Choosing a bar and grill for a group in Atlanta requires a special alchemy: enough sizzle to impress, enough comfort to relax, and a menu broad enough to satisfy both the burger purist and the kale-curious. It’s about finding that sweet spot where craft cocktails meet hearty plates, all served with a side of genuine hospitality. Here are 17 Atlanta spots that master this balance, ensuring your next gathering is a unanimous success.
Mr. C’s Bar & Grill
$ | (404) 605-0888 | WEBSITE
As soon as you step into Mr. C’s Bar & Grill, you’ll be transported to another era, one where jukeboxes played hits, sports were on every screen, and bars were too dimly lit to worry about your phone. In other words, a much better time.
This down-home dive feels like a perfectly preserved relic from the 1990s: you’ll see classic bar fare like Philly cheesesteaks (just how we like them), messy plates of wings and fries, and strong margaritas being poured by friendly bartenders who know how to keep the drinks flowing.
The Daiquiri Factory
$$ | (404) 600-5667 | WEBSITE
Simply put, The Daiquiri Factory is serving some of the most exciting drinks and bar food in the entire city. The welcoming vibe at this Atlanta spot is designed for celebration and includes options like lemon pepper hot wings that taste fresh and delicious. It’s the perfect place to bring your fun friends who you desperately want to impress.
Moe’s and Joe’s
$ | (404) 873-6090 | WEBSITE
This Atlanta neighborhood bar has a lively patio that feels like something you’d find in Midtown, not just a local hangout. With a diverse menu featuring everything from excellent lemon pepper wings to ice-cold Coronas to tasty bar food, it’s an ideal spot for groups who can never agree on what they’re in the mood for. There’s even a dog-friendly policy, which is perfect since every single one of your friends seems to have adopted a pup recently.
The bartenders Zach and Sosa provide attentive service whether you’re a regular or newcomer, and the affordable prices make it easy to enjoy a pitcher of beer or indulge in those famous wings.
Restaurant 10 Bar & Grill
$$ | (404) 331-9977 | WEBSITE
Sports fans with dietary restrictions do exist (and we accommodate them, of course), so instead of taking them to a seafood joint where they can ‘just find something to eat,’ bring them to Restaurant 10 Bar & Grill. This BBQ-focused bar and grill across from Benz Stadium has incredible wings like messy-good grilled BBQ, Nashville catfish dinners that are fresh and flavorful, and turkey ribs we still dream about on a daily basis.
Rocky Mountain Pizza Company
$ | (404) 876-8600 | WEBSITE
Rocky Mountain Pizza Company, a popular hangout in Atlanta, has all the things you love about a great bar and grill (friendly staff, trivia nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a lively college vibe), but none of the things you don’t (long waits for tables, overpriced drinks, etc).
In addition to a tavern-like atmosphere filled with various games playing – as well as a great selection of beer on tap and in bottles – Rocky Mountain also serves some of Atlanta’s most satisfying dishes, like a must-try baked strizzatta with extra sauce and crispy wings that are equal parts game-day snack and delicious pizza pies.
JR Crickets Briarcliff Rd
$ | (678) 395-7495 | WEBSITE
Say your college buddy and his crew are visiting from a wing-deprived town. They want to try Atlanta’s famous wings but aren’t really into fancy gastropubs or anything that involves “deconstructed sauces.” Head to JR Crickets Briarcliff Rd.
Located in a classic neighborhood strip, this bar and grill in northeast Atlanta has everything you want for showing your out-of-town friends a good time – a quick drive up Briarcliff Road, a relaxed spot perfect for catching the game, plus a laid-back atmosphere that feels like hanging in your own living room.
The menu is filled with bar classics, like the popular 8-wing lunch special, crispy catfish that some say is the best this side of the Mississippi, and wings so flavorful they put every chain restaurant’s version to shame.
