Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar in Virginia-Highland: What Atlanta Diners Should Know

Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar in Virginia-Highland was once a well‑known spot in Atlanta for casual tapas and tequila-focused drinks. If you’re searching for “Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar – Highlands” today, you’re probably trying to figure out whether it’s still open, what took its place, and where you can find a similar experience in Atlanta now.

This guide walks through what happened to Noche, what you’ll find in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood today, and how to find tapas, tequila, and kitchen‑and‑bar style restaurants around Atlanta that feel similar.

Is Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar – Highlands Still Open?

Short answer: No – Noche in Virginia-Highland is closed.

Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar once operated in the Virginia-Highland area of Atlanta, a neighborhood locals often call “VaHi”. It was part of a local restaurant group and known for:

• Small-plate tapas
• A strong tequila and margarita menu
• A casual, social atmosphere that worked well for groups

Over time, the Noche locations across Atlanta shut down, including the one in Virginia-Highland. The exact concept in that spot has changed, and the Noche brand is no longer an active, citywide restaurant option.

So if you’re planning a night out and typing “Noche Highland Atlanta” into your map app, you won’t find the original restaurant operating there anymore.

Where Was Noche in Virginia-Highland?

The Noche in question was located in the Virginia-Highland commercial district, in the cluster of restaurants and bars near the intersection of:

• North Highland Avenue NE
• Virginia Avenue NE

This area remains one of Atlanta’s classic walkable dining corridors, with a mix of:

• Casual neighborhood bars
• Sit-down kitchen and bar concepts
• Ice cream, pizza, brunch, and coffee spots

While the Noche name is gone, the area is still active and worth visiting if you liked the social, bar‑centric vibe that Noche offered.

What You’ll Find in Virginia-Highland Now

If you were drawn to Noche for its relaxed bar scene and small plates, Virginia-Highland still offers a similar feel, just under different names and concepts.

Today, you can expect:

• Modern kitchen-and-bar concepts with full menus and strong cocktail programs
• Porch-style seating and patios along North Highland Avenue
• A mix of longtime neighborhood institutions and newer, trend-driven spots

You can walk the stretch of North Highland Ave NE between Virginia Ave NE and Los Angeles Ave NE and find:

• Upscale‑casual restaurants with full bars
• Sports‑friendly bars and grills
• Brunch spots that turn into lively evening hangouts

If your goal was a lively night out rather than a Noche-specific experience, the broader neighborhood still works very well.

Looking for Tapas in Atlanta Now?

Even though Noche is gone, tapas-style dining is still alive in Atlanta. If you liked the idea of sharing plates and lingering over drinks, look for:

Common Features of Tapas or Tapas-Inspired Spots in Atlanta

• Small plates or “shareables” listed prominently on the menu
• A robust wine, cocktail, or tequila section
• A focus on long, leisurely dining instead of quick in‑and‑out meals

When browsing menus online or in person, check for sections like:

• “Tapas”
• “Small plates”
• “Snacks”
• “Shareables”

These usually signal a similar style of dining to what Noche offered, even if the cuisine isn’t strictly Spanish.

Finding Tequila-Focused Bars and Drinks in Atlanta

If the tequila and margaritas were the main reason you loved Noche, Atlanta has plenty of bars and restaurants with strong agave programs.

When searching in or near Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, or Buckhead, look for:

• Bars with dedicated tequila or mezcal lists
• Menus highlighting house margaritas, palomas, and agave cocktails
• “Kitchen & bar” concepts where the bar program is a major draw

Quick Tips to Spot a Good Tequila Program

• The menu lists different tequila types (blanco, reposado, añejo)
• There’s a section for mezcal or other agave spirits
• You see flight options or “build your own tasting”
• Staff can explain flavor differences between tequila styles

You’ll typically find these kinds of menus in mid- to higher-end casual restaurants and bars rather than basic pubs.

What “Kitchen and Bar” Usually Means in Atlanta

Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar falls squarely into the “kitchen and bar” style that’s common across Atlanta. If you’re just looking for a modern, social place to eat and drink, this is the term you’ll often see.

Typical Traits of an Atlanta Kitchen & Bar

• Full-service restaurant with a reasonably sized food menu
• A bar that’s a major focus, often with:
  • Signature cocktails
  • Good beer and wine lists
  • Seasonal drink menus
• A vibe that works for:
  • Date nights
  • Small groups
  • After-work drinks

In neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Midtown, Inman Park, Buckhead, and West Midtown, many restaurants use this kitchen + bar concept, even if they don’t say it in the name.

How to Recreate the “Noche Night Out” in Today’s Atlanta

If you’re nostalgic for Noche or just liked the idea of tapas plus tequila, you can easily recreate that style of evening using a few Atlanta‑specific strategies.

1. Choose Your Neighborhood

For a Noche-like vibe, start with walkable, restaurant-dense neighborhoods such as:

• Virginia-Highland – Intimate, neighborhoody, easy to walk
• Inman Park – Lots of modern restaurants and bars in a small area
• Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine Eastside Trail – Heavier foot traffic, more energy
• Midtown – Denser, more urban feel, lots of drink-forward spots

All of these are accessible from most parts of the city by car or rideshare. MARTA rail access is easiest for Midtown and some parts of Inman Park/Old Fourth Ward.

2. Look for Tapas or Small Plates

Browse menus (or walk down the street and peek at posted menus) and target places that:

• Encourage sharing plates
• Have a dedicated bar section with cocktails and tequila
• Offer patio seating if weather allows

3. Plan for Parking or Transit

Virginia-Highland is mostly street-parking based, plus a few small lots. Practical tips:

• Arrive a bit earlier on weekend evenings to find a space
• Respect neighborhood parking signs so you don’t get ticketed
• Consider rideshare if you plan to drink

Midtown and Inman Park also have paid decks and surface lots, which can be simpler if you don’t want to circle for parking.

Simple Planning Snapshot for a Noche-Style Evening

Here’s a quick planning table you can use if you’re trying to recreate the feel of Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar in modern Atlanta:

Practical Info for Navigating the Area

If you’re heading specifically to Virginia-Highland, keep these basics in mind:

• Main restaurant strip:
  Along North Highland Ave NE, roughly between Virginia Ave NE and Los Angeles Ave NE
• Landmark intersections nearby:
  • North Highland Ave NE & Virginia Ave NE
  • North Highland Ave NE & St. Charles Pl NE
• Getting there:
  • By car via Monroe Dr NE, Ponce de Leon Ave NE, or Briarcliff Rd NE
  • By MARTA, riders often exit at Midtown or Inman Park/Reynoldstown stations and use rideshare or bus service to reach Virginia-Highland

For more detailed transit routes, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) customer service line at 404-848-5000 can provide current bus and rail options that connect near Virginia-Highland and other dining districts.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Diners

• Noche Tequila & Tapas Bar – Highlands is no longer operating in Virginia-Highland.
• The Virginia-Highland neighborhood remains a strong choice for a casual, bar-centric night out with lots of food and drink options.
• If you’re seeking tapas and tequila, focus on:
  • Menus with small plates/tapas
  • Bars advertising tequila, mezcal, or signature margaritas
  • Kitchen & bar–style restaurants in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown.

With a bit of menu browsing and neighborhood scouting, you can still enjoy a Noche-style evening in Atlanta—even if the original restaurant is part of the city’s dining history now.