Ri Ra Irish Pub in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for a classic Irish pub experience in Atlanta, Georgia, Ri Ra Irish Pub is one of the better-known names locals and visitors tend to come across. Here’s a clear, practical guide to help you decide if it fits what you’re looking for and how to make the most of a visit.

What Makes Ri Ra Irish Pub Stand Out in Atlanta?

Ri Ra Irish Pub is designed as a traditional-style Irish pub with:

• A full bar program focused on Irish whiskey, beer, and cocktails
• A kitchen offering hearty pub food with Irish and American comfort dishes
• A casual, social atmosphere that fits downtown and Midtown crowds

For people in Atlanta, Ri Ra tends to appeal to:

• Downtown workers and convention visitors looking for a relaxed bar with food
• Sports fans who want a place to catch games with a pint
• Groups who want a lively, but not overly formal, spot for meetups

You can expect a mix of locals, hotel guests, and visitors in town for events at places like State Farm Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium, depending on location and timing.

Location, Access, and Parking Tips

Ri Ra Irish Pub has historically operated in central, high-foot-traffic parts of Intown Atlanta, often near hotels, office towers, and MARTA access. When planning a visit, focus on three things:

1. How You’ll Get There

For most Atlanta visitors and residents, common options include:

• MARTA rail:
  If Ri Ra is located near a MARTA station (such as Peachtree Center, Midtown, or Five Points), rail can be the easiest way to avoid parking headaches, especially during big events.

• Rideshare or taxi:
  Often the most practical option if you plan to drink. Pick-up and drop-off are usually straightforward along major downtown and Midtown streets.

• Driving yourself:
  Downtown and Midtown have many paid parking garages and lots. Rates vary widely, especially during concerts, big games, and conventions.

2. Parking Considerations

When visiting a kitchen-and-bar spot like Ri Ra in central Atlanta, keep in mind:

• Some nearby garages offer evening flat rates.
• Street parking is limited and heavily enforced in busy districts.
• Event nights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena can make parking more expensive and more crowded.

A good strategy is to:

1. Check what’s happening at major nearby venues that night.
2. Plan to arrive earlier if a large event is underway.
3. Consider MARTA if you’re staying near another station (like Buckhead, Lenox, or Decatur).

Food: What to Expect from the Kitchen

Ri Ra Irish Pub operates as both a bar and a full-service kitchen, so it works whether you’re grabbing a casual drink or a full meal.

You can usually expect:

• Irish-inspired staples

  • Fish and chips
  • Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie-style dishes
  • Bangers and mash
  • Soda bread or brown bread with butter

• Pub classics with an American twist

  • Burgers and sandwiches
  • Wings and shareable appetizers
  • Salads and lighter plates

• Late-night-friendly food
  Many Atlanta pub-goers look for somewhere that still serves hot food later in the evening. Ri Ra typically caters to that, though exact kitchen hours can differ from bar hours.

If you have dietary needs, common approaches Atlanta diners use:

• Ask about vegetarian or vegan modifications for sandwiches or salads.
• Ask if fried items share oil with meat or shellfish.
• Confirm any allergens (gluten, dairy, etc.) before ordering.

Drinks: Irish Pub Bar Experience in Atlanta

As a kitchen and bar, Ri Ra’s drink program is a major draw. Expect:

• Draft beer lineup

  • Irish staples (such as stouts and lagers typical of an Irish pub)
  • A rotating mix of domestic and sometimes local Atlanta or Georgia craft beers

• Irish whiskey and more

  • A range of Irish whiskeys, from approachable pours to more premium options
  • Standard selection of bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum

• Cocktails

  • Irish-influenced drinks (Irish coffee-style options, whiskey-based cocktails)
  • Classic bar cocktails (old fashioned, margaritas, etc.)

• Non-alcoholic choices

  • Soft drinks, juices, and usually at least a few non-alcoholic or “zero-proof” options

🍺 Local tip: If you care about local beer, ask the bartender what’s on draft from Atlanta or Georgia breweries—many downtown pubs keep at least a few regional options.

Atmosphere: Who This Pub Fits Best

Ri Ra Irish Pub in Atlanta generally leans toward:

• Lively but approachable: Music, conversations, and bar noise, especially on weekends and nights with big sports events.
• Casual dress code: Jeans and sneakers are common; business-casual also fits if you’re coming from work or a conference.
• Mixed crowd:
  • Local professionals stopping in after work
  • Tourists and hotel guests
  • Groups celebrating birthdays, reunions, or pre-game meetups

If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate dinner, pick an earlier time, such as late afternoon or early evening on a weeknight. For a bustling pub vibe, aim for later evening, especially Thursday through Saturday.

