Paul Kushner
Happy Hour is a delightful tradition that helps people in Atlanta, a dynamic and ever-evolving city. Atlanta’s best happy hour spots offer the ideal setting to relax, savor exquisite cocktails, and connect with friends or fellow Atlantans—whether you’re a local looking to unwind after a long day or a visitor eager to soak in the city’s rich culture. You can explore the best happy hour experiences the city has to offer by using this article to find your way from the bustling neighborhoods of Buckhead to the historic streets of Virginia-Highland. Prepare to discover the alluring drink specials, delectable small bites, and warm ambiances that contribute to Atlanta’s happy hour scene’s remarkable appeal. Come along with us as we explore the best places in the city for a happy hour special.
Kimball House
303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 378-3502
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Sitting on the outskirts of Atlanta in Decatur, Kimball House is more than just a restaurant. Situated by the Tiny Fairy House, this seafood restaurant is one to look for on your trip to the city. Every Friday from 5-7 pm, they host a happy hour, including their delicious oysters. If you are willing to splurge a little, Kimball House is the spot to dine in. The cocktails are also impressive, with a wide variety of craft drinks to choose from. Other than their grilled oysters, they have excellent grouper and snapper entrees. From their appetizers list, the Hawaiian rolls are a guaranteed satisfaction for all. Once you select a dish of your choice, add the Kimball House cocktail or the French cocktail to complete your experience.
The Optimist
914 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 477-6260
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The Optimist is a lowkey seafood restaurant close to the Trap Music Museum. This country-modern seafood eatery with a raw bar is open every day but Sunday. The urban-esque atmosphere is both calm and relaxing! The happy hour is excellent, serving some of the best oysters in the area every weekend. I recommend giving She Crab soup a try served with shrimp toast! You could also consider their Spanish octopus starter made with spicy honey, pickles, mustard seed, and capers. Of course, make sure to complement your meal with the Rainbow Country cocktail mixed with citrus and pineapple!
BeetleCat
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
(678) 732-0360
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This gastropub in Inman Park is yet another competitive option for delicious grilled oysters and craft cocktails to match! It comes as no surprise why BeetleCat remains so busy each day! BeetleCat is a 5-minute drive from the Outkast mural and just four minutes away from the famed Little Five Points. This pub holds a very casual vibe compared to the other seafood bars in the area, with a happy hour from Monday through Friday from 4-5 pm. The downstairs lounge is simultaneously chill and lively. In my opinion, the lobster roll is an absolute hit with the Fish House cocktail. Make sure to order the citrus-infused punch in a pitcher to serve you and five of your pals. If you are unsure what to get, the staff is always happy to share their recommendations.
Biltong Bar
Multiple locations
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Holding locations in Ponce City Market and Alpharetta, Biltong is an incredibly unique experience. The most popular Biltong sits in Ponce City Market off Ponce De Leon at the Central Food Hall. It’s also just a 5-minute ride from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. After eating, you can even take a walk to view the Railroad Workers sculptures not far from the market. This bar stands out from the rest with its South African-inspired cuisines and funky vibe! I recommend trying any beef jerkies with the tasty Old Fashioned cocktail. Their oxtails are also a great choice.
Fadó Irish Pub
Multiple locations
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In Midtown Atlanta and Buckhead, Fadó is an Irish pub with super fun trivia nights and a schedule dedicated to television soccer games. The Midtown location is just two minutes away from the beloved Rainbow crosswalk. The Buckhead location is a 6-minute drive away from the Swan House and Smith Farm at the Atlanta History Center. Among the many delicious options on their menu, everyone adores their mimosas. I think the best dishes available are the Shepard’s Pie and the sliders! The happy hour includes roasted red pepper hummus and giant soft pretzels.
Gypsy Kitchen
3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 939-9840
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Sitting in Buckhead Atlanta, the Gypsy Kitchen is a restaurant with Spanish-inspired cuisine. Perched in Peachtree Heights West and close by to the Atlanta History Center, the bartenders at this eatery are always lovely. Gypsy Kitchen holds its happy hour on Mondays through Fridays from 4-6 pm. This extraordinarily hip and modern restaurant serves great Brussel sprouts and patatas bravas. In my opinion, any meal you choose will pair nicely with their Fruit Forward craft cocktail. With Moroccan and Indian influence in their dishes, I recommend the mushrooms and the shrimp.
