Best Bar and Grill Spots in Atlanta, Georgia: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch the Game

Atlanta takes its bar and grill scene seriously. Whether you’re catching a Falcons game, meeting coworkers after the office, or showing out-of-town guests a taste of local flavor, you’ll find plenty of spots that mix good food, full bars, and a relaxed atmosphere.

This guide focuses specifically on bar and grill options in Atlanta, Georgia—what to expect, where different types of places tend to cluster, and how to pick the right spot for your night out.

What “Bar and Grill” Usually Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, a bar and grill typically offers:

• Full bar (beer, wine, and cocktails)
• Casual seating (booths, high-tops, bar seating, patios where possible)
• Hearty food like burgers, wings, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers
• TVs for sports, especially football, basketball, and soccer
• Often late hours and game-day crowds

You’ll see everything from neighborhood taverns to sports-focused bar and grills to more modern spots that lean into craft cocktails and chef-driven menus. Many are family-friendly during the day and early evening, then shift to a more adult crowd at night.

Popular Areas in Atlanta for Bar and Grill Lovers

You can find a bar and grill in almost every part of Atlanta, but some neighborhoods offer especially dense clusters:

Knowing where you’ll be in the city (or where your hotel is) helps narrow down convenient options.

Types of Bar and Grill Experiences in Atlanta

1. Sports-Focused Bar and Grills

If your priority is watching the game, look for places with:

• Multiple large TVs visible from most seats
• Game-day food specials (wings, sliders, nachos)
• Plenty of draft beer and pitchers
• Loud, energetic crowds on big game nights

These are usually clustered around:

• Downtown near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• Midtown along Peachtree Street and neighboring side streets
• Parts of Buckhead that cater to weekend sports-watchers

Sports-focused spots are especially busy during Falcons, Hawks, United, college football, and major national games. On those days, it’s smart to:

• Arrive at least an hour early
• Expect standing-room only at kickoff or tipoff in popular bars
• Budget for valet or rideshare in tight parking areas like Midtown and Buckhead

2. Neighborhood Bar and Grills

In many Atlanta neighborhoods, the local bar and grill functions as a community hangout. Expect:

• Regulars at the bar
• Consistent menus with burgers, wings, salads, and simple entrées
• A mix of families early and younger adults later in the evening
• Occasional trivia nights, karaoke, or local events

You’ll find these scattered across:

• Virginia-Highland
• Grant Park
• West End / Westview
• Kirkwood, East Atlanta Village, and nearby corridors

If you live in Atlanta, a quick search within your specific neighborhood name plus “bar and grill” will usually turn up at least one or two reliable local options.

3. Bar and Grills Near Major Atlanta Attractions

If you’re visiting and want something close to where you’re already sightseeing, there are plenty of bar and grill-style choices near:

• Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca-Cola / Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)
  • Walkable spots with burgers, wings, and drinks cater heavily to visitors and convention crowds.
• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward)
  • Several bar-and-grill-type places with patios, easy access by foot or scooter, and a younger crowd.
• The Battery Atlanta (Cobb County, by Truist Park)
  • Though just outside the city limits, many Atlanta locals head here on game days. It’s full of bar and grill choices geared toward baseball fans and concert-goers.

For big event days—concerts, Hawks or Falcons games, large conventions—plan for:

• Crowded venues
• Limited parking and higher parking rates
• Longer waits for tables and food

What You’ll Typically Find on the Menu

Most Atlanta bar and grills offer a similar core menu, with regional twists here and there.

Classic Bar and Grill Food

Expect many of these staples:

• Burgers with customizable toppings
• Chicken wings (lemon pepper is especially popular in Atlanta)
• Fried appetizers: mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, onion rings
• Sandwiches and wraps: chicken sandwiches, club sandwiches, Philly-style options
• Salads: often with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak add-ons
• Tacos or sliders in some more modern or fusion spots

Many Atlanta places also nod to Southern or local flavors, offering:

• Shrimp and grits
• Fried chicken tenders or sandwiches
• Pimento cheese-style dips or burgers

Drinks: What to Expect

Most bar and grills in Atlanta will have:

• A mix of domestic, imported, and local craft beers
• Classic mixed drinks (rum and coke, gin and tonic, margaritas)
• An increasingly common menu of signature cocktails

If you’re interested in local beer, Atlanta has an active craft-brewing scene. Many bar and grills carry selections from:

• Atlanta-based or Georgia-based breweries
• Seasonal or rotating tap lists

If having a particular beer or cocktail style matters to you, call ahead and ask what’s on tap or on the cocktail list before you go.

