clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
An outdoor fire pit area and warehouse that’s been turned into a beer brewery.
Monday Night Brewing’s Garage is part of “Malt Disney,” roughly four blocks from West End MARTA Station.
Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

Mapped: 25 great options for bar-hopping via MARTA around Atlanta

Who wants to be trapped in an Uber or Lyft when you can ride in style with (cheaper) MARTA trains?

View as Map
Monday Night Brewing’s Garage is part of “Malt Disney,” roughly four blocks from West End MARTA Station.
| Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

With temperatures bouncing between the 70s and 30s, it’s unclear what season it is in Atlanta right now, but spring is certainly on the horizon.

That means, ’tis (almost) the season for sipping cocktails and cold beer on the patios of the city’s premier watering holes.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend St. Patrick’s Day munching on wings in a dark strip club or crushing PBRs in a tiny dive bar.

Because drinking and driving is always a bad idea—and tipsy scooter riding is not just illegal but now impossible after 9 p.m.—it might behoove you to hop on MARTA to get where you need to go and back. It’s much cheaper, after all, than hailing rides with apps.

Below is a curated, eclectic list of some top-notch places for grabbing a drink within walking (or stumbling) distance of MARTA train stops, all across the network. Just remember: MARTA trains stop running at 1 a.m., so plan accordingly.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room

Copy Link

There’s something romantic about hopping on a fast-moving train with a belly full of fried oysters and cheap beer, and Edgewood Avenue’s Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room can help you check all the boxes. Once you’re done stuffing your face and downing some drinks, the King Memorial MARTA stop is just a short walk away.

A bright sign says “Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room,” alongside a sheep’s head logo. Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room, via Instagram

Boxcar at Hop City West End

Copy Link

Stationed at West End’s burgeoning mixed-use development Lee + White, Boxcar shares a parking lot with the likes of Monday Night Brewery’s Garage and breweries by Best End and Wild Heaven. But you won’t need to park, since the West End MARTA stop is just a few minutes away on foot.

A row of beer taps. Boxcar

One Eared Stag

Copy Link

In the eastern realms of Edgewood Avenue, just a block from the Inman Park-Reynoldstown MARTA stop, One Eared Stag offers a wide array of craft cocktails and all the meats, cheeses, and veggies one could ask for. Just beware the crazy drivers on neighboring DeKalb Avenue.

A buck’s head mounted on the bar is wearing a Santa hat. One Eared Stag, via Instagram

Seven Lamps

Copy Link

Replete with a welcoming courtyard featuring skyline views, this Lenox Square option dishes out high-end American fare and handmade pastas, along with craft cocktails. Plus, Seven Lamps is sandwiched between the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations, making it a very transit-friendly spot to grab some grub and sip some drinks.

An outdoor dining area. There are tables, chairs, and white umbrellas. There is a tree with pink blossoms. Seven Lamps, via Instagram

Raging Burrito

Copy Link

A causal spot to glug some margaritas and munch tacos, this Decatur establishment is practically on top of the local MARTA stop. That transit hub also offers easy access to all the other downtown Decatur attractions.

A fountain is in front of a mural of the Mona Lisa drinking a margarita. Raging Burrito, via Instagram

Publico Atlanta

Copy Link

Wanna grab some specialty brews or cocktails and pair them with Latin American fare? Publico’s got you covered, and it boasts close proximity to the Midtown and Arts Center transit stations, as well as a smattering of other eateries and watering holes.

A crowded bar with large glass garage doors. Publico, via Instagram

Artmore Hotel

Copy Link

Within spitting distance of the Arts Center MARTA Station and High Museum, the decades-old Artmore Hotel offers a dimly lit, sophisticated setting to mingle over Old Fashioneds or craft cocktails. The bartop itself is also quite mezmerizibg, featuring tiny, below-surface light tunnels that glimmer as you pass your hand over the top of it.

The exterior of a hotel. The facade is brown and white. There is a tree in front of the entrance. Artmore Hotel

Elliott Street Deli & Pub

Copy Link

In the shadow of downtown’s Goliath Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this historic dive bar has been dubbed one of Atlanta’s best by myriad local and national publications. Elliott Street, largely regarded as a regulars bar, has little tolerance for shenaniganizing, as evidenced by the baseball bat hanging behind the bar. It survives (for now, at least) a couple of blocks south of the Georgia World Congress Center MARTA Station.