Eclipse di Luna
Multiple locations
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Holding locations in Buckhead and Dunwoody Atlanta, Eclipse di Luna is one of the liveliest tapas restaurants the city offers. The Buckhead location sits in the Pine Hills area, while the Dunwoody spot is a 6-minute drive from Ravinia Gardens and the Cocomelon Perimeter mall. The whole place is overwhelmingly energetic, and the bartenders match the vibe entirely. Not to mention, the restaurant plays Latin music using a live band! With delicious mojitos and a wonderful tres leches cake, their happy hour has drink specials and half off all of their tapas. I also recommend their showstopping empanadas to go with your excellent craft mojitos.
LLoyd’s Restaurant & Lounge
900 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 228-7227
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In DeKalb Atlanta, LLoyd’s is an excellent restaurant and lounge boasting a retro atmosphere. Sitting in Inman Park, the Hosea Williams mural and Santiago art piece is just a 3-minute drive away. Krog Street Tunnel is a popular tourist attraction within walking distance of the lounge! While pizza and alcohol are LLoyd’s claim to fame, they hold crab night every Monday, where they offer all the crab you can eat until they run out. Their happy hour runs from 5-7 pm every day with special deals on their cosmos, martinis, manhattans, and vespers. If you want to try something other than the pizza or crab, I recommend the meatloaf!
Whiskey Bird
1409 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 600-5797
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Located between Morningside-Lenox Park and Virginia-Highland, Whiskey Bird offers many American and Asian-inspired fusion dishes. Many enjoy the brunch provided at this restaurant, but be sure to make a reservation as they fill up quickly. Being an 8-minute drive from the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the restaurant holds a happy hour on Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays from 5-6:30 pm. Pair any dish with the Kentucky mule and their delicious Okonomiyaki fries. They additionally have special deals on Sundays for their superb sangria! I recommend trying the ahi tuna tacos and the fried chicken sliders.
Cypress Street Pint & Plate
817 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 815-9243
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Emerging right by Tech Square in the Midtown Atlanta area, Cypress Street Pint & Plate is an excellent spot for house beverages. Surrounded by the rainbow crosswalk and Taz Anderson’s Centennial Tower, Cypress offers a happy hour Thursdays through Saturdays starting at 7 pm until closing. The restaurant is also a 6-minute drive from the Atlanta Botanical Garden and a 3-minute car ride from the Fox Theatre. The restaurant serves special deals on their pizza and half a bottle of any house wine they hold on Wednesdays. Additionally, their IPAs all sit under the Sweetwater brand on which they offer 24/7 deals. Their hither and sublime burgers are both options that I highly recommend trying.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Multiple locations
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Barcelona Wine Bar maintains the ultimate classy vibe in Inman Park of North Highland Avenue and Westside Ironworks of Howell Mill Road. On Mondays, Barcelona Wine Bar offers special deals on half bottles of any of their house wines! The restaurant serves Spanish-inspired cuisine, and the manager is very attentive and caring to your needs. They have a plethora of small plates to pick from, but I recommend their tasty hanger steak. The vibe is vibrant, and the crowd is highly energetic on top of being neatly upscale.
Marlow’s Tavern
Multiple locations
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Boasting locations in Midtown Atlanta and Durden Drive, Marlow’s Tavern is great for brunch buffet and weekend specials! The Durden Drive location sits in North Brookhaven by the Festivus Pole attraction, and the Midtown tavern sits in Tech Square. Overall, this tavern is the best happy hour environment, offering deals on drinks and entrees daily through their website! Their shrimp and grits entree is my ultimate recommendation, as well as the okra and asparagus sides! Marlow’s Tavern additionally offers a separate gluten-free menu, and their alcohol selection is quite extensive.
