15 Best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta + Hidden Bars No One Talks About

If you’ve ever tried going out in Atlanta and ended up stuck deciding where to go, you’re not alone. The city can feel overwhelming at night because every street seems to have a new bar or rooftop calling your name. Yes, you can find the best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta that offer stunning skyline views that completely change the night-out experience. 

From rooftop venues with city views to low-key neighborhood bars, Atlanta offers something for every mood. The nightlife is spread across areas like Midtown, Buckhead, and Old Fourth Ward, and each one brings its own energy.

In this guide, I’m breaking down both popular spots and secret places that locals don’t always share. These include rooftop lounges, cocktail bars, and hidden speakeasies that feel completely off the radar but are worth finding. So, let’s get in without any delay!

Best rooftop bars in Atlanta 

Here’s the list of best rooftop bars in Atlanta that you must check out if you’re visiting the state: 

1. The Aerial Kitchen & Bar

First up, we have the Aerial Kitchen & Bar, which is famous for serving world-renowned cuisines under one roof. It’s located at Sky Terrace on the 9th floor of the Epicurean Atlanta hotel, Midtown. You can enjoy the cocktails with fresh herbs and juices. 

The ambiance and trained staff take all the credit for this sky bar. While only hotel guests can use the pool next to the bar, the bar itself is open to everyone. 

A quick read: Top 10+ Budget Hotels in Atlanta For Travelers

The great setup makes you feel like you’re on a vacation.

From the Sky Terrace, you can have a whole view of the city. The music, take it easy. It has comfortable chairs, fire pits, and a great view of Midtown.  

2. Spaceman

Spaceman is one of the highest and best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta. It is on the 15th floor of the Hyatt Centric Buckhead hotel. The bar has lounge areas inside and outside, with heaters, covered seats, and great views, so it’s a great place to hang out all year.

When I visited this, they were kind enough to let us use their rooftop for the night. Their small menu has dishes that can be shared, like the tasty Parmesan Pommes Frites and Smash Burger, and craft drinks with names that make sense, like the Stardust, Super Nova, and Cloud 15.

If you’re planning to visit, make sure you come a bit early to enjoy the stunning sunset going down behind the condos and office buildings in Buckhead. 

3. St. Julep rooftop bar

Next up, we have another best bar and rooftop bar in Atlanta called the St. Julep rooftop bar. It’s on the 9th floor of the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel. It has comfortable seats inside and views of the Buckhead skyline outside.

You can drink tasty craft cocktails and local craft beers, and eat soft serve ice cream or funky shared plates. They have a DJ on the weekends who can set the mood for a fun night out with great views of the city.

You can enjoy the Belle of the Ball or the Coconut Mojito. They also have boozy soft-serve ice cream that you should try. 

4. The Roof at Ponce City Market

The Roof at Ponce City Market has two different bars and Skyline Park, which also serves drinks, and The Roof itself. 

Classic drinks are served at 12 Cocktail Bar at RFD Social, which is a cozy indoor space at The Roof. On the other hand, 9 Mile Station has a beer garden on the roof with a view of Atlanta.

Skyline Park, a rooftop amusement park with rides, games, and yes, alcohol, makes The Roof even more special

5. Gypsy Kitchen

If you’re looking for Atlanta date night bars, Gypsy Kitchen in Buckhead is a good option. The rooftop bar serves a wide range of meals, including Spanish tapas and dishes with Moroccan and Indian influences.

The restaurant has two large decks on the roof: one covered and one uncovered. You can see the Buckhead skyline and all of Buckhead Village from this spot, making it one of the rarest Atlanta rooftop bars with no cover.

To drink, I suggest the 50 Shades of Purple or Sangria. And if you’re planning to eat something, check out their Moroccan Spiced Lamb Skewers or the Seafood Paella. 

If you’re struggling to find the best time to visit Atlanta, head to this expert guide. 

Best cocktail bars in Atlanta 

There are some bars in Atlanta that offer something unique. Maybe a unique taste of cocktails from different cultures. 

6. Bar Oscar

The bar Oscar is in central Covington, which is about 35 minutes from Atlanta.  It is based on European drinking culture and their speciality is in vermouth and aperitifs. It’s basically all about fun drinks, so you can go out with friends to this Atlanta craft beer bar.

