There's something special, something iconic, something romantic about hotel bars. Perhaps it's the feeling of exclusivity or maybe it's being treated like a guest − whether you've reserved a room or not. Maybe it's the allure of people from all over the country (and perhaps world) coming together inside the city's finest inns to toast and share stories.
In any event, there's no better time than winter to settle in for a drink at one of our city's best hotel bars. Below we list a selection of some of the city's coolest, most debonair spots for a drink with the option of relaxing night's stay.
Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar at Loews Atlanta Hotel
1065 Peachtree St. NE, 404-745-5000
Located right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Peachtree Street, Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar at Loews Atlanta Hotel is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the glamour of a hotel bar. The hotel has gone through a recent 13 million dollar luxury refresh, complete with blush tones, new furniture, updated rooms and communal bar tables. Director of food and beverages Alex Amato says that "our people and our service, the ambiance and wonderful partnerships through our unique Flavor Atlanta program really make that special experience for our guests." It's also one of the few places in Midtown you can come to late at night and still experience impeccable service and delicious cocktails and food.
Loews Atlanta Hotel has also added a limited edition pop-up called The Bellhop Bar in the hotel's lobby (open until Jan. 13).
Bar Margot at the Four Seasons
75 14th St. NE, 404-881-5913
The best time to visit Bar Margot is on a Friday or Saturday night between 9 and midnight when the lobby bar has a DJ spinning selections from the hotel's extensive vinyl library. This Midtown lounge derives its name from a character in The Royal Tenenbaums and it certainly feels like something from a Wes Anderson film. Its fine drinks are the handiwork of celebrated barmen Greg Best and Paul Calvert.
Credit: Courtesy of The St. Regis Atlanta's Facebook page
Credit: Courtesy of The St. Regis Atlanta's Facebook page
The St. Regis Bar at the St. Regis Atlanta
88 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404-563-7900
No bar emanates traditional luxury more than the St. Regis Bar at the St. Regis Atlanta. Behind the bar, a mural of Phoenix rising from ashes underscores the decorative and ornamental approach to drinking and entertainment at Atlanta's finest hotel.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
3377 Peachtree Road, 678-500-3190
Perched atop the W Hotel in Buckhead is a bar truly worthy of the #nofilter caption. Guests arrive at the newly renovated rooftop bar in a magical all-glass elevator that ascends 125 feet above Atlanta's skyline, with views of Midtown on one side and Buckhead on the other. Whiskey Blue features two outdoor patios, an enormous mural by local artist Chris Veal and a classic food and beverage menu.
110 Marietta Street, 404-521-2250
Location, Location, Location (or more like the view, the view, the view!). This rooftop bar is eleven stories high with jaw-dropping panoramic views of downtown Atlanta's skyline. Sip on masterfully crafted cocktails under the stars with good music and even better company year round.
The Lobby Bar at Hotel Clermont
789 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, 470-485-0485
The now-famous rooftop bar (equipped with heaters for the cold months) at Hotel Clermont is a force to be reckoned with, but the Lobby Bar is a treasure of its own. Find a comfy nook and soak up all the retro vibes with an old-fashioned or belly up to the bar for great conversation. It also stays open later than the rooftop, wink wink.
Lumen Lobby Bar at The Ritz-Carlton
181 Peachtree St., 404-659-0400
Quality is the order of the day at the Ritz Carlton's Lumen Lobby Bar, where the hotel's contemporary elegance, world-famous service and cocktail craftsmanship are on full display. Try something from their cocktail and dessert menu inspired by the High Museum's blockbuster Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors.
Southern Art and Bourbon Bar at the InterContinental
3315 Peachtree Road NE, 404-946-9070
The modern-meets-classic atmosphere at Southern Art is the perfect setting for celebrity chef and James Beard Foundation award winner Art Smith's farm-to-table menu, while the world-class cocktails at Bourbon Bar feature a well-curated list of American bourbon distillers, with an emphasis on small-batch producers.
Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Marriot Marquis's Facebook page
Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Marriot Marquis's Facebook page
Pulse at Atlanta Marriott Marquis
265 Peachtree Center Ave., 404-586-6081
Pulse, AKA the hottest bar at Dragon Con, is the heartbeat of the Marriott Marquis hotel and one of the coolest places to be in downtown Atlanta. By day, it's the ideal place to meet colleagues and work while enjoying tasty bites. At 6:00 p.m., Pulse has a Cinderella moment as its audible heartbeat will alert the entire hotel that it's time to unwind with a wide selection of cocktails by Pulse's master mixologists.
Studio Bar & Cocktail Garden at Artmore Hotel
1302 West Peachtree St. NW, 404-876-6100
The Studio Bar & Cocktail Garden is the perfect go-to spot, whether meeting up with colleagues, reminiscing with friends or simply unwinding after a long day. Sip craft beverages while enjoying gorgeous views over West Peachtree Street. Featured items include pasta, gourmet sandwiches, salads and innovative daily specials.
