Chicken + Beer in Atlanta: Where Southern Comfort Food Meets Craft Drinks

Atlanta does chicken and beer exceptionally well. From crispy fried wings with local brews to hot chicken sandwiches paired with craft cocktails, the city has built an entire culture around this classic combo.

Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re visiting for a weekend, or you’re just trying to figure out how the chicken-and-beer scene works here, this guide walks you through what to expect, where to go, and how to make the most of it.

Why Chicken + Beer Is Such a Big Deal in Atlanta

Atlanta is a Southern and soul food hub, and chicken is at the center of that tradition. Add in the city’s booming craft beer scene and you get a natural pairing:

• Fried, grilled, smoked, or hot chicken from soul food and Southern-style kitchens
• Local and regional beers, from light lagers to hoppy IPAs and sours
• A culture that blends neighborhood hangouts, airport icons, sports bars, and music-centered spots

If you’re exploring Atlanta, you’ll see chicken and beer featured in:

• Soul food restaurants
• Gastropubs and sports bars
• Brewery taprooms with food trucks or permanent kitchens
• Late-night spots near campuses and entertainment districts

Key Atlanta Neighborhoods for Chicken + Beer

You can find chicken and beer almost anywhere in metro Atlanta, but some areas make it especially easy to sample different styles in a single outing.

Downtown & Around the Airport

Who it’s best for: Travelers, convention-goers, and people staying in central hotels.

• Downtown and the Georgia World Congress Center area have plenty of bars and restaurants with chicken wings, tenders, and sandwiches on the menu.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is known for being more than just a travel hub; Terminal D and Concourse A/B areas often feature Southern-style chicken dishes and local or regional beers on tap for a quick taste of Atlanta before or after a flight.

📝 Tip: If you’re on a layover, build in a little extra time—airport Southern spots can get busy during peak travel hours.

Midtown & Old Fourth Ward

Who it’s best for: People who like walkable areas, nightlife, and brewery hopping.

• Midtown has a strong bar and restaurant scene where fried or grilled chicken dishes pair easily with local craft beers.
• Nearby Old Fourth Ward and the Eastside BeltLine Trail area are packed with patios, beer-focused spots, and restaurants that mix Southern flavors with updated, more modern menus.

You can often:

• Grab a plate of wings or a hot chicken sandwich
• Walk or ride a scooter along the BeltLine
• Stop into multiple places for different beers or styles of chicken in one evening

West Midtown, Upper Westside & Brewery Clusters

Who it’s best for: Craft beer fans and group outings.

The Westside and Upper Westside are known for clusters of breweries and taprooms. Many of these:

• Host rotating food trucks that specialize in wings, tenders, or Southern-style chicken plates
• Offer full-service kitchens with chicken sandwiches, fried chicken plates, or shareable chicken appetizers

🍺 Good to know: Breweries often welcome kids and dogs (on leashes), making chicken and beer outings a flexible option for families during daytime hours. Always check individual age policies if you’re planning to bring minors.

East Atlanta, Little Five Points & Nearby

Who it’s best for: Locals, students, and visitors who like a laid-back, eclectic vibe.

These neighborhoods are home to:

• Casual bars and music venues that serve fried chicken baskets, hot wings, and bar-style chicken dishes
• Affordable beer selections with a mix of national brands and local breweries on tap

These are good areas if you want something more low-key, late-night, and budget-friendly.

What “Chicken + Beer” Typically Looks Like on Atlanta Menus

Atlanta menus use a lot of the same terms, but the way chicken is seasoned and served changes from place to place. You’ll most often see:

1. Fried Chicken & Wings

A core part of Southern and soul food in Atlanta:

• Bone-in fried chicken: Often with a seasoned flour coating, typically served with classic sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, or biscuits.
• Wings (whole or flats/drums): Served by the pound, the dozen, or in sampler platters with different sauces.

Common flavors and styles:

• Lemon pepper (wet or dry)
• Buffalo, mild to extra hot
• Honey hot or sweet chili
• Garlic parmesan
• House “signature” sauces that vary by restaurant

2. Hot Chicken & Spicy Styles

Nashville-style hot chicken has influenced Atlanta, but local spots often add their own twists:

• Hot chicken sandwiches on brioche or Texas toast
• Spicy fried chicken with pickles and slaw
• Heat levels ranging from mild to very hot (sometimes labeled with playful names)

If you don’t enjoy much spice, ask staff how hot the sauces or rubs really are before ordering.

3. Grilled, Smoked, or Rotisserie Chicken

Beyond fried options, you’ll also find:

• Grilled chicken plates with vegetables or Southern sides
• Smoked chicken at barbecue restaurants, sometimes with house-made sauces
• Rotisserie-style chicken at some neighborhood spots

These pair well with lighter beers or crisp lagers if you want something less heavy than fried chicken and stout or porter.

How Beer Fits into Atlanta’s Chicken + Beer Culture

Atlanta’s beer scene has grown rapidly, and many restaurants now treat beer as seriously as they do their food.

