Sports bars in Atlanta are common, but some exceed the expectations of a few TV's mounted to the ceilings and a handful of beers on tap. Find sports bars notorious for self-serving beer options, innovative wing recipes, upscale dining for sophisticated fans and where the locals like to hang.
Taco Mac
933 Peachtree St. N.E.678-904-7211
Despite its name, Taco Mac is more thriving sports bar with plenty of brews on tap than Mexican restaurant. The original founders managed to scrape together enough money to set-up shop in a taco stand in its original Virginia Highland location. They stayed and opened over 25 locations in 3 states.
The expansive Peachtree Street location houses sports enthusiasts drinking from some 100 beers on tap. Nosh on buffalo wings, burgers, sandwiches and salads. Aside from their notorious beer variety, Taco Mac is also known around town for it's Buffalo-style chicken wings. Come early on game days, the place fills up fast.
Look for additional Taco Mac locations in downtown Atlanta, Virginia Highland, Buckhead and Decatur.
STATS
300 Marietta St.404-885-1472
In a heated debate over a local Sweetwater 420, many Atlantans would argue that STATS is the ultimate sports bar. Five bars and a spacious restaurant houses 70 high-def TV's with every game on imaginable. STATS is also conveniently located near the Georgia Dome so you can be near the excitement as it unfolds just block away.
But aside from the variety of brews and pub food, STATS is one of the few bars in the country where guests can pour their own beer. No server or bartender is needed with their beer tap system. A waiter checks IDs, turns on the taps, and beer by the ounce is distributed of the guests' choosing. After roughly three pitchers, the tap is turned off and a server checks on the table to see if you've had enough or can enjoy another few rounds.
The Brewhouse Cafe
401 Moreland Ave404-525-7799
The Brewhouse may not have as extensive a beer list as its contemporaries, but still offers an impressive draft selection. Their bottled options can also be purchased in buckets of five for groups.
The usual favorites like football, baseball and soccer are always on the roster, in addition to cricket and rugby. Visit their website in advance check the weekly line-up of sporting events.
Clay's Sports Cafe
6518 Roswell Road N.E.404-843-1233
An unassuming little dive at first glance, Clay's is notorious around Atlanta for its savory, innovative wings like their garlic parmesan variety. Locals come to sample the wing selection as much as they do to catch Monday night football.
Visitors tend to drive past Clay's once or twice besides noticing it. Map it in your phone before you go and come hungry.
Dantana's
Wikimedia Commons
404-760-TURF
An upscale sports bars for those hoping to avoid the rowdy crowd, Dantana's serves a menu of surf and turf like Maine lobster & sea scallop risotto and braised duck nachos. This Buckhead hot spot also offers lower key fare like wings and short ribs to compliment a Braves game. Beer is plentiful, but so is an expansive selection of wine and whiskeys your server can make recommendations on to compliment your meal. And if you're staying at a hotel in downtown Atlanta, try Dantana's location at the CNN Center.