The exterior of a pub. The facade is painted red. There is a white sign in front of the pub that reads: pub. Google Maps

SkyLounge

Copy Link

At the top of downtown’s Glenn Hotel, the SkyLounge of course features spectacular views of the city. It’s also just a few blocks north of the Five Points station and attractions like Centennial Olympic Park.

A rooftop patio with leather seats offers skyline views. SkyLounge, via Instagram

The Corner Grille

Copy Link

College Park might not be famous for its bar scene yet, but the Corner Grille in the city’s historic downtown district serves fine wine and beer and boasts a unique American-Cuban fusion menu. And after you grab your doggy bag, the local transit station is right across the street to take you home.

The exterior of a pub. The facade is red brick and there is a blue sign on the building that reads: The Corner Grille. Google Maps

Empire State South

Copy Link

Flaunting one of the best patios in Atlanta, according to Eater, Empire State South is just a stone’s throw east of the Midtown MARTA Station and the famous Margaret Mitchell House. It’s also a solid bet for a bocce ball game, offering seasonal menus with wine pairings.

A bocce ball court in the middle of a green lawn. Empire State South

Hudson Grille

Copy Link

Billed as “Atlanta’s best sports bar,” Brookhaven’s Hudson Grille—one of a few locations—serves bar food with a sophisticated twist, as well as craft brews and cocktails. Standing catty-corner to MARTA’s Brookhaven-Oglethorpe University Station, the place is a good bet for catching the game, whether it’s the Super Bowl, hockey, or anything else.

The interior of a bar. There are booths, tables, and chairs. There are television monitors hanging from the ceiling above the tables. Hudson Grille

Lean Draft House

Copy Link

If you’re actually stumbling, Lean Draft House might be just a bit out of reach, operating a little over a mile east of the West End MARTA Station. But if you’re seeing straight and have a walking buddy, the Beltline-adjacent brewpub offers a nice selection of artisan tacos and craft beer to wash ’em down.

Patrons of a bar sit in an outdoor seating area. Courtesy of Patrick Berry

Monday Night Garage

Copy Link

Alongside the Beltline’s Westside Trail, this cavernous, vibrantly decorated brewery gives tours to interested patrons, and it offers a massive event space for large parties. The West End location also stands within easy walking distance of the local MARTA rail stop, about four blocks away.

A courtyard adjacent to a brewery. There is a seating area and patches of lawn. The brewery is in a red brick building. Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Copy Link

Thrillist dubbed this microbrewery one of Georgia’s best, and it sure doesn’t hurt that it’s just about a block away from the Avondale MARTA Station. Like many brewpubs, this is a great place to down a unique Georgia draft and learn about how beer is made.

An outdoor dining area outside of a brewery. The brewery has a dark metal exterior. There are string lights hanging over the dining area. There are patrons drinking at tables. Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Wild Heaven Beer

Copy Link

A few blocks east of the Avondale MARTA Station is the original Wild Heaven Beer brewery, another notable craft beer creator native to Georgia. This place also offers tours of its beer-making facilities and a large “tasting room” where you can glug some suds.

A group of people sit around a table. There are glasses of beer and plates on the table. Surrounding the table is the interior of a brewery with kegs and industrial brewing components. Wild Heaven Beer

Augustine's

Copy Link

Looking for a juicy lamb burger to pair with your beer or cocktail and MARTA card? Augustine’s is your stop. Two blocks south of the King Memorial MARTA Station, this divey sports bar on Memorial Drive flaunts easy transit access, as well as close proximity to the fast-growing corridor’s many other watering holes and eateries.

The exterior of a pub. There is an awning made out of orange colored wood which is perched on stone columns. Augustine’s

Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium

Copy Link

There’s something about inflatable sex dolls dressed in nun’s attire that just screams Edgewood Avenue. Situated on the bustling bar strip, a few blocks north of the King Memorial transit station, this popular watering hole, colloquially known simply as “Church,” has become the stomping ground of Atlanta’s downtown college students, celebrities, and some hard-drinking academics.

The exterior of a pub. The building has a red brick facade. There is a sign above the entrance that reads: Church. Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium

Ration and Dram

Copy Link

Promising Atlanta’s best craft cocktails, Ration and Dram is a good spot for brunch, dinner, or just drinks. This bar, sited a block from Pullman Yard and a few blocks from the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA Station, has earned a number of local awards for mixology.

