Zagat's 8 Totally Unique Bars in Atlanta

As a follow up to yesterday's Unique Zagat restaurants in Atlanta, we wanted to present this bar list.  Agree with it?  Have more to add?  Let us know!  

When you've been to one bar, you've been to them all, right? Not the case in Atlanta, where a number of nightlife spots don't focus their creativity on just the cocktails, but on the surroundings as well. These bars are curious, unique and sometimes just plain weird, but all worth a visit when you're looking for an interesting night out.

• Photo by: Kurz Creative

  
  
  
  
  Battle & Brew
  
  
  This Sandy Springs pub brings new life to the concept of bar entertainment, making itself a mecca for gamers with video stations where guests battle it out on the latest computer and console video games. The bar and food programs are just as playful, mashing up nerd culture with foodie fantasies, and keeping plenty of craft brews and creative cocktails on hand whenever a player needs a power up.
  
  
  What to Order: Go fully nerdy and order a glass of Pie ($7), an apple-juice-and-cider cocktail inspired by a cult drink found at the annual Dragon*Con convention.
  
  
  5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs; 678-560-1500
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Czar Ice Bar
  
  
  At $400, the most city's most expensive cocktail (you get to keep the Swarovski crystal martini glass) can be found at this Buckhead oddity. While those looking for a bar built fully out of ice may be disappointed — try Vegas or Sweden for that — you'll still get the best you're likely to do in Georgia. Czar's 27-ft. bar is topped with a four-inch-thick slab of ice.
  
  
  What to Order: The Sweet Georgia Peach ($12) combines both vodka and whiskey flavored with peach with OJ and cherry liqueur.
  
  
  56 E. Andrews Dr. NW; 678-244-3610
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sarah Dodge
  
  
  
  
  
  Little Trouble
  
  
  The cocktail pedigree of this Westside bar is impeccable (it's from the same team behind Victory Sandwich Bar and Paper Plane), as is its aesthetic vision. Nowhere else in town will you find a spot that dives so fully into its atmosphere — in this case, a neon-and-concrete lair reminiscent of futuristic neo-noir films like Blade Runner and Brazil.
  
  
  What to Order: The Found Art ($12) made with rye, mezcal, Zucca rhubarb liqueur, mole bitters.
  
  
  1170 Howell Mill Rd.; 404-500-4737
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Studio No. 7
  
  
  Along the western edge of Downtown where the Marietta Street corridor crosses Ivan Allen you'll find this spot that's unassuming on the outside but bustling with creativity within. The bar's somewhere between a globally inspired tapas bar, an art gallery, an event space and a general cool-kid hangout. Drinks and food change according to season and according to whatever art show's up in the space.
  
  
  What to Order: My Other Studio is in Paris ($9), combining gin, honey syrup, lemon juice and sparkling wine
  
  
  393 Marietta St.; 404-549-9839
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sister Louisa's
  
  
  
  
  
  Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping-Pong Emporium
  
  
  Locals "praise the Lord" for this "unique" Sweet Auburn bar known just as Church that's loaded with with choir robes for wearing, church-organ karaoke and some of the city's most renowned Ping-Pong tables; "down-home hospitality," "drinks you can afford" and "kitschy" religious decor complete the picture.
  
  
  What to Order: Mixed drinks and beers are the standard here, though pitchers of strong sangria sometimes surface.
  
  
  466 Edgewood Ave. SE; 404-522-8275
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  El Bar
  
  
  Fans of this "underground basement" club in Poncey-Highland say "shhhhh, don't let the yuppies find out" about the "wild, sweaty dance parties" going down beneath the Mexican restaurant El Ponce; sure, it may be a "cave" that's "about as big as your closet", but the DJs (mostly club and hip-hop) are "awesome", the drinks are "inexpensive" and it's got an "after-hours" "NYC feel"; P.S. open Thursday–Saturday.
  
  
  What to Order: This isn't a craft cocktail kinda place — find your favorite beer and stick with it.
  
  
  939 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE; 404-881-6040
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Eleanor's
  
  
  This speakeasy-style bar is located in Smyrna restaurant Muss & Turner's. Can't find it? Ask a member of the staff, or just head toward the back of the restaurant, to the right of the main counter, and open what looks like a giant walk-in refrigerator door. The exclusive feeling remains thanks to moody lighting and tucked-away nooks where guests dig into New American cuisine or just spend time over drinks.
  
  
  What to Order: The bar specializes in featuring Georgia beers, and has a killer wine selection too.
  
  
  1675 Cumberland Pkwy. SE, Smyrna; 770-434-1114
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sundial
  
  
  
  
  
  The Sun Dial
  
  
  The iconic and recently renovated restaurant at the Downtown Westin rotates more than 70 stories above Atlanta. Elevated above the main dining area you'll find the bar — there's live jazz several nights a week — where you can sit, sip and take in the famous sights. A limited bar menu offers snacks and small plates.
  
  
  What to Order: The Tallulah ($11), one of several champagne cocktails named after famous Georgia women, combines bubbly, limoncello and fresh raspberries.
  
  
  210 Peachtree St. NE; 404-589-7506