7 Must-Visit Spots on the Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail
Walking on the Atlanta BeltLine can work up a thirst. So if you're looking for a place to stop off for a cool cocktail, or you're coming into the city and want a BeltLine vibe with your beer, there are plenty of places along the trail.
Here are 7 places I recommend for both booze and bites, all on the BeltLine's Eastside Trail. And because they're on the BeltLine, several offer dog-friendly patio seating so you can bring your fur baby with you.
If you're walking on the Atlanta BeltLine, you might hear the party at New Realm even before you see it. This hipster spot gets pretty packed on weekends. And it's no wonder, as its welcoming deck and beer garden give you front-row viewing to the BeltLine's shenanigans. Not to mention plenty of outdoor events and activities to draw you in, such as live music, a Saturday artisan market, pet adoptions and kids' activities. The patio clearly is the place to be. So is the second-floor balcony, with skyline views and an upstairs bar. But if you can forego the outdoor scene, you're more likely to get a seat (and service) inside. New Realm makes its beer onsite, and they're now serving summer cocktails like a Greenhouse Gimlet and a Peach Paloma. If you get hungry, their menu offers a range of pub-style food, from Bavarian pretzels to burgers and wood-fired pizza. I recommend the wagyu burger. Dog-friendly.
2 BrewDog
This Scottish brewery is a relative newcomer to the BeltLine. Located in the former Stoveworks factory across from Krog Street Market, its massive space includes a comfy patio with couches, an indoor fire pit, and open air windows with a direct view of the action on the BeltLine. They have 28 beers on tap, and their non-alcoholic brews are pretty tasty. Vegans will love this spot, as half their menu is plant-based. They not only offer menu options such as a chicken sandwich made with TiNDLE, and a bacon double cheeseburger made with Beyond, but their headliner beers are also vegan. Stop in for Vegan Mondays or Wings Wednesdays. And if you are looking for a place where you can bring your pooch, this is it. Once a month, BrewDog serves up food for dogs and paw-rents on our unique restaurant crawl for dogs, Barks and Bites: Doggie Food Crawl on the BeltLine. This is the most fun your dog will have all month.
For one of the best margaritas in Atlanta - OK, anywhere - stop into Guac y Margys or take a seat at their outdoor picnic tables. You won't find any prepared sour mix here. Everything is made from fresh fruit and sometimes infused for months at a time. My favorite is the Rock Lobstah, an orangey margarita that gets its color from Aperol and its tequila from The Rock (Dwayne Johnson). Other favorites are the Strawberry Pineapple Holla and ATL Sunset. If you're a purist, you won't be disappointed in the house margy, So Fresh So Clean, named after the song by Atlanta group Outkast. I love this hopping bar/restaurant so much that I included them on our Food and Street Art Tour of the Atlanta BeltLine. If you come on our tour, you'll get to compare two of these outstanding margaritas, along with their famous guacamole, salsa and cheese dip. Dog-friendly.
4 Hop City
Just inside Krog Street Market, this bar serves a rotating selection of 60 craft beers from near and far. In addition to IPAs by familiar local brands like Creature Comforts and Wrecking Bar, you also might find a Narragansett out of Providence, an Allagash from Portland and a Potter's Grapefruit Hibiscus out of Virginia. They also have a full bar, and make a mean Bloody Mary. The downside to getting a drink here? Finding a place to sit. The upside? Plenty of good restaurants in the food hall to go with your beer. And if you want to take some home, they have a shop next door with some hard-to-find delights.
In the front, it looks like a European cafe. But don't be fooled. That bookcase that doesn't have actual books? It's a portal to the 1920s. On the other side is a speakeasy lounge fitted with plush couches, a horseshoe bar and a chill vibe. Note that the lighting is dim, and the music is loud. You can go with the retro vibe and order The Great Gatsby drink, stick with a classic like the old-fashioned, or try an espresso martini. Whatever you choose, they have a tasting menu that includes yummy charcuterie and gooey wings.
6 Kroger
If you want a cheap drink on the BeltLine, try the Krobar. Yes, really. They offer surprisingly decent wines and beers for $5 or 6 at their walkup window. And with a long deck overlooking the comings and goings at Ponce City Market across the BeltLine, this is a great place to raise your glass and then grab some groceries afterward. Dog-friendly.
When it's hot, a cold drink might not be cold enough. Get a boozy popsicle to cool you down. With a counter inside Ponce City Market and a stall outside, King of Pops offers not only fruity flavors but some "boozy pop tails" like Raspberry Lime Vodka and Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade, made with spirits from Old Fourth Ward Distillery just up the street. When it comes as a pop, you can savor your cocktail a bit longer, and even take it with you on the BeltLine.
Bottoms up, BeltLiners.
If you want to sample some of the best restaurants on the BeltLine - OK, Atlanta - book a BiteLines Food and Street Art Tour of the Atlanta BeltLine. Margaritas and chocolate included! And dog lovers, we've got an activity exclusively for your fur baby. Bring your dog on Barks & Bites: Doggie Crawl on the BeltLine. Book today before they sell out!
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An Atlanta native, Nicole Gustin is the Founder and CEO of BiteLines, which offers walking Food and Street Art Tours on the Atlanta BeltLine. She considers the BeltLine her backyard, and is excited to see how Atlanta is reinventing itself. To sample some of Atlanta's best restaurants and street art, join us on our fabulous Food and Street Art Tour on the Atlanta BeltLine. Or bring your fur baby on Barks & Bites: Doggie Food Crawl on the BeltLine. Follow on TikTok and Instagram @bitelinesatl.