Florence Tavern in Atlanta: What to Expect From This Kitchen & Bar

Florence Tavern is the kind of neighborhood kitchen and bar many Atlantans look for: casual, food-forward, and built around a solid drink program. If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and trying to decide whether Florence Tavern belongs in your plans, this guide walks through what you can realistically expect from a spot like this in the city.

While individual menus and concepts change over time, the details below reflect how a modern Atlanta tavern-style kitchen and bar typically operates, what to look for, and how to get the most out of your visit.

Where a Place Like Florence Tavern Fits Into Atlanta’s Dining Scene

In Atlanta, a “tavern” or “kitchen and bar” usually means:

• A full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine
• A real food menu, not just snacks
• A relaxed, often neighborhood-driven vibe
• Somewhere you can go for both dinner and drinks, not only one or the other

This type of spot often bridges the gap between a traditional bar and a restaurant. Many Atlantans use places like Florence Tavern for:

• After-work drinks and a bite
• Weekend meetups with friends
• Casual date nights that don’t feel too formal
• A pre-game stop before events downtown, in Midtown, or at nearby venues

If you’re used to big, reservation-heavy restaurants in Buckhead or Inman Park, a tavern kitchen and bar will usually feel more flexible and laid-back—often with walk-in seating, bar stools, and TVs without the feel of a full sports bar.

Atmosphere: What It’s Likely Like Inside

Most Atlanta kitchen-and-bar taverns share a few traits:

• Casual dress code – Jeans, sneakers, and game-day jerseys are normal.
• Mix of bar and table seating – High-tops, bar rail, possibly a few booths.
• TVs but not a wall-to-wall sports bar – Enough to catch Braves, Hawks, or Falcons games, but still comfortable for people who don’t care about sports.
• Music at a conversational level – Typically a mix of current and classic tracks, sometimes themed to the neighborhood’s vibe.

If Florence Tavern is your meetup spot, plan on:

• Slightly louder evenings on weekends and during major games
• A more relaxed feel earlier in the week or at off-peak hours
• A come-as-you-are environment where locals, visitors, and office crowds overlap

Food: What “Kitchen and Bar” Usually Means in Atlanta

When an Atlanta restaurant calls itself a kitchen and bar, the food tends to be more than standard bar fare. You can often expect a menu built around:

Core Menu Staples

Most tavern-style spots in Atlanta offer:

• Shareable starters

  • Wings (lemon pepper, hot, house specialty sauces)
  • Fried pickles, pimento cheese, sliders
  • Loaded fries or tots

• Burgers and sandwiches

  • House burgers with customizable toppings
  • Fried or grilled chicken sandwiches
  • Veggie or black bean burgers in more modern spots

• Plates and mains

  • Salads with protein add-ons
  • Simple pastas or grain bowls
  • Daily specials that rotate, often reflecting seasonal ingredients

• Comfort food with a Southern lean

  • Items like fried chicken, biscuits, or pimento cheese-based dishes are common in Atlanta taverns, even when the menu is otherwise varied.

Dietary Considerations

Atlanta’s food scene has grown more diet-friendly and flexible, so many tavern kitchens now:

• Offer vegetarian options, like veggie burgers or meat-free salads
• Can adjust dishes for dairy-free or lighter preparations on request
• Sometimes have at least one or two gluten-sensitive choices, even if not fully gluten-free

If you have strict dietary needs, it’s smart to:

• Call ahead and ask what can be modified
• Visit at a less busy time so staff can better accommodate adjustments

Drinks: Cocktails, Beer, and More

A key reason Atlantans gravitate to places like Florence Tavern is that the bar program matters almost as much as the food.

Cocktails

You’ll typically find:

• Classic cocktails (old fashioneds, margaritas, martinis)
• House specialties that match the tavern’s personality
• Seasonal drinks using fresh juices or local ingredients

Many Atlanta bars lean into bourbon and whiskey, given the region, so expect at least a few strong whiskey-based options on the menu.

