Atlanta, Athens Dive Bars Make “Most Legendary” List

Southern Living Magazine has released their list of the South’s 25 Most Legendary Dive Bars, and some great local spots have made the cut!

What makes a good dive bar? According to Southern Living Magazine, not only are cheap drinks and live music a must, but unique qualities — like good food or quirky annual events — are what make a dive bar especially memorable.

Their editors traveled the South checking out some of the best dive bars around (tough assignment…) and came up with a list of 25 of the best. And good news for us…some local spots made the list!

Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead made the list — and is the only Atlanta spot to do so. Located on Roswell Road, you’ll find patrons of all ages here, along with great music and a fun dance floor.

The DJ plays hits from the ’50’s to today — so everyone will find a song they love. All-Request Mondays and Ladies Night Wednesdays highlight the week. The fact that it’s open until 3am most nights is a huge plus. Just make sure you stick to the dress code!

Athens is known for its super fun nightlife, so it’s no surprise two of its bars appeared on the South’s 25 Most Legendary Dive Bars list.

Nowhere Bar on Lumpkin Street in Athens made the list. This darkly-lit bar has live music, pool tables, and monthly Jazz and country music nights. Located right across the street from the Georgia Theatre, it’s the perfect place to go after catching a show.

Another Athens spot — The World Famous — made the list. This downtown Athens spot features inexpensive drinks and some great food options. Open from Noon to Midnight seven days a week, it’s a great place to hear live music, grab a late-night snack, enjoy a cocktail in a mason jar, or get a delicious lunch.

Wondering which other bars made the list? Here’s the complete list of Southern Living’s 25 Most Legendary Dive Bars…

• Green Parrot Bar (Key West, FL)
• The Griffon (Charleston, SC)
• Earnestine & Hazel’s (Memphis, TN)
• Port of Call (New Orleans, LA)
• Planet Marfa (Marfa, TX)
• Nowhere Bar (Athens, GA)
• No Name Pub (Big Pine Key, FL)
• The Garage (Birmingham, AL)
• Scotty’s Beach Bar (Surfside Beach, SC)
• Donn’s Depot (Austin, TX)
• The Virginian (Charlottesville, VA)
• AJ’s Grayton Beach (Grayton Beach, FL)
• Flora-Bama (Perdido Key, FL)
• Sloppy Joe’s (Key West, FL)
• Pirate’s Cove (Elberta, AL)
• The Backstreet Pub (Beaufort, NC)
• The World Famous (Athens, GA)
• Santa’s Pub (Nashville, TN)
• The Red Bar (Grayton Beach, FL)
• The Esso Club (Clemson, SC)
• Johnny’s Hideaway (Atlanta, GA)
• The Palace Saloon (Fernandina Beach, FL)
• Callaghan’s Irish Social Club (Mobile, AL)
• Harry’s Banana Farm (Lake Worth Beach, FL)
• Dixie Chicken (College Station, TX)

You can find Southern Living Magazine’s complete list here.