If a member of the Addams family ever designed a bar, we think it would look something like the interior of Mambo Zombi. Located on Edgewood, above Georgia Beer Garden, this bar is full of skull decor, loosely inspired by the Day of the Dead. And you enter through a neon-lit coffin. Their original cocktail creations are mainly rum-based tropical drinks, and you can indulge your (presumably) inner pyro with the Monkey Screwed, a banana-infused rum that’s lit on fire before being served.

If you want to feel like a VIP, head to Jojo’s Beloved at Colony Square for a cocktail. You’ll need a reservation to get in, but if they’re not busy the host will make one for you when you arrive. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, from the oval bar accented with plush purple bar stools and booths lining the outside of the room to the record player decor, low lighting, and the ’70s classics and deep cuts playing in the background.

Remember when you went to the mall and spent all your money playing arcade games while your mom shopped? You can bring that feeling full circle at Joystick, where you can spend all your money playing arcade games while you drink. The divey bar in Edgewood has cheap beer, well drinks, and a ton of old school arcade games that will make you feel nostalgic for simpler days. If you’re looking for a group game, there’s another room with Jenga, foosball, and board games.

My Sisters Room, better known as MSR, is one of only a handful of lesbian bars left in the U.S. (last time we checked it was less than 25), a queer-friendly space to grab a drink or get your groove on out on the dance floor. Although their address changes frequently, MSR is always somewhere in Midtown, and they’ve always got something going on. Karaoke, dance parties, drag shows, and comedy nights are just a few of the events you’ll see on their calendar.

This brewery and restaurant right off of Moreland in L5P is housed in what looks like the home of a Southern aristocrat, but it turns out that inside is just a nice casual neighborhood bar with normal-ass people who don’t talk like we imagine Daniel Day Lewis would if he played an Alabama oil baron. Wrecking Bar is a great spot to come with a big group and try a bunch of beers, but they also have a pretty diverse menu, with everything from fondue to beef cheeks, once you get hungry.

Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead is a bar classic that attracts just about everyone from wild partying types to empty nesters exploring their newfound freedom. Their DJ (who has been with them for more than twenty years) keeps the energy high on the dance floor, which makes it a good option for a birthday or friends’ night out.

On the second floor of Ponce City Market, you’ll hear the music bumping before you see the flashing lights spelling out Bar Vegan on the back wall. From the mega-successful Slutty Vegan chain, Bar Vegan serves all the classic drinks like margaritas, mojitos, and sidecars. But we’d recommend going for one of their signature cocktails like the Dias Punch or Marta Express—so good you’ll forget there’s any alcohol in them, so watch yourself.

Little Trouble reminds us of the futuristic Blade Runner, and truthfully that’s the most accurate description we can come up with. It’s dark with plenty of neon and you’ll feel like you’re in a world where people pay for things by just blinking at each other. Settle in, go with the flow and try some sake or one of the many highball cocktails, and order some dumplings and loaded fries. Before you leave, go ahead and get a photo in front of the instantly recognizable neon wall.

There are a lot of rooftop spots in Atlanta, but if you’re looking for one where you can actually meet people and avoid corporate cliques on team outings, head to Hotel Clermont in the Poncey Highlands. It’s a little more difficult to get into than their lobby bar or the one downstairs in Tiny Lou’s, so get here earlier to avoid the crowds. Even if you do have to wait, you’ll be glad you stuck around when you finally see the awesome view.

If you’re bar hopping around East Atlanta Village, it’s almost guaranteed that you’re going to end up at Argosy, a large brewpub with plenty of seating, and more than 30 different beers on the menu. There’s also wood-fired pizza (our fave) and hand-cut fries with a gazillion dipping sauces (nice to meet you, wasabi mayo). Dig in the upscale pub fare while you play skee-ball or shuffleboard in the back area.

This spot on the Westside was made for big groups, whether it’s a Happy Hour with coworkers or a bunch of people looking for late-night drinks after dinner at Miller Union. There’s a big bar upstairs with plenty of tables, and downstairs there’s another large bar where you can play things like bocce or darts. It gets packed here, so come early if you want to avoid the crowds of Georgia Tech students releasing their college stress with social drinking and games.

Northside Tavern has been around since 1972, which makes it a classic by default, and it hasn’t changed much over the years. That’s why we like it. It’s the definition of a dive bar, with cheap beers and strong drinks. With all the development in West Midtown, it’s the kind of place that you may be tempted to drive by and dismiss because of its less-than-shiny exterior, but once you’re inside, we think you’ll be charmed by the live music that plays nightly and the comfortable atmosphere.

Ticonderoga Club has a lot going for it. It somehow feels both like a clubhouse and your cool uncle’s basement, and while they’re known for serving really great food, this place would do just as well as a cocktail bar. Each of their drinks tastes like something that would’ve been served at a pirate-themed party that your grandparents hosted in the early ’60s, using a lot of spirits you might not often order (had port lately?).

When bar hopping on Edgewood, every good night out needs a last stop, and Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium (better known as “Church”) is the perfect one. If the name didn’t already tip you off, this bar is a little different, starting with $5 PBRs being the go-to drink here and with its religious-themed decor. Church took over Edgewood Corner Tavern and almost doubled their square footage, adding more room and an additional bar to help speed up wait time.

The James Room is just off the BeltLine near Krog. During the day, it doubles as a cafe, serving brunch and light bites. But when you enter the cafe at night, you'll walk through doors disguised as bookshelves and into a hidden lounge with a swanky interior. It's like a speakeasy that just happens to serve up some truly noteworthy cocktails. If you’re just here to drink, may your cup runneth over. But if you’re hungry too, you can fill your table with shareables like crab cakes and charcuterie.

If you’re someone whose jerky consumption is limited to driving cross-country and post-workout, Biltong Bar at Ponce City Market will change that. They offer a wide assortment of South African beef jerky (aka biltong), hand pies, and other South African-inspired snacks, along with some very good cocktails. One of them, the aptly named, frozen “Un-Fu*k Your Day,” is always a favorite. Bring a date, or your colleagues, hell even your parents, and order the biltong sample board with a few drinks.

If you need a spot to watch a game, particularly soccer, Brewhouse in Little Five is your sports bar. They have TV’s on every wall and are frequently overrun with Atlanta United fans on game day. Brewhouse has a wide selection of beers with an option for buckets if you’re with a group. If you’re feeling brave, grab a Painkiller—there are three levels of strength, so you can gauge how wild you want to get. If the interior is too crowded, head outside to the large patio.

Leave of Absence’s 38,000 square foot rooftop is more of an experience than it is a mere bar. Once you make it through the slightly intricate entry process that starts with parking at The Interlock on the Westside, you can opt to hit the restaurant, the pool, or the grove. We recommend that you grab a drink at the bar, then wander around outside to soak up the view of the Atlanta skyline or head up a short set of stairs for views overlooking the pool.

When the weather’s nice, we’ll find any excuse to drink outside as often as possible, and that’s exactly why we like Georgia Beer Garden on Edgewood. In addition to their full bar, they boast a serious variety of local beers, along with appetizers like chicken tenders when you need something to balance that sour pickle ale. Their big patio space with tables out back makes it ideal for enjoying a pint or three.