10 of Atlanta’s Top Black-Owned Bars, Lounges, & Clubs

For swanky cigar bars, hookah lounges, and upscale cocktail spots where the food is as fantastic as the drinks are, take a look at these top  bars and lounges around ATL!

1. Apt. 4b

2293 Peachtree Rd Unit B
Atlanta, GA 30309

Apt 4b is serving up all the flavors of the Caribbean but with a unique twist! This funky Buckhead restaurant and bar is headed by Chef Dayana Joseph, the Haitian-born creative mastermind behind inventive fare like oxtail hummus, tamarind glazed short ribs, and oxtail bucatini. With their always awesome playlists and lounge atmosphere, it’s an awesome girl’s night out or date night destination. 

2. Boogalou

239 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

Boogalou is perfect for swingers! No, no, not that kind–they’ve got super fun swings at the bar that are super instagrammable, though you may want to hop off the swing after you’ve had more than two of their pretty potent drinks. It’s a great place to mingle and meet people and smoke some hookah. There’s a pretty great happy hour from 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesdays through Fridays. 

3. The BQE Restaurant & Lounge

262 Edgewood Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

This soul food lounge has been kickin’ it in Downtown Atlanta for years. They’ve got a pretty killer brunch. great hookah, and all the day party vibes if that’s what you’re looking for. The interiors are sleek and luxe with velvet seats and an intimate atmosphere. Get the bottomless mimosas for a great time! 

4. Fin & Feathers

360 Edgewood Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30312

It’s a vibe. For “Nu American” Soul in a sexy environment in the heart of Edgewood, try Fin & Feathers. You’re going to have trouble figuring out if your food, your cocktail, or the music, typically a mix of R&B and oldies, is better. They also have hookah, and people love this place for brunch! They’ve also expanded with locations now in Douglasville, Riverdale, and even Los Angeles as well!  

5. The Havana Cigar Lounge

6. The James Room 

661 Auburn Ave NE STE 280
Atlanta, GA 30312

The James Room is one-part bakery, one-part speakeasy, and all-parts cool. Acquired by owner Harold Brinkley in 2020, The James Room seeks to bring “vibe dining” to the Beltline. Music and fantastic cocktails are front and center for the James Room, making each trip an experience. Come earlier in the day to enjoy a pastry on their sunny patio or slip in at night for a drink in their sophisticated cocktail lounge.

7. Red Phone Booth

Multiplate Locations

This cigar bar in Downtown Atlanta co-owned by Greg Grant and Stephen de Haan has been a go-to since they were known as Prohibition.  Enter the red phone booth and dial the secret number to enter. Something that sets Red Phone Booth apart is their commitment to great ice, an ingredient we don’t often think about, but it’s included in every drink. They ship in 300 lb. blocks of double osmosis ice for the clearest, freshest tasting stuff that hasn’t absorbed any freezer odors like your ice at home might have. Then bartenders will hand carve the ice to put in each drink! Red Phone Booth also has some of the rarest selections of whiskeys in town, and a menu that focuses on classic cocktails from the Prohibition era. 

9. TEN ATL

495 Flat Shoals Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316

TEN ATL is East Atlanta at its best! It’s a place to chill and kick back, with a dive/lounge feel, a true hidden gem. There are some comfy chairs and cozy couches throughout the space, an intimate date night spot if you’re looking for something a little different than dinner. The music is always great, with DJs or live bands most nights, and they also have hookah! Enjoy their live jazz night on Monday nights. 

10. Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar