13 Great Atlanta Beer Bars

There is no shortage of craft beer in Atlanta – and no shortage of beer bars to supply it (and no shortage of demand, too). Census data places the average Atlantan in their mid-30s – perfectly suited to hit the town in search of love and the perfect pint. Whether for casual business, or first date fare, here are 13 great Atlanta beer bars to slake your thirst.

Wrecking Bar Brewpub
A mix of traditional and experimental beer from Bill Arnold and Ryan Donald painstakingly brewed on their 7-barrel system paired with local farm-to-table pub classics from Executive Chef Mikey Staniewicz, served in an exquisite Victorian setting that was once a “home, a church, a dance studio, and an architectural salvage store.” It’s a beautiful setting, and fitting for an organization committed to being one of Atlanta’s best spots to eat and drink beer.

Der Biergarten
The rise of beer gardens in Atlanta reflects the zeal with which soccer and its European accoutrements have been embraced around town. That reflection is embodied at Der Biergarten, where you can start to think you’re in Munich once you’ve knocked back a few wurst and washed them down with a dunkel. The food, drink and atmosphere are authentic and exactly what you’d hope for – mugs, benches and string lights mingling with clinks and hearty conversation.

Brick Store Pub
The Brick Store Pub is another spot you can expect to find local craft beer luminaries gathered after a long day of brewing. No television, just conversation – a testament to its championing of all things craft beer. Dozens of the best international, local and regional offerings, expertly curated and guaranteed fresh, are available, but the intrigue deepens with multiple cask releases on top of a cellar that’s hundreds strong, with many aging since the Bush era. Quality is the norm, making it a sure bet for a dinner date or party for any craft beer lover, but what seals the deal is its ambiance. It is always busy and alive. Perhaps the most vivid reflection of Atlanta’s craft beer scene.

Pour Taproom Atlanta
Pour Taproom holds down the ‘pay by the ounce’ beer drinking concept, with locations on the Beltline and Midtown, and a third soon to open in West Midtown, each offering about 70 draft brews and 16 wines and cocktails. Simple, and straightforward -- a good stop in the heat of a bar crawl.

Red’s Beer Garden
Lying snugly between Grant Park and East Atlanta, just off the Beltline, is Red’s Beer Garden, with “everything from a Monday Night Dr. Robot to a Brasserie Dupont Saison to a Miller High Life.” Multiply those three selections by a hundred, add some seltzers, ciders and wines, and you’ll have an idea of what you might find when perusing their self-serve refrigerators and scanning their taps. Pick a beer, perhaps order a “Red’s Favorite” hot dog or pulled pork sandwich with tots and you’ll be living the vision owners Kristen (aka ‘Red’) and Ed Sumpter imagined when they first conceived their beer garden while still working in education. It’s down to earth, and oriented towards the community, in keeping with the education vibe. It’s also a great place to learn… about drinking beer.

Torched Hop Brewing
While some may object that a brewpub shouldn’t be included on a list of beer bars, Torched Hop does include a few rotating guest taps. More importantly, it is undisputedly one of Atlanta’s best spots to drink beer. Great for larger gatherings or dates.

The Porter Beer Bar
The Porter is everything you could want in a beer bar, and with a menu of more than 800 beers, there is enough finely attenuated liquid on offer to fill William Howard Taft’s bathtub twice over. Opened in 2008 in the heart of Little 5 Points, this Atlanta institution combines the charm of a dive with the quality of a gastropub. The menu, which reflects co-owner Nick Rutherford’s background as a fine dining chef, features deluxe quality pub grub guaranteed to pair exquisitely with whatever you choose. If you find yourself unsure of where to begin, staff will be sure to offer a good suggestion. Given its reputation as “the beer drinkers beer bar”, it attracts knowledgeable employees and consumers alike, and you’re likely to find industry veterans gracing its shotgun-style bar, doing “research.”

As a bonus, be sure to check out their cellar, packed with hundreds of rare and vintage beers, aging away to perfection.

Ormsby’s
This august establishment has its finger firmly on the carotid artery of craft beer, as its wide, expertly selected stable of brews suggests. Rounded out by a thorough cocktail, wine, and cider list, Ormsby’s makes for an excellent place to take a special someone, or a rowdy group for a lively bocce ball session. 

Twain’s Brewpub and Billiards
Twain’s might be worthy of a quip from the man himself, were he around to experience it. One of Atlanta’s most respected craft beer conservatories, you’ll find its own offerings peppering the extensive beer list, and that they stand up in quality to the heavy hitters. As the name implies, billiards are to be had, making it a favorite of industry folk, dive denizens and connoisseurs alike.

Hop City
A stalwart member of the Atlanta craft scene, Hop City has cemented itself as a true craft beer authority, boasting one of the biggest beer selections in the country. Its savvy bottle shop/bar/restaurant model has allowed it to open three locations in and around the city, with an additional outpost in Birmingham – proof that a great selection and knowledgeable staff are tantamount to success.

The Book House Pub
What Book House lacks in size and selection quantity, it makes up for with menu quality. It’s one of the dives where you can trust that any beer you order will be somewhere between above average and sublime. A great spot to hunker down after hours, or to nestle in a booth and get to know your Tinder date.

Monday Night Garage
Similar to Torched Hop, while Monday Night’s Garage is more of a showcase for its own offerings, it is still worth a visit, given its large quantity of experimental sours and barrel-aged bruisers.

Georgia Beer Garden
By establishing Georgia Beer Garden in what was once a peanut butter factory, founders Johnny Martinez and Brandon Ley have made Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood even sweeter. With 24 taps focused on locals, and many more bottles and cans, it’s a great spot for the everyman, and has something for everyone else too. Great for a relaxed evening with friends, or a rowdier pregame before an Atlanta United game. As they say, “swing by with friends, grab a pint and some ‘tendies.”