The Southern Gentleman in Atlanta, GA: A Local’s Guide to This Buckhead Gastro-Pub

If you’ve searched for “The Southern Gentleman Atlanta GA”, you’re almost certainly looking for the modern Southern gastropub in Buckhead that blends classic Southern charm with a polished, urban vibe. This spot has become a familiar name for Atlanta locals, office happy hours, and visitors staying in the Buckhead area who want a sit-down, Southern-inspired meal and cocktails without anything feeling too touristy.

Below is a clear, practical guide to what The Southern Gentleman is, where it is, and what to know before you go—specifically from an Atlanta-focused point of view.

Where The Southern Gentleman Is in Atlanta

Neighborhood: Buckhead (inside Buckhead Village area)
Typical setting: Upscale shopping and dining district, walkable, valet and deck parking nearby

The Southern Gentleman is located in Buckhead, one of Atlanta’s main dining and shopping hubs. It sits in the Buckhead Village development (formerly known as The Shops Buckhead Atlanta), surrounded by boutiques, other restaurants, and mixed-use office and residential spaces.

For most Atlanta residents:

• From Midtown: It’s usually a quick drive up Peachtree Road NE into Buckhead.
• From Downtown: Expect a longer drive north on Peachtree or GA-400/75–85 depending on traffic.
• From Brookhaven/Sandy Springs: Driving south along Peachtree or down GA-400 puts you in Buckhead fairly quickly outside of rush hour.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying at a Buckhead hotel along Peachtree Road, The Southern Gentleman is often within a short rideshare or even walking distance, depending on the property.

What Kind of Restaurant The Southern Gentleman Is

The Southern Gentleman is best described as a:

• Modern Southern gastropub
• Cocktail-forward restaurant
• Upscale casual spot (dressy casual is common in Buckhead)

It’s not a white-tablecloth, old-school Southern restaurant, but it isn’t a dive bar either. Locals often treat it as:

• A date night spot that’s not overly formal
• A pre-shopping or post-shopping stop when spending an afternoon in Buckhead Village
• A cocktail bar with a full dinner menu, especially for people who like whiskey and bourbon

You’ll see office groups from nearby Buckhead towers, Buckhead residents, and visitors who want something that feels distinctly “Atlanta Southern,” but updated.

Atmosphere: What to Expect When You Walk In

The vibe inside The Southern Gentleman tends to be:

• Warm and polished – dark woods, leather, and classic bar elements
• Lively, but not chaotic – especially at peak dinner and weekend hours
• Comfortably upscale – people are often dressed smart-casual: nice jeans, dresses, or business casual outfits

In Buckhead, this atmosphere fits in with nearby spots that blend a cocktail bar feel with a sit-down restaurant. Locals often use it as a meeting point because:

• It feels “special” enough for out-of-town guests
• It still works as a drop-in spot for a drink and small plates if you’re in the area

If you don’t like loud environments, evenings and weekends can be energetic, but it’s generally more controlled and polished than loud sports bars or clubby venues in other parts of the city.

Food at The Southern Gentleman: Southern, but Modern

The menu at The Southern Gentleman is typically built around Southern-inspired dishes with a contemporary twist. It’s the kind of place where you might see:

• Updated Southern classics – like elevated fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or pork dishes
• Seasonal, regionally influenced sides – think local vegetables, pimento cheese, or skillet-style preparations
• Shareable small plates – ideal if you’re having cocktails at the bar and don’t want a full entrée

From an Atlanta perspective, this means you’re not getting “meat and three” cafeteria-style plates or hyper-traditional soul food. Instead, it’s the newer wave of Buckhead-style Southern: refined plating, emphasis on ingredients, and a menu that works equally well for a full dinner or bar snacks.

If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, Atlanta diners commonly:

• Ask about vegetarian or lighter options
• Check with staff about ingredients for gluten-sensitive or allergy-aware dining

The staff is used to these questions, especially given the volume of professional and out-of-town guests Buckhead receives.

Drinks and Cocktails: A Big Part of the Experience

For many Atlantans, The Southern Gentleman is as much a cocktail bar as it is a restaurant.

You can generally expect:

• Southern-inspired cocktails – often incorporating bourbon, rye, or classic American spirits
• A focus on whiskey and bourbon selections
• A mix of signature cocktails and familiar standbys (Old Fashioned, Manhattans, etc.)