Beer

Atlanta drinkers usually see:

• A mix of national brands on draft and in bottles/cans
• Local brews from metro-area breweries (for example, often from producers in the West Midtown, Decatur, or Tucker areas)
• A balance of lagers, IPAs, and at least one darker or malt-forward beer

If you like trying local beer, ask the bartender which draft is Atlanta-based or Georgia-based.

Non-Alcoholic Options

Most kitchen-and-bar spots now understand that not everyone drinks. You’ll likely find:

• Soft drinks, iced tea (often sweet and unsweet)
• Simple mocktails or zero-proof versions of popular drinks
• Juices, sodas, and sometimes NA beer

If you’re skipping alcohol, you can still fit right in at the bar.

Typical Hours, Reservations, and Wait Times

Exact hours vary, but Atlanta tavern kitchens commonly follow patterns like:

To avoid long waits:

• Try to arrive before 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
• Consider going earlier on game days if you’re planning to watch at the bar
• Call ahead to check wait times if you’re with a larger group

Neighborhood Fit: How Location Affects Your Experience

Where Florence Tavern sits in Atlanta will shape your visit:

• Downtown / Around the stadiums

  • Heavier event traffic before and after games or concerts
  • Great for a pre- or post-event drink and meal
  • Parking can be tighter; more rideshares and walking traffic

• Midtown / Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park areas

  • Popular with young professionals and weekend crowds
  • Often close to the BeltLine, MARTA, or bike/scooter routes
  • Walking from nearby apartments and hotels is common

• Neighborhood corridors (Grant Park, West Midtown, etc.)

  • More local regulars
  • Feels like a “third place” for nearby residents
  • Street parking or small lots, depending on the area

If you’re visiting from out of town, checking how close Florence Tavern is to MARTA stations, the Atlanta Streetcar, or the BeltLine can help you decide whether to drive or use transit or rideshares.

Parking and Getting There

Parking and transportation are big considerations in Atlanta:

• Driving:

  • Many tavern-style spots have small surface lots; others rely on nearby decks or street parking.
  • Always look for posted signs about time limits or towing.

• Rideshare:

  • Often the easiest choice if you plan to drink.
  • Common around Downtown, Midtown, and other nightlife-heavy corridors.

• Transit:

  • If Florence Tavern is near a MARTA rail station or on a major bus route, using MARTA can help avoid parking stress, especially during big events.

When in doubt, checking a map app for “parking near [Florence Tavern]” before you head out helps you avoid circling the block during prime hours.

What It Costs: Typical Price Ranges

Prices vary by neighborhood and concept, but Atlanta kitchen and bar pricing often looks like:

• Starters / apps: Moderately priced, especially shareables
• Burgers / sandwiches: Mid-range; often served with a side
• Entrees / mains: Higher than bar snacks but usually below high-end restaurants
• Cocktails: Mid-tier Atlanta bar pricing, with higher prices for premium spirits
• Beer and wine: A mix of budget-friendly and mid-range options

If you’re budgeting:

• Plan for a bit more than fast casual, but less than a full white-tablecloth dinner.
• Happy hour or weekday specials (if offered) can make things more affordable.

Tips for a Smooth Visit

To make the most of a stop at Florence Tavern or any similar Atlanta kitchen and bar:

• Check hours before you go. Atlanta restaurants sometimes adjust hours seasonally or around major events.
• Ask about the house favorites. Bartenders and servers often know which dishes and drinks regulars love.
• Consider off-peak times. Early evenings or weekday nights are usually less crowded if you prefer a quieter setting.
• Use rideshare if you’re drinking. It’s the simplest way to enjoy the bar without worrying about driving.

How Florence Tavern Fits Into an Atlanta Day or Night Out

For locals and visitors, a tavern-style kitchen and bar works well as:

• A starting point before heading to a show, game, or concert
• The main event for a casual night with friends, with full dinner and drinks
• A post-work decompression spot that doesn’t require dressing up

If you’re planning time in Atlanta and want somewhere relaxed with real food and a fully stocked bar, Florence Tavern fits the profile of the modern Atlanta neighborhood kitchen and bar—casual, flexible, and built around both good plates and good pours.