A man in a patterned shirt and navy blue baseball cap holds up bags of candy. There is a wall with shelves filled with various liquor bottles behind him. Ration and Dram

Brick Store Pub

Copy Link

Founded by three friends from Athens, the Brick Store Pub offers a cozy “neighborhood pub” environment in the heart of downtown Decatur. A few mere feet from the city’s MARTA hub, the famed watering hole whips up hearty favorites like fish ‘n’ chips and features a can’t-miss Belgian bar upstairs.

The interior of a pub. There is a bar with stools. There are shelves full of liquor behind the bar. Brick Store Pub

Victory Sandwich Bar

Copy Link

Best known for its small, tasty sandwiches and the “world famous” whiskey and Coke slushies, Victory’s Decatur location affords patrons a leisurely stroll to the MARTA station. Its surfer-style aesthetic woos millennials and families aplenty.

The interior of a pub. There are tables with chairs and a bar with stools. Against the wall are shelves full of liquor. Victory Sandwich Bar

Park Bar

Copy Link

At the southern edge of Centennial Olympic Park, not far from Peachtree Center and Georgia World Congress Center MARTA stations, Park Bar serves up pub fare and a rotating list of bourbon and craft beer. Plus, its location makes it an ideal drinking spot before or after a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena—or a Tabernacle show.

The exterior of a bar. The building facade is yellow and there is a sign on the building that reads: Park Bar. There is a tree in front of the building. It is snowing. Park Bar, via Instagram

Max Lager's Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery

Copy Link

A short walk from the Civic Center MARTA stop, Max Lager’s occupies a circa-1913 building and boasts the title of “oldest brewpub in Georgia.” Much of the meat-heavy menu is prepared over an open flame; hence the “Wood-Fired Grille” descriptor.

The exterior of a pub. The facade is tan brick and there is a sign on the building that reads: Max Lager’s American Grill and Brewery, wood fired, fresh brewed. Google Maps

Wing Factory

Copy Link

With close proximity to not only the Chamblee MARTA stop, but also a Waffle House, the Wing Factory serves as a good spot to watch the game and down a few cold ones before hoofing to the train. The Wing Factory also hosts—of course—chicken wing-eating competitions and offers catering and delivery service.

The exterior of a pub restaurant. The building is red brick and has a parking lot in front. There is a sign above the entrance that reads: Wing Factory. Google Maps

Magic City

Copy Link

If you came to this iconic Atlanta strip club after Atlanta United won the Major League Soccer championship at the end of 2018, you might have seen dancers grinding on the golden trophy the team partied with. Any other time, you’ll likely see somebody famous. Sitting roughly a block from the Garnett MARTA stop, Magic City makes for a great, Atlanta-centric spot to down drinks, get a lap dance, and boogie on public transit back home.

The exterior of a bar. The facade is white. There is a parking lot with a car in front of the bar. Google Maps

Loading comments...

Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room

There’s something romantic about hopping on a fast-moving train with a belly full of fried oysters and cheap beer, and Edgewood Avenue’s Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room can help you check all the boxes. Once you’re done stuffing your face and downing some drinks, the King Memorial MARTA stop is just a short walk away.

A bright sign says “Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room,” alongside a sheep’s head logo. Black Sheep Tavern + Oyster Room, via Instagram

Boxcar at Hop City West End

Stationed at West End’s burgeoning mixed-use development Lee + White, Boxcar shares a parking lot with the likes of Monday Night Brewery’s Garage and breweries by Best End and Wild Heaven. But you won’t need to park, since the West End MARTA stop is just a few minutes away on foot.

A row of beer taps. Boxcar

One Eared Stag

In the eastern realms of Edgewood Avenue, just a block from the Inman Park-Reynoldstown MARTA stop, One Eared Stag offers a wide array of craft cocktails and all the meats, cheeses, and veggies one could ask for. Just beware the crazy drivers on neighboring DeKalb Avenue.

A buck’s head mounted on the bar is wearing a Santa hat. One Eared Stag, via Instagram

Seven Lamps

Replete with a welcoming courtyard featuring skyline views, this Lenox Square option dishes out high-end American fare and handmade pastas, along with craft cocktails. Plus, Seven Lamps is sandwiched between the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations, making it a very transit-friendly spot to grab some grub and sip some drinks.