Types of Beer You’ll Commonly See

Most Atlanta chicken-and-beer spots (from bars to breweries) offer:

• Light lagers and pilsners – easy drinking, good with spicy or salty chicken
• IPAs and pale ales – hoppy, often paired with fried or bar-style chicken dishes
• Wheat beers and hefeweizens – smooth, often with citrus notes, popular in warmer months
• Stouts and porters – richer, sometimes paired with heavier, comfort-food style chicken plates

You can often order:

• Pints or half-pours
• Flights (small pours of multiple beers), especially at breweries
• Cans or bottles of local Georgia breweries

🍽️ Pairing idea: Spicy wings with a lighter, crisp beer; classic fried chicken with a clean lager or bright pale ale; richer, saucy dishes with maltier beers.

Sit-Down Restaurants vs. Breweries vs. Bars

Chicken and beer can look very different depending on the type of place you choose.

Full-Service Restaurants (Southern & Soul Food Focus)

Best if you want:

• A full meal with appetizers, sides, and dessert
• Table service and often a mixed drink or cocktail menu in addition to beer
• Traditional soul food atmosphere with family-style or large-plate options

You’ll generally find:

• Fried chicken plates or platters
• Wings, tenders, or chicken sandwiches
• A mix of beer options including a few Georgia or regional brews

Breweries & Taprooms

Best if you’re focused on:

• Beer variety and trying several styles
• A more casual, often open-concept space with communal tables or patios

Food setups vary:

• Some breweries have a permanent kitchen that specializes in wings, chicken sandwiches, or shareable chicken snacks.
• Others host a rotating schedule of food trucks, many of which serve fried chicken, chicken tacos, or chicken sliders.

Check the brewery’s posted schedule or call ahead if having chicken on-site is important to your visit.

Sports Bars & Neighborhood Pubs

Best if you want:

• Game-day viewing, multiple TVs, and a louder atmosphere
• Classic bar food: wings, tenders, sliders, loaded fries, and nachos
• Wider beer lists that include both craft and mainstream options

Game days for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and college football can be especially busy, so reservations or early arrival may help if you’re in a larger group.

Price Ranges You Can Expect

Prices vary by neighborhood and style of restaurant, but typical Atlanta ranges look like:

You’ll see:

• Lower prices in more casual neighborhoods and near campuses
• Higher prices in tourist areas, hotel zones, and upscale districts

To avoid surprises, many Atlantans quickly scan:

• Menu sections for “market price” items or add-ons
• Beer lists for high-ABV or specialty beers, which can cost more per pour

Practical Tips for Enjoying Chicken + Beer in Atlanta

Getting Around

• MARTA rail and bus service can get you to many major areas, especially Downtown, Midtown, and the Airport.
• Rideshare options are widely used, especially when alcohol is involved.
• Popular areas like the BeltLine and Midtown are walkable between multiple chicken-and-beer spots.

If you plan to drink:

• Many Atlanta locals prefer to park once, then walk or rideshare between stops instead of moving their car multiple times.
• Some breweries and larger bars partner with rideshare drop-off zones or nearby parking decks to make leaving your car overnight easier.

Reservations and Wait Times

• Weekends and game days can mean longer waits, especially at well-known Southern or sports-focused spots.
• Some places accept call-ahead seating or reservations, especially in Midtown, the Westside, and near tourist areas.
• Breweries with food trucks typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

📅 Tip: If you’re with a group of 6+ people, calling ahead can help you understand seating options and policies.

Dietary and Lifestyle Considerations

Many Atlanta restaurants are used to requests like:

• “All flats” or “all drums” for wings (often at a small upcharge)
• Sauce on the side
• Baked, grilled, or smoked chicken instead of fried

If you have specific dietary needs:

• Look for grilled or smoked chicken options and vegetable sides at Southern restaurants.
• Ask about peanut or other frying oils if that’s a concern for you.
• Gluten-friendly options may be more limited at heavily fried, traditional soul food spots, but some modern restaurants and breweries offer alternatives like salads with grilled chicken or bun substitutions.

Places to Look For Information and Updates

Because restaurant lineups, food trucks, and taplists change, Atlantans often rely on:

• Restaurant and brewery websites or posted phone numbers for current hours and menus
• Social media pages for food truck schedules at brewery taprooms
• Local event calendars for beer festivals, chicken cook-offs, and food truck rallies

For in-person help:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 521-6600

Staff there can point you toward current dining districts and events where chicken and beer play a big role.

How to Plan Your Own Chicken + Beer Crawl

If you want to design an Atlanta outing around chicken and beer:

1. Pick an area

   • For visitors without a car, Midtown, Downtown, or the BeltLine area are easiest.
   • For craft beer fans, consider the Westside or other brewery clusters reachable by short rideshare.

2. Choose 2–3 spots

   • Mix a brewery taproom with a Southern restaurant or a sports bar.
   • Check online for food truck schedules if you’re brewery-focused.

3. Plan your timing

   • Aim for late afternoon or early evening if you want to avoid peak dinner crowds.
   • On game days, expect busier bars around stadiums and central neighborhoods.

4. Decide your focus

   • Want to compare wing sauces? Order smaller portions at multiple spots.
   • Curious about local beer styles? Order flights or half pours to sample more.

5. Set a safe transportation plan

   • Decide in advance whether you’ll take MARTA, rideshare, or a taxi.
   • Avoid moving your car between multiple stops if you’ve been drinking.

Exploring chicken and beer in Atlanta is as much about neighborhoods and atmosphere as it is about food and drink. Whether you’re craving soul food fried chicken with a cold lager, brewery wings with an IPA, or a hot chicken sandwich before a game, the city offers plenty of ways to experience this classic Southern pairing.