Meehan’s Sandy Springs: An Atlanta Local’s Guide to This Irish-Inspired Spot

Meehan’s Sandy Springs was a familiar name to many Atlanta-area diners, especially those who lived or worked along the Roswell Road corridor and wanted a relaxed pub-style atmosphere with hearty food. If you’re searching for “Meehan’s Sandy Springs” today, you’re probably wondering:

• What was it?
• Is it still open?
• Where can you find a similar Southern‑friendly, pub-style restaurant in the Sandy Springs / North Atlanta area?

This guide walks through what Atlantans typically associate with Meehan’s Sandy Springs, what you can realistically expect to find now, and how to track down comparable spots nearby.

What Was Meehan’s Sandy Springs?

Meehan’s Public House has been a small Atlanta-based group of Irish‑style pubs known for:

• Casual, neighborhood-friendly atmosphere
• A mix of Irish pub fare and American comfort food
• Burgers, fish and chips, wings, and often Southern-influenced dishes
• Plenty of beer on tap, whiskey, and straightforward cocktails
• Indoor bar seating plus patio areas at some locations

The Sandy Springs location followed this same model. For local residents, it functioned as:

• A go-to after-work spot for coworkers from nearby office parks
• A weekend place for watching games, grabbing a burger, or having a pint
• A reliable option for group gatherings where everyone could find something familiar on the menu

Although it wasn’t a “traditional” Southern or soul food restaurant, the menu usually leaned into comfort classics that pair well with Atlanta’s taste for rich, satisfying dishes—think fried appetizers, loaded fries, hearty sandwiches, and seasonal Southern touches.

Is Meehan’s Sandy Springs Still Open?

Restaurant landscapes in Atlanta change often, especially in busy suburban hubs like Sandy Springs. Meehan’s has opened, closed, and reconfigured locations across the metro area over the years.

If you’re specifically trying to visit “Meehan’s Sandy Springs” today, you should:

1. Search for the most current listing for “Meehan’s Public House” in Atlanta.
2. Check:
   • The address
   • Recent hours
   • Whether the listing specifically mentions Sandy Springs or another neighborhood (like Downtown, Vinings, or Buckhead).
3. If you find a phone number, call before you go to confirm:
   • If the location is still operating
   • Current opening hours
   • Whether the menu is similar to the old Sandy Springs setup

Because locations and concepts can change, rely on up-to-date local listings or a quick call rather than old references.

What Kind of Food and Experience Did Meehan’s Sandy Springs Offer?

When Atlantans talk about Meehan’s Sandy Springs, they typically remember a hybrid of Irish pub and Southern‑friendly bar food. If you’re trying to find something similar, here’s the style you’re looking for.

Typical Menu Vibe

You could expect:

• Pub standards
  • Fish and chips
  • Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie
  • Bangers and mash
• American bar favorites
  • Burgers and sliders
  • Wings with various sauces
  • Nachos, pretzels, dips
• Comfort-focused entrees
  • Fried chicken‑style dishes or chicken tenders
  • Hearty sandwiches with fries
  • Seasonal specials with Southern sides like mashed potatoes or collard greens (depending on the era and chef)

While it wasn’t a classic soul food restaurant in the way that many Atlanta institutions are, many diners grouped it in with places they’d go for comfort-heavy, Southern-adjacent meals: fried foods, rich sauces, big portions, and an unhurried, casual setting.

Atmosphere

What people usually associate with the Sandy Springs location:

• Laid-back pub feel – TVs, bar seating, and casual tables
• Group-friendly layout – popular with coworkers, birthday groups, and casual meetups
• Game-day energy – a spot to watch football and basketball, especially local college and pro teams
• Approachable for families at earlier hours, then more of a bar vibe later in the evening

If you’re hunting for that same experience in Atlanta now, look for Irish pubs, Southern bars, or taverns that highlight:

• Multiple TVs
• A broad beer list
• A mix of Irish/American menu items
• Weekend or game‑day crowds

How Meehan’s Fits Into Atlanta’s Southern & Soul Food Scene

At first glance, “Irish pub” and “Southern & soul food” don’t sound like the same category. In Atlanta, though, the lines blur because locals often group places by how they feel and what the food does for you, not just strict culinary heritage.

Meehan’s Sandy Springs resonated with Atlanta diners because:

• The menu leaned into hearty, comforting, stick-to-your-ribs dishes, much like traditional Southern cooking.
• Side dishes and specials frequently overlapped with what many Atlantans see as comfort and “Sunday” foods—mashed potatoes, greens, gravies, and fried options.
• The atmosphere was community-focused, similar to many neighborhood Southern cafes and meat‑and‑threes around the city.

