There’s no denying the solid trend emerging in the number of game bar and restaurant concepts planning to open around Atlanta. Dave and Buster’s may have brought the amusement park indoors for adults and added food and cocktails to the mix (with quality sorely lacking in the latter two,) but a new batch of restaurant/gaming establishments seem equally focused on the quality of the triple threat of good fun, good food, and good drinks.
Places like Puttshack, Punch Bowl Social, The Painted Duck, Fowling Warehouse, Pin and Proper, Roaring Social, and the Roof at Ponce City Market have all opened throughout Atlanta over the last few years — some within the same neighborhood.
Often referred to in marketing circles as “eatertainment” venues — a broad categorical term attempting to define a restaurant or bar offering games — Atlanta appears to be a hot market for such spots at the moment. Currently, 11 new game bars and restaurants are slated to open in and around Atlanta by the end of 2023.
With this latest assortment of game bars and restaurants opening, it begs the question: is Atlanta finally reaching peak eatertainment? Here’s what to know about the new gaming restaurant establishments headed to Atlanta in 2022 and 2023.
Flight Club — Star Metals — Opening January 11, 2023
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Opening at the emerging Star Metals complex on Howell Mill Road, Flight Club joins Puttshack, Fowling Warehouse, and the Painted Duck in the neighborhood. Specializing in a technologically driven take on darts with automated scoring and multi-player options, Flight Club also serves pub fare paired with beer, cocktails, and wine.
Your 3rd Spot — Underwood Hills — Now Open
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Located in a renovated industrial building at the Works complex, Your 3rd Spot features over 70 games options, including bowling, billiards, shuffleboard, and lawn games. There’s even a slide on the patio and a classic arcade, along with a beer garden and social club with DJs. Expect “globally inspired small plates” paired with cocktails, wine and beer. Top Golf is located nearby on Ellsworth Industrial.
Culinary Dropout — Marietta Street Artery at the Brickworks
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This Arizona-based restaurant chain features multiple TVs tuned into sports, live music on stage, and games like ping pong and corn hole on the patio. Culinary Dropout caters to groups, too. Its nearest eatertainment neighbors are the Painted Duck on Brady Avenue, Puttshack at the Interlock, and Flight Club opening soon at Star Metals.
Painted Pickle — Armour Yards
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Atlanta restaurateurs Justin Amick and William Stallworth, the team behind boutique bowling bar the Painted Pin and gaming restaurant venue the Painted Duck, have set their sights on pickleball next. Opening in an Armour Yards warehouse later this year, Painted Pickle includes eight indoor pickleball courts and two patios, one in front of the building and the other adjacent to the proposed Beltline trail. Painted Pickle features a full bar and a kitchen offering everything from sushi and charcuterie boards to sandwiches and salads. Amick and Stallworth are also seeking possible locations for a second Painted Pickle near the Perimeter.
Westside Motor Lounge — English Avenue — Now Open
Part of the Echo Street West development located at Northside Drive and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, Westside Motor Lounge brings a bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue to English Avenue. Three vacant automotive repair shops will transform into a sprawling entertainment complex featuring food, an indoor-outdoor bar and lounge with a variety of seating, and a courtyard with shuffleboard, yard games, and a stage and screen.
Painted Park — Inman Park
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Adding to their growing collection of gaming restaurant venues in Atlanta, Justin Amick and William Stallworth plan to open Painted Park in the former Brasserie and Neighborhood Cafe at Parish space on North Highland Avenue. Along with serving food and drinks, the pair will expand the outdoor space flanking the Eastside Beltline trail for lawn games.
Pins Mechanical Company — Downtown
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A location of the Ohio-based arcade and game bar opens in 2023 at the historic 222 Mitchell building across from Hotel Row in downtown Atlanta. The sprawling game and restaurant venue features rooftop patios, a courtyard, and three bars serving cocktails, boozy slushies, beer, and wine. Expect 16 lanes of duckpin bowling, patio pong, bocce ball, ping pong, pinball machines, and vintage arcade games and video game consoles.
Battle and Brew — Battery Atlanta
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A second location of Sandy Springs gaming restaurant and bar Battle and Brew opens in 2023 at the Battery Atlanta in Cobb County. Located next door to mini food hall Ph’east, this location features a full bar and restaurant serving pub food, televisions playing Sci-Fi movies, and PC computers and gaming consoles, including Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox. Battle and Brew joins three other gaming entertainment spots at the Battery: Punch Bowl Social, Sports and Social, and golf bar and restaurant Good Games.
Puttshack — Dunwoody
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Chicago-based indoor mini golf bar and restaurant Puttshack opens its second Atlanta location in 2023 at the High Street development in Dunwoody. Like the Interlock location on Howell Mill Road, Puttshack in Dunwoody features indoor mini golf courses using Trackaball scoring and interactive gaming technology, as well as a full bar and restaurant serving pub fare.
Fairway Social — Fayetteville
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After opening at the Maxwell on Main Street in Alpharetta in 2021, a second location of the golf-themed entertainment center and restaurant opens at Town Centre at Trilith later this year. Expect a full-service restaurant and bar, a putting green, golf game simulators, and patio in Fayetteville, along with other game like darts, corn hole, and ping pong.