Kimpton Sylvan Hotel Brings a Restaurant, Garden Bar, and Rooftop Lounge to Buckhead

A restaurant called the Betty, outdoor bar Willow Bar, and rooftop lounge St. Julep open next spring at the upcoming Kimpton Sylvan Hotel on East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. A representative tells Eater the Betty should open with the hotel in early spring, followed by Willow Bar and St. Julep later in the season.

Executive chef Brandon Chavannes, whose previous work includes St. Cecilia and King + Duke in Atlanta, leads the kitchens for the restaurant, bar, and rooftop lounge, which were designed by New York-based firm Goodrich.

Billed as a mid-century-inspired supper club, the Betty seats 175 people between its dining room and bar and outdoor patio along East Paces Ferry. The menu from Chavannes features his takes on classic supper club dishes, like beef cheek stroganoff with black pepper gnocchi or shrimp cocktail with preserved lime. The bar at the Betty leans into whiskey and bourbon-based drinks and classic cocktails, along with a selection of old and new world wines and local and craft beers.

Kimpton Sylvan Hotel

General manager of Kimpton Sylvan restaurants and bars Brian McFarland says the pandemic caused he and Chavannes to rethink breakfast and dinner service at the Betty, and plan to offer both menus for takeout when the restaurant opens next spring. Weekend brunch will also eventually be added.

“Our industry – like so many others – has undeniably been hit hard by COVID-19. We set a goal of an early 2021 opening for the hotel and The Betty, and we’re proud to be on track to accomplish that,” McFarland tells Eater. “While we remain hopeful for 2021, the reality is that right now, restaurants and bars aren’t able to open and operate the way they would have a year ago.”

The Willow Bar, located on the ground floor behind the hotel, features seating in a garden-like setting with a willow oak tree, floor lanterns, a fire pit, and pathways throughout the area. The menu focuses mostly on vegan and vegetarian dishes, including jerk cauliflower and smoked shiitake mushrooms tossed with green tomatoes and walnuts. A chef’s picnic basket offers fried chicken, cheeses, and charcuterie. The Willow Bar serves wines by the bottle and glass, as well as a selection of spritzes, cocktails, and punches.

Located on the ninth floor of the hotel, St. Julep leans decidedly more modern and casual than the Betty and Willow Bar with regular DJs and panoramic views of the Buckhead skyline and beyond. Expect everything from highballs and gin and tonics, to margaritas and aperitif cocktails served here, paired with boozy soft serve ice cream, corn dogs, and burgers.

Kimpton Sylvan Hotel

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel takes over the mid-century Sobu Flats building, currently under renovation on East Paces Ferry. Once open, the hotel will feature just over 200 rooms, the restaurant, garden bar, and rooftop lounge, and a pool.

Kimpton Hotels requires guests to wear masks and follows city, county, and state mask mandates and COVID-19 safety requirements.

374 East Paces Ferry Road NE, Atlanta. thesylvanhotel.com.