Atlanta's Best
Cocktail Bars.
Craft cocktail bars, hidden speakeasies, and the best patios in the city. Atlanta's bar scene rewards curiosity — and these are the spots I keep coming back to.
Atlanta's cocktail scene doesn't get the national attention it deserves. For a city this size, the number of genuinely well-crafted bar programs is remarkable — and they span every neighborhood and price point. Whether you're into speakeasy aesthetics or open-air patios, there's a spot that fits.
I've spent years navigating Atlanta's nightlife — sometimes with clients celebrating a closing, sometimes with friends on a weeknight. These are the bars I recommend when someone asks where to get a properly made drink.
Red Phone Booth
A downtown speakeasy that takes its craft seriously — you enter through a red British phone booth and step into a leather-and-wood lounge with a Prohibition-era feel. The cocktail menu is extensive, the bartenders know their craft, and the atmosphere rewards patience. This is the kind of place I bring someone when I want them to experience Atlanta's hidden side.
12 Cocktail Bar
Tucked inside Ponce City Market, 12 Cocktail Bar is a small, thoughtful space that lets the drinks do the talking. The bartenders are precise, the ingredients are fresh, and the menu changes with the seasons. No gimmicks — just well-made cocktails in a setting that doesn't try too hard.
The Forum Cocktail Co
A Westside cocktail bar with a modern, industrial feel and a drink program built around seasonal ingredients and technique. The space is designed for conversation — no blaring music, no competing with the bartender. It's the kind of bar that makes you feel like you found something the rest of the city hasn't caught up to yet.
RFD Social
A social house at Ponce City Market with a relaxed, community-driven atmosphere. The drink menu leans classic with a few creative twists, and the outdoor seating overlooks the BeltLine — which means you're sipping a well-made cocktail while watching Atlanta's most vibrant pedestrian corridor go by. Hard to beat on a warm evening.
Atlanta's cocktail culture is one of the things that makes it a great city to live in — and a great city to bring people to. If you're relocating or just getting to know the scene, these bars will give you a sense of the neighborhood character that makes each part of the city feel distinct.
Thinking about making a move to Atlanta? I'll be in touch.
Tommy Williams
21 years in Atlanta real estate. 500+ homes sold. A city explorer who knows that finding the right bar — like finding the right home — is about knowing where to look.
Schedule a Call
I'll help you find your places.
And your next home.
Whether you're relocating to metro Atlanta or just looking for your next move, the first conversation is always without obligation.
Get in Touch