COLORBEARER OF ATHENS, GEORGIA LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987
February 27, 2013

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

AthensFavorites-Aromas.jpg

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

AthensFavorites-Max.jpg

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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