ATOMIC — Restaurant in Louisville

Atmosphere would be a 10/10 but seems like security is improperly trained. When you come to management or security with concerns they take you with a grain of salt due to the possibility of you being intoxicated.

Security told me I needed to move away from this drunk group of girls cause they wanted to jump me? YOU security big poppa KICK THEM OUT?!?! They’re becoming aggressive and bullying your guests? Ensure your guests safety by escorting people who become aggressive and start threatening people off premises??? Like they pulled security aside and TOLD security that, security comes to ME and tells me “hey they want to jump you, you should walk away” I told him I didn’t know what was going on and I wasn’t like that and he kept repeating it to me? Like I heard you, so what are YOU going to do about it??

Moral of story, if you go to atomic ensure your safety, Baxters took matters more seriously than that. They also don’t check for weapons here and im sure if you got roofied they wouldn’t care. They are lenient about the wrong things SUCH AS safety but if you sit in a line for 30 minutes to an hour to get in and say forgot some extra cash in your car for drinks, tips, etc. THEY WILL tell you to get in the back of the line and wait again OR pay an ADDITIONAL 15 dollars to get in the “fast lane”?? Why did I just sit in your line, spend my money here, support your business and then get treated like im not a grown adult and things don’t happen?? Their excuse was if one person does it then everyone would have to. We’re grown adults here. It’s not exceptions it’s circumstances. I can’t wait to see the next competitive bar and spend my money elsewhere.

Bartenders were great, some security was actually doing their job but most are just working there to be in the mix wanting animosity to...

Atomic is beautiful on the inside with a somewhat spacious dancefloor. The DJ is fantastic, I never felt the need to step off the dancefloor due to the music. It is the perfect blend of newer hits and throw backs. The only issues we had were the cost of drinks and the clientele. Two drinks cost $30. Not a double poor, no top shelf liquor. It was ridiculous. Additionally, as atomic is just finding its feet a lot of different kinds of clientele were present tonight. Including a man and woman who poured liquor into the crowd of dancers from the fenced off portion of what I'm guessing is the VIP section. It was unpleasant and uncalled for. Security was alerted but I'm not sure anything happened to the two of them. Atomic is better than nowhere, less crowded and has a better DJ than Baxter's, and should be the top dance/nightclub/bar on bardstown road. If they can get a handle on the rowdy clientele and price their drinks more appropriately

Update: We've visited twice since then and atomic is more popular than ever. I'm not sure why the drinks were so expensive the first time(I checked my card statement and with the tip it was like $30), but the last two times have been more reasonable! The DJs continue to impress and the atmosphere is great. What isn't great is being crushed,elbowed and literally intentionally kicked (three times by the same woman) by the hordes of college kids trying to shove their way onto the dance floor. Just be aware that it can make you feel claustrophobic fast. I've never gotten the chance to meet the owner, but I hear good things and appreciate...

Edit 6/2025: During the recent issues with unruly crowds blocking Bardstown Road and violence, last week an Atomic patron tried to wrestle a gun away from security and an off duty officer stopped a tragedy in the making. This was only reported by one media outlet it appears. Unfortunately not surprised. The only surprise will really be if someone isn't killed within a year if this establishment is allowed to retain a liquor license.

Original review (2024): This place has been nothing but a negative for the neighborhood since the day it opened. Worst of the worst, lowest of the low are patronizing this establishment. All of the thugs from Baxters and the old Nowhere Bar are here on weekends. When you see multiple off duty police officers and everyone being wanded down, that is never a good thing. Despite the narrative owners will give you about "keeping you safe". Yeah safe from the other customers no doubt!

All of us that live nearby are also having to deal with cars playing loud music after the bar closes, fighting, yelling and people getting sick. It's a disgrace this place is operating despite the fact they've already had multiple police runs since opening as well. Seems ownership equates long lines and huge crowds as being all that matters. There might be quantity, but zero quality.

The Highlands is sinking faster than the Titanic and soon people will wake up to the fact it's not 1996 anymore. No wonder everyone who wants classy joints are all...