Favorite Bars 2013
Photo Credit: Porter McLeod
Bartender
WINNER: Bain Mattox at Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
Always performing, always living up to expectations, always pleasing: playing music or conjuring cocktails. It's no wonder he's back again as favorite.
RUNNER UP: Kaleb Cribb at Farm 255
255 W. Washington St. · 706-549-4660
Specialty Drinks
WINNER: Highwire Lounge
269 N. Hull St. · 706-543-8997
Back again this year; they must be doing something right. Let's all go down and find out what Flagpole readers know.
RUNNER UP: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
Margarita
WINNER: Agua Linda Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
1376 Prince Ave. · 706-543-1500
2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-543-0154
It's always true: If you want the real thing, go to the source. Crowded but friendly. Real Mexican. Flan, too.
RUNNER UP: Sr. Sol
175 Tallassee Rd. · 706-546-1570
2455 W. Broad St. · 706-850-7112
Bloody Mary
WINNER: Allgood Lounge
256 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-0166
If you can make the best example of a drink everybody thinks he can make, the world will beat a path to your door.
RUNNER UP: The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
Beer Selection
WINNER: Trappeze Pub
269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997
They've got the book on beer. Study it, and you'll learn to read how to find pleasure in the astounding variety of malt and hops and all the ways they can be brewed.
RUNNER UP: The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
Wine Selection
WINNER: Aromas
1235 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-208-0059
A warm glow in the just-dark-enough, friendly place, and considering all the good wine in all the bars and restaurants in Athens, our readers have bestowed quite an honor here.
RUNNER UP: The National
232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450
Aromas - Winner: Favorite Wine Selection.
Place to Dance
WINNER: Little Kings Shuffle Club
223 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-369-3144
There are lots of different reasons and occasions to dance at Little Kings, but the always intimate and inviting space makes people want to get out there and do it.
RUNNER UP: 8e's
120 E. Washington St. · 706-613-1764
Place to Play Games
WINNER: Max
243 W. Washington St. · 706-254-3392
It's not just the games, it's the delight in being surrounded by a pleasant space with friends who are all enjoying a common goal.
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
When it comes, as it has to come, you want to be with the people who matter and in a place that matters, for that matter.
RUNNER UP: Little Kings Shuffle Club
223 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-369-3144
Happy Hour
WINNER: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
There's something about the necessary mix of people and drinks and the feel of the place that makes the hour happily Normal.
RUNNER UP: Flicker Theatre & Bar
263 W. Washington St. · 706-546-0039
Trivia
WINNER: Highwire Lounge
269 N. Hull St. · 706-543-8997
If you like your facts shaken, not stirred; you'll want to be among discriminating minds when it's crunch time for the brain.
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
These people are serious about karaoke, and they can make it fun for you with your own party room, wireless mics and videos. Of course, it all goes better if you prep with sushi and sake.
RUNNER UP: (tie)
Walker's Coffee & Pub
128 College Ave. · 706-543-1433
Go Bar
195 Prince Ave · 706-546-5609
College Bar
WINNER: Allgood Lounge
256 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-0166
How do they do it? College bar and grown-up bar at the same time? What is the secret? Are there courses that teach it? Go find out for yourself.
RUNNER UP: Magnolias
312 E. Broad St. · 706-543-0797
Place to Meet Someone You Would Not Bring Home to Mom
WINNER: Max
243 W. Washington St. · 706-254-3392
Ha! You thought it was just a funky, comfortable place to hang out. Until he came along. He's a little dangerous and a little older, and Mom can just get over it.
RUNNER UP: Toppers International Showbar
100 N. Jackson St. · 706-613-0504
Max- Winner: Favorite Place to Play Games, Winner: Favorite Place to be for "Last Call," Winner: Favorite Place to Meet Someone You Would Not Bring Home to Mom.
Place to Meet Your Future Spouse
Winner (Tie)
The Globe
199 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-353-4721
Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
It's true. Your future spouse could be either place, if you're a certain kind of discerning, brainy, sports-minded sport, commuting between downtown and Normaltown.
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
Better than Sanford Stadium itself and certainly to be desired over any of those skyboxes—plus cocktails.
RUNNER UP: Magnolias
312 E. Broad St. · 706-543-0797
Uniquely Athens Bar
WINNER: The Manhattan Café
337 N. Hull St. · 706-369-9767
There's something about it, so inconspicuous that it stands out immediately as just about the coolest place downtown, if you're not trying to appear to be cool.
RUNNER UP: Normal Bar
1365 Prince Ave. · 706-548-6186
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