Bigelow’s Bar & Grill: A Local’s Guide to Southern & Soul Food in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and in the mood for Southern and soul food in a relaxed bar setting, a place like Bigelow’s Bar & Grill fits right into what many locals look for: hearty plates, strong drinks, and a neighborhood feel rather than a white-tablecloth experience.

Because Atlanta’s bar-and-grill scene changes frequently, details like menus, ownership, or even exact locations can shift. The guide below explains what you can typically expect from a Southern/soul food bar and grill in Atlanta, how to get the most out of your visit, and how to check practical details like hours and parking before you go.

What “Bigelow’s Bar & Grill” Usually Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, a bar and grill with a name like Bigelow’s Bar & Grill will typically fall into a few recognizable patterns:

• Casual atmosphere: TVs, music, bar seating, and a mix of regulars and visitors.
• Southern-influenced menu: Items like wings, fried fish, burgers, and sides with clear soul food roots.
• Full bar: Beer, cocktails, and sometimes drink specials during games or evenings.
• Neighborhood focus: Many of these spots feel like “locals’ bars” first and restaurants second.

While each specific business is different, you can usually expect comfort food portions, friendly service that leans informal, and a space geared toward hanging out rather than quick in-and-out dining.

Southern & Soul Food You’re Likely to Find

Even if menus differ, most Southern and soul food bar and grills in Atlanta tend to follow a similar pattern.

Core Dishes

You’ll often see:

• Fried chicken (bone-in or wings)
• Catfish or whiting (fried or blackened)
• Pork chops, ribs, or smothered meats
• Burgers and sandwiches with Southern twists (bacon, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes)
• Grilled or blackened shrimp over rice or grits

Classic Sides

A soul food–leaning bar and grill menu in Atlanta often offers:

• Macaroni and cheese
• Collard greens
• Candied yams
• Fried okra or green beans
• Coleslaw, potato salad, or French fries
• Cornbread or hushpuppies

These sides are where the “soul” part really shows up, especially if they’re cooked in-house and not just standard frozen options.

Drinks and Bar Offerings

Many bar and grill spots around Atlanta feature:

• Domestic and local craft beers
• Popular whiskeys and bourbons
• Simple, strong cocktails (rum punch, margaritas, Long Islands, etc.)
• Game-day specials or happy hour pricing

If you’re particular about drink options, it can help to call ahead and ask whether they carry local Atlanta beers or specific brands you prefer.

What to Expect When You Visit

Atmosphere & Crowd

In Atlanta, a Southern/soul food bar and grill often feels like:

• A game-day hangout: Especially on weekends and during major sports seasons (Falcons, Hawks, college football).
• A regulars’ spot: Many people come from nearby neighborhoods; staff may know guests by name.
• Lively but laid back: Expect music, conversation, and TVs, but not necessarily club-level volume.

If you’re visiting from out of town and want a genuine “Atlanta neighborhood bar” experience, this kind of place is often a good fit.

Dress Code

Most Atlanta bar and grills serving soul food are:

• Casual: Jeans, t-shirts, jerseys, and sneakers are common.
• Some may ask for no excessively baggy clothing or no club attire late at night, but this varies.

If you’re planning a late-night visit on a weekend, calling ahead can clarify any specific expectations.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

1. Check Hours and Kitchen Times

In Atlanta, it’s common for:

• The bar to stay open later than the kitchen.
• The kitchen to close earlier on weeknights.

Before you go, especially late at night, it helps to:

• Call the restaurant directly and ask:
  • “What time does your kitchen close tonight?”
• Confirm if they offer late-night menus or reduced options after a certain hour.

2. Parking and Transportation

Parking varies widely by neighborhood:

• Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, East Atlanta Village):
  • Expect a mix of small lots, street parking, or paid decks nearby.
• Farther out or in more residential parts of Atlanta:
  • Often have larger parking lots shared with other businesses.

If you’re unsure:

• Ask if they have on-site parking or if nearby parking is free or paid.
• For busy nights or if you’re planning to drink, ride-share services are widely used across Atlanta.

3. Takeout vs. Dine-In

Many Southern and soul food–style bar and grills in Atlanta offer:

• Takeout: Call-in orders are common.
• Some use delivery apps, depending on the area.

If you want takeout:

• Ask about average wait times during lunch, dinner, or game times.
• Clarify if certain items travel better; fried foods can lose crispness if they sit too long.

Sample Experience: What a Typical Visit Might Look Like

To give you a feel for what to expect at a place like Bigelow’s Bar & Grill in Atlanta, here’s a common pattern:

How This Fits into Atlanta’s Soul Food Scene

Atlanta has a deep soul food tradition, from long-running family-owned restaurants to small neighborhood bars. A place like Bigelow’s Bar & Grill typically sits in the middle of that spectrum:

• Less formal than historic sit-down soul food restaurants
• More food-focused than pure nightlife bars or lounges
• Often anchored to a specific community or neighborhood

If you’re exploring Atlanta:

• Use this kind of spot to experience everyday local dining, not just tourist-facing locations.
• Compare it with more traditional soul food restaurants in areas like West End, Southwest Atlanta, or the Westside to see the full range of how soul food shows up in the city.

How to Verify Current Details in Atlanta

Because restaurants can change quickly, especially smaller neighborhood bars and grills, it’s wise to confirm a few basics before you head out:

• Call the restaurant (if you have a current phone number) to verify:
  • Hours of operation
  • Kitchen closing time
  • Whether the menu still focuses on Southern and soul food
• Check whether they’re currently:
  • Dine-in only, takeout only, or a mix
  • Hosting game-day events, DJs, or late-night events that might affect the atmosphere

If you’re nearby, you can also drive past during evening hours to get a sense of:

• How busy it is
• Parking availability
• Overall crowd and vibe

When a Southern & Soul Food Bar & Grill Is a Good Fit

An Atlanta spot like Bigelow’s Bar & Grill is usually a solid choice if you:

• Want comfort food in a laid-back bar setting
• Prefer a local neighborhood feel over a tourist-heavy area
• Enjoy watching sports with your meal
• Like hearty portions and straightforward cooking more than fine dining

It may be less ideal if you’re looking for:

• Quiet, special-occasion ambience
• Extensive vegetarian or vegan menus
• Upscale décor or tasting-menu style dining

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, thinking of Bigelow’s Bar & Grill as a typical Atlanta neighborhood bar with a Southern and soul food backbone will put you in the right mindset: casual, filling, and focused on good times as much as good food.