Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to This Southern-Inspired Spot

If you love Southern food, elevated cocktails, and a polished-but-relaxed atmosphere, Atlanta’s Garden & Gun Club is one of those places that feels both special and comfortable. Located at The Battery Atlanta next to Truist Park, it blends Southern hospitality, soul-food flavors, and a members-club feel into one very Atlanta experience.

This guide walks you through what to expect, what to order, how to plan a visit, and how it fits into Atlanta’s broader Southern and soul food scene.

Where Is Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta?

Garden & Gun Club is located at:

Garden & Gun Club – Atlanta
2605 Circle 75 Parkway SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
(Inside The Battery Atlanta, near Truist Park)

It sits in the mixed-use development anchored by the Atlanta Braves’ ballpark, so it’s easy to combine with:

  • A Braves game
  • Shopping and strolling around The Battery Atlanta
  • A pre- or post-event stop when there’s a concert or event at Truist Park

Parking is typically in The Battery’s parking decks, with event-day pricing in effect for big games and concerts. On non-game days, you’ll usually find more flexible parking options and a less crowded atmosphere.

What Kind of Place Is Garden & Gun Club?

Garden & Gun Club feels like a Southern lounge crossed with an upscale neighborhood bar, with a menu that leans into regional ingredients and soulful, comfort-driven dishes.

Expect:

  • Warm, polished interiors with club-style touches (wood, leather, and thoughtful décor)
  • A full bar with craft cocktails, whiskey, and bourbon-focused options
  • A menu that reflects Southern coastal, Lowcountry, and soul-food influences
  • A vibe that shifts from relaxed lunch or early evening to a more buzzing social scene on weekends and game days

It’s not a white-tablecloth restaurant, but it feels more refined than a casual sports bar, even though it’s steps from the stadium.

Southern & Soul Food Influence on the Menu

While the exact offerings change over time, Garden & Gun Club generally showcases:

Southern Comfort Staples

You can expect some mix of:

  • Fried or brined chicken dishes
  • Biscuit-based plates or Southern-style breads
  • Pimento cheese and other cheese spreads
  • Shrimp, crab, or other coastal seafood when in season

These items usually lean more chef-driven than “meat-and-three,” but the core flavors are Southern and soulful: rich gravies, slow-cooked sides, and familiar comfort-food techniques.

Soulful Sides and Flavors

Many diners look for:

  • Greens (collards, mustard, or seasonal variations)
  • Grits (sometimes dressed up with cheese, seafood, or pan drippings)
  • Pickled vegetables or chowchow-style garnishes
  • Mac and cheese, cornbread, or hushpuppies depending on the season and menu rotation

The seasoning tends to be big and bold, but with an eye toward balance rather than overwhelming heat or salt.

Drinks: Cocktails, Bourbon, and Southern-Inspired Sips

Cocktails are a major draw here, especially if you’re coming from elsewhere in The Battery and want something more craft-focused than a typical sports bar drink.

Common themes you’ll see:

  • Bourbon and rye–forward cocktails
  • Twists on classic Southern drinks (juleps, smashes, Old Fashioneds)
  • Seasonal cocktails built around regional fruits and herbs
  • A thoughtful selection of whiskey, gin, and other spirits

If you prefer not to drink alcohol, you can usually find:

  • Zero-proof or low-ABV cocktails
  • House-made lemonades, teas, and sodas

Ordering at the bar is straightforward, and bartenders are typically comfortable recommending something based on your usual go-to drink.

Atmosphere: When to Go and What to Expect

The feel of Garden & Gun Club can change quite a bit depending on the day and time.

On Game Days at Truist Park

  • Expect crowds and energy before and after Braves games
  • The bar area can be standing-room-only at peak times
  • Best for:
    • Groups looking to meet up before first pitch
    • Visitors who want a “this feels like Atlanta” experience near the stadium

On Non-Game Weeknights

  • More relaxed, easier to get a seat at the bar or a table
  • Good for date nights or catching up with friends
  • Service often feels more personal and unhurried

On Weekends (Without Major Events)

  • Can be busy, but not as packed as major event nights
  • A strong option for pre-dinner cocktails or a light meal before heading into the city

Dress is generally smart casual: jeans and a nice top, casual dresses, or polo-style shirts are all common. You’ll see some people dressed up for a game or night out, and others in more everyday Atlanta attire.

