Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery is a long-running downtown Atlanta spot that combines a full-service restaurant with an in-house craft brewery and a wood-fired grill. If you live in Atlanta, work downtown, or are visiting nearby attractions, it’s a practical option for a sit-down meal, local beer, or group gathering.

Where Max Lager’s Fits Into Atlanta’s Dining Scene

Max Lager’s is best understood as a hybrid of three things:

• A grill-focused restaurant with steaks, burgers, and wood-fired pizzas
• A brewery that produces its own beers on-site
• A downtown gathering place for pre-game, post-conference, and after-work crowds

It tends to attract:

• Office workers in the Peachtree Center and nearby buildings
• Visitors staying at hotels around downtown, Centennial Olympic Park, and the convention district
• Locals coming in for a game at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium who want a full meal instead of quick bar food

If you’re comparing downtown options, Max Lager’s sits somewhere between a casual pub and a slightly more polished grill restaurant, with a menu broad enough to cover groups that don’t all want the same thing.

Location, Parking, and How to Get There in Atlanta

Address:
Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery
320 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

Getting There

Because it’s in downtown Atlanta, your best approach depends on how you’re arriving:

• MARTA:
  • Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines) is the closest. From the station, it’s a short walk along Peachtree Street NE.
• Driving:
  • Peachtree Street NE runs one-way southbound through this part of downtown. Use a GPS app to account for one-way streets and event-related closures near the convention and stadium areas.
• Rideshare / Taxi:
  • Rideshares usually drop on Peachtree Street or nearby cross streets. This is often simpler during big events when parking fills up quickly.

Parking Tips 🚗

Downtown parking can change based on time and events, but common patterns include:

• Decks and garages on and around Peachtree Street NE
• Hotel garages that may allow paid parking for non-guests
• Surface lots a block or two away, especially toward Courtland St and Piedmont Ave

If you’re going before a concert or sports event, it’s wise to:

• Arrive earlier than your reservation if driving
• Check for event-day pricing at nearby decks
• Consider MARTA to avoid traffic spikes

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Max Lager’s has the feel of a brewpub blended with a grill restaurant:

• Brewery equipment is often visible, reminding you the beer is made on-site
• A full bar area attracts after-work and pre-event crowds
• The dining room tends to be louder during peak hours but still works for families and groups
• On busy nights, it can feel like a classic downtown spot: energetic, a bit noisy, and very crowd-driven

Atlanta locals often use it as a place to:

• Meet coworkers after work
• Host small group dinners before walking to events at the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, or the Fox Theatre
• Bring visiting family or friends to a “downtown Atlanta” restaurant that still feels approachable

The Menu: Wood-Fired Grill, Pizzas, and Pub-Style Favorites

Max Lager’s menu is built around the wood-fired grill, with plenty of familiar American dishes. Exact options can change, but you’ll usually find:

Grilled and Main Dishes

Common categories include:

• Steaks and grilled meats from the wood-fired grill
• Burgers (often featuring house sauces or toppings)
• Chicken, pork, or seafood entrees
• Comfort-style plates (such as meat-and-side combinations or hearty mains)

Wood-Fired Pizzas

The wood-fired oven supports a selection of pizzas with:

• Classic toppings (pepperoni, cheese, sausage)
• More creative combinations tailored to pub-style dining

These can be useful for sharing with a group or for families with mixed tastes.

Starters, Salads, and Sides

You’ll usually see:

• Sharable appetizers like wings, dips, or fried bites
• Salads that can sometimes be made into a full meal
• Sides such as fries, roasted vegetables, or potatoes

If you’re planning a group visit, ordering a spread of starters and pizzas can work well when people want something less formal than a full plated meal.

Beer and Drinks: On-Site Brewery Focus

As a brewery as well as a restaurant, Max Lager’s brews its own beer. The specific options change, but a lineup often includes:

• Lagers and pilsners for lighter, crisper options
• IPAs and pale ales for hop-forward drinkers
• Seasonal or specialty brews that rotate throughout the year

Typical ways to explore the beer list:

• A flight (small pours of several varieties) to sample different styles
• Full pints of house favorites
• Asking servers for guidance based on what you typically drink, such as lighter wheat beers, bold IPAs, or malty ambers

The bar usually also offers:

• Wine by the glass or bottle
• Spirits and cocktails
• Non-alcoholic options like soft drinks and sometimes non-alcoholic beer or mocktails

If you’re visiting before driving across Atlanta afterward, planning ahead for a designated driver, MARTA, or rideshare is standard practice downtown.