The Albert
$ | (404) 872-4990 | WEBSITE
You’ll find the entire range of the human experience at The Albert. We’ve taken everyone we know to this Atlanta bar & grill – best friends, promising first dates, exes who we can’t stand talking to for more than five minutes. But where The Albert really shines is with impressing family members. It’s in a quiet, serene neighborhood, so you won’t have to worry about noisy crowds or anybody seeing a “hypebeast,” plus they serve some of the best comfort food we’ve ever eaten.
There’s a perfectly balanced Brisket Melt Sandwich, flavorful smoked chicken wings, and Pretzel Bites topped with so much seasoning, you might actually see God.
Atlanta Hawk’s Highlight Factory
$$ | (800) 897-1910 | WEBSITE
This airport bar and grill in Terminal D is bustling and sports-themed (so anyone who refuses to miss a game won’t feel out of place), but still is polished enough to impress that one seemingly unimpressible travel companion. While everybody can order from the full menu, the best way to enjoy a stop here is to get the jumbo pretzel and honey sriracha brussels sprouts. What sounds like a simple snack is actually a standout combination of warm, salty dough and crispy, sweet-spicy vegetables.
You’ll get fresh and delicious food, excellent service from staff members like Michelle, and interesting beers on tap that will make your layover worthwhile.
X Midtown (TEN)
$ | (404) 347-3460 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing worse than a dull night out with friends (trust us, your crew doesn’t want to get stuck somewhere with bad vibes), so make things simple and head to X Midtown (TEN). This bar and grill in Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most popular spots, known for their fantastic drag shows featuring hilarious and outstanding queens like Aspen and Aqua who work the room.
Pair the entertainment with good drinks from friendly bartenders like Dillon and Austin and make it a night for just $15-20 per person. It’s a small price to pay to avoid seeing your friends bored at some generic bar for upwards of an hour.
Gordon Biersch
$$ | (770) 953-3300 | WEBSITE
Gordon Biersch is a solid bar and grill in Atlanta that offers a lively atmosphere, plus one of the best (and most refreshing) margaritas in the area. You’re going to want to order their Margarita with Grand Marnier, the bratwurst sliders, and just enjoy the cool vibe for people watching while Beyoncé plays in the background.
The service can be hit or miss—some staff like Judy and Aj provide excellent, professional service that goes above and beyond, while others might seem rushed or indifferent, especially when the kitchen gets backed up and wait times stretch close to an hour. It’s a kid-friendly spot with reasonable prices (around $12–18 for mains), and if you catch Aj on a Sunday afternoon, you’re in for impeccable treatment.
Vickery’s Bar & Grill – Glenwood Park
$$ | (404) 627-8818 | WEBSITE
Most bar and grills in Atlanta can feel pretty hectic, with plates of wings flying out the kitchen, pitchers of beer clinking on every table, and a strict wait-your-turn-then-find-a-seat system. It’s why we love the city’s food scene. But when you’ve got your dog and friends in tow, plus that one buddy who truly hasn’t learned any patience yet, you’re going to want something a little more relaxed. Head to Vickery’s.
The outdoor patio feels welcoming and never-rushed, their staff is friendly and attentive to dogs, and you can let the sounds of the Low Country Seafood Saute sizzling on the plate take you away as your friend launches into another rant about Atlanta traffic. The salmon BLT was cooked perfectly, the bread pudding with caramel sauce is fire, and those strong drinks make everything better. This Glenwood Park spot looks like a movie set at night—it’s our go-to for a reason.
Three Dollar Cafe
$ | (770) 457-8875 | WEBSITE
Navigating Atlanta’s weekend traffic can feel like a full-contact sport, especially when your friends keep changing their minds about where to eat. So, if you’re craving a laid-back spot with food that consistently hits the mark, head to Three Dollar Cafe. This casual sports pub serves up satisfying bar classics like fried chicken sandwiches, buffalo chicken sliders with blue cheese, and their famous Nacho Mountain.