Sample Experience: How a Visit Might Flow

To make this more concrete, here’s what a typical visit might look like for an Atlantan or visitor:

  1. Arrival

    • Park in a Battery deck, walk toward Truist Park, and step into Garden & Gun Club on the lower level.
    • On ballgame nights, plan some extra time for traffic and parking.
  2. Drinks First

    • Start with a house cocktail or a recommended bourbon.
    • If you’re not drinking, ask for a mocktail or house lemonade.
  3. Shared Plates or Dinner

    • Order a few small plates (pimento cheese, Southern-inspired starters) to share, or go straight for a fried chicken, seafood, or seasonal entrée.
    • Add a soulful side like grits, greens, or mac and cheese, if available.
  4. Post-Meal Options

    • If there’s a game: walk out and join the crowd heading to Truist Park.
    • If not: stroll around The Battery for dessert, live music spots, or just people-watching.

Quick Comparison: How Garden & Gun Club Fits Into Atlanta’s Southern & Soul Food Scene

Here’s a high-level look at how Garden & Gun Club compares to other types of Southern and soul food options around Atlanta:

Type of SpotVibe & SettingFood StyleWhen Garden & Gun Club Fits Best
Classic soul food cafeteriaCasual, line-service, everyday feelHearty, traditional, big portionsYou want something more polished near The Battery
Meat-and-three dinerHomey, low-frills, neighborhood-focusedMeat + 2–3 sides, daily specialsYou also want craft cocktails and a lounge feel
Upscale Southern restaurantFull-service, plated, often reservationsRefined, chef-driven Southern dishesYou want upscale Southern but in a stadium district
Garden & Gun Club at The BatteryClubby bar + dining loungeElevated Southern + soul-influencedYou want Southern flavor, good drinks, and proximity to Truist Park

For many people living in or visiting Atlanta, Garden & Gun Club becomes the “special but not stuffy” option when they’re already planning to be around The Battery Atlanta.

Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your visit:

1. Check Hours and Game Schedules

Hours can shift around:

  • Braves home games
  • Playoffs or special events
  • Concerts and festival days at Truist Park

It’s smart to:

  • Look up The Battery Atlanta event calendar
  • Aim to arrive earlier than peak pre-game rush if you care about getting a seat

2. Reservations vs. Walk-Ins

Depending on how the venue is currently operating:

  • Reservations may be recommended for peak times or larger groups.
  • Walk-ins are often fine at off-peak hours or non-event days, especially for bar seating.

If you’re coming from out of town specifically to try Southern and soul food in Atlanta, you may want to plan Garden & Gun Club as your Battery-area meal, and add another more traditional soul food spot elsewhere in the city on a different day for contrast.

3. Budget Expectations

Prices generally reflect:

  • The location inside The Battery
  • The more elevated setting and craft cocktails

It’s not the cheapest option in the area, but many diners see it as appropriate for:

  • Pre-game splurge
  • Date night
  • Entertaining out-of-town guests who want a taste of Southern style

4. Good for Groups?

Garden & Gun Club can work for:

  • Small groups (2–6 people) catching up over drinks and snacks
  • Mixed groups where some people care more about food, and others about atmosphere or sports

For larger groups, it’s wise to:

  • Call ahead to ask about group friendliness, seating arrangements, or private/semi-private options
  • Avoid the tightest pre-game windows if you want a more relaxed experience

How Locals Often Use Garden & Gun Club

Residents in metro Atlanta often fold Garden & Gun Club into:

  • Braves game days as the “nice” pre-game stop
  • Entertaining visitors who want a stylish sample of Southern food and drink
  • Evening in The Battery without a game, as a destination for cocktails and small plates
  • A starting point before heading into central Atlanta neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, or Old Fourth Ward for late-night plans

If you already know and love traditional soul food spots around Atlanta, you can think of Garden & Gun Club as a more curated, bar-forward, and design-conscious counterpoint that still speaks the language of the South.

Is Garden & Gun Club Right for You?

You’ll likely appreciate Garden & Gun Club if you:

  • Want Southern and soul food flavors in a more refined, lounge-style setting
  • Like the idea of craft cocktails and an elevated bar menu
  • Are planning time at The Battery Atlanta or Truist Park
  • Prefer a place that feels “Atlanta modern Southern” rather than old-school cafeteria-style

If you’re looking for big portions at the lowest possible price, or a purely traditional, no-frills soul food joint, you may be happier with one of the many classic spots spread across the city. But if you want to pair Southern cooking with atmosphere, design, and great drinks—especially near the ballpark—Garden & Gun Club is a very Atlanta way to do it.