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North America United States Atlanta, Georgia Bars & Nightlife The Earl

Overview

The Earl

The guide was updated: 2025-03-24

The Earl is part dive bar, part live music venue, and a staple of East Atlanta. The front bar is casual and low-key, with solid drinks and surprisingly good bar food (the burgers are a favorite). In the back, there’s a small but legit music venue that hosts local bands and touring acts, mostly indie, rock, and punk. If you’re into live music or just want a no-frills bar with a cool crowd, this is a good bet.

Useful Information

Address: 488 Flat Shoals Avenue SE, Atlanta
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11:30am–2:30am, Sun 11:30am–midnight
Website: badearl.com
Phone: +1 404 522 3950
Email: info@badearl.com

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Manuel’s Tavern

Manuel’s Tavern

Very popular among Atlanta's politicians and journalists, this local tavern has even been called by the New York Times as "Atlanta’s quintessential neighborhood bar." Manuel's is also known for its laid-back atmosphere, good homestyle bar food as well as a great selection of beers on tap and in bottles.

Havana Club ATL

Havana Club ATL

Havana has everything you look for in a nightclub: plenty of space where you can dance, three rooms with different musical styles, several bars, and DJs to keep you dancing all night long.

Eleventh Street Pub

Eleventh Street Pub

Eleventh Street Pub is a solid no-frills bar in Midtown—good for catching a game, grabbing a drink, or just hanging out. It’s got that classic dive-bar feel, with friendly bartenders, plenty of beers on tap, and solid pub food like wings, burgers, and sandwiches.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Barcelona Wine Bar

Barcelona Wine Bar in Inman Park is a go-to spot for tapas and wine, whether you're on a date or just catching up with friends. The menu leans Spanish, with solid options like patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and grilled octopus. The wine list is massive—almost 400 bottles—and the staff actually knows their stuff if you need recommendations. The inside is warm and dimly lit, but if the weather’s nice, the patio is the move.

Johnny’s Hideaway

Johnny’s Hideaway

Johnny’s Hideaway is where you go when you want to dance but don’t feel like dealing with the usual club scene. It’s been around forever, and the crowd skews older, but that’s part of the charm. Expect a mix of Sinatra, Motown, ’70s and ’80s hits, plus some newer stuff later in the night. The dance floor stays packed, the drinks are strong, and if you need a break, you can grab a burger or a plate of fries at the bar.

Smith’s Olde Bar

Smith’s Olde Bar

Smith’s Olde Bar is a classic Atlanta hangout—part dive bar, part music venue, and always a good time. The upstairs stage has hosted everyone from up-and-coming local bands to big-name acts before they blew up, while the downstairs bar has pool tables, solid bar food, and plenty of drinks. There’s something going on most nights, whether it’s live music, comedy, or trivia.

Sanctuary Nightclub

Sanctuary Nightclub

Atlanta’s longest-running Latin nightclub, Sanctuary invites you to show off your salsa and bachata moves. Come early and enjoy some free dancing lessons.

The Masquerade

The Masquerade

Situated in the heart of downtown Atlanta, The Masquerade is a very popular concert venue featuring three levels of stages (Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory). They host more than 600 shows and events every year. Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, and Foo Fighters are some of the bands that have performed here. Visit their website for more information about tickets and upcoming concerts.

The Porter Beer Bar

The Porter Beer Bar

With 60 draft taps and over 800 bottled beers in their cellar, The Porter is a beer lover's paradise. The menu isn’t just an afterthought either—stuff like salt and vinegar popcorn, goat cheese fritters, and fish and chips make it just as much about the food as the drinks. The vibe is laid-back, a little cramped in that cozy pub way, and always a solid choice for beer lovers.

Red Light Cafe

Red Light Cafe

Red Light Cafe is an intimate entertainment and music venue featuring live music, comedy, and burlesque shows. The vibe here is casual and laid-back, the bar offers a variety of drinks, and the kitchen a few appetizers. Visit their website for a complete list of upcoming events.

The Earl

The Earl

The Earl is part dive bar, part live music venue, and a staple of East Atlanta. The front bar is casual and low-key, with solid drinks and surprisingly good bar food (the burgers are a favorite). In the back, there’s a small but legit music venue that hosts local bands and touring acts, mostly indie, rock, and punk. If you’re into live music or just want a no-frills bar with a cool crowd, this is a good bet.

Blind Willie's

Blind Willie's

Blind Willie's is Atlanta's top destination for genuine blues. Here, you will feel transported to the heart of the Mississippi Delta. On their menu are local craft beers and Cajun fare. Check out their website for upcoming events.

Variety Playhouse

Variety Playhouse

Located in the alternative neighborhood of Little Five Points, this old theater turned into a nightclub is one of the best venues to catch a live show in Atlanta. Check out their website for a full list of upcoming shows.

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