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Where to Dine and Drink During the Solar Eclipse in Atlanta

Party like it’s the end of the world

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It’s been 33 years since Atlanta last experienced a solar eclipse on May 30, 1984. Ronald Reagan was president. “Let’s Hear it for the Boys” by Deniece Williams was number one on the radio, and the Soviet Union had announced its boycott of the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. But on that Wednesday afternoon in the ATL, the sky went nearly dark, and the city partied like it was 1999.

The solar eclipse that will take place this Monday, August 21, should be no different. While Atlanta won’t be a complete blackout during the height of the event at 2:36 p.m., 97 percent totality should be quite a sight. The following 12 bars and restaurants, mapped north to south, will be hot destinations for celebrating this spectacular celestial event.

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Waffle House

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What better place to dine and watch the moon eclipse the sun than at Waffle House? University of Georgia geography professor Jerry Shannon has done the Atlanta-born restaurant chain proud by constructing “The Eclipse: Smothered and Covered” map of the best Waffle House locations to view Monday’s solar event. Three locations are in the northeast Georgia mountains and will be at 100 percent totality.

Waffle House waffle house, creative commons

Ray's on the River

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Dine at either Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek on Monday afternoon during the eclipse and receive a free pair of certified eclipse glasses while sipping on the $5 lemon vodka-based blackout cocktail. Glasses are first come, first served, so get there early.

Ray’s on the River

Bistro Niko

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Head to Bistro Niko’s patio in Buckhead at 12:30 p.m. on Monday and party with Star 94. Guests will be treated to complimentary hors d'oeuvre, $7 glasses of wine, and $32 bottle specials. Each guest will be provided with protective glasses to view the big event.

Bistro Niko
[Photo via Buckhead Life Restaurant Group]
bistro niko, buckhead life restaurant group

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar

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Southern Art and Bourbon Bar is making the eclipse an all-day affair with two-for-one specials on appetizers and a $10 solar eclipse cocktail made with Four Roses bourbon. Watch the sun disappear from the Peachtree Street patio. Glasses not provided.

Southern Art & Bourbon Bar Southern Art & Bourbon Bar

O-Ku’s Westside rooftop patio offers prime views of Atlanta’s skyline in the evenings. It will also serve as a prime viewing spot for Monday’s eclipse. Beginning at 1 p.m., O-Ku will offer party guests solar frosé cocktails on the roof in addition to a full bar. Glasses not provided.

O-Ku Sushi Atlanta patio o-ku sushi, phase 3

Park Tavern

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Park Tavern will open its doors to the public at 12:30 p.m. on Monday for a free eclipse-viewing party featuring beer and cocktails while Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” album spins. The first 100 guests to purchase a Blue Moon beer, Moon Pie shot, or Fugu vodka cocktail will receive a free pair of protective glasses.

Park Tavern Park Tavern

The new Poncey-Highland pan-Asian restaurant is offering eclipse-viewing guests $3 Dark n’ Peach cocktails all day to pair alongside Co’s pho, banh mi, and dumplings. Glasses not provided.

CO

Grindhouse Killer Burgers

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Grindhouse’s Decatur location will offer guests 20 percent off of all food as well as $3 Heinekens and $5 cocktails from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Remember, the rooftop is 21 and up. Sorry, kids. Glasses not provided.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers Decatur
Grindhouse’s rooftop sports bar and patio offers a nice view of Decatur.
Jonathan Phillips/Eater Atlanta

Publik Draft House

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Publik Draft House will mark Monday’s eclipse with sliders and cocktails. Each costs $2.34, which happens to represent the exact time the first shadow of the moon will begin to envelop the sun in Atlanta. Glasses not provided.

Publik Draft House/Facebook

Bread & Butterfly

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The Inman Park bistro will serve a pre-eclipse breakfast menu from opening until 12:30 p.m. Half-priced wines and B&B’s midi menu, which includes that excellent burger, will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Glasses not provided.

Sun Dial

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Grab a seat and a 360-degree view of the eclipse from 723 feet above Atlanta at the Sun Dial restaurant. Sip on an eclipse cocktail (champagne, OJ, and dark rum) while dining on blackened Georgia trout for lunch. Doors open at 1 pm. Glasses not provided.

