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The beauty of a great dive bar is definitely best seen through the whiskey glasses and in the eye of the beholder. Metro Atlanta is home to some great dive bars if you know where to look. The locals know and probably are just fine if it is kept that way.
Where’s the fun in that, though? Dive bar’s are meant to be homey and friendly. A place where you would want to kick back and relax. Make new friends. Order a boilermaker and play some fun bar games like darts or shuffleboard.
Where I grew up, all we had was dive bars. In Atlanta, dive bars are a little more scattered. Though, you can find a wide variety of types of bars in the Atlanta like breweries, Irish pubs, speakeasy’s to cocktail bars. Dive bars retain a simple character the locals love.
What Makes a Great Dive Bar in Atlanta
Well it doesn’t take a lot to make a dive bar, but to make a memorable dive bar it must include the following:
- Cheap drinks
- Great music
- Bar games
- Seasoned look and feel
- Neon
- Something unique
Map of Atlanta Dive Bars
10 Great Dive Bars Around In Atlanta
The Clermont Lounge
Neighborhood: Poncey-Highland
789 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-874-4783
An Atlanta landmark, the Clermont lounge is a renown dive bar. And, yes, technically it doubles as a strip club. This bar has been featured on countless travel TV shows and has had many famous customers. It is one of the dive bars in Atlanta not to be passed over.
The Euclid Avenue Yacht Club
Neighborhood: Little Five Points
1136 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
678-973-0427
A dive bar is not complete without a neon Pabst sign. At this bar in Little Five Points in Atlanta, that is just what you will fine. This amusing bar is filled with the stuff that we love about dive bars. Goofy signs, knick knacks and posters that make you giggle.
Trackside Tavern
Neighborhood: Decatur
313 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-0504
This is the perfect hole in the wall dive bar in Decatur. It has all the bar games you could ask for, like multiple dart boards with dividers, I assume for safety. There are even a couple pool tables. This is a great late night bar.
Moe and Joe’s
Neighborhood: Virginia Highlands
1033 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-873-6090
This award winner dive bar has served the most volume of PBR. That alone has dive bar written all over it. Even the signage for the dive bar looks like a PBR logo. Pitchers are inexpensive and they make some tasty chicken wings.
The Righteous Room
Neighborhood: Poncey Highland
1051 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-874-0939
This is a small, relaxing bar with interesting wall art and murals. The bar features a great jukebox and the bar is a locals favorite for great prices and excellent bar food.
The Northside Tavern
Neighborhood: West Midtown
11058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-874-8745
Located in an old converted gas station, The Northside Tavern has the dive bar look inside and out. The bars on the windows and old paint signify that its been there for a while. Inside, you will find a pool table, a spot for live music (great blues bands) and worn in floors and bartop.
The Local
Neighborhood: Virginia Highland
758 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-873-5002
A Local dive bar in the highlands. The bar is known for battling for the best Karaoke on Monday nights, good beer selection and good chicken wings. The locals know, these are some of the best wings in Atlanta.
The Highlander
Neighborhood: Midtown
931 Monroe Dr NE ste c-101, Atlanta, GA 30308
404-872-0060
The Highlander is a well known late night party spot and has some excellent food as well. The bar has many bar games to keep you occupied like, pool, pin ball and video games. Their is also a large patio to enjoy.
The Earl
Neighborhood: East Atlanta
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
404-522-3950
This little hole in the wall is as an Atlanta staple dive bar. The bar features live music. Check the schedule to see the upcoming bands and musicians. The music venue is separate from the main restaurant area, but there is a second bar near the stage.
Elliot Street Deli and Pub
Neighborhood: Castleberry Hill
51 Elliott St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
xxx-xxx-xxxx
Great sandwiches upstairs and live music downstairs, the Elliot Street Deli and Pub hosts a variety of events. Be sure to check out the calendar. It’s also a great spot to stop by before or after an Atlanta United or Falcons game.
Didn’t see your favorite Atlanta dive bar listed? Contact Ramble Atlanta with suggestions for the next update and we will gladly check it out or just leave a comment.