Viking Alchemist Meadery — Attraction in Smyrna

This place is incredible, whether you're coming in just to buy a few bottles or sit down at the bar. There is no "type" for the bar area either. I've come in with my kid on my hip, with a bachelorette party, and everything in between, and I've never felt out of place. Everyone is friendly and the staff is super well trained. The mead is incredible and there is such a wide selection that it's easy to find something for everyone. I like that they have "flights" where you can taste 5 at a time within certain flavor profiles. It makes deciding what you want for pours so much easier, especially when you are first familiarizing yourself with their stock. They have drier stuff for folks who don't like super sweet stuff, which I know is hard to find in a literal honey wine. I myself prefer sweet. I like my mead so sweet I want the honey to punch me in the face when I drink it. Normally I can't find this in stores bc a honey and sugar content that high just isn't super feasible for shelf stability. But Viking Alchemist managed to sate even my sweet tooth! I also love the range of flavor profiles. They aren't afraid to experiment either; some take and some don't but they try and I like that (I also like being Horn Club so I get to taste these experiments when they're more exclusive). Of the non-typical mead flavors, I really like Mints of Persia, based on sekanjabin (Persian drink with a vinegar and mint base... don't knock it til...

I first found Viking Alchemist about a year ago and really enjoyed the atmosphere, the friendly bartenders, and unique and tasty drinks. They have fun events which all carry a unique vibe that seems lacking in a lot of bars and which has really drawn me back over and over. The trivia, run by Vincent and full of MST3K style callouts and references, is how I've gotten a lot of friends to join me and they've had fun. It's really hard to find a trivia that isn't just the same corporatized sports bar schtick as every other bar.

Went back tonight for the first time in about a month because of travel and other plans has kept me away, and a lot has changed. The Trivia night is now run by a frankly awkward corporate trivia company, there's been a lot of staff turnover, and the events seem to be set in stone or less inventive than they were even a month ago. I understand that at a certain point, this is a business and less successful events can't reasonably be continued, but the variety of events and the passion the employees had for them was a major selling point.

I really like Viking Alchemist and want them to succeed, but there is a core audience of people who are even interested in a meadery to begin with. In order to keep us invested, we need a little bit of that good weird to make us feel welcome in a landscape full of cookie-cutter sports bars that are less than friendly to the...

I have been drinking at this bar for years. I’ve seen its up and downs and changes along the way. I applaud the determination to roll with the punches. I love the wacky different events and themes they use. My example is I love the drag trivia that has been going on. I WANT MORE OF THESE KIND OF EVENTS. In Smyrna I think this is the most inclusive bar around. And that should be more known and celebrated. And please be clear on this. There’s no part of my experience in the years of going to Viking where I don’t feel that they’re inclusive. It’s is run and owned by good people. I love the events, the people, the drinks, and the atmospheric vibe I get every time I walk in. This a 6 star out of 5 star review. My suggestion is continue to expand the range of themes and events that make this bar home. Vincent, Jordan, Cyd, Sav, Jazzy, and even the mead tenders I’ve seen come and go. These people should be celebrated for the hard work they put in day in and day out. I don’t know the owners but I know they have put a lot into...