Sip Cocktails in a Secret Garden in Buckhead When Willow Bar Opens

Garden restaurant and bar Willow Bar and rooftop lounge St. Julep open Wednesday, March 24, at the new Kimpton Sylvan Hotel on East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Mid-century-inspired supper club the Betty opened at the hotel in February, lead by executive chef Brandon Chavannes, whose previous work includes stints at St. Cecilia and King + Duke. Chavannes also leads the kitchens at Willow Bar and St. Julep.

Located on the ground floor behind the hotel, Willow Bar features seating in a secret garden-like setting with a willow oak tree, floor lanterns, a fire pit, and pathways throughout the restaurant and bar. Willow Bar serves a mostly vegan and vegetarian menu, including dishes like jerk cauliflower and smoked shiitake mushrooms tossed with green tomatoes and walnuts. A chef’s picnic basket includes fried chicken, cheeses, and charcuterie.

Willow Bar offers 12 wines by the glass and nearly 70 bottles on its wine list, focusing on roses, sparkling wines, and Mediterranean whites and serves a selection of patio-friendly spritzes, cocktails, and beers.

Check out the menu for Willow Bar.

On the ninth floor of the hotel, St. Julep is decidedly more modern and casual than the Betty and Willow Bar with weekend DJs, decorative neon signs, and panoramic views of the Buckhead skyline. Expect everything from highballs and gin and tonics to margaritas and aperitif cocktails served here, paired with boozy soft serve ice cream, corn dogs, Sichuan tater tots, and a mulita cheeseburger.

The design for St. Julep, which features a mural by Atlanta artist Shanequa Gay, leans into the lounge vibe with seating at the bar, on couches, and in more intimate areas throughout the indoor/outdoor space.

Take a look at the menu for St. Julep.

Top: So Fresh, So Clean cocktail; bottom left: soft serve ice cream; bottom right: the Diplomat corndog and 13th Floor cocktail

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel took over the mid-century Sobu Flats building in February after a multi-million dollar renovation. The hotel features just over 200 rooms along with the restaurant, garden bar, and rooftop lounge, and a pool.

Willow Bar: open daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; St. Julep: Monday - Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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.

• The Betty Hopes to Bring Supper Club Classics Back to Life in Buckhead [EATL]
• Kimpton Sylvan Hotel Brings a Restaurant, Garden Bar, and Rooftop Lounge to Buckhead [EATL]