An outdoor dining area. There are tables, chairs, and white umbrellas. There is a tree with pink blossoms. Seven Lamps, via Instagram

Raging Burrito

A causal spot to glug some margaritas and munch tacos, this Decatur establishment is practically on top of the local MARTA stop. That transit hub also offers easy access to all the other downtown Decatur attractions.

A fountain is in front of a mural of the Mona Lisa drinking a margarita. Raging Burrito, via Instagram

Publico Atlanta

Wanna grab some specialty brews or cocktails and pair them with Latin American fare? Publico’s got you covered, and it boasts close proximity to the Midtown and Arts Center transit stations, as well as a smattering of other eateries and watering holes.

A crowded bar with large glass garage doors. Publico, via Instagram

Artmore Hotel

Within spitting distance of the Arts Center MARTA Station and High Museum, the decades-old Artmore Hotel offers a dimly lit, sophisticated setting to mingle over Old Fashioneds or craft cocktails. The bartop itself is also quite mezmerizibg, featuring tiny, below-surface light tunnels that glimmer as you pass your hand over the top of it.

The exterior of a hotel. The facade is brown and white. There is a tree in front of the entrance. Artmore Hotel

Elliott Street Deli & Pub

In the shadow of downtown’s Goliath Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this historic dive bar has been dubbed one of Atlanta’s best by myriad local and national publications. Elliott Street, largely regarded as a regulars bar, has little tolerance for shenaniganizing, as evidenced by the baseball bat hanging behind the bar. It survives (for now, at least) a couple of blocks south of the Georgia World Congress Center MARTA Station.

The exterior of a pub. The facade is painted red. There is a white sign in front of the pub that reads: pub. Google Maps

SkyLounge

At the top of downtown’s Glenn Hotel, the SkyLounge of course features spectacular views of the city. It’s also just a few blocks north of the Five Points station and attractions like Centennial Olympic Park.

A rooftop patio with leather seats offers skyline views. SkyLounge, via Instagram

The Corner Grille

College Park might not be famous for its bar scene yet, but the Corner Grille in the city’s historic downtown district serves fine wine and beer and boasts a unique American-Cuban fusion menu. And after you grab your doggy bag, the local transit station is right across the street to take you home.

The exterior of a pub. The facade is red brick and there is a blue sign on the building that reads: The Corner Grille. Google Maps

Empire State South

Flaunting one of the best patios in Atlanta, according to Eater, Empire State South is just a stone’s throw east of the Midtown MARTA Station and the famous Margaret Mitchell House. It’s also a solid bet for a bocce ball game, offering seasonal menus with wine pairings.

A bocce ball court in the middle of a green lawn. Empire State South

Hudson Grille

Billed as “Atlanta’s best sports bar,” Brookhaven’s Hudson Grille—one of a few locations—serves bar food with a sophisticated twist, as well as craft brews and cocktails. Standing catty-corner to MARTA’s Brookhaven-Oglethorpe University Station, the place is a good bet for catching the game, whether it’s the Super Bowl, hockey, or anything else.

The interior of a bar. There are booths, tables, and chairs. There are television monitors hanging from the ceiling above the tables. Hudson Grille

Lean Draft House

If you’re actually stumbling, Lean Draft House might be just a bit out of reach, operating a little over a mile east of the West End MARTA Station. But if you’re seeing straight and have a walking buddy, the Beltline-adjacent brewpub offers a nice selection of artisan tacos and craft beer to wash ’em down.

Patrons of a bar sit in an outdoor seating area. Courtesy of Patrick Berry

Monday Night Garage

Alongside the Beltline’s Westside Trail, this cavernous, vibrantly decorated brewery gives tours to interested patrons, and it offers a massive event space for large parties. The West End location also stands within easy walking distance of the local MARTA rail stop, about four blocks away.

A courtyard adjacent to a brewery. There is a seating area and patches of lawn. The brewery is in a red brick building. Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Thrillist dubbed this microbrewery one of Georgia’s best, and it sure doesn’t hurt that it’s just about a block away from the Avondale MARTA Station. Like many brewpubs, this is a great place to down a unique Georgia draft and learn about how beer is made.

An outdoor dining area outside of a brewery. The brewery has a dark metal exterior. There are string lights hanging over the dining area. There are patrons drinking at tables. Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Wild Heaven Beer

A few blocks east of the Avondale MARTA Station is the original Wild Heaven Beer brewery, another notable craft beer creator native to Georgia. This place also offers tours of its beer-making facilities and a large “tasting room” where you can glug some suds.