When to Go: Timing, Reservations, and Crowds

Being in downtown Atlanta, traffic patterns inside the restaurant often follow:

Busier Times

• Weekday evenings (after offices close)
• Convention days, when events at the Georgia World Congress Center and nearby hotels are in full swing
• Pre-game and pre-concert hours for State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium

During these times, expect:

• Higher noise levels
• Longer waits for walk-ins
• Tighter parking in nearby garages and lots

Calmer Times

• Weekday lunches not linked to big conventions
• Early evenings on non-event nights
• Some Sundays, depending on downtown events and tourism flow

Reservations

Using a reservation is common if:

• You’re with a group of 4 or more
• You have a tight schedule (such as trying to make a curtain time at the Fox Theatre)
• It’s a major convention week or the night of a large stadium event

Walk-ins do get seated, but planning ahead generally helps in downtown Atlanta, especially when crowds spike around events.

Good Uses for Max Lager’s If You Live in Atlanta

For Atlanta residents, Max Lager’s often fills specific needs:

• After-work meetups if you or coworkers are based downtown or in Midtown
• Pre-theatre dinners if you’re heading to the Fox Theatre (you can walk or take a quick ride, depending on your timing)
• Hosting out-of-town visitors staying in downtown hotels who want a local beer and a familiar style of menu
• Casual celebrations like birthdays or coworker send-offs, thanks to a menu that usually suits a range of tastes

If you usually dine in neighborhoods like Inman Park, West Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward, Max Lager’s can feel more traditional and central—useful when you need a convenient meeting point for people coming from different directions around the metro area.

Tips for Visitors Staying in Downtown Atlanta Hotels

Many visitors to Atlanta end up in the Peachtree Center or downtown hotel cluster. For them, Max Lager’s is often:

• Within easy walking distance from many major hotels
• A one-stop spot for both local beer and a sit-down meal
• A way to sample an Atlanta-based brewery without leaving the downtown core

Helpful planning tips for visitors:

• Check your event schedule (conference sessions, tours, game time) and pick a reservation time that allows for relaxed dining plus travel time.
• If you’re unfamiliar with downtown one-way streets, walking or using MARTA/rideshare can be less stressful than driving.
• If you’re in town for a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center, consider walking through Centennial Olympic Park and then heading over, or taking a short rideshare if pressed for time.

Group Dining, Private Events, and Large Parties

As a larger downtown restaurant and brewery, Max Lager’s is often considered for:

• Corporate dinners tied to conventions or downtown offices
• Team outings for local companies
• Rehearsal dinners or casual wedding-related gatherings, especially when guests are concentrated at downtown hotels

For Atlanta-based planners, questions to clarify when contacting the restaurant typically include:

• Maximum group size they can seat together
• Whether there are semi-private or private areas
• Set menu vs. regular menu options for large parties
• Any minimum spend or contract terms for private events

Reaching out well in advance is especially important if your event overlaps with major conventions, sports playoffs, or concerts when downtown restaurants book out quickly.

Nearby Atlanta Landmarks and Pairing Your Visit

Max Lager’s location makes it easy to pair with other downtown activities. You can reasonably walk or take a short ride to:

• Peachtree Center shops and hotels
• Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola (a longer walk or short ride)
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena (walking distance for many, depending on route and time)
• The Fox Theatre in Midtown (usually a short ride; some comfortable walkers may walk part or all of the distance before or after a show)

This makes Max Lager’s a practical starting point or end point for a downtown day—grab lunch before sightseeing, or have dinner and a drink after an attraction or game.

Practical Checklist for Atlanta Diners Considering Max Lager’s

Use this quick overview when deciding if Max Lager’s fits your plans:

If you’re in or near downtown Atlanta and want a place where you can get wood-fired grill fare and locally brewed beer under the same roof, Max Lager’s is one of the more established options to keep on your list.