So, while you might go to a dedicated soul food spot for fried chicken, mac and cheese, and yams, Meehan’s filled a niche for those who wanted:

• Pub-style comfort with a Southern-friendly twist
• A strong beverage program alongside filling food
• A consistent spot for watching games and hanging out

Finding Similar Spots Near Sandy Springs and North Atlanta

If you were a fan of Meehan’s Sandy Springs and want something that scratches the same itch, here’s how to navigate your options in and around Sandy Springs.

1. Look for Irish or British-Inspired Pubs

You’ll often find:

• Fish and chips
• Shepherd’s pie or similar dishes
• Burgers and wings
• A strong beer and whiskey list

Many of these pubs in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Dunwoody, and East Cobb have menus that overlap significantly with what you remember from Meehan’s Sandy Springs.

2. Explore Southern-Influenced Bars and Grills

North Atlanta has a number of casual bars and grills that lean into Southern comfort flavors, even if they’re not branding themselves as soul food restaurants. You’re looking for:

• Menu items like fried chicken sandwiches, shrimp and grits, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, or hot honey wings
• A relaxed atmosphere with indoor and patio seating
• TVs for sports and happy hour or game‑day specials

These places often capture the same “let’s grab a drink, watch the game, and order something fried and delicious” energy that people liked about Meehan’s.

3. Consider True Southern & Soul Food Nearby

If your interest in Meehan’s Sandy Springs is more about comfort food than the pub vibe, you might enjoy venturing a bit south into Buckhead, Midtown, and the Westside, where classic and modern Southern restaurants are clustered.

You’ll find:

• Soul food cafeterias and meat‑and‑three spots with dishes like fried chicken, smothered pork chops, collards, and cornbread
• Contemporary Southern restaurants that update traditional recipes with more modern presentations

These won’t feel like a pub, but they align strongly with the Southern and soul food flavor profile.

Practical Tips If You’re Planning a Visit Around Sandy Springs

Here are some simple, Atlanta-specific planning tips if you’re trying to visit something like the former Meehan’s Sandy Springs or a similar restaurant:

Check Location Details Carefully

Sandy Springs sits just outside the I‑285 perimeter, and many restaurant names include nearby areas (like Roswell Road, Perimeter, or Northside). To avoid confusion:

• Confirm the exact street address and zip code (Sandy Springs addresses are often in the 30328, 30342, or 30350 ranges).
• Use clear landmarks like:
  • I‑285 exits
  • Roswell Road (a major north–south artery)
  • The City Springs district in Sandy Springs

Plan for Traffic and Parking

• Weekday evenings on Roswell Road and around I‑285 / GA‑400 can be congested. Build in extra time if you have a reservation or are meeting a group.
• Many pubs and grills in Sandy Springs have:
  • Surface parking lots in strip centers, or
  • Shared parking in mixed‑use developments
• For busier nights, you may need to circle the lot or park slightly farther away and walk.

Consider MARTA and Rideshares

If you plan to enjoy a couple of drinks:

• The MARTA North Springs Station (7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328) and Sandy Springs Station make it easier to avoid driving if you’re staying near the rail line.
• Rideshares are widely used in Sandy Springs and usually have straightforward pickup points near most major shopping centers and mixed‑use developments.

Quick Reference: What to Look For If You Liked Meehan’s Sandy Springs

Here’s a simple guide to help you decide where to go in Atlanta if you’re missing Meehan’s Sandy Springs:

Use these traits when you browse listings or ask locals; Atlantans often recommend spots based on vibe and comfort level as much as the exact cuisine label.

How to Confirm the Current Status of Any Meehan’s Location in Atlanta

Restaurant names can persist online long after a location has changed or closed. To verify what’s open now:

1. Search “Meehan’s Public House Atlanta” and note:
   • Each location name (Downtown, Vinings, Buckhead, etc.)
   • The address and neighborhood
2. Call the location directly to confirm:
   • Whether it’s still operating
   • Current hours and menu offerings
3. Check recent customer comments and photos in your preferred map or review app for signs of:
   • New branding or a different restaurant in the same space
   • Menu changes or remodeled interiors

For Sandy Springs specifically, this step is important because that area has seen rapid turnover and redevelopment, and spaces once occupied by familiar restaurants may now host new concepts.

If your search for “Meehan’s Sandy Springs” is about reliving a certain kind of Atlanta dining experience—casual, pub-style, with hearty food and a sociable atmosphere—you’ll find plenty of modern options across Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and the broader North Atlanta area that fit the same mood, even if the name on the sign has changed.