Patio weather
My clothes haven’t stuck to me once this week, which can only mean one thing: the slow, grueling descent into fall/winter, where the temperatures swing between 50 and 98 degrees within the span of one week, until halfway through January at which point it’s just really consistently cold for 60 days straight.
The weather’s been so pleasantly transitional lately that I thought I would write a comprehensive post about great patios for dining and drinking…except I can’t think of any. And I asked a few experts and they can’t think of many either. So here was the pathetic list I/we came up with.
1. Panita Thai Kitchen (Va-Hi): This patio is just perfect and overgrown and secretive, and the inside of the restaurant is more like a porch so it’s still outdoorsy feeling.
2. Las Palmeras (Midtown): This little tucked-away restaurant is good for when you have a manic day and just want to sit outside but don’t want to get pestered for change or see people driving like assholes. The problem is that the City of Atlanta tears up all the residential streets in Midtown every other week, so your degree of relaxation may depend on the proximity of construction equipment.
3. Cafe di Sol (formerly Eclipse di Sol, Poncey-Highland): The patio is covered, which is nice when it looks like it’s going to rain, which is all the time these days. It’s the best for people watching of these I’ve listed.
Late additions:
4. Joe’s on Juniper (Midtown): Every Monday night they show campy movies on their tree-lined patio.
5. Park Tavern (Midtown): Do not make the mistake of going on a Sunday night, which is like energy drink promotional night with a Goo Goo Dolls cover band. Otherwise, the patio is giant, dog-friendly, and overlooks Piedmont Park. Plus when it rains all their draft beer is $1.
Does anyone else have any suggestions? The criteria is not just that a patio exists at the restaurant, so don’t anyone mention Neighbor’s or you are banned forever. The food or drink selection has to be good, the view from the patio and the ambiance pleasant. HELP US OUT.
The Highlander. Excellent douchebag-watching in the direction of Apres Diem.
Yes, but sometimes the lighting is too garish. Although the food is incredible, and there is a 75% chance that on your way to the bathroom you will overhear some grizzled old truck driver at the bar complaining that meth gets a bad rap.
After two failed attempts to capitalize on the $1 drafts when it rains policy at Park Tavern, I will pass along this tidbit: it has to have been consistently raining for 30 minutes before this rule goes into effect. And it has to been hard rain, not just a trickle. Basically the parking lot has to be flooded and your shoes ruined before they will grant you the $1 beer.
the rooftop bar at FAB is pretty awesome. expensive, but awesome.
I love Six Feet Under. It has a rooftop patio (maybe this isn’t technically a patio) that overlooks Oakland Cemetery. Unfortunately, they’re moving next door, although a server told me that the patio will be EVEN BETTER in the new spot!
Howzabout:
The Earl and La Casita in East Atlanta
Sala in VA-HI
TAP at 14th and Peachtree (especially for the lovelorn young professional set)
Atmosphere (on Piedmont, near Monroe)
Agree that Las Palmeras deserves a high ranking on this list!
Any time beer is a dollar it’s too good to be true. And everyone knows it never rains for more than 20 minutes in Atlanta. FIDDLESTICKS!
I don’t count the EARL because it always seems IMPOSSIBLE to score a tabe out front.
Flatiron is pretty good for the patio. And you can bring your pups with you which for me is a plus. AND… Tuesday is beer on the cheap.
Wait, wait, wait. I realize I’m in the minority here but I hate patios and patio drinking/dining. If I’m spending money somewhere I feel like I don’t get the full value of my dollar unless I’m enjoying a roof and air conditioning/heat. Seriously, if I want to eat or drink outside I can do that on my porch or in my yard. I can’t be the only person who feels this way. Please, someone, have my back here.
-Gordon
@Gordon, if you want to drink or eat while enjoying a roof and air condition/heat you could do so in your kitchen or dining room. No one is saying that the nice thing about patio dining is that it can’t be replicated at home, so I don’t get your point.
Perhaps you just don’t enjoy “being outside” or “nice weather” which would explain why you are so much so in the minority.
That’s true. I generally hate being outside.
As cliche as it may be, almost all of the Fellini’s and La Fonda locations have great patios with good views. The upstairs patio at the La Fonda on Ponce is especially nice. Am I lame for suggesting that? I have a baby. That’s my defense.
Also, I sort of understand where Gordon is coming from. Sometimes patios are just gross, like the one at Estoria. Last time I went there there were flies ALL OVER the place, and the waitress, who was really sweet, politely told us that the flies were so bad because their trash hadn’t been picked up in a few weeks. Granted, that was like a year ago, so maybe it’s better now. But then, it was pretty bad.
In addition to the great ones mentioned: Dakota Blue, The Standard and Solstice, all in Grant Park.
BTW, I love your blog. Kudos on the CL honor — that’s how I found you!