Where to Grab the Best Drinks in Atlanta: Neighborhood Guide & Local Favorites

Atlanta’s drink scene is as varied as its neighborhoods. Whether you’re after craft cocktails on a rooftop, local beer in a BeltLine-adjacent taproom, or a quiet spot for a glass of wine, there’s a place in the city that fits.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to the best places to get drinks, organized by vibe and neighborhood so you can actually use it when you’re planning a night out.

Quick Overview: Top Atlanta Drink Spots by Vibe

Best Areas in Atlanta for Drinks

1. Midtown: Central, Lively, and Good for Groups

Midtown is one of the easiest areas in Atlanta to plan a full night out around drinks. You’ll find:

• Cocktail lounges with craft-focused menus
• Hotel bars with polished service
• Casual spots close to MARTA and major streets like Peachtree St NE

Popular pockets in Midtown include:

• Peachtree St NE & 10th St NE area – walkable cluster of bars, lounges, and restaurants.
• Near the Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE) – solid pre- and post-show drink options.

Midtown works well if:

• You’re staying in a nearby hotel and don’t want to drive.
• You’ve got a mixed group with different tastes.
• You want places that stay open later and feel busy most nights.

📝 Tip: Parking can be tight and pricey. Many locals use MARTA to Midtown Station or North Avenue Station and walk.

2. Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park: BeltLine Bars, Breweries, and Patios

The Eastside BeltLine corridor through Old Fourth Ward (O4W) and Inman Park is one of Atlanta’s most popular areas for drinks, especially on weekends.

What you’ll find:

• Breweries and taprooms with big patios
• Cocktail bars tucked into historic buildings and side streets
• Places that are easy to “bar hop” by walking the BeltLine

Key clusters:

• Along the Eastside BeltLine Trail near Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE)
  – Multiple bars and breweries are within a short walk or scooter ride.
• Inman Park around Highland Ave NE & Elizabeth St NE
  – Walkable streets with bars, wine spots, and restaurants with strong drink programs.

This area is ideal if you want:

• Casual drinks where you can also grab food easily
• A “walk around and see what looks good” kind of night
• Day drinking that can extend into the evening

3. West Midtown: Breweries, Warehouses, and Upscale Spots

West Midtown (around Howell Mill Rd NW and Marietta St NW) has turned into a major destination for both breweries and upscale cocktail programs.

Expect:

• Large brewery complexes with big outdoor areas
• Modern bars in converted warehouses
• Restaurant bars with serious cocktail and wine lists

Good for:

• Groups that want a little more space and outdoor seating
• Trying local Atlanta beers
• Combining drinks with dinner at one of the area’s popular restaurants

Parking is usually easier here than in Midtown or Buckhead, though lots may still charge.

4. Buckhead: Upscale Drinks and Nightlife

Buckhead, especially near Peachtree Rd NE, is known for:

• High-energy nightclubs and lounges
• Upscale hotel bars and rooftop spots
• Dressier cocktail bars popular for celebrations and nightlife

You’ll see more:

• Dress codes, especially later at night
• Bottle service and reserved tables in some venues
• Busy weekend crowds, particularly around Buckhead Village

This area suits you if:

• You’re looking for a more “nightclub” or “see-and-be-seen” environment
• You don’t mind paying more for drinks and valet parking
• You want a “big night out” feel

5. Virginia-Highland, Grant Park & East Atlanta Village: Neighborhood Bar Feel

If you prefer chill, local, lived-in bars, these intown neighborhoods are strong choices.

Virginia-Highland

Centered around Virginia Ave NE & North Highland Ave NE, this area offers:

• Classic neighborhood pubs
• Bars with strong beer selections
• Sidewalk seating and walkable blocks

Good for low-key nights, small groups, and bar-hopping on foot.

Grant Park

Near Memorial Dr SE, Cherokee Ave SE, and the residential streets around Grant Park, you’ll find:

• Cozy bars and beer-focused spots
• Several restaurants with serious cocktail programs
• A quieter alternative to Midtown or Edgewood

East Atlanta Village (EAV)

At Flat Shoals Ave SE & Glenwood Ave SE, EAV is known for:

• Dive bars with character
• Live music venues with full bars
• A more laid-back, artsy crowd

Perfect if you want something unpolished, fun, and distinctly local.

6. Decatur: Walkable Square with Strong Drink Options

Just east of Atlanta, Decatur (centered around Decatur Square, near E Ponce de Leon Ave and Church St) is technically its own city but often part of the intown conversation.

What makes it great:

• Highly walkable cluster of wine bars, beer bars, and cocktail spots
• A mix of casual and slightly upscale places
• MARTA access via Decatur Station

This is a strong choice if you:

• Don’t want to deal with heavy Atlanta traffic after arrival
• Like to park once and walk the rest of the evening
• Enjoy smaller, cozy venues over large nightclubs

Best Types of Places to Get Drinks in Atlanta

Rooftop Bars with a View

Atlanta’s skyline makes rooftop drinking especially popular. You’ll find many rooftops:

• In Midtown and Downtown (often atop hotels or mid-rise buildings)
• In Buckhead, overlooking Peachtree Rd and surrounding towers
• Near Ponce City Market, where rooftop spaces look toward the city

Things to know:

• Many rooftops have host stands and limited capacity; waits are common on weekends.
• Dress codes can be stricter in Buckhead and some Midtown hotels.
• Some charge a cover or have separate ticketed experiences, especially if there’s entertainment.

