Exploring Atlanta's best theme bars
A good theme makes everything better, and cocktail bars are no exception. Theme bars can transport us to carefully curated worlds and offer experiences far beyond drinking.
Here in Atlanta, we have more than our fair share of establishments that create complete immersion and an escape from the mundane.
“City Lights” managing producer Kim Drobes spoke with Beth McKibben, senior editor and dining editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, to discuss some of our city’s more creative cocktail environments.
*This list is not a ranking, but in order of oldest to newest*
Sister Louisa’s Church and Ping Pong Emporium
- Opened: 2010 in Old Fourth Ward/Boulevard, owned by Grant Henry
- Theme: Church/religious-themed.
- Decor: Divey. Unserious religious art and church organ karaoke with participants donning choir robes. Owner Grant Henry aka Sister Louisa is its resident artist and was once a divinity student.
- Events: Church organ karaoke on Wed; Amen: It’s a Drag Show on Thurs; and Sunday Service Dance nights with DJs.
- Opened: 2015 in Decatur, owned by the owners of Victory Sandwich Bar and LLoyds and Stereo.
- Theme: Tiki
- Decor: Beautiful tiki bar with a punk rock vibe. Not overly kitschy.
- Events: Holiday tiki pop-up bar; rum tastings; guest bartenders from other cities.
- Opened: 2016 in Midtown, owned by Chef Mei Lin and her husband and restaurateur Douglas Hines
- Theme: World travels
- Decor: James Bond meets World Traveler, velvet half-moon booths, moody bar, two-top tables
- Events: The menu changes every quarter to a different country, and a guest gets to spin the wheel of countries to choose the kitchen’s next menu destination
- Opened: October 2022 in Old Fourth Ward/Sweet Auburn, owned by Kysha Cyrus and the team behind Joystick Gamebar
- Theme: Celebratory afterlife, Day of the Dead, with a bit of horror and Island of the Dolls in Mexico. You enter through a neon-lit coffin. Kitschy but fun
- Events: K-pop nights, cabaret shows, and meet-ups for the Atlanta Horror Society
- Opened: December 2022 in Old Fourth Ward/Beltline, the team behind Muchacho, above Ladybird
- Theme: National parks, camping, the great outdoors
- Decor: Cabin-core, wood paneling, cozy couches
- Events: Vinyl nights, DJs Thursday and Saturday nights
- NOTE: Reservations encouraged
- Opened: May 2024 in Reynoldstown/Beltline, team behind Breaker Breaker below it and Grindhouse Killer Burgers
- Theme: Rooftop, open-air beach bar on the Beltline with sports
- Decor: Beachy, open-air, but covered. Seating at communal tables in the middle with some bar seating and rail seating overlooking the Beltline
- Events: Sports on the TVs
- Opened: May 2024 in Smyrna above Zucca Bar and Pizzeria, owned by artist Mr. Wattson and designer Heather Tazza
- Theme: 1970s with nods to 1960s/1970s music, propaganda, historical figures. Music from the era, funk, disco, rock
- Decor: Dad’s Den meets Disco meets Record Store
- Events: DJs nightly, live music occasionally
- NOTE: $10 cover
Beth McKibben will return to City Lights next month for our new cocktail and zero-proof series, “The Beverage Beat with Beth McKibben.” You can learn more about her and her weekly newsletter for Rough Draft here.
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