Brick Store Pub in Decatur: A Local’s Guide to One of Metro Atlanta’s Most Beloved Pubs

If you spend any time in Decatur or exploring Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods, you’re going to hear about Brick Store Pub. Tucked right on the Decatur Square, it’s often described as a classic neighborhood pub, a serious beer bar, and a cozy hangout spot all at once.

This guide walks through what Brick Store Pub is like, how it fits into Decatur’s scene, what to expect if you’re visiting from elsewhere in Atlanta, and how to get the most out of a visit.

Where Brick Store Pub Fits Into Decatur and Atlanta

Brick Store Pub sits in the heart of downtown Decatur, just east of Atlanta and connected directly by MARTA. For many locals, it’s:

• A go-to after-work spot for a beer and conversation
• A weekend meetup place before or after events on the square
• A comfortable introduction to Decatur for people who usually stay in Midtown, Inman Park, or the Old Fourth Ward

The pub pairs well with Decatur’s broader personality: walkable streets, historic buildings, independent restaurants, and a slower pace than you might feel in central Atlanta. If you’re visiting from other parts of the metro area, Brick Store is an easy anchor for exploring the square and nearby blocks.

Location, Getting There, and Practical Details

Brick Store Pub is located on the Decatur Square in downtown Decatur, a separate city directly adjoining Atlanta on the east side.

• Neighborhood: Downtown Decatur
• Nearby landmarks: Decatur MARTA Station, Decatur Courthouse, the main square and lawn

Getting There from Around Atlanta

By MARTA:

• Take the Blue Line (East-West line) to Decatur Station
• When you exit to the square, Brick Store Pub is a short walk across or along the main plaza
• This is one of the easiest intown spots to reach by transit if you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, Inman Park, or East Lake

By car:

• From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta, you can usually reach Decatur via:
  • Ponce de Leon Avenue heading east, or
  • DeKalb Avenue to Commerce Drive, or
  • I-20 or I-85/285 depending on where you’re starting
• Look for paid street parking around the square and in nearby public decks. Decatur’s downtown is compact, so once you park, you can typically walk everywhere.

📝 Tip: Parking rules and times can vary by block. Check posted signs carefully, especially if you’re arriving during weekday business hours or for a longer evening visit.

Atmosphere: What It’s Like Inside Brick Store Pub

Brick Store Pub is known for feeling like an old-world neighborhood tavern in the middle of a modern city.

Common things people notice:

• Warm, brick-and-wood interior that feels cozy rather than flashy
• Two levels, often with the ground floor focused on draft beer and casual hangouts and the upstairs known for a quieter, more classic pub feel
• A mix of Decatur regulars, East Atlanta and Kirkwood residents, and visitors who came in on MARTA or drove over from other parts of the metro

It tends to feel:

• Relaxed and conversational rather than loud and club-like
• Lively in the evenings and on weekends, especially when Decatur is hosting festivals or events
• Welcoming to both solo visitors and groups

If you’re used to Atlanta’s bigger, more high-energy bar scenes in places like Buckhead or the Gulch, Brick Store Pub will likely feel more intimate and laid-back.

Beer and Drinks: Why Brick Store Pub Is a Destination

The pub has a strong reputation across Atlanta’s beer community for its carefully curated tap list and bottle selection, especially in European and classic styles.

Expect to find:

• Rotating draft beers featuring:
  • Local and regional breweries from around metro Atlanta and Georgia
  • Traditional European styles such as Belgian ales and German lagers
• A thoughtful bottle or cellar list, often emphasizing classic and specialty beers
• A guest experience that leans toward education without being pretentious—staff are accustomed to helping people choose something they’ll enjoy, whether you’re into IPAs, sours, lagers, or just want “something light and not too bitter”

For Atlanta residents who are used to brewery taprooms in West Midtown, the Westside, or the BeltLine, Brick Store offers a pub-style alternative where the focus is on tasting a wide variety of beers in one place rather than drinking a single brewery’s lineup.