Hampton + Hudson
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 948-2123
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This gastropub in Inman Park provides you with an authentic contemporary American vibe. Hampton + Hudson is just a 7-minute journey away from the Illuminarium Atlanta exhibit. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum are a brief six minutes from the pub. With modern westernized meals and craft cocktails, you can easily tune into sports television displayed by the restaurant! The Hampton + Hudson’s beloved manager is exceptionally accommodating, and many note that the gastropub is an excellent experience for brunch! In my opinion, their chicken sandwich is a no-brainer of an option.
Establishment
1197 Peachtree St NE Suite 517, Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 347-5291
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Perched in Midtown Atlanta, Establishment is a short 2-minute drive from the Trilon sculpture piece by Steffen Thomas. You could say this restaurant sits within the arts quarter of Midtown as the Woodruff Arts Center is two minutes from the classy and upscale eatery. The High Museum of Art is just three minutes away! This bar-meets-grill has a very chic and fun atmosphere. I recommend trying the arugula salad with salmon as a healthy entree option with the french onion soup! They also have excellent curry risotto and curry mussels that you can enjoy by their outdoor fireplace. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm, in which you can order the Oaxacan on Sunshine mezcal cocktail!
Meehan’s Public House Downtown
200 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 214-9821
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This Irish pub located in Downtown Atlanta sits amongst some of the greatest tourist attractions in the entire city. While the World of Coca Cola is a 4-minute drive from the pub, Atlanta Food Walks and Tours are within walking distance. Meehan’s Public House Downtown has an atmosphere that is the epitome of cool. The food menu is rather hefty, with lobster bisque, meatloaf, and fried pickles as my top picks. The bangers and mash, as well as the truffle macaroni and cheese, are also excellent options. Their drink specials frequently change, so there’s never a dull moment with an Irish influence at this eatery. I recommend ordering the Long Ireland Tea cocktail with your meal for the most genuine experience.
Thrive
101 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 389-1000
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In Downtown Atlanta not far from Meehan’s, Thrive emerges. This American-style restaurant sits right across the street from the CNN studios, where you can take a tour of the headquarters. Happy hour at Thrive occurs from Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm. The restaurant maintains a lively atmosphere with its casual, laid-back vibe. Along with the American cuisine, they offer a variety of sushi which is an absolute must if you visit. The calamari and the salmon are my personal favorites, and I highly recommend you sip on a Chile Pepino or Cock & Mule cocktail while you eat.
Red Pepper Taqueria
Multiple locations
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With three notable locations in Dunwoody, Buckhead, and Briarcliff, Red Pepper Taqueria offers Mexican-influenced cuisines and beverages. The Dunwoody location sits by the perimeter mall while the Buckhead location emerges in Buckhead Village. The newest site in Briarcliff rests between Lavista Park and Biltmore Acres. This taqueria also offers great grilled oysters, being primarily known for their tacos. There are plenty of options for their happy hour, including the Spanish red sangria or the skinny margarita. Their mimosas are always a hit for weekend brunch, and I highly recommend you try their calamari or mussels.
Yard House
Multiple locations
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While Yard House possesses several locations, its most popular one is situated in Atlantic Station. Being convenient and bustling, Atlantic Station is a massive shopping center with tons of things to do within walking distance. You could even catch a movie after you finish your wine and dine! A very tech-savvy restaurant that allows you to self-order with tablets, their happy hour is quite an experience. They have a regular happy hour from 3-6 pm Monday through Friday. Their late-night happy hour on Sundays through Wednesdays occurs from 10-11:30 pm. They offer half-off select appetizers and all of their pizzas too! I recommend a classic martini, margarita, or mule for your beverage.
Why should you trust us?
We use our own local experience and contacts in the city to know which places to include in our lists. We also researched the web and read 6 reputable blogs and websites, including atlanta.eater.com, adventuresinatlanta.com, atlantaeats.com, discoveratlanta.com, secretatlanta.co and rtbatlanta.com. So that you can be sure you’re receiving the best of the best. We compiled all the results in one spot and ranked them according to how frequently they were referenced.
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