Here’s what you can order:

• Vermouth by the pour
• La Quintinye from Cognac
• Manuel Acha from the Basque Country with a lemon twist, fresh herbs, and saline)
• Macchia from Sardinia with strawberry and vanilla notes 

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to take your time for a good aperitivo before, after, or with a meal. 

7. Redacted Basement Drink Parlor

Summerhill’s Redacted is a notable bar in Atlanta for tourists. It is known to keep its cocktails fresh, unique, and well-made. The bar will never disappoint you. With tomato and mozzarella on top, a tomato water martini is a cool and tasty drink that I loved the most.

Besides this, they offer a clear negroni, a smooth and easy drink that will freshen you up. Some drinks, like the Absinthe Colada and the sweet and familiar Fruit Loop Milk Punch, make things more fun. 

It’s an Atlanta speakeasy bar because it is dark, dimly lit, and luckily not too loud or crowded. Regulars and cocktail experts can both feel right at home there. 

8. Sammy’s After Hours

The Miami Sami, a smoked pork Cubano with mojo mayo, is one of the best sandwiches in the city. During the day, people go to Sammy’s for coffee and sandwiches. While at night, on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., the Adair Park cafe turns into a cozy cocktail spot with a smart, short drinks list. 

Here’s what this Atlanta bar offers:

• Sam 75 with lavender
• 50/50 martini made with Murrell’s Row Tulsi gin
• A spicy tequila limeade
• A fruity Snaiquiri (we love a small daiquiri)
• Irish Espresso with beet Irish cream cold foam on top

It’s a great addition to Atlanta’s growing number of pop-ups that stay open late, like Little Tart After Dark. It meets the need for a casual, cute place to get a fun drink on Friday without having to go out all night. 

9. Necessary Purveyor

Necessary Purveyor is right outside of Ponce City Market. So, the names of their drinks and tastes are a nod to both Atlanta and Miami. You’ll get multiple drinks in this Atlanta craft beer bar. To name a few; 

The espresso martini is made with Flecha Azul reposado, espresso liquor, cold brew, and syrup made in-house. It is cold and crisp, and I loved it. Another great drink is the Ponce City Passion, which has blanco tequila, agave, lime, passionfruit, and jalapeño. They also offer ATLychee Martini, which has vodka, lychee liquor, lemon, and agave. Miami Margarita is light and refreshing. 

It’s one of the Atlanta cocktail bars that offer cocktails all day and have a dinner menu, which includes a raw bar, salads, and more. They also show off relationships, such as with BIGFACE, the coffee brand that NBA star Jimmy Butler started. 

Best craft beer bars in Atlanta 

If you’re looking for the best craft beer bars in Atlanta, don’t miss these names. Scroll down to find more about these bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta: 

10. The Brick Store Bar

The Brick Store Pub in Decatur has been known for a long time as one of the best places to drink beer in the South and in the whole country. It has two bars; a cozy Belgian bar upstairs, and a full menu of gastropub food. It’s the perfect place to try some of the best beer in the area.

The Brick Store has the biggest basement collection I’ve ever seen. It’s organized into a big book of old beers that you can read while you’re sitting at the bar. 

If you don’t have the patience to do a six-year vertical taste of, say, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, you can do it here any night of the week. The range of aged beers is the best I’ve ever seen. 

11. AGOSA

Argosy has more than 30 beers on tap, but the draft list is what makes it stand out because it has so many different kinds of beers. There aren’t many entry-level beers here. There may be a few low-ABV, high-flavor beers, but big DIPAs, stouts, sours, and Belgian ales will make up most of the list. 

Argosy is both a bar and a restaurant, though. It has a unique menu with wood-fired pizzas, fresh hot dogs that are really fresh, and Southern classics. It’s one of the few places where a Belgian country ale and a locally smoked hot dog don’t seem at all out of place. 

12. The Bookhouse Pub

The Bookhouse is a simple, calm, and friendly bar in Atlanta. When you walk in, you might feel like you’re in the cozy library of your rich uncle’s country estate, or maybe the cloister of a church, with its stone and stained glass windows. 

The walls are made of wood, and the shelves are stacked with old books in rings. You expect it to smell like a used bookstore, which is hard to find these days. 

