The Local — Restaurant in Atlanta

I guess this is a more niche review for former locals and former servers.

I used to live next door and ate/drank here often. I had not been since the pandemic and a lot has changed, so don’t go thinking you can waltz back to the ole laidback watering hole like old times. Namely there’s lines to get in now, no more servers, and the ordering process is strict once you get inside. Fine, we read all the rules on the website.

As a former server at a bar a lot like this one, I prioritize not acting like a knucklehead and following the rules. Door guy was super nice, get in after about 15 min wait around 6pm on May 1. Boyfriend got in food line and i went to the main bar to get waiting in food line drinks because there was no one in line at the main bar. I repeat, zero people in line at the main bar because I checked carefully. I walk up to stand behind two newly vacated barstools directly to the left of the server station.

Here’s where I give my first warning to former waitstaff who see a server station and immediately think off limits: you must start the queue at the servers station. Yes, I know. Put aside your discomfort because as a customer that is actually where they want you to order.

I found this out the hard way. 10 mins into my wait a couple came up and asked if i was using the empty stools i was standing near (nope, just waiting on the bartender to take an order.) I move, they sit. A bartender with bangs glances in our direction and I think, cool, she’s gonna head over next. She greets the couple and the woman gestures to me and says I was first. Bangs floats over and I think she asks if I am sitting? I couldn’t really hear. I say hi I just wanted to get some drinks while we wait in the food line. Meanwhile, 3 dudes walk up and stand in front of the server station. She says something something “I am not taking your order” (I still can’t hear) and floats away before I can ask her to please repeat, then gives the dudes a huge friendly smile and takes their order. Huh??

I am confused af and helplessly look at the couple and the guy apologetically says that she said I am not in line. But there was no line when I got here? I’ve been waiting before the line? So I was first in line? He says no, you kinda have to just know the rules here. they want you to wait here points next to him, 2 feet away from me

Now the main bar line is 6 dudes deep, and at this point boyfriend has moved closer at the food bar line so i just defeatedly go join him and fume for 5 more minutes wondering why Bangs chose violence until i finally got my stupid drink from the very nice lady with glasses.

Now, to be fair, the big sign they have declaring the Main Bar a foodless ordering place is directly above the server station. HOWEVER, it does not say “Start Line Here” or have arrows or some other visual cue for dorks like me who have PTSD from clueless people blocking the bar when you’re working. Also there was no snarky instructions saying not to order in normal places at the bar, i.e. wherever there’s an empty space at the bar. Do not assume this.

Basically don’t treat this place’s bars like regular bars. Probably you should ask a post-pandemic local for help if you’re new. Also I really wish Bangs would have let me respond or ask for clarification before walking away, or explained to me to wait in this very specific spot. I get it, most customers are dumb and rude but like, this was unnecessarily weird and confusing. Chalking it up to maybe she was having a terrible day or I remind her of an ex, idk.

Food was really good just like I remembered, thank god that...

Parking here is very tight. I got lucky with finding a spot right up front. I feel like people come to this bar to grab a few drinks with friends and then leave. This is not one of those bars where people stay all night.

This is truly a dive bar. Nothing special about the decor. I have no problem with the layout or furniture. They do check IDs for you to get into the establishment.

You will get full service at the bar but everywhere else requires you to go to the bar or ordering station to place an order. You also have to pick up your food regardless of where you placed the order.

They have games like darts and a few TVs.

Patio area is outside. People out there looked happy.

This place has some of the best beer prices I have seen in a while. I was able to get a PBR and Miller High Life tall boy for $3 each. They have quite a few beers on draft but I didn't really pay attention to them. You get the menu through QR code so there is that. The beers are posted on chalk boards around the bar. They have cocktails in a can. They do not make cocktails at the bar. They only do shots of alcohol and a chaser. I like this. It keeps things simple and moving fast.

Wings are quite tasty. You can tell they are oven baked wings. I got 1/2 and 1/2. The buffalo-lemon pepper didn't taste much like lemon pepper nor was it hot but it was good enough. Spicy Korean was very good.

I probably will not return to this bar. I would happily come here often if it was close to me but there is no reason to travel for this venue. The service was good and fast. The food was decent. I feel like I can get this everywhere.

Something I did dislike. This place is not very welcoming for individuals. People are pretty much sticking to their own group. I saw a man get his seat stolen when he got up to get his food. Best to come...

Tonight at the local my friends and I went to visit as we usually would pre covid, since they have announced they are closing. Upon sitting down we decided to approach the bar and ask for a pitcher of PBR. The bartender asked us to produce IDs for our whole table. Once we brought the IDs to the bar the bartender then had an attitude and told us how we were annoying and disrespectful. So after hearing that and trying to do the right thing as asked, we decided to take our IDs and leave before paying for anything due to the disrespect. However upon leaving another worker or server asked us for IDs again and we told him how disrespectful the bartender was to us and how we were leaving due to this. At that point the server in question began to berate us and tell us to not come back. After this once we exited the doors the server came outside as we were leaving and we stopped and tried to ask him what his issue was with us and to try to make this right, only to be met with further insults from him. After trying to talk to him and ask what went wrong when all we wanted was a pitcher of PBR we decided to walk away, but as we were walking away, him and a few of the other staff out front were hurling insults at us. I have been a patron of this bar and have always recommended it over the years for the wings and atmosphere, but after tonight good riddens and honestly I'm not sad that you are closing anymore. The undertones from the insults and things that your staff said tonight seemed not only rude but racist as well. This is not acceptable....