Atlanta’s love of innovation is on full display at its top cocktail bars. Whether it’s Thai-inspired tipples, an omakase-style spirits menu, or Michelin-recognized bartenders, there is always something new to discover on the drinks scene. Sip by sip, there has never been a better time to explore. Here are 15 top spots to help you whet your whistle.
JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge
Step through the mirrored hallway of JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge, hidden inside Midtown’s Politan Row at Colony Square, and enter a ’70s-’80s disco dream of pink marble, burgundy booths, and vinyl beats. Beverage director Benton Bourgeois pairs the groove with retro cocktails like the Godfather-inspired My Offer is Nothing, a smoky Dewar’s-amaretto blend; and vivid sips such as the Midori-based Floy Joy or stoplight-red Tampa PD topped with piña colada foam and strawberry sparkle. 1197 Peachtree St. NE, Ste. 150, Atlanta, jojosbeloved.com
Madeira Park
Fresh off a recommendation in the 2025 Michelin South Guide, Madeira Park brings ease to the art of wine pairing. At this newish Poncey-Highland wine bar, you can sample rare, reserve wines by the half-glass or try twists on classic cocktails (rum negroni, anyone?) while noshing on small plates from James Beard Award-winning chef Steven Satterfield and chatting with sommelier Tim Willard in the convivial dining room. 640 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, madeiraparkatl.com
Ticonderoga Club
This Michelin-recommended, castaway-coded restaurant and bar inside Krog Street Market is a mainstay for sailor-themed cocktails. But it’s not just kitsch here. The James Beard-nominated bar program is run by three Atlanta cocktail greats, Greg Best, Paul Calvert, and Regan Smith, who mix up rum-forward drinks, such as a mint julep-style reserve Ticonderoga cup. Drink alongside eclectic bites like smoked mackerel fried rice or the seasonally rotating wok. 99 Krog St. NE, Ste. W., Atlanta, ticonderogaclub.com
Fawn Wine & Amaro
Fans of bitter spirits will find a home at this Downtown Decatur cocktail spot. From James Beard Award-winning chef Terry Koval (of the Deer and the Dove fame), this moody, European-style hideaway boasts the city’s first amaro-focused bar program, with close to 40 bottles available via cocktail or flight. The spirits are complemented by a list of volcanic wines designed to pair with the playful (and sometimes funky) seafood-forward menu. 119 E. Ponce Ave., Decatur, fawnwineamaro.com
Minhwa Spirits
Georgia’s first soju distillery doubles as a cocktail bar, thanks to the mixology mastery of former Umi bartender, James Sung. His creations run the gamut—from the Simple and Clean, made with clarified lychee to the Beaches Down in Georgia with spices, citrus, and a splash of infused gin. The soju comes courtesy of James Kim and Ming Han Chung, who started the Jumak-inspired bar to spotlight their Korean heritage in the most delicious way. 2421 Van Fleet Cir., Ste. 124, Doraville, minhwaspirits.com/pages/jumak
Tiger Sun
An 18-seat omakase cocktail experience housed in a restored vintage bus, Tiger Sun was built for drama. Orange shag carpet and red neon lights set a sultry stage to match seasonally rotating movie-themed menus. Masterful cocktails from Ranger Station’s McKenzie Nelson are paired with inventive bites from Joe Schafer, formerly of Bacchanalia fame. With only two seatings weekly, reservations are tough to get, but absolutely worth the price of admission. 904 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, tigersunatl.com
Red Phone Booth
You’ll need the password to set foot inside this Prohibition-era speakeasy. Once the door swings open, you’ll be pulled into a time warp of billiards, cigars, and worn leather couches, illuminated by lantern light. The cocktails are as classic as the bartenders’ 1920s-era attire, but crafted with expert precision and chilled with hand-chipped ice. An extensive (and secretive) whiskey list requires a code to access, but that’s all part of the charm. 17 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta, redphonebooth.com/locations/ga/atlanta
Kimball House
