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Where to Go on That First Date Around Atlanta

Make a good first impression at one of these restaurants

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Atlanta has one of the country’s largest singles scenes. This is good news for metro area bars and restaurants who see quite a few first (and last) dates. While apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Match.com have made finding potential love connections easier, one problem still remains unsolved by modern technology: where to go on that first date. Here are a few no-pressure suggestions from Eater readers on where to meet around Atlanta to make a solid first impression.

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Osteria Mattone

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Roswell’s Canton Street is always a solid place to grab dinner OTP and for making a great impression on a first date. Head to Osteria Mattone’s expansive stone patio for wine and shared plates of pasta on a pleasant evening.

O4W Pizza

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Impress with an OTP pizza date over one of Atlanta’s best pies. Be relaxed and super casual when meeting for the first time at O4W Pizza in the Parson’s Alley development in Duluth’s historic town center. Split the pizzeria’s now famous “Grandma pie”; a New Jersey-style pizza with garlic, marinara, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, pecorino, and fresh basil. If the date is going well, walk over for post-pizza beers at Good Word Brewing & Public House just down the street.

The grandma pie. O4W Pizza

St. Cecilia

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A first date happy hour at this swanky bar in the heart of Buckhead’s financial district after work is sure to go over big. Already dressed to impress in tailored business attire, why not stay for a seafood dinner if there’s a love connection?

St. Cecilia St. Cecilia/Chris Watkins

Eleanor's at Muss & Turner’s

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Meet for a casual dinner at Smyrna staple Muss & Turner’s. Slip behind the cooler door for after-dinner drinks at Eleanor’s, their intimate speakeasy and cocktail bar.

Muss & Turner’s Muss & Turner's

Topgolf

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This one’s for the sports enthusiasts or at least those with a competitive streak. Top Golf has a little of everything: food, drinks, fun, and (covered) al fresco dining. Get to know your date while driving a few golf balls down the links. There’s also a location in Alpharetta.

JCT Kitchen & Bar

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JCT’s upstairs bar overlooking the railroad tracks at Westside Provisions District is the perfect, casual getting-to-know-you spot. Grab a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail on the couch and have a chat. If the night goes well, head downstairs for dinner.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar JCT. Kitchen & Bar

Tin Tin

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Meet on the sun porch at wine bar Tin Tin in Westside for a casual fireside chat over charcuterie and snacks paired with a glass of wine during L’Apero — happy hour. In addition to its 30 by-the-glass wines, this French wine bar also offers low-ABV cocktails on its menu. If the date is going well, hang around for dinner and grab a burger or share a few dishes like steak tartare, chicken liver and pork terrine, and pan roasted scallops.

Tin Tin

Après Diem

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Located in the Midtown Promenade complex off of Monroe Drive, Après Diem is the spot for shared plates, wine, and, apparently, a lot of first dates.

Apres Diem/Facebook

The Pinewood

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While the bar here gets crowded, The Pinewood has expanded its square footage to include a spacious dining room with a small lounge area for couples to enjoy a nightcap and after-dinner conversation.

The Pinewood’s new lounge. The Pinewood/Justen Clay

Leon's Full Service

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Leon’s in Decatur is the city’s first date spot for the couple looking for a variety of food options, classic cocktails, and a great patio.

Leon’s Full Service Leon’s Full Service/Facebook

Hotel Clermont Rooftop Bar

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There may be no finer view of the city skyline than from atop the newly-opened Hotel Clermont on Ponce. The astro-turfed lawn bedecked with loungers and an outdoor bar serving frozen drinks and street food beneath the iconic neon sign is hard to beat. Check in with the host upon arrival in the hotel lobby to be placed on the waiting list. Pop into the lobby bar for drinks and a chat while waiting. Open Sunday - Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Hotel Clermont

Nine Mile Station at Ponce City Market

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Wine, dine and play games on the first date while overlooking Atlanta’s cityscape all from the rooftop of Ponce City Market. Begin the evening with dinner and drinks at Nine Mile Station before heading to Skyline Park for amusement park games and rides. If it’s raining, check out the newly-opened RFD Social inside the iconic tower for drinks, small bites, and bumper pool.

Twain's Brewpub & Billiards

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Couples on their first date looking to have a little casual fun head to Twain’s in Decatur for craft beer, bar bites, and some pool.

The bar at Twain's Brewpub & Billiards Twain’s Brewpub

Kimball House

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Impress on the first date with an oysters and champagne happy hour at Kimball House. Stay for dinner and continue the evening with shared plates filled with local, seasonal produce and house-cured meats.

Kimball House Kimball House

Dancing Goats Coffee Bar

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A chill date for those who don't want to go the drinks or dinner route. Grab a latte and a seat on the covered patio for coffee and conversation. If the date goes well, walk over to Ponce City Market for a bite to eat or take a walk on the BeltLine.

Dancing Goats Ponce City Market Dancing Goats/Facebook

Victory Sandwich Bar

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Not all first dates have to be fancy or expensive. Many happy relationships have been forged over tiny sandwiches and a Jack & Coke slushie at Victory.

Victory Sandwich Bar Victory Sandwich Bar/Facebook

LLoyd's Restaurant & Lounge

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This buzzy lounge and bar in Inman Park is a great place to meet up on a first date as it’s often filled with people grabbing drinks during happy hour at tables around the bar or dinner in the dining room. LLoyd’s doesn’t take itself too seriously, keeping the vibe and its food and drinks casual and a bit campy. Happy hour here offers martinis, vespers, and Manhattans for $5. And, the beer list is as old school as it gets.

