Atlanta's Red Line bar crawl

By Chris Watkins

Published on 8/9/2013 at 12:00 AM

Atlanta Bar Crawl, Red Line Bar Crawl

Sitting in the usual bumper-to-bumper traffic on interstates 75/85, or the 285 (OMG Spaghetti Junction, you suck!), is enough to drive anyone to drink... except you can't get to a bar 'cause you're stuck in traffic! So, why not take advantage of Atlanta's admittedly kinda-sucky public transportation and spend an evening hitting these sweet spots on Thrillist's bar crawl along MARTA's Red Line?

White Oak Kitchen bar -- Atlanta

PEACHTREE CENTER STATION
Stop #1: White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails
270 Peachtree St NW; Downtown; 404.524.7200
Craveable bar bites like fried oysters, a Southern hooch list with 80+ whiskeys and bourbons, and the must-have Atlantan w/ cherry-infused Woodford Reserve, Kirsch brandy & chocolate bitters, all make this the perfect first stop.

Stop #2: Alma Cocina
191 Peachtree St NE; Downtown; 404.968.9662
You're here for tequila-laden margs, and definitely some crispy pork belly with roasted corn guac. Plus, they do Tamale Tuesday every... um, Tuesday, which means they serve the wrapped Mexican eats from a food cart 'til they run out.

Empire State South bar -- Atlanta

MIDTOWN STATION
Stop #3: Empire State South
999 Peachtree St NE; Midtown; 404.541.1105
This Midtown heavy-hitter's Larceny Bourbon-heavy Street Legal cocktails are so good they probably shouldn't be... so down a couple while playing bocce ball under the stars before someone bans the things.

Stop #4: Lure
1106 Crescent Ave NE; Midtown; 404.817.3650
You're here for the oversized punch bowl cocktails that're meant to be enjoyed with friends... who are presumably all still stuck in traffic, so just down the whole thing yourself.

Manhattans at Article 14 -- Atlanta

Stop #5: Article 14
1180 Peachtree St; Midtown; 404.443.8432
This spot's named for the Constitutional Amendment that gives you the right to... build your own Manhattans!

Stop #6: Cypress Street Pint & Plate
817 W Peachtree St NW, Ste E125; Midtown; 404.815.9243
Grab a spot on the patio at this craft-suds destination, then grab a handful of the $5 beer/shorty combos they're slinging all day everyday, or a $5 Philly sandwich if it's Monday.

Cook Hall drink kit -- Atlanta

LENOX SQUARE STATION
Stop #7: Cook Hall
3377 Peachtree Rd NE; Buckhead; 404.523.3600
This Buckhead gastropub encourages punching out at 5p with daily $5 glasses of specialty punch 'til 7p, plus they've got DIY cocktail kits, so you can make your own boozy concoction tableside.

Stop #8: Seven Lamps
3400 Around Lenox Rd; Buckhead; 404.467.8950
Ordering the off-menu 50/50 burger at this, the last stop of your night, will show how cool you are metaphorically, and ordering the Fernet & Mexican Coke slushie will make you that way, literally.