Best Neighborhood Bar

As old Ponce gives way to condos, dental spas, and elective IVs (whatever the hell those are), the Righteous Room is as constant as the North Star. When the jukebox is on, it’s pumping the Smiths, Love and Rockets, the Velvet Underground, and more to the tune of clinking beer bottles and friendly banter. It’s an unpretentious, not-too-hipsterish, relaxed, genuine neighborhood bar, which is in short supply these days. Be it a quick stop for patrons before checking out a movie next door at the Plaza Theatre, or an after- work haunt, the Righteous Room is where the locals go. The outdoor seating offers excellent front- row viewing of Ponce Life. Their veggie burgers (and their burger burgers) are one of a kind, and you can’t beat the drink prices. The staff are friendly and easygoing. True school Atlantans wouldn’t have it any other way. less...

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Castleberry Hill, ELLIOTT STREET DELI & PUB offers the neighborhood an underground hot spot for creative music. Brothers Mike and Peter Jakob renovated the space in 2006, and in the last decade the unassuming pub has grown into one of Atlanta’s most influential music hangouts. Bassist Kevin Scott continues to host Tuesday night jam sessions on the pub’s basement stage, bringing in a rotating cast of jazz heavyweights including saxophonists Kebbi Williams and Eric Fontaine. Elliott Street has participated in art celebrations such as Flux Night and hosted work from local favorites such as Evereman. On April 2, the club celebrated its 10-year anniversary with performances from Kebbi Williams and the Wolfpack, who found new audiences in its intimate basement venue. City Councilman Kwanza Hall helped commemorate the pub’s contributions to local culture by adopting April 2 as “Elliott Street Pub Day” in Atlanta. The Elliott Street Deli & Pub is a cultural touchstone for rising musical talent, and a refuge for those seeking quality food, drink, and community. less...

One thing that surprises and attracts people from across the country to Atlanta is its no-fuss inclusivity. Nowhere is that more apparent than MARY’S in East Atlanta. While the dive bar is by definition a queer space, all races, gender identities, and sexualities are welcome. Mary’s is a safe space, but definitely not a bore. It’s known and loved for its delightfully campy, devil-may-care vibe, and, of course, the famous Tuesday and Saturday night Mary-oke. less...

BURKHART’S PUB is a no-frills neighborhood hangout. Free from the travails of urban snobbery, everything from the trivia nights to the drag shows such as the Saturday night Synergy with Monica Van Pelt, Angelica D’Paige, and more makes this two-level hot spot a staple of Atlanta’s LGBT scene in 2016, whether you’re looking for a relaxing dinner on the patio or a raucous show on the main stage. less...

The news that MANUEL’S TAVERN would shut its doors to undergo an overhaul didn’t just scare regulars who feared losing that familiar smoky smell. It also meant enduring the 2016 presidential primaries somewhere other than the Poncey-Highland haunt. But when the pub reopened its doors in early August, the crowds made clear that old habits die hard. The familiar political operatives, journalists, and politicians can once again be found with beer glasses in hand. The TVs are back up on the walls. Come November, the screens will broadcast election returns to (mostly) Democrats sitting at the same sticky tables surrounded by the same political memorabilia. You can’t renovate the spirit out of the place. less...

In an era when many new restaurants are taking the bigger is better approach to success, it’s nice to see an intimate establishment like AMER open up in Inman Park. The vibe at this neighborhood cocktail bar is chill, but stylish — ever hear the word sprezzatura? (Google it.) An air of studied nonchalance is what Amer is all about. Savoring an interesting craft cocktail at the modest bar or lounging around a low table from a cushy banquette feels effortless. Try one of the elaborate technicolor drinks in the Built section of cocktails, like the Bling Machine or the Smoke & Chill. Then, chill. Pair the drinks with a bowl of marinated olives, paprika-smoked cashews, or another light bite from Amer’s simple menu of bar snacks. Once you’ve got the adequate booze padding in place, stick around to enjoy another drink. 299 N. Highland Ave. 404-600-5895. www.ameratlanta.com. less...

Had the the Earl not opened and become a bedrock local music hangout, bar, and restaurant on a once forgotten stretch of Flat Shoals Avenue, East Atlanta Village might not be the thriving nightlife district it is today. Its formula combining top tier pub grub, PBR tallboys, and indie music has made it the go-to for locals and out-of-towners alike. This place has character in spades, from the walls lined with old-school clutter to the hardworking staff. less...