Manuel's Tavern in Poncey-Highland has poured since Manuel Maloof opened the doors in 1956, a National Register tavern with worn booths, political-press regulars and a beer-and-burger menu late.
Tip: Open late, kitchen runs to 23:00 most nights. The back rooms hold pool, the front bar holds the press; cash and card both welcome.
Address: 602 N Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Joystick Gamebar on Edgewood is the arcade dive with 1970s through 1990s cabinets, pinball, a small-batch whiskey list, hand-crafted cocktails and a kitchen running burgers and tots until close.
Tip: Monday through Friday 16:00 to 02:30, weekends from noon. Quarter games take cash; pinball league nights run mid-week.
Sister Louisa's Church on Edgewood is the no-television, no-internet bar packed with Sister Louisa folk-art canvases, two ping pong tables and a Choir Practice singalong every Tuesday night.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Choir Practice runs Tuesday 22:00 with an organ singalong; ping pong is first-come and house paddles are free.
Argosy on Flat Shoals is the East Atlanta Village beer hall with a 41-tap rotating draft list, wood-fired pizza, a covered side patio and a kitchen running through to last call most nights.
Tip: Open 16:00 to 02:00 most days, kitchen until 01:00. Patio fills first; reserve via OpenTable for the dining room on weekends.
Trackside Tavern on East College Avenue is the Decatur dive that took the spot beside the MARTA tracks, with cheap beer, a burger-and-tots kitchen and occasional Saturday live music.
Tip: Cash-friendly, no cover, late kitchen. The covered patio sits trackside; freight trains roll past most evenings.
MJQ Concourse is the underground Atlanta dance club that has run since 1994, recently relocated into the Underground Atlanta complex with two rooms, a patio and house, techno and hip-hop selectors.
Tip: Open Wednesday through Saturday 23:00 to 04:00. MJQ Wednesdays remains the longest-running Wednesday dance party in the city; line forms before midnight.
Tongue and Groove in Lindbergh City Center is the Buckhead nightclub that began as a 1994 sushi lounge and grew into a multi-room party venue with bottle service and weekend DJ headliners.
Tip: Thursday industry nights, Friday and Saturday are bottle-service heavy. Dress code enforced after 22:00; reserve tables on the venue site.