If youâre past the age of jello shots but still own heels that canât be medically justified â this guide is for you.
Welcome to the era of soft lighting, full pours, and conversations that donât require shouting. Buckheadâs bar scene has grown up â and thank heavens. Whether youâre 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 donât mistake volume for vibe).
đPeachtree Road
Accessed through a literal phone booth, this 1920s-style speakeasy delivers classic cocktails, leather booths, and more brown liquor than your dadâs study. Cigar lounge in the back, Gatsby vibes throughout.
đĄ Know before you go: Dress code enforced. Password required. Worth it.
đBuckhead Village
Slick, charming, and mercifully playlisted below 90 decibels. Whether youâre solo at the bar or perched on the patio, itâs pure adulting, Italian-style.
đĄ Order: A glass of Barolo and a bite of ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms.
đEast Paces Ferry
ARIA isnât a bar, per se â itâs a dark, dreamy restaurant with one of the best lounges in town. If you like your martinis velvet-lined, this is your spot.
đĄ Settle in: Post up at the bar before dinner and bask in grown-up glory.
đChamblee, 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 â no chaos, no velvet ropes.
đĄ Perfect for: Creative types, first dates, and those who enjoy a good gin story.
đRoswell Road
Tucked behind Chido & Padreâs, this speakeasy-style spot is dark, decadent, and full of jazz-age mystique. Itâs a vibe â and yes, itâs finally okay to say that at 38.
đĄ Signature move: Let the bartender choose your drink based on âjust vibes.â
Buckhead knows how to pour a proper drink â and if you know where to go, you can sip it surrounded by elegance, not elbow jostles. Youâre not too old to go out. Youâre too wise to go just anywhere.
Tag @AFKATL when you raise a glass â and donât forget to hydrate, darling.