friendly. Located on 10th Street, it is also one of the more upscale and elegant bars in the Midtown area. The décor features beautiful, rustic touches in mahogany wood finishes and exposed brick walls – one of which it plays music videos on. Upon entering, you might be tempted to stay in the main room and linger at the bar there, but I suggest taking the stairs in the back up to the second floor where there’s another bar; that area is much less hectic. You can either ask for your usual or check out its specialty drink menu – whichever piques your interest more.
Downtown
Twenty-Two Storys
265 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
A beer-forward bar concept located in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency, Twenty-Two Storys is a gastropub that serves regional beers and a menu highlighting the notes of beer in its flavor profile. It is cleverly called Twenty-Two Storys and coincidentally serves a drink list that offers 22 wine and 22 beer selections. It also offers 22 food selections to diners. It is deliciousness defined, a thoroughly thought-of concept, and a great option for happy hour participants who don’t mind spending a little more to enjoy themselves.
Downtown
Sidebar
79 Poplar St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Although known for its Cuban sandwiches, Sidebar offers a great array of bottled beers. It also provides a lot of entertainment to barhoppers in the form of pool tables, board games, a jukebox and photo booth. It’s much more of a sports bar than a dive bar and is a common spot for people to watch fighting matches or games across multiple TVs. Because of its location close to the GSU college campus, Sidebar tends to offer some affordable drink specials, like triple double shots for the price of a double shot served in one cup or 24-ounce draft beers at $2 a pop.
Let us all drink to that! What is your favorite Atlanta happy hour bar? If you’re in another city, leave your favorite bar and your city in the comments below. Spread the wealth.
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