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Leon's Full Service.
Leon's Full Service.
Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee/Bearings Guide

Ten Bars Likely to Be Overrun with Chefs

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Leon's Full Service.
| Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee/Bearings Guide

There are plenty of Atlanta bars and restaurants to choose, so how's a thirsty civilian to decide where to spend a night out on the town? Certainly, many factors should be taken into consideration, like proximity to other watering holes or level of pretentiousness, but maybe it's time to try a new approach. Maybe this weekend, the bars you end up frequenting should also be the bars at which people like Kevin Gillespie or Paul Calvert are seated when they aren't working. If so, you're in luck, because here's a guide to the ten bars most likely to be overrun with chefs and bartenders in the city.


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Leon's Full Service

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Everyone from Paul Calvert to Greg Best thinks that Leon's Full Service is the place to go for a drink. Order off the menu or ask bartender Miles Macquarrie to pick something himself— there's no way to make the wrong choice.

Holeman & Finch Public House

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Greg Best's cocktail creations at Holeman & Finch are another popular option. Chef Linda Harrell recommends the off-menu Southern Cola, made with Mexican coke.

Octopus Bar

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People in the know head to Octopus Bar for late-night dining and drinks. The restaurant doesn't open until 10:30 p.m., making it a post-shift favorite.

Victory Sandwich Bar

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Alex Brounstein of Grindhouse Killer Burgers and Villains says "I'm good friends with Ian and Caleb from Victory Sandwich Bar, so that's where I spend most of my drinking hours. They have good cheap beer, and they serve great cocktails. My go-to is a Bulleit Horse's neck (Bulleit Bourbon, Ginger Beer, Dash of Bitters). Simple and delicious."

H. Harper Station

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Kevin Gillespie and Zeb Stevenson both like to spend their nights at H. Harper Station. Stevenson says he gets the Devil in a Woodpile cocktail.

The Sound Table

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Hector Santiago and other chefs love to spend their weekends at the Sound Table, which sometimes resembles a bar and sometimes a club, making it the best of both worlds.

Elliott Street Deli & Pub

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Looking for a divey atmosphere? Angus Brown of Octopus Bar and DBA Barbecue's Matt Coggin suggest bourbon-based drinks at Elliott Street.

Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium

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Church is one of Mike LaSage of P'cheen and Bone Lick BBQ's favorite bars, possibly because of the location (he lives in Old Fourth Ward) but also because of the vibe. And how can you go wrong with ping pong?

Need a night out but can't stay at the bars too late? Try Bocado, recommended as a great dinner drink spot by Leslie Santiago of Pura Vida.

The Book House Pub

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Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina and Kysha Cyrus of Joystick Gamebar like the Book House Pub. Cyrus likes to check out Tiki Tuesday when her schedule allows.

Leon's Full Service

Everyone from Paul Calvert to Greg Best thinks that Leon's Full Service is the place to go for a drink. Order off the menu or ask bartender Miles Macquarrie to pick something himself— there's no way to make the wrong choice.

Holeman & Finch Public House

Greg Best's cocktail creations at Holeman & Finch are another popular option. Chef Linda Harrell recommends the off-menu Southern Cola, made with Mexican coke.

Octopus Bar

People in the know head to Octopus Bar for late-night dining and drinks. The restaurant doesn't open until 10:30 p.m., making it a post-shift favorite.

Victory Sandwich Bar

Alex Brounstein of Grindhouse Killer Burgers and Villains says "I'm good friends with Ian and Caleb from Victory Sandwich Bar, so that's where I spend most of my drinking hours. They have good cheap beer, and they serve great cocktails. My go-to is a Bulleit Horse's neck (Bulleit Bourbon, Ginger Beer, Dash of Bitters). Simple and delicious."

H. Harper Station

Kevin Gillespie and Zeb Stevenson both like to spend their nights at H. Harper Station. Stevenson says he gets the Devil in a Woodpile cocktail.

The Sound Table

Hector Santiago and other chefs love to spend their weekends at the Sound Table, which sometimes resembles a bar and sometimes a club, making it the best of both worlds.

Elliott Street Deli & Pub

Looking for a divey atmosphere? Angus Brown of Octopus Bar and DBA Barbecue's Matt Coggin suggest bourbon-based drinks at Elliott Street.

Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium

Church is one of Mike LaSage of P'cheen and Bone Lick BBQ's favorite bars, possibly because of the location (he lives in Old Fourth Ward) but also because of the vibe. And how can you go wrong with ping pong?

Bocado

Need a night out but can't stay at the bars too late? Try Bocado, recommended as a great dinner drink spot by Leslie Santiago of Pura Vida.

The Book House Pub

Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina and Kysha Cyrus of Joystick Gamebar like the Book House Pub. Cyrus likes to check out Tiki Tuesday when her schedule allows.

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