The Old Pal
Named one of the "South's Best Bars" by Southern Living Magazine in 2016, The Old Pal will not disappoint your cocktail expectations. The Old Pal is known for its seasonal cocktails, local brews, and extensive whiskey list. They have carefully crafted house specialty drinks so you can step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Stop by Happy Hour from 4 PM - 6 PM daily, for $1 off menu cocktails, wines by the glass, and draft beers to experience this charming bar with low-key vibes in the heart of the Normaltown neighborhood.
Five and Ten
Although well-known for their award-winning food from renowned local chef Hugh Acheson, Five and Ten's cocktails are not to be overlooked. Conveniently located on "Sorority Row" better known as Milledge Avenue, Five and Ten is a must-try. While you're there you'll definitely want to try one of their handcrafted drinks, whether you're going for a small bite to eat or a gourmet meal. From Vodka Aperitifs to Rye Whiskey cocktails, each and every one of their signature cocktails are carefully thought out and incorporate unique and flavorful ingredients like chocolate bitters and hibiscus that are sure to wow.
The National
The National's bar and drink menu make it one of the best places in Athens to grab a cocktail. Open for lunch, dinner, and afternoon "coffee hour", there's always an excuse to visit this Athens local favorite. Their cocktails are designed to perfectly complement the restaurant's Mediterranean inspired menu like the Pickwick Club which incorporates Pineapple Rum and Penicillin's mix of Scotch, honey, ginger, citrus, and laphroaig. The historic downtown location that they share with Ciné adds to the perfect ambiance and outdoor seating area make it an excellent place to sip on a drink in the heart of Athens, Georgia.
The Root
An extension of the Five Points restaurant The Pine, The Root Basement Bar offers delicious small bites and an extensive craft cocktail menu. With over 10 specialty drinks like the Grapefruit Mint Mule and the Fall Daquiri, The Root has many different cocktails for everyone (over the age of 21 of course). They offer happy hour daily from 4:00-6:00 pm and from 10:00 - Midnight, so you can enjoy $1 off local Terrapin Draft Beer, Signature Cocktails, and Wine. Don't forget Wednesday is ladies night, so grab your best girlfriends and enjoy happy hour deals all night long!
Seabear Oyster Bar
Located in the reclaimed Coca-Coca bottling plant on Prince Avenue, now known as the Bottleworks, Seabear is one of the best patios in Athens to sit outside and sip on a delicious cocktail. Described by one of its founders, Noah Brendel, as "Salt life elegant meets tiki casual, a fine place to be," Seabear is the perfect place to savor a delectable cocktail. Creative concoctions including the "Disco Nap," "Grand Slammer," and "Agave Maria" are wonderful to enjoy while indulging in fresh oysters harvested off the east and west coasts of the United States. Seabear's happy hour runs from 3:00-6:00 pm and 10:00 pm-Midnight every day, so you don't have to break the bank while you're there and don't forget about their drink specials like Tiki Boat Drinks on Tuesdays.
LRG Provisions
If you love Last Resort Grill downtown, be sure to try their counterpart, LRG Provisions. Located in the heart of Five Points, LRG's southern flare seamlessly translates into their locally-influenced cocktail menu. Whether you want to grab a drink at the bar before your meal or sip on a cocktail through dinner, LRG's food and drink menu are cohesively designed to give you the perfect balance of all flavors. The Southern Slope deliciously combines Bourbon and apricots, while the Hemingway incorporates Gin, maraschino, lime, and grapefruit. LRG's cocktails in combination with their amazing food are sure to leave you satisfied.
The Globe
The Globe is an eclectic English-inspired pub that is perfect for afternoon happy hour or a post-dinner drink. Named by Esquire Magazine as one of the "Best Bars in America," The Globe lives up to the hype. The two-story bar has a fireplace perfect for cozying up in the winter with a drink from their extensive wall of Scotch or you can enjoy the outdoors with a cold cocktail on the patio cornering Lumpkin and Clayton Streets which offers an excellent location for people-watching on the streets of downtown. A town favorite for university professors and local professionals, you won't want to miss this classic Athens bar while you're here.
