Cocktail barBrewpub$$$little-five-pointsTue-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-21:00
The Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points, Atlanta runs a brewpub in a Victorian mansion basement. The house saison and IPAs anchor the rotating taps.
Signature drink: House saison
Food: Brewpub menu
Tip: The patio is the move in summer. Brewery tours run Saturday afternoons; the upstairs ballroom hosts private events.
Cocktail barRooftop cocktail bar$$$old-fourth-wardMon-Wed 15:00-22:00, Thu-Fri 15:00-23:00, Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-21:00
12 Cocktail Bar on The Roof at Ponce City Market in Atlanta runs a sophisticated speakeasy-style room with expertly crafted cocktails and elevated small.
Signature drink: Seasonal craft cocktails
Food: Elevated small plates
Tip: Reservations or walk-ins Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. The rooftop terrace runs the seasonal pours in spring and fall.
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.