The Top Bars in Buckhead

With its stately homes, luxury shopping districts, destination malls and notable restaurants, Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood is a go-to destination for residents and visitors alike. It's also been a popular nightlife spot since the 1990s and one of the few areas of the city that stays open late, with some bars staying open until 2:30 a.m. for drinking, dancing and general merriment.

Whether you're searching for the perfect patio for day drinking, a sports bar to cheer on your team while washing down a pint or or the best spot to dance the night away with a few hundred of your best friends, this list has something for everyone. Here are our picks for the top 10 bars in Buckhead.

01 of 10

Biltong Bar

Address

306 Buckhead Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Phone +1 678-927-9272

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The original location of South African native and restaurateur Justin Anthony's homage to his native country ("Biltong" is a type of beef jerky) at Ponce City Market has been serving up top-notch cocktails for years, and you can expect more of the same at the Buckhead outpost. Don't miss the happy hour menu with $8 classics like Manhattans and martinis, plus the bar's namesake snack. During regular hours, the bar offers a selection craft beers and cocktails as well as biodynamic wines.

02 of 10

Himitsu

Address

Two Buckhead Plaza, 3050 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Himitsu — which literally means "secret" in Japanese — is the ultimate speakeasy: a reservations only Japanese craft cocktail lounge from the same team as upscale sister sushi spot Umi. Expect sake, wine, champagne and Asian-inspired cocktails from world-renowned bartender Shingo Gokan, all served in luxurious glassware in a plush and intimate setting.

03 of 10

Buckhead Saloon

Address

3227 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Phone +1 678-935-8115

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The party doesn't stop at this Roswell Road hotspot, which is part high energy sports bar and part dance club. While you can stay inside and watch the game on the big screens, the patio is the real draw, with live music Thursdays through Saturdays and late night dance parties on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m. Don't sleep on weeknight specials either, like $2 tacos and $3 tequilas on Tuesdays.

04 of 10

Le Bilboquet

Brown table with a single, short glass on it. The glass has a large, spherical ice cube and is half-filled with bourbon. A bottle of pourbon is being poured into the the glass from the top right corner of the image. — Le Bilboquet

Address

3027 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Phone +1 404-869-9944

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Channel your inner Parisian at this French-inspired spot located in the luxury shopping district The Shops Buckhead. Wrap up your shopping trip on the stunning patio, the perfect place for people watching, sipping sparkling wine or rosé and pretending you've been transported to the City of Lights for the day.

Continue to 5 of 10 below.

05 of 10

Fadó Irish Pub

A round tray resting on a table with two caucasian hand touching side. On the tray are two pint glasses with a dark beer, three taller glasses — three with ice water and one with a pale ale — and three moscow mules with a lime slice on the rim — Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant

Address

273 Buckhead Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Phone +1 404-841-0066

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A go-to for Buckhead partygoers since it opened in 1996 on the corner of Peachtree Road and Buckhead Avenue, Fadó is all grown up with new, three story digs in The Shops Buckhead. With three rooftop patios, $15 weekend bottomless mimosas accompanying live European soccer coverage and $21 bottomless mules from 7 to 9 p.m. on "Fado Fridays," this bar is a sports and booze lover's dream and an official partner of Atlanta United F.C.

06 of 10

Regent Cocktail Club

Five round, stone tables aligned in a row on an outdoor patio. Each table has four woven chairs around it and a candle on the table and a patio umbrella over it — Regent Cocktail Bar

Address

3035 Peachtree St NE #140, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Located on the third floor of American Cut Steakhouse, this indoor/outdoor rooftop bar is open year round. Enjoy scenic views, live music and DJs and shareable small plates like East and West coast oysters, mac and cheese bites and wings while sipping your beverage of choice. We recommend the namesake Peachtree & Regent, made with High West Rendezvous Rye, Fernet, orgeat and citrus.

07 of 10

The Tavern at Phipps

A feminine hand with dark red nail polish holding the bottom of a martini glass filled with a pink liquid — The Tavern at Phipps

Phipps Plaza is more than just a shopping destination. The upscale mall is also home to one of the neighborhood's most popular seen and be seen bars. Snack on the signature Tavern chips (fresh baked tortilla chips with a variety of toppings; try the Southwestern style with firecracker shrimp, poblano peppers, sweet corn, red onion, black bean puree and mild queso) and sip on upscale cocktails or wine while rubbing elbows with everyone from Buckhead locals to celebrities. The bar is a favorite of the cast of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

08 of 10

Southern Art Bourbon Bar

Address

3315 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326-1007, USA

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Phone +1 404-946-9070

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You don't have to be a guest to enjoy this bar and lounge, devoted to everyone's favorite brown spirit, located in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel. The concept from James Beard award-winner celebrity restaurateur Art Smith (best known as Oprah's personal chef) offers over 70 different bourbons and craft American whiskies, plus trendy signature cocktails.

Continue to 9 of 10 below.

09 of 10

The Southern Gentleman

Reddish-orange liquid in a clear glass with ice and an orange peel. There is a chess board partially in view behind the glass — The Southern Gentleman

Address

3035 Peachtree Rd NE A208, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

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Phone +1 404-939-9845

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This upscale Southern-inspired gastropub and whiskey bar features more than 120 varieties of American bourbon and rye, plus several Irish, Japanese, Scotch and Canadian whiskies for sipping neat. Fancy a cocktail? The bar offers spins on classics like the Old Fashioned and Mint Julep as well.

10 of 10

Local Three Kitchen & Bar

Wall with dozens of bottles of alcohol them. The wall is behind a bar and has several chalkboard signs and a door leading to an outdoor dining area — Local Three

Address

3290 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, USA

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Phone +1 404-968-2700

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A wall of bourbon awaits you at this spot from the owners of Muss & Turner's, which takes is liquor as seriously as its food. Their collection includes more than 250 bottles of the spirit (including American bourbon and rye, plus Scotch and Japanese whisky), making it one of the largest selections in the Southeast. The four whiskey flight makes a great pre-dinner sampler.