You can’t make cocktails without A, T, and L. Atlanta is known for some of the most creative cocktail bars and drink combinations you’ll find anywhere and we’ve listed more than 30 of them right here! Whether you’re searching for classy sips or a boozy batch drink, here are some of the best cocktail bars Atlanta has to offer.
Elevate your after-hours sips with these hidden gems and iconic hotspots that define Atlanta’s vibrant cocktail culture. Let’s raise a glass to unforgettable experiences and delicious libations in the heart of the South!
In this blog, you’ll find:
- The best cocktail bars in Atlanta and beyond
- Creative and upscale cocktail options served alongside delicious dishes and welcoming vibes
- Ideas for your next date night or Atlanta corporate happy hour
- Inclusive mocktail and alcohol-free options at Atlanta cocktail bars
A few of our favorite Atlanta cocktail options:
- Experience three historical drinks during the Prohibition Progressive Dinner
- Indulge in upscale sips at Kimball House, Bar Margot, and other hotspots
- Taste unique cocktail options at Talat Market and Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge
- Explore non-alcoholic options at The Zero Co. and The Sober Social
The Best Cocktail Bars: Atlanta & Beyond
Unique Atlanta Cocktail Options
Prohibition Progressive Dinner
Specialized cocktails, hidden Atlanta history, and some of the most Instagram-worthy dishes in the city await during our Prohibition Progressive Dinner. This multi course event is perfect for adults who want a little more than alcohol with their drinks. You’ll learn the boozy history behind the origins of Coca-Cola, find the secret entrance to a downtown speakeasy, and taste three historical cocktails that will take you back to an era of jazz, flappers, and moonshine.
Our 1920’s character guide is an expert in prohibition-era Atlanta and will tell you about it during your tour of downtown Atlanta, from the original Coca-Cola vault to an iconic blue-domed revolving restaurant in the sky. The tour also offers mocktails and can accommodate most food restrictions, including vegetarian and gluten-free, with advanced notice. Don’t miss out on this exclusive event, perfect for date night or an adventure with friends.
Talat Market
Head to Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood and you’ll find Talat Market, an inventive cocktail spot and eatery with a focus on Thai techniques and local ingredients. Because their menu changes seasonally, we recommend checking their Instagram for the latest offerings. Their expert bartenders are also known for whipping up inventive mocktails by request!
Talat Market has racked up some impressive awards, including being a Semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards (Best Chef: Southeast). They also made the “Best New Restaurants” list from Atlanta Magazine in 2021. As a bonus, the patio at Talat Market is pet-friendly, with plenty of outdoor seating for four-legged friends!
A fun conversation starter while you’re there: “talat” means “market” in Thai. The restaurant notes, “So yes, we’re ‘market market,'” and they sometimes playfully refer to themselves as “market market” on their social media!
Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge
In Midtown’s Colony Square, you’ll find a variety of dining and cocktail options, retail spots, a dine-in movie theater, and more! At the heart of Colony Square is Politan Row, “a chef-driven food hall designed specifically for Midtown.” One standout spot here: Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge.
With a unique retro vibe, Jojo’s invites you to “channel a time of skates and tapes, when seedy glamour, indulgence, and boogie reigned supreme.” Their cocktail menu includes nostalgic sips like the “Pan-Am Papers” (Eagle Rare 10 year bourbon, Gailliano, Heirloom pineapple amaro, acid-adjusted OJ, and allspice). Another winner: “The Bee’s Gees” (Hayman’s Sloe Gin, Cadao Ruby Port, honey, Galliano, lemon juice, and prosecco).
Additionally, you can choose from zero-proof options like “Blue Hawaii,” “Na-Groni Sbagliato,” and “Doctor’s Orders.” While Jojo’s doesn’t serve food, there are plenty of other eateries in Politan Row to get your fill!
Classic Elegance: Upscale Atlanta Cocktail Bars
Kimball House
One of the quintessential Atlanta cocktail spots, Kimball House (pictured above; photo taken by the author) is also known for its incredible oyster selection. Head to the hip, friendly neighborhood of Decatur to enjoy food and drinks that “reflect the seasons, farms, and personalities of the people preparing them.”
Kimball House is located in a historic train depot – one of the last historic depots in Metro Atlanta, protected by a local historic preservation ordinance. The Kimball House cocktail menu is filled with welcoming concoctions. Try their signature “Kimball House” cocktail (gin, French vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters). Or, branch out with a “Sazerac” (rye, Peychaud’s Bitters, and absinthe) or “New Tokyo” (scotch, pine & pear brandy, ginger, yuzu, and lime).
When it comes to the food menu, don’t sleep on their house-made Hawaiian roll with whipped butter and preserves! Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to the filet mignon or some caviar – you deserve it.
Bar Margot at the Four Seasons
Inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown Atlanta, Bar Margot offers delicious bites and small batch spirits. Their award-winning cocktails are created with the highest-quality ingredients and made-in-house garnishes. In fact, their initial spirits menu was crafted by two of the most celebrated Atlanta cocktail experts, Greg Best and Paul Calvert.