📝 Tip: Rooftops can be windy and cooler than the street, even in warm months. Bring a light layer if you’re staying late.

Breweries & Taprooms

Atlanta’s craft beer scene is strong, and brewery taprooms are some of the most relaxed places to get drinks in the city.

Common brewery features:

• Large indoor warehouse spaces
• Picnic tables, cornhole, and games
• Family- and dog-friendly policies during daytime and early evening
• Food trucks or nearby restaurants (some allow outside food)

Key brewery areas:

• West Midtown – clusters of breweries in repurposed industrial buildings
• Eastside BeltLine – walkable from Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park
• Grant Park / Summerhill / East Atlanta – newer breweries and taprooms emerging

If you like trying local beer styles (IPAs, sours, barrel-aged options), these taprooms are some of the best places in Atlanta to do it.

Wine Bars & Cocktail-Focused Spots

If your idea of a night out is more about slow sipping than bar-hopping, Atlanta has several pockets where wine and cocktail programs are the star.

You’ll find good clusters in:

• Inman Park – stylish but comfortable bars with curated cocktail and wine menus
• Decatur – wine bars and restaurants with thoughtful lists and by-the-glass options
• Midtown – hotel bars and restaurants that take cocktails seriously

What to expect:

• Smaller spaces that can fill up quickly on weekends
• Many places offering small plates or full dinner menus with drinks
• A more conversational, date-friendly environment

Dive Bars & Late-Night Spots

For a more unpolished, come-as-you-are drink experience, Atlanta’s dive bars are heavily concentrated in:

• East Atlanta Village
• Parts of Edgewood Ave SE
• Pockets of Midtown and Virginia-Highland

These tend to have:

• Lower drink prices than upscale neighborhoods
• Jukeboxes, pool tables, and casual crowds
• Fewer dress code concerns and more relaxed policies

If you’re staying out late, Edgewood, parts of Midtown, and Buckhead have bars and clubs that run well into the night. Always check hours; they vary widely by venue.

Practical Tips for Getting Drinks in Atlanta

1. Getting Around Safely

Atlanta’s layout and traffic patterns matter when you’re planning a night of drinks.

Common options:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) – Widely used, especially in nightlife hubs like Midtown, Buckhead, and Old Fourth Ward.
• MARTA Rail – Useful if you’re near stations like Midtown, North Avenue, Buckhead, Decatur, or Five Points.
• Walking – Best in concentrated pockets (e.g., BeltLine, Decatur Square, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park).

Avoid driving if you’re drinking. Many locals plan ahead by:

• Parking once in a central garage and using rideshare for hops between neighborhoods.
• Choosing one walkable area (like the BeltLine or Midtown) per night.

2. Typical Hours and Peak Times

While hours vary, some patterns are common:

• Weeknights (Mon–Thu):

  • After-work crowds 5–8 p.m.
  • Quieter after 10–11 p.m. outside major nightlife districts.

• Weekends (Fri–Sat):

  • Crowds start building around 8–9 p.m.
  • Rooftops, Buckhead, and Edgewood often peak between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

• Sunday:

  • Brunch-focused, with strong daytime drink traffic.
  • Evening tends to be calmer, though some bars still stay busy.

Always check a venue’s current posted hours; they can change with seasons, events, and management decisions.

3. What to Wear

Dress expectations shift by neighborhood:

• Buckhead & some Midtown rooftops:
  • Trendy/casual chic, no athletic wear or flip-flops at certain places, especially at night.
• BeltLine, breweries, neighborhood bars:
  • Very casual; sneakers and shorts are common.
• Hotel and fine-dining bars:
  • Smart casual is usually safest (no need for formalwear unless it’s a specific event).

If you’re unsure, assume smart casual and you’ll fit in most places.

4. Weather & Outdoor Seating

Atlanta’s climate means patios and rooftops stay busy much of the year:

• Spring and fall: Prime patio season; places can get crowded, especially after work and on weekends.
• Summer: Heat and humidity can be intense midday; many people favor evenings and shaded or misted patios.
• Winter: Some rooftops and patios remain open with heaters, but options narrow slightly.

If outdoor seating is important, look for bars along:

• The Eastside BeltLine
• West Midtown warehouse complexes
• Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and parts of Grant Park

Helpful Local Contact Points (Transportation & Safety)

While individual bar contact details change often, a few stable, city-level resources are useful when planning nights out in Atlanta:

• MARTA Customer Service

  • Phone: 404-848-5000
  • Main Rail Stations for nightlife:
    • Midtown Station (Midtown bars, some rooftops)
    • North Avenue Station (Fox Theatre area)
    • Buckhead Station (Buckhead bars, some walk or short rideshare)
    • Decatur Station (Decatur Square bars and restaurants)

• City of Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency

  • Phone: 404-658-6666
  • For emergencies, dial 911.

Using transit and rideshare reduces parking stress and supports safer nights out, especially in busy nightlife districts.

Atlanta’s best places to get drinks line up closely with its neighborhoods: pick the vibe you want first—rooftop views, BeltLine beers, Buckhead nightlife, or neighborhood-bar cozy—and then choose an area like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, EAV, Grant Park, or Decatur. From there, you’ll find plenty of bars, breweries, and lounges within a few blocks of each other, making it easy to turn one drink into a full night out.