By Bartender Miles Macquarrie
Many people who don't know Atlanta go downtown and think that is what represents our city. That is not at all the case. There really isn't much of a drinking or dining scene at all in downtown Atlanta. There are many pockets of great neighborhoods that are worth visiting: Decatur, Inman Park, Old 4th Ward, West Midtown, and Midtown. These neighborhoods are where most of the action is found in Atlanta.
Kimball House | Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
MY PLACE | Kimball House
Kimball House is a neighborhood bar and restaurant, as well as a drinking and dining destination. We are equally invested in preserving old American cuisine and cocktails from the turn of the century as we are in having fun and doing new things with great ingredients. The inspiration comes from the old great hotel bars and dining rooms from the late 1800s in America. We are housed in a historic train depot built in 1891 and the name pays homage to the Kimball House hotel, which no longer stands in Atlanta, but was the place to dine and drink in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
When you come to Kimball House, make sure you try oysters, grower Champagne by the glass, cocktails, beef tartare, and a 3-course steak dinner.
303 East Howard Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
T: 404.378.3502 | www.kimball-house.com
Where to Drink in Atlanta Now
Photograph courtesy of The Pinewood
Empire State South
This is a wonderful restaurant with a great bar. You can start and finish the meal with excellent cocktails and have wine in-between. The wine list is created by Steven Grubbs, a James Beard nominated sommelier. Kelli Thorn has a great team of bartenders and some of the best cocktails in the city.
999 Peachtree Street NE Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30309
T: 404.541.1105 | www.empirestatesouth.com | Make a Reservation
Photograph courtesy of The Pinewood
The Pinewood
This is a real neighborhood gem in Decatur.
254 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
T: 404.373.5507 | www.pinewoodtr.com
Photograph courtesy of Leon's Full Service
Leon's Full Service
This is the place I got my start in the Atlanta cocktail scene. Serving great drinks in very fun atmosphere.
131 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
T: 404.687.0500
Ticonderoga Club
A bar and restaurant from Greg Best and Paul Calvert... 'nuff said.
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street NE, Suite W Atlanta, GA 30307
www.ticonderogaclub.com
Photograph courtesy of Amer
AMER
This bar from David Durnell is in Inman Park and has great drinks.
299 N Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA, 30307
T: 404.600.589 | www.ameratlanta.com
The S.O.S. Tiki Bar
Atlanta finally has a tiki bar besides Trader Vic's. Shanna Mayo is doing great tropical things here.
340 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030 | T: 404.377.9308
www.vicsandwich.com/sos/
Where to Eat in Atlanta
Photograph courtesy of The Little Tart Bakeshop
BREAKFAST | Octane Coffee + The Little Tart Bakeshop
Octane and the Little Tart Bakeshop are in the same building in Grant Park. Octane has some of the best coffee and Little Tart Bakeshop is a French style bakery that has the best pastries in all of Atlanta.
Octane Coffee | 437 Memorial Drive A5, Atlanta, GA 30312 | T: 404.815.9886 | (Also inside of The Little Bakeshop) | www.octanecoffee.com
The Little Tart Bakeshop | 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | T: 404.348.4797 | www.littletartatl.com
Photograph courtesy of Yalla!
LUNCH | Krog Street Market
The Krog Street Market is a great spot to hit for lunch. Todd Ginsberg's Fred's Meat and Bread and Yalla! have excellent sandwiches.
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | www.krogstreetmarket.com
Fred's Meat & Bread | T: 404.688.3733 | www.fredsmeatandbread.com
Yalla! | T: 404.506.9999 | www.yallaatl.com
Photograph courtesy of Cakes & Ale
DINNER | Cakes & Ale
This is a great Decatur staple. It is casual fine dining with excellent food, cocktails, and easily one of the best wine lists in the city.
155 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030
T: 404.377.7994 | www.cakesandalerestaurant.com
Late Night
Photograph courtesy of Octopus Bar
Octopus Bar
This is the on of the best late night meals. They don't open until 10pm, so expect to see many folks from other restaurants after they get off of work.
560 Gresham Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
T: 404.627.9911 | octopusbaratl.com
Souvenir to Take Home
Independent Distilling Company Bourbon + Old Fourth Ward Gin
The products are great and there is a lot of craftsmanship involved in each one. Old 4th Ward distillery is the first distillery to open in Atlanta since prohibition.
Independent Distilling Company
www.independentdistilling.com | Where to Buy
Old Fourth Ward
487 Edgewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
T: 844.653.3687 | www.old4th.com
Bartender Miles Macquarrie
Miles Macquarrie has been a part of the Atlanta cocktail scene for over a decade. He worked at Holeman & Finch Public House and Leon’s Full Service before becoming a partner at the Kimball House in Decatur’s old train depot. The restaurant was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Bar Program award.
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