Grab a barstool and get to know some of the South’s most beloved bars. These thirty-two spots are battling it out in our Southern Bar Bracket (cast your votes now).
Alabama
The Garage | Birmingham
Established in 1994
Known for: An antique-filled patio and some of the best made-to-order sandwiches in town
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club | Mobile
Established in 1946
Known for: Part Irish pub, part dive bar with great food (the revered L.A. (Lower Alabama) burger is a favorite)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
Arkansas
The Ohio Club | Hot Springs
Established in 1905
Known for: The oldest bar in Arkansas and a favorite of Al Capone
VOTE NOW FOR THE SOUTH’S FAVORITE BAR
Florida
Flora-Bama | Pensacola
Established in 1964
Known for: Beachfront drinking, annual mullet toss, and the “world famous bushwacker”
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Green Parrot Bar | Key West
Established in 1890
Known for: A storied history as one of Key West’s oldest and most loved bars
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
Old Hickory Whiskey Bar | Pensacola
Established in 2014
Known for: A top-notch “whiskey library” of more than 600 varieties
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Georgia
Kimball House | Decatur
Established in 2014
Known for: Oysters on the half shell and impressive cocktail menu (including absinth service)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Manhattan Cafe | Athens
Established in 1994
Known for: A favorite with locals and “west of the collegiate khaki line”
Manuel’s Tavern | Atlanta
Established in 1956
Known for: A hotspot for Georgia politicians, as well as a diverse group of faithful regulars from every corner of Atlanta
Northside Tavern | Atlanta
Established in 1972
Known for: Cheap beer and live blues seven nights a week
The Original Pinkie Masters | Savannah
Established in 1951
Known for: Cold PBR, good jukebox, and numerous visits by President Jimmy Carter back in the day
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
VOTE NOW FOR THE SOUTH’S FAVORITE BAR
Kentucky
Bluegrass Tavern | Lexington
Established in 2007
Known for: An extensive bourbon collection (the largest in the state)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
Louisiana
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar | New Orleans
Established in 1918
Known for: Handcrafted cocktails steeped in history, home to the original French 75 cocktail
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Carousel Bar | New Orleans
Established in 1949
Known for: A revolving bar and the birthplace of numerous classic cocktails (including the Vieux Carre)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge | New Orleans
Established in 1992
Known for: Schlitz beer; a surprising lack of actual Christmas decor
Mississippi
City Grocery Bar | Oxford
Established in 1992
Known for: Breezy balcony seating and a signature old fashioned
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
Red’s Lounge | Clarksdale
Established circa 1980
Known for: One of the Delta’s last “real” juke joints; beers only—wine and spirits are BYOB
North Carolina
The Crunkleton | Chapel Hill
Established in 2006
Known for: Classic cocktails; behind-the-bar namesake and owner Gary Crunkleton
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
Players’ Retreat | Raleigh
Established in 1951
Known for: The largest single malt scotch collection in North Carolina
Thirsty Beaver Saloon | Charlotte
Established in 2008
Known for: Creating national buzz when the owners refused to sell, even as a giant apartment complex was built around the bar
VOTE NOW FOR THE SOUTH’S FAVORITE BAR
South Carolina
The Bar at Husk | Charleston
Established in 2010
Known for: Southern-inspired craft cocktails and the near-mythical Husk Burger (with ground Benton’s bacon in the patty)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
The Esso Club | Clemson
Established in 1933
Known for: A reputation as one of Clemson’s oldest and most beloved game-day bars
The Griffon | Charleston
Established in 1996
Known for: Fish and chips and a wide array of Lowcountry craft brews
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Tennessee
Alex’s Tavern | Memphis
Established in 1953
Known for: The oldest family-owned tavern in Memphis and the famous Greek Burger
Earnestine & Hazel’s | Memphis
Established in 1992
Known for: The “world-famous Soul Burger,” killer jukebox, and the occasional ghost sighting
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Robert’s Western World | Nashville
Established in 1992
Known for: Broadway’s quintessential (and most historic) honky tonk—with shelves of boots, near-constant live music, and fried bologna sandwiches
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Texas
Anvil Bar & Refuge | Houston
Established in 2009
Known for: A menu featuring more than one hundred cocktails (as well as eight tried and true specialties)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
The Driskill Bar | Austin
Established in 1886
Known for: Live music and cozy cowboy decor; the Batini (the official drink of Austin)
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
The Esquire Tavern | San Antonio
Established in 1933
Known for: A rich history as one of San Antonio’s oldest bars
Web site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Virginia
McCormack’s Big Whisky Grill | Richmond
Established in 2014
Known for: The area’s largest liquor selection (that’s approximately 2,300 bottles), including upwards of 1,400 whiskeys
VOTE NOW FOR THE SOUTH’S FAVORITE BAR
Washington, D.C.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon | Washington
Established in 2011
Known for: The “largest whiskey collection in the Western Hemisphere” with more than 2,700 varieties behind the bar
West Virginia
Lobby Bar at The Greenbrier | White Sulphur Springs
Established in 1778 (hotel)
Known for: A legendary mint julep and an original Gone With the Wind movie chandelier
