Favorite Bars 2012
Photo Credit: Carlo Nasisse
Bartender
• WINNER: Bain Mattox at Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
• RUNNER UP: Mike Vanhassel at Speakeasy
269 E. Broad St. · 706-546-5556
Bain Mattox and Normal Bar make a natural combination. Obviously, being proficient on vocals, accordion, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, harmonica, lap steel and Hammond B-3 gives a guy an advantage in whipping up a diversity of drinks for happy-hour customers at one of Athens' most popular neighborhood bars. Mattox personifies the hardworking Athens musician; Normal Bar exemplifies the local business that creates a need by filling a niche, making you wonder how we ever did without it. (Winner: Favorite Bartender, Winner: Favorite Happy Hour, Runner-Up: Favorite Specialty Drinks, Runner-Up: Favorite Uniquely Athens Bar)
Speciality Drinks
• WINNER: Highwire Lounge
269 N. Hull St. · 706-543-8997
• RUNNER UP: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
Margarita
• WINNER: Aqua Linda
1376 Prince Ave. · 706-543-1500
2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-543-0154
• RUNNER UP: Sr. Sol
175 Tallassee Rd. · 706-546-1570
2455 W. Broad St. · 706-850-7112
Bloody Mary
• WINNER: The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
• RUNNER UP: Allgood Lounge
256 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-0166
Beer Selection
• WINNER: Trappeze Pub
269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997
• RUNNER UP: Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar
134 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-0034
Wine Selection
• WINNER: Aromas
1235 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-208-0059
• RUNNER UP: The Winery
429 E. Broad St. · 706-613-0095
Place to Dance
• WINNER: 8e’s Bar
120 E. Washington St. · 706-613-1764
• RUNNER UP: 9d’s Bar
400 Clayton St. · 706-254-3998
Place to Play Games
• WINNER: Max
243 W. Washington St. · 706-254-3392
• RUNNER UP: Little Kings Shuffle Club
223 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-369-3144
Place to be for “Last Call”
• WINNER: Max
243 W. Washington St. · 706-254-3392
• RUNNER UP: Boar’s Head
260 E. Washington St. · 706-369-3040
Happy Hour
• WINNER: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
• RUNNER UP: The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
Trivia
• WINNER: Locos Grill & Pub
2020 Timothy Rd. · 706-549-7700
581 S. Harris St. · 706-548-7803
1985 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-208-0911
• RUNNER UP: Blind Pig Tavern
485 Baldwin St. · 706-548-3442
2440 W. Broad St. · 706-208-7979
Karaoke
• WINNER: Shokitini
251 W. Clayton St. · 706-353-7933
• RUNNER UP: Walker’s Coffee & Pub
128 College Ave. · 706-543-1433
College Bar
• WINNER: Allgood Lounge
256 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-0166
• RUNNER UP: Bourbon Street
333 E. Broad St. · 706-369-1313
Allgood Lounge: Three, count ‘em, three full bars: upstairs, downstairs and tiki, two outdoor patios (one on the roof) where you-know-what is legal; Build Your Own Bloody Mary Buffet every day (except Sunday), Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day (except Sunday); huge-screen TVs so you never have to miss "Downton Abbey," 20 premium select beers on draught, available for private parties; right in the middle of the downtown party scene. How could it not be a Favorite? (Winner: Favorite College Bar, Runner Up: Favorite Bloody Mary)
Place to Meet Someone You Would Not Bring Home to Mom
• WINNER: Max
243 W. Washington St. · 706-254-3392
• RUNNER UP (Tie): Loft Dance Lounge
164 E. Clayton St. · 706-613-7771
• Bourbon Street
333 E. Broad St. · 706-369-1313
Place to Meet Your Future Spouse
• WINNER: The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
• RUNNER UP: Trappeze Pub
269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997
Place to Watch the Dawgs Play
• WINNER: Georgia Theatre
215 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-7670
• RUNNER UP: Magnolias
312 E. Broad St. · 706-543-0797
Open Mic / Comedy Night
• WINNER: Flicker Theatre & Bar
263 W. Washington St. · 706-546-0039
• RUNNER UP: Hendershot’s Coffee Bar
1560 Oglethorpe Dr. · 706-353-3050
Flicker Theatre & Bar is a theatre; is a bar; is a comfortable space for hanging out, having an art opening, enjoying standup comedy, listening to music, watching a puppet show or whatever. And it is so intimate that you feel like you’re performing for your family, and you probably are, or they'll be family by the time you finish. Stage fright unknown here. It's a full bar with popcorn, an integral part of the downtown scene. (Winner: Favorite Open Mic/Comedy Night, Runner Up: Favorite Live Music Venue - Less than 200 Capacity)
Uniquely Athens Bar
• WINNER: The Manhattan Café
337 N. Hull St. · 706-369-9767
• RUNNER UP: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
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