Since this is an Atlanta beer guide, there is also a lot of craft beer, though the types tend to be more approachable. You can also get food, making it one of the best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta. 

Long nights spent talking, where the beer is nice, but the company is what you’ll probably remember. 

If you’re traveling for the first time, don’t skip these Atlanta travel tips for first-timers. 

Best dive bars and neighborhood locals in Atlanta

13. Bob and Harriet’s Home Bar

Bob and Harriet’s is Kirkwood’s well-known and loved neighborhood bar. You’ll find old, creaky seats that will bring the nostalgia back. Things that don’t go together, such as broken window panes and grayscale pictures, make the room look like it’s been there for years. 

Also, the prices of booze look like they’ve stopped changing. The food menu has a few greasy burgers and a nice selection of even better sandwiches like hot beef and fried chicken that are all a fair $15. Beers cost $4. So, that’s one of our spots to have a look at this side of Atlanta. 

14. 97 Estoria

If you’re looking for something to just sit outside and drink all day, this Atlanta speakeasy bar is for you.

All of these dive bars in Cabbagetown are the same, except for this one. You’ll find a big patio and better-than-average bar food. 

A lot of people who work in the business, people carrying 35mm cameras, and groups arguing about which indie band has just sold out are there. There is a creaky wooden booth inside where you can sit with a cheap domestic beer while the patio is busy, which is almost always the case. 

And don’t forget to get a burger dripping in cheese or a veggie dish like a tangy falafel wrap. 

15. Elmyr Restaurant & Cantina

Right for: Eating at the bar Lunch, Dinners for fun, Walk-ins

Little Five is a great place to find abandoned buildings, which is why this Mexican-food dive bar has been a part of the neighborhood for almost 30 years. It’s perfect for eating lunch and dinner. Graffiti and vinyl stickers are all over the walls. Even though tacos, quesadillas, and burritos are all good Tex-Mex food, what we usually do at Elmyr is drink. 

You can get a jalapeño margarita or a Grizz, which is a Corona topped with a tequila shot, and eat the food when you need to get sober. This is one of our favorite places to drink because it feels so chill even when it’s full. 

Hidden bars and speakeasy in Atlanta

One of the best things to do in Atlanta is to explore bars. So, here are some hidden bars and speakeasy bars in Atlanta you should also visit. 

Bar Name	Location	Highlights	Best For
Red Phone Booth	Downtown Atlanta	Secret entry, vintage décor, craft cocktails	Classic speakeasy experience
The James Room	Midtown Atlanta	Elegant interiors, seasonal cocktails	Date nights, upscale vibe
Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge	Midtown Atlanta	Disco theme, creative drinks, music	Fun nightlife, groups
Himitsu	Buckhead Atlanta	Intimate setting, reservation-only feel	Quiet drinks, exclusivity
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar	Buckhead Atlanta	Hidden entrance, premium cocktails	Private, cozy atmosphere
12 Cocktail Bar (RFD Social)	Ponce City Market	Cozy indoor vibe, rooftop access	Relaxed drinks with views
El Malo	West Midtown Atlanta	Stylish décor, Latin-inspired cocktails	Trendy nightlife seekers

Tips for tourists 

Here are some of the tips you should consider if you’re visiting the best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta:

• Rooftop bars in Atlanta fill up fast after 8pm on weekends. So, make sure you arrive before 7pm or book ahead to avoid long queues. 
• Most bars are casual, but Buckhead spots enforce smart casual on weekends.
• Entry is usually free, but live music venues charge tickets, so check in advance.
• Uber or Lyft is essential as bar districts are spread out.
• The BeltLine Eastside Trail offers the best walkable bar crawl with multiple spots close together.
• Open a tab instead of paying per drink as it’s faster and expected.
• Tip $1–2 per drink; good tipping gets better service.
• Thursday nights give you weekend vibes without the heavy crowds.

To Sum It Up

That’s all you need to know about the best bars and rooftop bars in Atlanta. From cocktail bars to speakeasy bars, Atlanta offers fun for everyone.

I really love the unique cocktail, and trust me, you’ll find a different one in every new bar. However, make sure you reserve beforehand if you’re planning to go out to a famous place. 

Frequently Asked Questions