Atlanta’s Top Secret Bars and Speakeasies
The secret is out! 🤫 Here’s where to find Atlanta’s most under-the-radar speakeasies, lounges and exclusive, members-only spaces.
1. 12 Cocktail Bar
Want to really impress your sweetheart? Take them to this tucked away and little-known intimate lounge at the top of one of the city’s top tourist destinations, Ponce City Market. There are no menus–instead talk to the gifted bartenders here and ask them to make a concoction to your tastes. Make a reservation online or walk-in.
2. The Blind Pig Parlor Bar
Head around to the back of Chido & Padre’s for a sexy and swanky, 1920s atmosphere. We love the aesthetic interiors, luxurious seating, and excellent cocktail. When there’s live music, it’s even better. And it’s really a great spot for a date!
3. The Club
Chops Lobster Bar is well-known in Buckhead among the well-heeled for consistently delivering a fantastic and lively steakhouse experience. But if you’re looking for something more exclusive, their members-only The Club is the perfect ticket. Cigar humidors and over 100 whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches are on the menu, and membership is by referral only.
4. Eleanor’s
Smyrna’s Muss & Turner’s boasts not only one of our founder’s favorite burgers, but an impressive speakeasy operation called Eleanor’s in the back. Walk through the freezer door and settle in for a cocktail or a bite to eat–they’re serving up a full menu as well.
5. Gaja Bar
The entrance to this East Atlanta spot is so nondescript, you definitely get that hidden bar/speakeasy feel. And the interiors feel like you’ve stepped into an underground nightclub in Tokyo or Seoul. Sip on some soju, tuck into some kimchi fried rice or dig into other delicious Korean bites. It’s really an experience being here.
6. Himitsu
You’ll find Himitsu adjacent to celebrity hot spot Umi. The marble tabletops, impressive barware, and sophisticated and moody lighting lend to the exclusive feel of this place. To get in, 1) you’ll need to email them to make a reservation, 2) if you’re staying a nice hotel in Atlanta, you can ask your concierge to make a reservation for you or 3) you can ask your waiters when you’re dining at Umi to see if there’s any availability at Himitsu that evening.
7. The James Room
It seems like there’s always a lot of hustle and bustle no matter where you are on the Beltline, but the James Room often is a wonderful respite from that. Tucked away in the back of a chic French patisserie/bakery is a bar that’s either laidback place to grab a drink or full-on rocking with a killer playlist, depending on the time that you visit. They also serve a small menu with hearty New American items like lamb chops and short rib flatbread if you want some dinner with your drinks.
@atlantaeatstvThis speakeasy opens Friday and has all the 70s vibes 🤫 🕺🍸##thingstodoinatlanta ##atlantageorgia ##atlantaga ##atlantaeats♬ super rich kids – shaun
8. JoJo’s Beloved
The 70s are alive and well at this hidden lounge tucked into a corner of swanky new food hall Politan Row in Midtown. It’s a small and intimate lounge, for sure, and especially fun to visit with a small group and sit in one of their retro, cozy booths. Jam out to the vinyl records spinning nightly and sip on a Midori Sour. Reservations have to be made quite far in advance, but they do have a certain number of walk-ins every night.
9. Red Phone Booth
This cigar bar in Downtown Atlanta has been a go-to for years, and now they’ve got a Buckhead location as well! Enter the red phone booth and say the secret code to enter. If you want to skip the line, you can pay for an annual membership. If you’re hungry, they also have a pretty extensive menu of Italian favorites!
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10. Warhorse Investments
This super secret, members/invite only spot isn’t open to the public, but here’s some things we’ve heard about it. It’s a steakhouse with a throwback, old glamour vibe where it’s rumored that big movie stars–Robert Downey Jr. is a name we hear at lot–go to hang out. It’s in the same building as the Local Three and also from the Muss & Turner team but even more exclusive and high-end than Eleanor’s. If you’re curious to learn more, you could make an inquiry. Let us know what you learn–we already know our pockets don’t run that deep!
