Eddie's Attic in Decatur has run the South's most respected listening room since 1991, launching Shawn Mullins, Sugarland and the Indigo Girls and keeping a Monday songwriter open mic on the calendar.
Tip: The listening room enforces quiet during sets; cocktail patio out front handles the talkers. Monday open mic at 18:00 sign-up.
Address: 515 N McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030, Atlanta
Northside Tavern on Howell Mill is the West Midtown blues dive that has poured cheap beer since 1972, with live blues seven nights a week and a Wednesday Danny Mudcat Dudeck residency.
Tip: No cover Sunday through Thursday; weekend shows charge $10 at 21:30. Cash and card both work; the regulars own the back booth.
SkyLounge atop the Glenn Hotel in the Centennial Park District is the downtown rooftop with a covered indoor bar, an outdoor terrace and views over Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta skyline.
Tip: Cover applies after 19:00. Walk-up only, first-come seating. Weeknights are calmer; weekends pack at sunset.
9 Mile Station on the roof of Ponce City Market is the indoor-outdoor beer garden and cocktail bar with skyline views across Buckhead, Midtown and downtown from the highest open deck on the Eastside.
Tip: Weekend brunch from 11:00, kitchen runs to midnight Friday and Saturday. OpenTable for the dining room; the rooftop park entry is the easier walk-in.
Polaris is the 1967 rotating blue-dome lounge atop the Hyatt Regency that completes a full turn every 45 minutes, 312 feet above Peachtree Street with shared plates, cocktails and the original UFO silhouette.
Tip: Reserve via OpenTable for the dining room; the lounge takes walk-ins. The full rotation runs 45 minutes; sunset is the table to ask for.
Whiskey Blue on top of the W Atlanta-Buckhead is the renovated rooftop lounge with cabanas, a fire feature and panoramic views of Buckhead, Lenox Square and the Midtown skyline through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Tip: Reserve cabanas via the venue site; walk-up cover applies after 22:00 on weekends. Sunday Funday brunch hours run from 12:00.
Red Phone Booth in the Dailey's building downtown is the 1920s prohibition cocktail and cigar lounge entered through a restored red British K6 phone box. The nightly secret code unlocks the door.
Tip: Find the nightly code on the venue site or social; dial inside the phone booth to enter. Smart casual dress, cigar lounge in the back.