CityGuide - 5 bars for a mostly bro-free night

Where the drinks flow and Pitbull doesn’t play

Victorysandwich Magnum
Photo credit: James Camp

Atlanta is blessed with a bustling nightlife scene, complete with the right vibe for everyone. Lucky for us, there are plenty of places where that right vibe doesn’t include the music of Pitbull and his radio cohorts or the fake-I.D.-bearing kids of the college bar scene. Whether you want to share a mellow night of craft beer with friends or play some ping-pong, these five watering holes are a good place to start.

This Little Five hangout serves burritos, quesadillas, and other Mexican favorites, with a heaping side of atmosphere and character. It’s also a prime drinking spot, with plenty of beer (appropriate to the hipster-leaning environs, Pabst Blue Ribbon is available by bottle, can and tap), margaritas a... | more...

Beep Beep Gallery’s Mark Basehore and James McConnell joined forces with two Brooklynites to open this gastropub. The back patio is an excellent place to hang out, if you can elbow your way through the crowded bar area and find a table. Regular DJ nights and dinner specials, including $2 tacos, tequ... | more...

Owner Grant Henry, aka Sister Louisa, has built a national reputation for his pub’s kooky religious knickknacks, late-night ping-pong tournaments on Mondays, and organ-backed karaoke sessions on Wednesdays. The pub emerged in 2010 as one of the driving forces behind the historic Old Fourth Ward’s re... | more...

The Porter delivers with a cheap, thoughtful, and satisfying menu, and beer to match. Most of the food is designed to please beer drinkers, and the regular menu doesn’t get much wackier than the combination of applesauce and the addictive applewood smoked bacon hushpuppies. For beer lovers, the Port... | more...

Victory Sandwich is a hip bar known for its Jack and Coke slushies, ping-pong table, and a selection of cheap-but-tasty little sandwiches that cost $4 each. The menu changes somewhat regularly, but you can usually count on favorites like the Beast on Yeast (roast beef with horseradish sauce) and the... | more...