Sunday, January 24, 2010
Food, "Dish", Atlanta
What’s the buzz about?
Spots to kick it for happy hour
Courtesy of Whiskey Park
Whiskey Park’s Crystal Lounge is all about chillaxin’.By Katie Gallagher
The holidays are officially in our wake, as is the guarantee of good cheer brought with them. The year is in full swing, and keeping the stress low and the morale high can get challenging with the pressures of work, family, social life and keeping the balancing act in check. Sometimes there’s no better way to unwind after a long day of slaving to the man than with a chill brew at happy hour. We know a few places that the work crew will appreciate.
PADRIAC’S
Working OTP with no desire to fight traffic home when the day is done? Padriac’s provides a low-light, high-spirit atmosphere with a lovely touch of diversion. This Smyrna-Vinings haunt offers quality food and drink without the pretense, six high-definition screens if you’re more in the mood to get lost in a game and less in the mood to discuss the day’s business, an extensive wine list, beers for years and a reliable menu that’s required to satisfy those motley crews of friends that are assembled in the workplace. Specials include Thursday night pints, where you can purchase a pint of the day and keep the glass, $5 martinis and half-off wine every Wednesday for ladies night, and $3 shots for those really long days. 2460 Cumberland Parkway. 770-433-2398.
www.padriacs.com.
OCTANE COFFEE
If you haven’t been here yet, go immediately. The baristas at Octane are known for espresso drinks made to perfection, complete with designs like leaves and hearts on top (mad skills). Beyond that, this funky coffee bar takes on more of a lounge vibe in the later evening, where craft beers and a diverse wine list make the conversation flow. Few things can make the pains of the office seem like a distant memory like a gorgeous pour of Chimay Tripel (white) Ale. It’s crisp, it’s tangy, and at 8 percent ABV (alcohol by volume), it only takes one to make you feel good. Specials include $8 espresso martinis on Tuesdays and bartender’s pick on Fridays, when the people behind the bar hook you up with cheaper prices on drinks of their liking. Don’t drink on an empty stomach; Octane has a tasty plethora of small bites, including hot and delicious sandwiches and hummus plates for sharing. 1009-B Marietta St. NW. 404-815-9886, or at its newest location in Emory Village, which has all the jolt but no alcohol: 1593 N. Decatur Road NE. 404-585-4210. www.octanecoffee.com.
MR. C’S NEIGHBORHOOD
BAR & GRILL
If dives are your cup of tea, this place is for you. The guard is definitely down in this neighborhood hideout, where you can slip in and get crass about what’s on your mind, or have a rowdier celebration for those sweet career triumphs. Get your favorite jam going on the jukebox, play a game of pool in the newly revamped seating area, and throw a few back with your buddies. Liquor drinks are quality brands, poured with a heavy hand at a low price, and the beer list is aligned with a safe mix of domestics and imports. 1493 Howell Mill Road NW.
404-605-0888.
WHISKEY PARK
Should your company require a swankier environment to reflect on the successes or failures of the day, few places rival the swagger of Whiskey Park, located in the W Hotel-Midtown. Indulge while beats drop amid a carefully balanced mixture of opulence and comfort. Enjoy a refreshing signature cocktail made by the hands of a talented mixologist and take in the grandeur: This place oozes luxury. Sate the appetite on small bites from Chef Jean-Georges’ Spice Market and unwind in style. 188 14th St. NE. 404-724-2560.
www.starwoodhotels.com. SP