Practical Tips for Choosing a Bar and Grill in Atlanta

1. Think About Parking and Transportation

Parking can be the deciding factor in Atlanta, especially in busier districts.

• Downtown and Midtown

  • Expect paid garages, surface lots, and limited street parking.
  • Many visitors and locals use MARTA rail (Five Points, Peachtree Center, Arts Center, Midtown stations) plus a short walk or rideshare.

• Buckhead

  • Commonly features valet or deck parking near bar-and-grill-heavy blocks.
  • Traffic can back up on Peachtree Road and Piedmont Road during peak hours.

• Intown neighborhoods (Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland)

  • Primarily street parking—watch for permit-only zones and time limits.
  • Popular with rideshare users and BeltLine walkers.

If you plan to drink, consider:

• Rideshare services
• MARTA for areas near major stations
• Designated drivers within your group

2. Check Hours and Kitchen Closing Times

In Atlanta, it’s common for:

• The bar to stay open later than the kitchen
• Weeknight hours to be shorter than weekend hours

If you’re planning a late-night meal, call or check current hours to confirm:

• Last food order time
• Weekend vs. weekday schedule
• Special hours on holidays or game days

3. Decide on Your Atmosphere

Before you go, clarify what kind of setting you want:

• Loud and energetic: choose sports-focused bar and grills in Midtown, Downtown, or near major venues
• Laid-back neighborhood feel: look in Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, or smaller intown pockets
• More polished or “date night” bar and grill: Buckhead, West Midtown, or certain BeltLine-adjacent spots

If you’re bringing kids or older family members, consider:

• Earlier evening hours (quieter, less crowded)
• Calling ahead to confirm whether the space is family-friendly at the time you plan to arrive

Safety, Local Laws, and ID Requirements

If you’re planning to drink at a bar and grill in Atlanta, keep in mind:

• Minimum drinking age in Georgia is 21.
• Most bar and grills will check IDs, especially in busier areas and late at night. Acceptable IDs generally include:
  • State-issued driver’s license or ID
  • Passport
  • Military ID

Bar and grills in Atlanta are responsible for following local alcohol service rules, which can include:

• Cutting off service to visibly intoxicated patrons
• Last call times that vary slightly by area

If you ever need assistance related to alcohol safety, transportation, or disturbances, you can contact:

• Atlanta Police Department (non-emergency): 404-614-6544
• Emergency services (police, fire, medical): 911

How to Find the Right Bar and Grill for Your Plan

Use these quick filters when searching in Atlanta:

• “Sports bar and grill in [neighborhood]”

  • If you want big screens, game sound, and a rowdy crowd.

• “Family-friendly bar and grill near [landmark]”

  • If you’re combining sightseeing with a meal (e.g., near Centennial Olympic Park or Georgia Aquarium).

• “Patio bar and grill Atlanta”

  • If you want outdoor seating, especially in Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or West Midtown.

• “Late-night bar and grill Atlanta”

  • Useful if you’re leaving a show at the Fox Theatre, State Farm Arena, or a Midtown venue and still want a full meal.

Call ahead if:

• You have a large group (many places can accommodate but may need advance notice).
• You’re planning around a major game or concert.
• You have dietary restrictions and need to confirm gluten-free, vegetarian, or other options.

Local Agencies and Contacts That May Help Visitors

While these aren’t bar and grills themselves, a few Atlanta resources can be useful if you’re planning a visit and want broader information:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: 404-546-6815
  • Can provide general guidance on cultural districts and events that may affect crowds and traffic near bar and grill areas.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: 404-521-6600
  • Helpful for visitor information, downtown maps, and area overviews around major attractions and dining clusters.

These offices do not recommend specific businesses, but they can help you understand which parts of the city best match the kind of bar-and-grill atmosphere you’re looking for.

Atlanta’s bar and grill options are woven into the city’s sports culture, neighborhood life, and nightlife. Whether you’re a local looking for a new regular spot or a visitor trying to plan a night out, focusing on which neighborhood you’ll be in, what kind of atmosphere you prefer, and how you’ll get there will help you quickly narrow down the best bar and grill experience in Atlanta, Georgia.