LLoyd’s

Joystick Gamebar

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Play classic arcade games like Mortal Kombat or Ms. Pac-Man while sipping on cocktails and showing off those mad gaming skills on the first date.

Joystick Gamebar Joystick Gamebar/Foursquare

Carroll Street Cafe

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Many first (second and third) dates are had here at this cozy, Cabbagetown cafe situated along the neighborhood’s main drag. Grab a bottle of wine and sit on the streetside patio for dinner.

Carroll Street Cafe Carroll Street Cafe/Facebook

This East Atlanta bar is the place for first dates in the Village. Sip on craft and local beers while chatting it up in a private corner at a two top.

Argosy Argosy/Foursquare

Osteria Mattone

Roswell’s Canton Street is always a solid place to grab dinner OTP and for making a great impression on a first date. Head to Osteria Mattone’s expansive stone patio for wine and shared plates of pasta on a pleasant evening.

O4W Pizza

Impress with an OTP pizza date over one of Atlanta’s best pies. Be relaxed and super casual when meeting for the first time at O4W Pizza in the Parson’s Alley development in Duluth’s historic town center. Split the pizzeria’s now famous “Grandma pie”; a New Jersey-style pizza with garlic, marinara, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, pecorino, and fresh basil. If the date is going well, walk over for post-pizza beers at Good Word Brewing & Public House just down the street.

The grandma pie. O4W Pizza

St. Cecilia

A first date happy hour at this swanky bar in the heart of Buckhead’s financial district after work is sure to go over big. Already dressed to impress in tailored business attire, why not stay for a seafood dinner if there’s a love connection?

St. Cecilia St. Cecilia/Chris Watkins

Eleanor's at Muss & Turner’s

Meet for a casual dinner at Smyrna staple Muss & Turner’s. Slip behind the cooler door for after-dinner drinks at Eleanor’s, their intimate speakeasy and cocktail bar.

Muss & Turner’s Muss & Turner's

Topgolf

This one’s for the sports enthusiasts or at least those with a competitive streak. Top Golf has a little of everything: food, drinks, fun, and (covered) al fresco dining. Get to know your date while driving a few golf balls down the links. There’s also a location in Alpharetta.

JCT Kitchen & Bar

JCT’s upstairs bar overlooking the railroad tracks at Westside Provisions District is the perfect, casual getting-to-know-you spot. Grab a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail on the couch and have a chat. If the night goes well, head downstairs for dinner.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar JCT. Kitchen & Bar

Tin Tin

Meet on the sun porch at wine bar Tin Tin in Westside for a casual fireside chat over charcuterie and snacks paired with a glass of wine during L’Apero — happy hour. In addition to its 30 by-the-glass wines, this French wine bar also offers low-ABV cocktails on its menu. If the date is going well, hang around for dinner and grab a burger or share a few dishes like steak tartare, chicken liver and pork terrine, and pan roasted scallops.

Tin Tin

Après Diem

Located in the Midtown Promenade complex off of Monroe Drive, Après Diem is the spot for shared plates, wine, and, apparently, a lot of first dates.

Apres Diem/Facebook

The Pinewood

While the bar here gets crowded, The Pinewood has expanded its square footage to include a spacious dining room with a small lounge area for couples to enjoy a nightcap and after-dinner conversation.

The Pinewood’s new lounge. The Pinewood/Justen Clay

Leon's Full Service

Leon’s in Decatur is the city’s first date spot for the couple looking for a variety of food options, classic cocktails, and a great patio.

Leon’s Full Service Leon’s Full Service/Facebook

Hotel Clermont Rooftop Bar

There may be no finer view of the city skyline than from atop the newly-opened Hotel Clermont on Ponce. The astro-turfed lawn bedecked with loungers and an outdoor bar serving frozen drinks and street food beneath the iconic neon sign is hard to beat. Check in with the host upon arrival in the hotel lobby to be placed on the waiting list. Pop into the lobby bar for drinks and a chat while waiting. Open Sunday - Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Hotel Clermont

Nine Mile Station at Ponce City Market

Wine, dine and play games on the first date while overlooking Atlanta’s cityscape all from the rooftop of Ponce City Market. Begin the evening with dinner and drinks at Nine Mile Station before heading to Skyline Park for amusement park games and rides. If it’s raining, check out the newly-opened RFD Social inside the iconic tower for drinks, small bites, and bumper pool.

Twain's Brewpub & Billiards

Couples on their first date looking to have a little casual fun head to Twain’s in Decatur for craft beer, bar bites, and some pool.

The bar at Twain's Brewpub & Billiards Twain’s Brewpub

Kimball House

Impress on the first date with an oysters and champagne happy hour at Kimball House. Stay for dinner and continue the evening with shared plates filled with local, seasonal produce and house-cured meats.

Kimball House Kimball House

Dancing Goats Coffee Bar

A chill date for those who don't want to go the drinks or dinner route. Grab a latte and a seat on the covered patio for coffee and conversation. If the date goes well, walk over to Ponce City Market for a bite to eat or take a walk on the BeltLine.

Dancing Goats Ponce City Market Dancing Goats/Facebook

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Victory Sandwich Bar

Not all first dates have to be fancy or expensive. Many happy relationships have been forged over tiny sandwiches and a Jack & Coke slushie at Victory.