Sun Dial sun dial, facebook

Republic Social House

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Republic Social House and Blue Moon Brewing will hand out free beers to guests who head up to the restaurant’s rooftop patio for prime viewing during Monday’s eclipse. Glasses not provided.

Republic Social House Republic Social House/Tori Allen PR

Waffle House

What better place to dine and watch the moon eclipse the sun than at Waffle House? University of Georgia geography professor Jerry Shannon has done the Atlanta-born restaurant chain proud by constructing “The Eclipse: Smothered and Covered” map of the best Waffle House locations to view Monday’s solar event. Three locations are in the northeast Georgia mountains and will be at 100 percent totality.

Waffle House waffle house, creative commons

Ray's on the River

Dine at either Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek on Monday afternoon during the eclipse and receive a free pair of certified eclipse glasses while sipping on the $5 lemon vodka-based blackout cocktail. Glasses are first come, first served, so get there early.

Ray’s on the River

Bistro Niko

Head to Bistro Niko’s patio in Buckhead at 12:30 p.m. on Monday and party with Star 94. Guests will be treated to complimentary hors d'oeuvre, $7 glasses of wine, and $32 bottle specials. Each guest will be provided with protective glasses to view the big event.

Bistro Niko
[Photo via Buckhead Life Restaurant Group]
bistro niko, buckhead life restaurant group

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar is making the eclipse an all-day affair with two-for-one specials on appetizers and a $10 solar eclipse cocktail made with Four Roses bourbon. Watch the sun disappear from the Peachtree Street patio. Glasses not provided.

Southern Art & Bourbon Bar Southern Art & Bourbon Bar

O-Ku

O-Ku’s Westside rooftop patio offers prime views of Atlanta’s skyline in the evenings. It will also serve as a prime viewing spot for Monday’s eclipse. Beginning at 1 p.m., O-Ku will offer party guests solar frosé cocktails on the roof in addition to a full bar. Glasses not provided.

O-Ku Sushi Atlanta patio o-ku sushi, phase 3

Park Tavern

Park Tavern will open its doors to the public at 12:30 p.m. on Monday for a free eclipse-viewing party featuring beer and cocktails while Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” album spins. The first 100 guests to purchase a Blue Moon beer, Moon Pie shot, or Fugu vodka cocktail will receive a free pair of protective glasses.

Park Tavern Park Tavern

Co

The new Poncey-Highland pan-Asian restaurant is offering eclipse-viewing guests $3 Dark n’ Peach cocktails all day to pair alongside Co’s pho, banh mi, and dumplings. Glasses not provided.

CO

Grindhouse Killer Burgers

Grindhouse’s Decatur location will offer guests 20 percent off of all food as well as $3 Heinekens and $5 cocktails from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Remember, the rooftop is 21 and up. Sorry, kids. Glasses not provided.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers Decatur
Grindhouse’s rooftop sports bar and patio offers a nice view of Decatur.
Jonathan Phillips/Eater Atlanta

Publik Draft House

Publik Draft House will mark Monday’s eclipse with sliders and cocktails. Each costs $2.34, which happens to represent the exact time the first shadow of the moon will begin to envelop the sun in Atlanta. Glasses not provided.

Publik Draft House/Facebook

Bread & Butterfly

The Inman Park bistro will serve a pre-eclipse breakfast menu from opening until 12:30 p.m. Half-priced wines and B&B’s midi menu, which includes that excellent burger, will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Glasses not provided.

Sun Dial

Grab a seat and a 360-degree view of the eclipse from 723 feet above Atlanta at the Sun Dial restaurant. Sip on an eclipse cocktail (champagne, OJ, and dark rum) while dining on blackened Georgia trout for lunch. Doors open at 1 pm. Glasses not provided.

Sun Dial sun dial, facebook

Republic Social House

Republic Social House and Blue Moon Brewing will hand out free beers to guests who head up to the restaurant’s rooftop patio for prime viewing during Monday’s eclipse. Glasses not provided.

Republic Social House Republic Social House/Tori Allen PR

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