Mambo Zombi — Restaurant in Atlanta

MAMBO ZOMBIE: A TROPICAL WITCHCRAFT LAB IN COCKTAIL FORM

Not my first time here — I actually came to Mambo Zombie a few months back. After they launched a new cocktail menu, I’ve returned a few more times, slowly working my way through the drinks (and a few snacks). This post is a full round-up from those visits — my personal tasting notes for anyone curious about this wild, tropical, herbal, slightly occult-inspired bar.

ORIGINALS (House Signatures)

MONKEY SCREWED Sweet banana aroma and full-on Caribbean Tiki vibes. Coconut, caramelized banana, and fire — a tropic bomb for both the eyes and the palate. Made me smile instantly.

PEANUT PUNCH Peanut milk with a hint of smoke — very unique. Thick and nutty with actual peanut bits. Like a soulful Caribbean milkshake, soft but solid on the booze.

PINK DAHLIA The hibiscus-rose syrup leads, followed by a soft corn liquor finish from Nixta. Refreshing, layered, and just floral enough — if you love delicate yet playful drinks, this is a winner.

UMESHU COCKTAIL Whiskey and dark plum umeshu sounds poetic, but it tasted a little bitter and heavy. Like a flavor story that never fully unfolded.

OUIJA This felt like a “strawberry-flavored brutalist building” — not sweet at all, but bitter, bold, and complex. The strawberry is a visual decoy; inside it’s all herbs and heat. Definitely intense.

ABOMINATION The name doesn’t lie — this drink explodes with spice. Sour passionfruit meets herbal bitterness, curry leaf, and some Southeast Asian medicinal vibes. Strange, punchy, and honestly… kind of brilliant.

LEVIATHAN This mezcal speaks. Balanced with amaro’s caramel bitterness, blue curaçao for that tropical pop, spiced agave and nutmeg warmth. Cohesive, distinct, and one of my personal favorites.

NIPPLE TO THE BOTTLE Clear, light, and elegant — but too thin on flavor for me. Elderflower and dry vermouth blend nicely, but I wanted more personality.

FOR FUNSIES (Shot Experiments)

PICKLED EGG + SAINT JAMES RHUM AGRICOLE Loved this combo a year ago — the egg was incredible. But this time, it lacked depth. The rhum agricole still hits with its herbal kick, but the egg fell short.

MEZCAL + COFFEE + AMARO LUCANO Smooth, but too straightforward. No real depth or excitement. Honestly felt like something I could make at home.

CLASSICS (The Familiar Friends)

SATURN Didn’t leave a lasting impression — mostly because Frozen Piña Colada stole the spotlight. A safe, pleasant drink, but not a standout.

QUEEN’S PARK SWIZZLE Strong rum, sugar, mint, bitters — all present and accounted for, but nothing surprising. A solid build, but I wouldn’t go back for it.

FROZEN PIÑA COLADA One of the best classic versions I’ve had. Clean, bright coconut and pineapple, not overly sweet. Like drinking happiness on a tropical breeze. Absolute joy.

SNACKS (Small Bites)

POPCORN WITH FURIKAKE SEASONING Savory Japanese-style popcorn with seaweed and soy sauce notes. Not hot, but addictively salty and perfect for snacking between sips.

JERK PORK BELLY WITH JAMAICAN HAND DOUGH BREAD The name made me think “pork jerky,” but it’s actually salted braised pork in a bun. Bold and boozy-friendly, but heavy and a bit oily. Glad I tried it, wouldn’t order again.

SARDINE ONIGIRI Sadly underwhelming. The rice was loose, the nori falling apart, and flavor-wise the sardine didn’t measure up — especially compared to a good spicy tuna mayo version. Messy to eat and not worth the hassle.

Top 3 Picks:

LEVIATHAN, MONKEY SCREWED, and FROZEN PIÑA COLADA After multiple visits, I can confidently say this place delivers. The creativity isn’t just for show — some of these drinks are truly clever and balanced. If you’re into bold combinations and aren’t afraid of a little cocktail chaos, Mambo Zombie is definitely worth...

I love a themed venue and an artisan cocktail so when I heard about this spot, I just couldn’t wait to go.

Ambiance: My sister and I were told this spot is small and to arrive early on a Saturday night. We decided to arrive shortly after opening. We got there around 6:40 p.m. and walked right up the stairs running along the side of Beer Garden to access the place. At 6:40 p.m., it was already moderately full. Everything in there is themed. From the menu being named the “Book of Life,” to the skull chandeliers and the entryway that looks like an old school tufted coffin. There’s plants and cozy seating areas and a row of barstools that line the bar. On the bar there’s a basket of fresh fruits used to make various zest and garnishments for the drinks. The bar is stocked with liquors that aren’t your standard run of the mill b.s. or well known celebrity backed spirits…real cocktail enthusiast know what’s up! There’s candles lit everywhere so you feel your entering a séance. It’s quite impressive. It is even smaller than it appears online. I’d estimate only 30 people can be in there at once.

Service: the bar was staffed by one bartender/the owner and while she very friendly and pleasant, because these cocktails are art, it took awhile to churn out drinks. Which brings me to my favorite part….

The Cocktails: We aren’t talking about drinks made by just pouring liquor and mixers into a shaker, We’re talking cocktails that are set on fire, have multiple housemade fresh mixers and zest, have real $20 a jar maraschino cherries skewered on bamboo drink picks, golden skull drink picks, and drinks that ignite when sprinkled with cinnamon or sugar as if you’re witnessing witchcraft. They are beautiful and very delicious, served in glasses unique to the drink, and not overly sweet so you get to really taste the essence of the drink. We got the Singapore sling, rum ting ting, and something else that was garnished with a hibiscus flower. Each cocktail was between $11-$15 which is not bad considering the level of artistry and quality of these cocktails…and yes I keep saying cocktails because these cocktails are saddity broads that don’t deserve to be called drinks lol

It’s a great “first stop” on a night of bar hopping. Edgewood parking is always the worst and it’s all pretty sketchy so the earlier you come the better. If you come early, catch some street parking near by and use the park mobile app to make sure you don’t get booted.

Summary: unique themed bar that makes cocktails that are definitely art. Reasonably priced cocktails for the quality. Very small venue so arrive early, parking that is sketchy and probably not easy to come by because it’s Edgewood. Bring friends who won’t embarrass you because they think Ciroc is high end vodka. Be prepared to wait on your drink…it’s not a...

Looking for a good cocktail in the Atlanta area, look no further. This location is relatively new, but possibly one of the better craft cocktail louges in Atlanta. This location takes a mixologists approach to art of the cocktail, as fresh juices, syrups, and garnishes are prepared in-house. Your drink is painstakingly prepared as precise measurements are used. The drink you receive is well worth the wait! If you don't see what you're looking for on the menu, inquire with your mixologist, and something can be prepared for you. The menu focuses on craft cocktails, but there are beverages of a tiki flavor and some original creations as well. The Zombie cocktail I ordered was one of the better I've had. There are some food items on the menu that provide adequate soakage. However, if you're looking for a complete meal, prepare accordingly and make arrangements elsewhere. The look of the bar is quite eclectic as it has a New Orleans feel, a touch of voodoo, with a hint of tiki. The look of the bar changes from day into the evening hours, as the interior lighting accentuates the appearance of the bar. Definitely stop by, but expand your horizons beyond a captain and Coke or vodka cranberry concoctions. It's definitely worth a look, especially if you like a well...