Where to Drink Cocktails in Atlanta Right Now

It’s hard to choose which of Kimball House’s 17 cocktails to order; they’re all expertly crafted to perfection. Start with the Kimball House, with gin, vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters or the Parisian Fizz, with gin, lemon, absinthe, and Champagne. Then move into brown booze territory with the Carousel, made with rye, cognac, vermouth, aveze, strawberry, and Peychaud’s bitters. You can also never go wrong with a classic Sazerac, a timeless and simple libation made with rye, absinthe, and bitters. 

Say it with me now: Martini. Step into the cellar of this Virginia Highland establishment, belly up to the large bar and promptly order yourself a Martini. Arguably among the best in the city, Highland Tap’s Martinis are served with a carafe on ice, so it feels like you hit the two-for-one jackpot. Perfectly chilled, bleu cheese olives, and paired with a steak or beef carpaccio snack, you’ll definitely order a second—or is it a fourth? 

What pairs well with South African biltong (a.k.a. beef jerky)? Some of the best-made (and best-named) craft cocktails in the city—like the I’m Just Not Ready for a Commitment, made with Sherry, charanda, vermouth, lychee, guanabana, mushroom. (Yes, that said mushroom. Sounds strange, tastes great.) Or find a friend for the Shark Attack, a concoction for two to four people made with rum, brandy, navy gin, lemon cordial, “blue” curacao, coconut, pineapple EDV, gummy sharks, and “blood.” Of course, you can always stick to old favorites like the Old Fashioned or a Painkiller and be completely satisfied, too. Whatever you order, Biltong Bar won’t disappoint. See the menu at Biltong Bar’s website.

Lazy Betty not only has some of the best cuisine but also some of the best cocktails in Atlanta. A true Atlanta drink, the Lemon Pepper Wet is made with Pisco Acholado, Nordes Gin, Celery Lemon Cordial, Centum Herbis, delivering herby notes reminiscent of the specialty wings after which it’s named. If botanical drinks aren’t your thing, the Peach Please might be more your style. But don’t be fooled by the sweet named, this patio pounder packs a punch with Four Roses bourbon, Merlet Crème de Peche, Peach-Ginger Balsamic Shrub, Brown Sugar Sage, Lemon, Mint and soda. Honestly, all of the cocktails here are a triumph, so you might as well start at the top and work your way down.

When you’re in the island spirit—or just in need of a killer cocktail—S.O.S. has just what you need. Atlanta’s quintessential tiki bar serves up classic tiki drinks like Mai Tais, Zombies and a Daiquiri du jour, with rotating rum. They might look like fun drinks, but just a friendly reminder that these drinks pack a punch. Try the Frozen Painkilla with white rum, aged rum, coconut cream, orange and pineapple. See the menu at S.O.S. Tiki Bar’s website.

12 Cocktail’s drinks are crafted to deliver a unique take on everyone’s favorite cocktails. While drinks like the Last Word, Paloma and Moscow Mule are made traditionally and as you’d expect, the House Margarita is a twist on the timeless Tequila beverage you know and love, adding Green Chartreuse and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur. The Old School French 75 swaps in Cognac for gin and adds Cocchi Americano to boost the flavor of this favorite aperitif. Work your way down this drink list and you’ll be pleased with both old favorites and new takes on classics, all while taking in the view of Atlanta atop Ponce City Market. Call 770-999-1531 for reservations.

If you’re looking for an over-the-top cocktail experience, Bar Vegan is the place for you. Classic cocktails like Sidecars, Margaritas and Moscow Mules are on the menu alongside fun signatures like the Order Me ASAP, a whiskey, lemon, orgeat, pomegranate and mint cocktail, and the Southern Smoke, made with mezcal, créme de peche, lemon-lime, agave, grapefruit and ginger beer. Some drinks are served in a ferris wheel or a fire extinguisher, so get ready for a unique drink experience. And Bar Vegan also has six mocktails on the menu, if you want to take your tastebuds on an adventure minus the booze. 

Don’t be fooled by the relatively small cocktail menu; Foundation Social Eatery’s beverage program has something for everyone. Starting off with spirit-free options, you can enjoy big flavor minus the alcohol with The Grey Fox, served with Earl Grey tea, blood orange oleo Saccharum, egg white, tonic and lime. For a stronger pour, the By Design is made with silver Tequila, passion fruit, ginger-jalapeno shrub and lime, making it the perfect warm weather cocktail to kick off your dinner. If whiskey is more your thing, the Southern Drawk, with Four Roses, muddled strawberry, basil, lemon, and orange is the summer whiskey drink of your dreams. 

In downtown Alpharetta, you’ll find a surprisingly good cocktail menu at a wine-centric restaurant, Citizen Soul. From the Black Walnut Old Fashioned, with whiskey, amaro, Luxardo and black walnut bitters to La Rosa, made with Tequila, cava rose, agave, black pepper and lemon juice, you’ll find something refreshing to pair with Citizen Soul’s upscale food offerings. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, so come back each season to taste the latest and greatest—you’ll be glad you did.

There are some places you go to for the drinks and the food is just bonus; Iberian Pig is one of those places if you’re an Old Fashioned fan. The Iberian Old Fashioned, a menu mainstay, is a bacon-infused rye whiskey, maple syrup and angostura bitters. Sure, you can try one of the other drinks, like the easy-to-drink Down the Rabbit Hole, made with gin, elderflower, basil, lavender, crème de violette and cava, but the Iberian Old Fashioned will keep you coming back. Call 404-994-4990 for reservations.

Rooftop L.O.A.’s drink menu starts with the classics (think Margarita, Negroni, Manhattan) and then transitions to its fun and fresh house specialties. The Garden Gimlet is made with house-peppered gin, lime, basil, rosemary, tomato, olive oil, salt and pepper—essentially a garden in a glass. The T.H.D. is made with Volcano blanco Tequila, hibiscus, lemon, limoncello and Yellow Chartreuse, and will keep you coming back for sip after sip. And if you’re feeling whiskey, the Bourbon Smash is a balanced blend of bourbon, blackberry, lemon, mint and bitters—not to sweet, not too stout. Call 470-922-3700 for reservations.