The wings are a must-try—you can mix and match flavors, including the standout mango habanero. Maybe if all goes well, you and your crew can actually agree on something for once.
Malone’s
$$ | (404) 762-5577 | WEBSITE
This airport-adjacent bar and grill is everything you’d expect from a family-friendly Atlanta spot: conveniently located near the terminals, a lively, kid-approved atmosphere, and an entire menu section dedicated to ‘soups.’ But, the food is also seriously damn good.
Grab a booth in their bustling dining room and enjoy French onion soup that’s the most flavorful you’ve ever tasted, BBQ honey wings with perfect crispy skin, or the Southern pecan pie – a rich, nutty dessert with the ideal balance of sweetness that will make you question if you’ve ever really tasted pecan pie before.
The baked potato soup and smoked Gouda cheese grits are absolutely the best grits you’ll ever try, while the Malone’s pasta and ultimate cheeseburger arrive with impressive presentation that matches their amazing flavor. Don’t skip the fried green tomatoes either – they’re excellent with generous portion sizes that satisfy. With friendly, attentive staff providing a great dining experience throughout, Malone’s delivers exactly what you want from a recommended Atlanta bar and grill.
Sandtown Pub
$$ | (678) 904-7041 | WEBSITE
No matter where your friends have gathered from (Buckhead? Midtown? Just off the highway after a long day?), Sandtown Pub’s strong drinks and warm hospitality are sure to welcome even the most particular bar-goers. Tucked into a cozy neighborhood spot, this order-at-the-bar pub serves unique, flavorful cocktails like the Hurricane with its tropical punch, the Bob Marley with its layered colors, plus popular food options like the Chicken Philly Wrap that’s both hearty and satisfying.
The waitstaff, including Kayla, are consistently knowledgeable about the menu, communicate clearly, and provide excellent service that makes customers feel completely at ease. While some might initially notice the casual cafeteria-like atmosphere, others have had memorable celebrations here. Overall, it’s a welcoming place with good drinks, good food, and good people—though some have mentioned the water charge.
FLATIRON BAR AND RESTAURANT
$ | (404) 688-8864 | WEBSITE
This cozy local spot is Comfort with a capital-C, filled with worn-in wooden stools and bartenders wearing faded band tees and friendly smiles. It’s the ideal place to bring a food-obsessed friend, like your buddy who’s tried every quesadilla in Atlanta no less than 16 times, or your coworker who recently became obsessed with finding the perfect smash burger.
And while the prices are remarkably low, it’s also impossible to have a bad meal here – just order the jerk wings with blue cheese and let yourself get sucked into the dive bar vibe.
Marcus Bar & Grille
$$$ | (470) 890-1700 | WEBSITE
From Buckhead to Midtown to all the neighborhoods in between, Atlanta is home to a vibrant bar and grill scene. However, if you’re in the mood for a classic establishment with a kitschy environment and a wrap-around bar meant to evoke Southern comfort, there’s only one choice: Marcus Bar & Grille.
When it comes to Atlanta dining, this spot in the heart of the city is certified royalty, known for their incredible dishes packed with flavor, cornbread for as far as the eye can see, and melt-in-your-mouth brisket, a tender delight seasoned to perfection. Heads up, the brunch buffet is absolutely amazing here, so the bigger the appetite, the better.
Euclid Avenue Yacht Club
$ | (678) 973-0427 | WEBSITE
Not only is Euclid Avenue Yacht Club one of the most legendary dive bars in town (open since the 1980s, they’ve completely perfected the classic Atlanta bar experience), it’s also one of our best hangouts. Since the renovation, they’ve maintained that old-school charm in their Little 5 Points space where you’ll find a lively mix of regulars, newcomers, and neighborhood folks all happily clinking $3 PBR drafts and sharing baskets of fantastic fries and incredible onion rings.
Definitely order one of their [excellent burgers], but it’s not an official visit without the $10 beer and shot combo, a classic pairing that’s become the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club’s signature deal.