Atlanta’s craft beer and cocktail scene is thriving. Locals never need a reason to gather, tip a glass and enjoy great conversations, friends and a good time. Luckily there are always new places to meet.

Here are some of our favorite new bars.

Red Phone Booth, located in a 100-year-old building near Peachtree Center, is a Prohibition experience featuring an extensive classic craft cocktail and cigar program. Exceptional cocktails feature 100-percent fresh squeezed juices, hand chipped double-reverse osmosis ice, a collection of some of the rarest liquors and more than a dozen tinctures, bitters and flavoring agents. Small plates include fresh seafood, carpaccio, beef tenderloin, Neapolitan pizza and house-made desserts. Showcasing the 1920s speakeasy theme, the venue features restored original brick floors, honey onyx bar, intimate fireplace, custom Italian leather couches and a hand-painted ceiling with back lighting.



5Church at Colony Square opened in the summer to rave reviews for its menu, service, atmosphere and inside bar. But 5Church saved the best for last and recently opened its rooftop bar that overlooks Peachtree and 15th streets. Enjoy gorgeous sunsets and enjoy a special “lite bite” menu that includes red pea hummus, Georgia heirloom tomatoes and a 5Church lamb burger. Try its signature, The Viper, which consists of Patron Silver, orange liqueur, lime juice, cucumber water and cayenne pepper.



Manuel’s Tavern has been an Atlanta institution since the 1950s. It’s a favorite of journalists, politicians and locals who want to sit around, drink and figure out how to change the world. Located in the Poncey-Highland area, Manuel’s has been closed for a while for renovation. It’s now re-opened and all the regulars have assumed their bar stools. This may be the closest to a “Cheers” bar in Atlanta.



AMER is located in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward and features craft cocktails as well as a small, curated selection of beer, wine, aperitifs and digestifs. However, cocktails are its specialty, and you can choose from more than 20 options. Among the “shaken” cocktails are Bone & Mast, which features bourbon, rum, banana, stout reduction, allspice, lime and bitters, while “built” drinks include Saturn, which features gin, orgeat, falernum, passion fruit, lemon and mint. There are also alcoholic sodas, such as Penicillin Pop, which features scotch, lemon, honey and ginger beer. And there are small plates such as house-made chips with carmelized onion dip, beef carpaccio with arugula.



Ticonderoga Club, located in the Krog Street Market, is a place of meeting, eating and drinking. While the menu is a bit eclectic, it features New England favorites such as Maine diver scallops and Ipswich clam rolls. Among its cocktail specialties are the Ticonderoga Cup, with rum, cognac, sherry, pineapple, lemon and mint, and the Holland Tunnel – rye whiskey, Quina aperitif, amaro and angostura.



The Consulate in Midtown by 10th Street draws its influences from around the world. Its food offers the flavors of Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Denmark and Nigeria. The bar also takes patrons around the globe by mixing craft cocktails that match with the dishes and uses spices, bitters and house-made ingredients. It also features a dim sum lunch and tapas dinner.

Find nearby Atlanta bars in your neighborhood or explore the nightlife at our Bars & Clubs guide.

Journalist Mary Welch writes business and lifestyle stories for local and national publications.