Cocktail barDive bar$$$old-fourth-wardMon-Wed 20:00-03:00, Thu-Sat 15:00-03:00
Clermont Lounge in Atlanta's Hotel Clermont basement runs the city's longest-running dive bar since 1965. Located in Old Fourth Ward. Order the beer and shot.
Signature drink: Beer and shot
Food: Snacks only
Tip: Cash only at the bar. The Clermont Hotel above has a rooftop bar with a much different vibe; same building.
Cocktail barNeighbourhood tavern$$$virginia-highlandMon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri 11:00-01:00, Sat 09:30-01:00, Sun 09:30-00:00
Manuel's Tavern in Poncey-Highland, Atlanta opened 1956 and has been the city's political-newsroom hangout ever since. Located in Virginia Highland.
Signature drink: Cold beer
Food: Burgers, wings, bar fare
Tip: The booths fill with political-press regulars on election nights. Burgers are the kitchen's strength; reservations not taken.
Cocktail barGastropub$$$east-atlanta-villageMon-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00, Sun 17:00-00:00
Argosy in East Atlanta Village, Atlanta runs a beer-and-cocktail bar with wood-fired pizza and snacks in a converted bowling-alley space since 2012.
Signature drink: Beer-and-cocktail program
Food: Pizza, snacks, sandwiches
Tip: Patio is dog-friendly. The Beer Boards run rotating local taps. Weekend brunch service Saturday and Sunday.
Cocktail barRooftop bar$$$old-fourth-wardTue 11:00-22:00, Wed 23:00-22:00, Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-22:00
Ladybird's Camper Bar on the Beltline in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta runs summer-camp-themed cocktails in a vintage Airstream parked on the patio.
Signature drink: Summer-camp themed cocktails
Food: Smores, snacks
Tip: The Airstream patio is the move in spring and fall. Smores and snacks the menu; full dinner at the Ladybird restaurant.
Cocktail barBeer bar$$$little-five-pointsMon-Thu 12:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-23:00
The Porter Beer Bar in Little Five Points, Atlanta runs 800 bottles and 38 taps of craft beer with a sharp gastropub kitchen since 2008. Booking recommended.
Signature drink: Rare-beer flight
Food: Gastropub menu
Tip: Brunch on weekends is the under-the-radar service. The Belgian beer cellar runs rare bottles for the right pour.
Cocktail barDive bar$$$little-five-pointsMon-Wed 12:00-00:00, Thu-Sat 12:00-02:00, Sun 12:00-00:00
Elmyr in Little Five Points, Atlanta has run since 1995 as a Tex-Mex-and-dive-bar combination. Order the margarita. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Signature drink: Margarita
Food: Tacos and burritos
Tip: Cash and card. The patio sits on Euclid; the inside runs darker and louder. Open until 02:00 most nights.