If you’re spending time in Buckhead and want a pre-dinner or after-dinner drink, this bar is often on shortlists because:

• It’s walkable from other spots in Buckhead Village
• It feels a little more “grown-up” than some louder nightlife options in the immediate area

Non-alcoholic options are also typically available for those who want the atmosphere without drinking.

Typical Pricing and Budget Expectations

While exact prices change over time, Buckhead dining in general—and The Southern Gentleman in particular—tends to fall into the mid-to-upper range for Atlanta.

Here’s a simple overview to help you plan:

For locals, it’s not an everyday quick dinner spot. It’s more often used for:

• Celebrating birthdays, promotions, or visiting family
• Date nights or special evenings in Buckhead
• Business or client dinners when you want a Southern feel without going too old-fashioned

Reservations, Timing, and When to Go

In Atlanta, especially in popular Buckhead restaurants, timing matters. With The Southern Gentleman, locals often consider:

• Evenings and weekends:

  • Can be busy, especially during peak dinner hours
  • Reservations are commonly recommended, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays

• Weekday evenings:

  • Often easier to get a table, though post-work hours can still be active

• Lunch or earlier hours (if offered):

  • Typically more relaxed
  • Convenient if you’re already in Buckhead Village for shopping or meetings

Since Buckhead traffic can be unpredictable, many Atlanta residents plan a buffer:

• Arrive a bit early, park, and walk the Buckhead Village area
• Use valet or a nearby deck, then head into The Southern Gentleman at reservation time

Getting There: Transportation and Parking Tips in Atlanta

Because this restaurant is in Buckhead—the heart of a busy commercial district—transportation and parking are key considerations.

Driving and Parking

Most Atlanta locals still drive to Buckhead, so options often include:

• Parking decks in or near Buckhead Village
• Valet services sometimes available near the restaurant or within the development

Parking costs can vary, and Buckhead can feel tight at peak dinner times. If you’re driving in from Midtown, Downtown, or northern suburbs, build in extra time in case of heavy traffic, especially on Thursdays–Saturdays.

Rideshare and Public Transit

For both locals and visitors, rideshare (Uber, Lyft) is a popular choice for Buckhead evenings, especially if you plan to enjoy cocktails.

If you’re using MARTA:

• The nearest rail stop is typically Buckhead Station on the Red Line.
• From there, many diners opt for a short rideshare to Buckhead Village, as the walk involves busy roads and can be less comfortable at night.

Who The Southern Gentleman Is Best For in Atlanta

From a local perspective, The Southern Gentleman tends to work well for:

• Couples looking for a polished but not overly formal date night
• Groups of friends or coworkers who want a central Buckhead meeting spot
• Out-of-town guests you want to impress with modern Southern food and drinks
• Buckhead shoppers wanting to cap off a day with a nice dinner or drinks

It may be less ideal if you’re:

• Looking for very budget-friendly dining
• Wanting ultra-casual, fast-service food
• Seeking deeply traditional, no-frills Southern home cooking (for that, Atlantans often go to more classic diners or soul food spots in other neighborhoods)

Practical Tips for Atlanta Diners and Visitors

A few simple pointers can make your visit smoother:

• 📅 Consider reservations: Especially for weekend dinners, Atlanta locals commonly book ahead to avoid waits.
• ⏰ Plan around traffic: If you’re crossing the city, give yourself extra time during rush hours or weekends.
• 👔 Dress smart casual: You’ll see everything from nice jeans and shirts to business casual—very typical for Buckhead evenings.
• 🍸 Think of it as part bar, part restaurant: You can treat it as either a full dinner destination or a strong cocktail stop with snacks.
• 🚗 Have a parking or rideshare plan: It’s in a prime Buckhead shopping area, so think through where you’ll park or get dropped off.

If your search for “The Southern Gentleman Atlanta GA” was about finding out whether this Buckhead gastropub is worth a stop, the short version from an Atlanta-focused lens is: it’s a well-known, modern Southern restaurant and cocktail bar in Buckhead Village, popular with locals and visitors who want an updated, polished take on Southern food and drinks in one of the city’s busiest dining districts.