Athens is located North-east of Georgia and is popular for its music scene. Can you think of Athens without booze and drinks? Bet not! Athens, Georgia has more bars per capita than any other city in the USA. The bar scene here is crazy, with plenty to go upon. So you have plenty of options to get drunk, and sorting through to find out the best gems can be rather tough. We have zeroed in on some of the best bars in Athens to grab a few brews. So leave your worries at home and head to one of these bars for a fun time with your friends.
8 Best Athens Bars
Creature Comforts Brewing
For the Artisanal Beers
📍 Address: 271 W Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 410-1043
🕐 Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Mon-Thurs, 3 pm – 10 pm Fri, 12 pm – 10 pm Sat, 1 pm – 6 pm Sun
This is one of the best bars in Downtown Athens for the Artisanal beers. They have a curiosity bar menu, with a wonderful selection of mixed beers. They have half a dozen all year round beer, seasonal beer and select beers in cans and bottles. If you love beers, you will become a regular for sure!
The interiors are huge and the ambience is lovely. The outdoor seating area is particularly fantastic, with several tables under a wooden canopy. The place is nice and spacious, and they allow dogs. The people there are warm, welcoming and inviting.
The Royal Peasant
Lovely little hole in the wall
📍 Address: 1675 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30606 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 549-7920
🕐 Hours: 11:30 am – 11 pm Mon-Sat, 11:30 am – 10 pm Sun
This is a little hole in the wall that serves authentic British food, with lovely British decor and atmosphere in a casual, laid back setting. The rustic vibes of the place with its outdoor seatings are very charming and authentic. Heaters on the outside provide warmth when it gets chilly Nestled snugly in the heart of Five Points neighborhood, it is a quaint and cosy little take of an old English pub.
The peasant offers an excellent selection of beers. They have some draft beer, beer all the way from Britain, craft beer, cocktails and wine. And some delicious, comfort food that pairs well with the drinks. The outside is a great spot to chill out and converse with friends or colleagues after work. The cocktails are delightfully fresh and refreshing and will help you round off the night neatly. You can also catch some football while you’re here.
The Rook and Pawn
First board games cafe in Georgia
📍 Address: 294 W Washington St STE 300, Athens, GA 30601 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 543-5040
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Sun & Mon, 11 am – 10 pm Tue-Thurs, 11 am – 12 am Fri & Sat
If you want a unique experience, at an affordable price, then make a beeline to The Rook and Pawn. They have over 850 table top and card games- all for your entertainment! The board game wall is incredible. The food is great along with a full menu of beer, wine and spirits. They serve 8 beers on draught, that is rotating constantly.
The place is hipster and trendy, with a rustic and friendly vibe. The food menu is very unique, with some truly delightful flavors. If you are looking for a cute little place to hang out with your friends, The Rook and Pawn is your ideal destination. They serve local beer and some great cocktails. The cocktail menu is very..geeky! The staff here are very friendly and helpful, and will help you with recommendations on their food and drink menu, as well as the games.
Catch 22 Gastropub
Great food and great drinks
📍 Address: 1021 Parkway Blvd #117, Athens, GA 30606 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 549-6333
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Mon-Wed, 11 am – 10:30 pm Thurs-Sat, Closed on Sun
Great food, great drinks or great service? It’s quite the catch 22 situation indeed! Catch 22 Gastropub serves 24 craft beers on draft, 8 Wines on draft and 30 craft beers in the can. The menu is changing, so you bet there’s something new on offer every time!
This is a hole in the wall kind of place and the staff are informative, friendly and helpful. Bright, laid back and lively, you will enjoy the ambience of this place. It is a kid-friendly place, so do take the kiddos along.
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Hi-Lo Lounge
Everything you need for a good time!
📍 Address: 1354 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30606 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 850-8561
🕐 Hours: 8 am – 10 pm Mon-Fri, 11 am – 10 pm Sat & Sun
Great food with an incredible selection of drinks that include beer, wine and cocktails. They have 14 selections of draught beer along with canned and bottled beer. The food is amazing, with plenty of vegan options. It can get pretty loud here with the DJ and all, but that just adds to the fun.
The place is spacious, with lots of seating options. A chill, laid back atmosphere adds to the relaxed vans dive vibes.
Trappeze Pub
Great food and impressive drinks
📍 Address: 269 N Hull St, Athens, GA 30601 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 543-8997
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Sun-Thurs, 11 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat
One of the highly rated gastropubs in the world, the Trappeze serves the finest selection of beer, wine and cocktails. With its relaxed and laid back ambience, it is a great place to socialize and have a great time. One of the best bars in Athens.
The beer options are more than 100, including some of the rarest and finest from around the world. There is a nice selection of classic cocktails, beer cocktails and white and red wine. Their burgers are pretty popular and the dipping sauces that come along with the fries are a must-try. Apart from the craft beers on tap, they rotate their selection of beers every other week!
Akademia Brewing Company
Brewing distinctive ales with a delicious twist
📍 Address: 150 Crane Dr, Athens, GA 30606 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (678) 726-2288
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon-Fri, 10 am – 11:30 pm Sat & Sun
Akademia Brewing Company serves a wide range of craft beers, cocktails and wines. They are particularly popular for their beers; while here try out different flavours and concentrations like Lager, Pale, sour, cider and IQ IPA.
The brewpub is nice and spacious and offers delicious food as well. All the foods are made with quality and fresh ingredients, to offer the best of food with the drinks. The buffalo chicken flatbread is one of the most popular dishes here and the taste is spot-on!
Iron Factory
Authentic Korean fair and karaoke
📍 Address: 255 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (706) 395-6877
🕐 Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Wed-Fri & Sun, 5 pm – 2 am Sat, Closed on Mon & Tue
Iron factory has a dynamic selection of beers, wine and cocktails made from the freshest herbs and ingredients available on their patio space. Homemade Kimchi, sizzling steaks, dumplings and more to take care of your cravings. Nice, cozy vibe and ambience with a very vintage feel. And attentive, friendly-staff. What more do you want?
The place is kid-friendly and great if you’re bringing along your family as well. It can also be a nice, intimate spot for a date night. Outdoor seatings are available, and the private karaoke rooms provide a downtown experience that is truly magical.
