Where to Drink in Buckhead if You’re Over 30 and Still Fabulous

If you’re past the age of jello shots but still own heels that can’t be medically justified — this guide is for you.

Why This Guide Matters

Welcome to the era of soft lighting, full pours, and conversations that don’t require shouting. Buckhead’s bar scene has grown up — and thank heavens. Whether you’re out for a second date, a post-deal martini, or a night that ends by 11:15, here are the spots that serve cocktails with class (and don’t mistake volume for vibe).

📞 1. Red Phone Booth

📍Peachtree Road

Accessed through a literal phone booth, this 1920s-style speakeasy delivers classic cocktails, leather booths, and more brown liquor than your dad’s study. Cigar lounge in the back, Gatsby vibes throughout.

💡 Know before you go: Dress code enforced. Password required. Worth it.

🍷 2. Storico Vino

📍Buckhead Village

Slick, charming, and mercifully playlisted below 90 decibels. Whether you’re solo at the bar or perched on the patio, it’s pure adulting, Italian-style.

💡 Order: A glass of Barolo and a bite of ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms.

🍾 3. ARIA

📍East Paces Ferry

ARIA isn’t a bar, per se — it’s a dark, dreamy restaurant with one of the best lounges in town. If you like your martinis velvet-lined, this is your spot.

💡 Settle in: Post up at the bar before dinner and bask in grown-up glory.

🥃 4. Distillery of Modern Art

📍Chamblee, GA (worth the drive)

A little outside Buckhead, but this chic, design-forward distillery is a destination in its own right. Sip house-made spirits in a gallery-like setting — no chaos, no velvet ropes.

💡 Perfect for: Creative types, first dates, and those who enjoy a good gin story.

🥂 5. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar

📍Roswell Road

Tucked behind Chido & Padre’s, this speakeasy-style spot is dark, decadent, and full of jazz-age mystique. It’s a vibe — and yes, it’s finally okay to say that at 38.

💡 Signature move: Let the bartender choose your drink based on “just vibes.”

Grown-Folks Drinking Tips

• Wear whatever makes you feel expensive — even if it’s just good cologne.
• Ask about spirit-free options. Being fabulous doesn’t require alcohol.
• Snag a reservation if there’s a bar menu. You earned a seat with a back.
• Take the Uber. The valet line is not your ministry tonight.

Last Call

Buckhead knows how to pour a proper drink — and if you know where to go, you can sip it surrounded by elegance, not elbow jostles. You’re not too old to go out. You’re too wise to go just anywhere.

Tag @AFKATL when you raise a glass — and don’t forget to hydrate, darling.