Typical Use Cases for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

To help you decide if Ri Ra matches what you want, here’s a quick comparison:

Pricing and What to Budget

Pricing at Ri Ra Irish Pub is generally in line with other downtown and Midtown Atlanta restaurants and bars:

• Food:
  Expect moderate pricing for pub entrees, burgers, and appetizers—higher than fast food, lower than fine dining.
• Drinks:
  • Draft beers and well drinks are usually comparable to other Irish and sports bars.
  • Premium cocktails and whiskeys will cost more, particularly if you choose aged or specialty pours.

For budgeting:

• A typical meal with a drink for one person might reasonably sit in the moderate range for central Atlanta.
• Groups sharing appetizers and rounds of drinks should plan for a higher total, especially during long game nights or weekends.

Tipping follows standard Atlanta restaurant norms, with most diners using a percentage of the pre-tax bill as a reference point.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Group Visits

Atlanta diners approach Ri Ra Irish Pub like most busy central-city pubs:

Reservations or Call-Ahead

• Some nights you may be seated quickly as a walk-in.
• During peak hours (weekend evenings, game days, or convention evenings), there can be wait times.

If you’re:

• Bringing a larger group
• Planning a special gathering (birthday, office outing, or pre-wedding meetup)

…it’s wise to contact the pub in advance to ask about:

• Group seating
• Any minimum spend or set menus
• Whether they can accommodate specific time slots

Best Times to Go

• Quieter visits:
  Late afternoon or early evening on weekdays, especially Monday–Wednesday.
• Livelier visits:
  Thursday–Saturday nights, or whenever big games or major concerts are on.

Sports Viewing and Events

Many Atlanta residents use Ri Ra-style pubs as sports-viewing hubs. You can often expect:

• TVs tuned to major games:
  • Football, basketball, and soccer are common
• A more energetic atmosphere during:
  • Falcons, Hawks, United, college football, and big international soccer matches
  • Playoff series or championship games

Since programming can change, a practical step is to call ahead and ask:

• Whether they’ll be showing a particular game
• If sound will be on for that event
• Whether they expect a crowd and recommend arriving early

Some Irish pubs in Atlanta also host:

• Trivia nights or themed events
• Live music, especially around weekends or holidays like St. Patrick’s Day

Check directly with the pub or their posted event boards for current offerings.

Age Rules, IDs, and Family-Friendliness

As a kitchen and bar in Georgia, Ri Ra follows typical Atlanta alcohol and ID laws:

• Guests who want to drink must show a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Certain times (especially late at night) may skew more toward a 21+ bar crowd, even if earlier hours are more mixed.

Families sometimes visit earlier in the evening for food, particularly if:

• They’re staying in nearby hotels
• They’re coming from daytime attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola

If you’re bringing children or teens, you may want to:

• Visit earlier in the day or early evening
• Confirm with the pub if there are any time-based age restrictions or policies

Safety, Transportation, and Late-Night Tips

When going out to bars in central Atlanta, people commonly plan around:

• Safe transportation home
  • Pre-arrange a ride-share, taxi, or MARTA route.
  • Avoid driving if you plan to drink.
• Walking at night
  • Stick to well-lit streets with more foot traffic.
  • If you’re staying at a nearby hotel, ask staff about the safest walking route.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area:

• Many visitors choose MARTA rail for trips between spots like the airport, downtown, and Midtown, then walk or use rideshare for the last stretch.
• Check typical closing times; Atlanta bars and pubs have mandated closing hours, and staff will give last call accordingly.

How Atlanta Locals Typically Use Ri Ra Irish Pub

To put it all together, Ri Ra Irish Pub tends to serve these roles for people in and around Atlanta:

• A reliable downtown pub option for:

  • Pre- and post-event drinks and meals
  • Meeting up with friends, coworkers, or fellow travelers
  • Watching major sports in a friendly, pub-like setting

• A kitchen and bar that fits:

  • Casual dinners
  • Social nights out
  • Mixed groups who want both substantial food and drinks

To get the best experience:

• Pick your time based on the type of atmosphere you want (quiet vs. lively).
• Plan transportation ahead of time.
• Call or check posted info for current hours, events, and any large crowd nights.

With that preparation, Ri Ra Irish Pub can be a straightforward, familiar-feeling choice if you’re looking for a traditional-style Irish pub experience in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia.