By George Restaurant & Bar in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for a polished kitchen and bar in downtown Atlanta that works for both a leisurely lunch and a pre-Fox-Theatre dinner, By George Restaurant & Bar is one of the names you’ll come across. Here’s how it fits into Atlanta’s dining scene, what to expect, and how to decide if it’s right for your plans.

Where By George Fits Into Atlanta’s Dining Scene

By George Restaurant & Bar is a hotel-based restaurant and bar in downtown Atlanta, designed as an all-day spot for:

• Business travelers staying nearby
• Locals grabbing cocktails before a show
• Visitors exploring downtown landmarks

It’s positioned as a modern American kitchen and bar, typically offering:

• A full bar with cocktails, wine, and beer
• A sit-down dining room with table service
• A more casual bar area for drinks and small bites

If you’re comparing it with other Atlanta options, think of it as more refined than a casual pub, but usually less formal than white-tablecloth fine dining.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

By George is located in downtown Atlanta, within walking distance of:

• Peachtree Street business corridor
• Major hotels
• Popular event venues and office buildings

This makes it especially convenient if you’re:

• Attending a conference at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Staying in a downtown hotel
• Going to a show at the Fox Theatre or another nearby venue and want a meal or drink within a short rideshare or MARTA trip

Transportation Tips 🚇🚗

• MARTA access: Downtown is served by the Peachtree Center and Five Points MARTA stations. If you’re coming from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, staying on MARTA and walking a few blocks is often easier than renting a car, especially during rush hours.
• Driving: Downtown Atlanta can be congested, especially around evening events and weekday rush hour. Allow extra time for traffic and parking.
• Parking: Most downtown restaurants rely on:
  • Hotel valet parking
  • Paid surface lots and garages
  • Limited street parking (metered)

If you’re driving specifically to By George, factor in parking cost and walking distance from the lot or garage you choose.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Expect a setting that’s more urban hotel lounge + restaurant than neighborhood tavern.

Common impressions from Atlanta diners include:

• Design: Modern, polished interior with a mix of tables and bar seating
• Noise level: Moderate – quieter at breakfast and lunch, livelier during the evening cocktail hour and pre-event rush
• Dress code: Generally smart casual
  • Fine for jeans and a nice top/shirt
  • Business-casual is common on weekdays
• Crowd:
  • Hotel guests and business travelers during the week
  • Locals and event-goers on evenings and weekends

If you want a “special night out” feel without strict formality, this type of restaurant and bar usually strikes a comfortable middle ground.

Food and Drink: What You’re Likely to Find

Menus change, but as a kitchen and bar in downtown Atlanta, By George typically leans into:

Food Style

• Modern American dishes with some Southern-leaning touches
• A mix of:
  • Appetizers and small plates (good for sharing over drinks)
  • Entree salads, burgers, and mains
  • Dessert options suitable for a lingering post-dinner drink

Expect familiar items like:

• Shareables: Charcuterie-style plates, appetizers, maybe fried or roasted starters
• Mains:
  • A burger or sandwich option
  • A chicken, fish, or steak choice
  • A vegetarian option such as a hearty salad or pasta, though the exact item can vary
• Brunch or breakfast (if offered): Eggs, pastries, and classic hotel-breakfast-style options with a more restaurant-forward presentation

If you have dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-conscious), it’s smart to:

• Check the current menu online
• Call ahead and ask how flexible they are with substitutions

The Bar

As a restaurant and bar, the drinks program is central. You’ll generally find:

• Cocktails:
  • House creations
  • Takes on classics like an Old Fashioned, martini, or gin and tonic
• Wine: A curated list by the glass and bottle, with common domestic and international options
• Beer: A mix of draft and bottled or canned beer, often including at least a few Georgia or regional brews

If you’re bar-hopping downtown, you could:

• Start at By George for a cocktail and appetizer
• Then head to another nearby bar or lounge closer to your event or hotel

When To Choose By George vs. Other Atlanta Spots

Atlanta has no shortage of places to eat and drink, so it helps to think about when By George makes the most sense.

Good Times to Choose By George

You might prioritize a place like By George if:

• You’re already staying or meeting in downtown and want to avoid driving
• You need reliable reservations before or after an event
• You’re with visitors or colleagues and want a professional but relaxed setting
• You prefer a full-service sit-down experience rather than a grab-and-go or fast-casual spot

It’s particularly useful for:

• Business lunches
• Pre-theater dinners
• Drinks and light bites before heading back to your hotel

When You Might Look Elsewhere

You might focus on other parts of Atlanta if you want:

• A more casual, neighborhood-bar feel (look to areas like Virginia-Highland, East Atlanta Village, or Grant Park)
• A more intensely “Atlanta” food identity, like:
  • Soul food in Castleberry Hill or West End
  • Trendy small plates in Inman Park or along the BeltLine
• A dedicated sports-bar experience with large TV walls and game-day crowds

Downtown is convenient and central, but for a Friday night “explore Atlanta” outing, many locals point visitors to Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Buckhead, or West Midtown for more nightlife variety.

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips

1. Reservations and Wait Times

• Reservations: A restaurant and bar in a downtown hotel environment often accepts reservations, especially for dinner.
• Walk-ins: Bar seats and a few tables may be available first-come, first-served, but can fill up around:
  • Large conventions
  • Concerts, games, and big events downtown

Tip: If you’re trying to eat within a specific window (for example, between work and an 8 p.m. show), reserving a table is usually safer.

2. Timing Your Meal Around Events

Downtown Atlanta can get especially busy around:

• Events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• Performances at the Fox Theatre

If you’re pairing By George with an event:

• Aim to arrive 60–90 minutes earlier than you think you need
• Let your server know if you have a hard time you must leave
• Consider sitting at the bar if you prefer a quicker in-and-out experience

3. Cost and Budgeting

While exact pricing changes, a kitchen-and-bar style restaurant in this setting typically falls into a mid to upper-mid price range, especially compared with casual chains or fast-casual spots.

To avoid surprises:

• Review the current menu and prices beforehand
• Factor in tax, tip, and parking costs
• Expect cocktails to be priced similarly to other downtown and Midtown Atlanta bars

At-a-Glance Overview

How Locals Might Use By George in Their Routine

If you live in Atlanta, you might work a place like By George into your week by:

• Meeting an out-of-town client for breakfast or lunch downtown
• Stopping in for a drink and an appetizer before walking or taking a quick rideshare to a show
• Suggesting it as a central meeting point when friends are scattered across the metro (Decatur, Buckhead, Westside, etc.) and want a halfway downtown spot that feels a bit upscale but approachable

For regular nights out, many locals switch things up by rotating between downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward/BeltLine, and West Midtown depending on whether the focus is food, cocktails, walking around, or live music.

How to Decide if By George Is Right for You

Ask yourself:

• Am I already going to be in downtown Atlanta?
  • If yes, By George can be a highly convenient option.
• Do I want a sit-down, full-service meal with a good bar program?
  • If yes, a kitchen-and-bar restaurant like this fits well.
• Is my priority a uniquely “local” neighborhood vibe?
  • If so, consider supplementing your trip with stops in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park on other nights.

For many Atlanta visitors and downtown workers, By George serves as a reliable, comfortable choice: easy to reach, polished enough for business or a date, and flexible enough for just drinks or a full meal.