Housed in a restored Decatur train depot, Kimball House is a Southern charmer with serious cocktail credentials. A James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program, it’s known for precise, inventive drinks enhanced with house-made tinctures and impeccable oyster service. Bartenders, many of whom are alumni of Atlanta’s top cocktail spots, craft herbaceous libations with old-world technique and local flair. The vintage ambiance, complete with plush banquets and warm lamplight, keeps the place feeling timeless. 303 E. Howard Ave., kimball-house.com
Himitsu
Tucked discreetly behind an unmarked door around the corner from sister sushi spot Umi, Himitsu lives up to its name—Japanese for “secret.” Inside this exclusive speakeasy, a copper bar glows beneath moody lighting while jewel-toned furnishings set the scene for cocktails laced with umeshu, plum vinegar, and Okinawa’s rich hakuto sugar. The bar is invitation-only, but if you dine at Umi, you can typically sweet-talk your server into getting you in. 3050 Peachtree Rd. NW, Ste. 1, Atlanta, umiatlanta.com/himitsu/
Redacted Basement Drink Parlor
The door being difficult to find is all part of the schtick at this secret-themed Summerhill spot. The mood-lit booth-and-bar setup plays host to cheeky riffs like the F’n Froot Loop Milk Punch and Not Your Sister’s Amaretto Sour, with some of the ingredients redacted. Like your parents’ basement in high school, this is a true “come as you are” neighborhood hangout, albeit with better booze. 63B Georgia Ave. SE, Atlanta, redactedbdp.com
MidCity
Moody jazz and coffeehouse chic come together in perfect harmony at MidCity ATL, a craft cocktail bar and listening lounge tucked into the Midtown Arts District. Curated by Jose Pereiro, the drinks program leans heavily into tequila and mezcal, and signature cocktails named only for their main ingredient add an air of mystery. With its low-lighting and down-tempo beats, it’s the perfect spot for pre-show cocktails or to linger long after curtain call. 850 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta
Distillery of Modern Art
The spirits are the artwork at this gallery-inspired space in Chamblee. The craft distillery doubles as a display space, but the real draw is the Kandinsky Room bar, where creative cocktail slingers mix up an ever-changing array of tipples inspired by DoMA’s liquors (try the peach amaro). Pairing plates feature local delicacies like Spotted Trotter meats and Georgia Sourdough Company crackers that are the perfect happy hour accompaniment. 2197 Irvindale Dr., Chamblee, distilleryofmodernart.com
Blackjack Bar Tapas
New on the Atlanta cocktail scene, Blackjack Bar Tapas is Midtown’s version of late-night revelry, brought to life by Niki Pattharakositkul of 26 Thai. Behind the bar, Sean Gleason (formerly of Kimball House and Biltong Bar) serves up craft cocktails with an Asian-fusion twist—think purple-yam margaritas, lemongrass-shiso G&Ts, and highballs straight from a machine. The moody, lantern-lit lounge pairs elegant, experimental sips with shareable, street food-inspired bites that transport you to Thailand. 1080 Peachtree St. NE, Ste. 1, Atlanta, blackjackbartapas.com
BoccaLupo
This Inman Park favorite is equal parts cozy pasta joint and casual cocktail den. Led by General Manager Jason Furst, its bar program earned an Exceptional Cocktails accolade in the 2023 Atlanta Michelin Guide, and for good reason. The menu leans playful and seasonal—from smoked oyster martinis to a butternut squash-infused Manhattan with house-made spiced vermouth, all designed to pair with chef Bruce Logue’s handmade pasta. 753 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta, boccalupoatl.com
S.O.S Tiki Bar
Sneak around the back of Decatur’s Victory Sandwich Bar to stumble upon Atlanta’s go-to spot for tropical cocktails. Since opening in 2015, the tiny, torch-lit S.O.S Tiki Bar has racked up praise for its impressive 100-plus bottle rum collection and casual backyard energy. Classic tiki tipples like the zombie and mai tai sit alongside playful originals like the a-ti’-l punch (rum and peach, of course) and potent seasonal sippers come Halloween and Christmas. 340 Church St. Decatur, sostiki.com