Food: Pub-Style Comfort in the Heart of Decatur

Brick Store Pub serves a menu that lines up with classic pub comfort food, tailored to fit the Decatur crowd.

While specific dishes can change, you can generally expect:

• Sandwiches and burgers that pair well with beer
• Hearty, shareable snacks for groups
• Options that appeal to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, which fits with Decatur’s overall food scene

It’s not a white-tablecloth restaurant, and it’s not fast food—think casual sit-down with a clear emphasis on good beer paired with solid, reliable pub fare.

If you’re spending the day in Decatur, it’s common to:

1. Grab a late lunch here, then wander the square
2. Or eat elsewhere in Decatur and come to Brick Store afterward for a relaxed drink

When to Go: Timing Your Visit

Brick Store Pub can feel different depending on when you arrive, and your experience may change based on whether Decatur has events happening.

Typical Visit Patterns

• Weekday afternoons:

  • Quieter, easier to find a seat
  • Good for people who work nearby, remote workers taking a break, or anyone who prefers low-key vibes

• Weekday evenings:

  • Gathers an after-work crowd from Decatur and nearby Atlanta neighborhoods
  • Can be busy but usually not overwhelming unless there’s a big event in the area

• Weekends:

  • Often more crowded, especially on Friday and Saturday nights
  • The Decatur Square itself is more active, with people walking between multiple bars and restaurants

• Festival days in Decatur:

  • During popular square events (arts festivals, beer and wine events, community gatherings), the pub may be very busy
  • If you enjoy energetic crowds and festival atmospheres, these days can be fun; if you prefer a calmer visit, you’ll likely enjoy non-event weekends or weeknights

Brick Store Pub as a Starting Point for Exploring Decatur

For someone coming from elsewhere in Atlanta, Brick Store Pub makes an effective “home base” for a Decatur day or evening.

Here’s a simple way to build a visit around it:

This works well for:

• Intown residents who usually stay in one neighborhood and want a change of scenery
• Suburban Atlantans who want to sample a walkable, transit-friendly district without committing to a full weekend trip
• Visitors staying in Downtown or Midtown hotels who want someplace that feels more like a local hangout than a tourist-heavy bar

What Makes Brick Store Pub Stand Out in the Atlanta Area

Within metro Atlanta’s wide range of bar and pub options, Brick Store Pub is often remembered for a few consistent qualities:

• Neighborhood feel:
  Even though it’s well-known, it still functions as a true local pub for Decatur residents, not just a destination bar.

• Beer-focused but approachable:
  Beer enthusiasts appreciate the variety and depth, while newcomers find it easy to get personalized suggestions.

• Historic, walkable setting:
  Being right on Decatur Square gives it a unique context compared to many standalone bars along major roads or in newer developments.

• Connection to the wider Atlanta bar scene:
  It’s part of why Decatur is frequently mentioned alongside Midtown, Virginia-Highland, and East Atlanta Village when people talk about Atlanta’s best neighborhoods for a night out.

Tips for Atlantans Planning a Visit

To make your trip smoother:

• Consider MARTA if you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, or the East/West line corridor. You’ll avoid parking hassles and can enjoy your visit without worrying about driving.
• Check what’s happening on the Decatur Square the day you go. City-sponsored events, festivals, or concerts can dramatically change crowd levels and parking.
• Plan for some walking. Decatur is compact but dense with restaurants, bars, and shops. Comfortable shoes make it easy to turn your pub visit into a longer neighborhood exploration.
• Be flexible about timing if you prefer a quieter visit—weekday afternoons or early evenings are usually your best bet.

Brick Store Pub is more than just a place to grab a beer; it’s one of the spots that helps define Decatur’s role in the broader Atlanta area—a walkable, neighborly, and welcoming pocket of the city where you can slow down, enjoy a good drink, and get a sense of local life just a short ride from downtown Atlanta.