For a refreshing and approachable option, try the “Avant Garden” (St. Germain elderflower, salted cucumber, hibiscus, Rotari rosé). Or, go with the “Gin Margot” (Castle and Key “Rise” gin, limoncello, lime oleo, and Fever Tree tonic).
For food options, Bar Margot serves up elevated Southern classics like crab and shrimp toast, Springer Mountain chicken roulade, and peach en croûte – alongside unique selections like charred Spanish octopus and Chatel Farms prime striploin. On Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm until midnight, Bar Margot’s DJ spins tunes from a collection spanning nearly 10,000 vinyl records!
Southbound
In Chamblee, Southbound offers creative Southern comfort food with a friendly vibe. Named after the owner’s favorite Allman Brothers Band song, this spot is inviting for cocktail aficionados and newbies alike.
Housed in a building that was built in the late 1800s, this is a cocktail bar and restaurant filled with character and charm. Popular food options include the Chamblee hot chicken, shrimp and grits, and Southern ramen.
When it comes to cocktails, Southbound shines with approachable options that complement its menu. Pay homage to the neighborhood with the “Chamblee Highrise” (Cathead bitter orange vodka, fresh OJ, lemon, and ginger beer). Or, branch out and try the weekly special! Learn more about Southbound and its origins in this 5-minute video from Atlanta Eats.
Hip & Happening Atlanta Cocktail Spots
Little Bear
Named in honor of the owner’s beloved Great Pyrenees dog, Fernando, Little Bear is a small eatery with a big reputation. The restaurant is a Michelin Bib Gourmand, with Chef Jarrettt Stieber winning the coveted Michelin Guide Atlanta Young Chef Award (2023).
It goes without saying that Little Bear’s food is delicious. This Summerhill spot serves up global cuisine with local ingredients and a frequently-rotating menu. Choose from savory and sweet dishes with unexpected flavor combinations.
Little Bear’s cocktail menu includes a small selection of thoughtfully-curated options. For something different, try their aptly named “Best in Show” (honeysuckle vodka, singani, paw paw, ga rangpur lime, feijoa bitters) or the “Shotgun Wedding” (rum, aquavit, cantaloupe, pecan orgeat, lime). Feeling thirsty? Opt for the “Booze Pack” – including one fancy off-menu cocktail, two fancy off-menu glasses of wine, and one house-made nightcap” for a set menu price!
The Garden Room at the St. Regis
Transport yourself to a TikTok-worthy cocktail spot where flowers and butterflies abound! The Garden Room at the St. Regis Atlanta is a whimsical wonderland that will delight the senses. This spot is perfect for a “see and be seen” date or girls’ night out!
Food options include four different types of caviar, oyster, lamb, and wagyu cuts for a classy dinner you won’t soon forget. On the cocktail menu, the “Love Potion #9” (Corazon Reposado, Grand Marnier, hibiscus, and lime) will set the tone for a romantic outing. Or, try the “Meet Your Matcha” (Sipsmith gin, matcha, orgeat, cream, lemon, and raspberry foam) for something delightfully different. Pro tip: be mindful of the dress code before heading to The Garden Room!
Virtue
Proudly declaring itself “the sexiest rooftop bar and lounge in Midtown Atlanta,” Virtue is the perfect pre- or post-dinner cocktail spot. Located above the popular 5Church Midtown restaurant, Virtue serves up creative cocktails with the city as the backdrop. You can also rent out this rooftop terrace for private events!
Virtue’s menu includes sharable bites and specialty craft cocktails, along with wine and beer. Their menu rotates seasonally, so be sure to check their website for the latest offerings. Current cocktails on the menu include creative options like the “Naked Belle” (herradura blanco, passionfruit, vanilla, lime foam) and the “Rose Petal” (ghost rail tennessee dry gin, jeio rose, rosewater, lemon, rose petal).
Mocktail Options in Atlanta
The Sober Social
In Downtown Atlanta, The Sober Social serves up an extensive non-alcoholic cocktail menu. At this spot, you can enjoy a unique “going out” experience in a zer0-proof environment.
Wear your heart on your sleeve with mocktail options like the “Social Butterfly” (passion fruit lemon drop, bitters, fresh lemons) or “The Loner” (refreshing gin alternative, blueberries, fresh lemon). The Sober Social’s menu is filled with a wide variety of beverage options. Try non-alcoholic beers and wines, Kava Kava, teas, and coffee drinks. While you’re there, be sure to try their house-made baked goods along with chocolate treats, snack-size bites, and more.
The Zero Co.
As Atlanta’s first zero-proof bottle shop, The Zero Co. offers a slew of mocktail and non-alcoholic options in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highlands neighborhood. This spot goes way beyond simple mixers like juice and sodas. Instead, you’ll find inventive sips like non-alcoholic bourbons and whiskeys, wines, ready-to-drink canned mocktails, flavored syrups, fruit and spice garnishes, and so much more.
Check their Facebook page for fun pop-up events like cocktail classes, weekly Saturday tastings, and more! The Zero Co. even offers gift cards so you can share the mocktail magic with loved ones.
