Are you a student at The University of Georgia looking for the best spot to have a fun night out with friends? After a long week of work and classes, checking out the bars in Downtown Athens can be a great way to unwind.
Luckily, Athens has a wide variety of hot spots that are popular among UGA students. Regardless of what you’re looking for from a night out, there is definitely a bar for you!
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While Rambler has a full suite of amenities that are perfect for entertaining, including a stunning pool deck with a hot tub, outdoor grilling area and fire pits, and killer views, there are also plenty of bars just a short walk or Uber ride from your apartment. To help you get started planning your next bar crawl, we’ve created a list of the ten best bars in Athens, GA.
10 Best Bars Downtown in Athens, GA for UGA Students
1. HYBAR (Hyatt Place Rooftop)
Distance From Rambler: 8-minute Uber or a 16-minute walk
Address: 412 N Thomas Street Rooftop
HYBAR is located downtown on the roof of the Hyatt Place. The rooftop boasts a stunning view of Athens and is a more upscale spot to start a birthday bar crawl or take pictures while getting a drink! It’s also walking distance from other downtown bars, so you won’t have to worry about transportation elsewhere when you’re ready to continue your night.
2. Paloma Park
Distance From Rambler: 7-minute walk
Address: 235 W Washington St
Paloma Park is an extremely popular venue to watch UGA football games on Saturdays. Students love to grab brunch and tailgate at Paloma Park with mimosas. Their standard menu features shareable items like nachos, fries, and tacos in case you get hungry or just want a quick bite. They have a large outdoor seating area as well as plenty of indoor seating.
3. Sand Bar
Photo Courtesy of sandbarathens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 9-minute walk
Address: 220 College Ave
With access to a bar on all of its three floors, Sand Bar is a popular destination for students on a night out. There are special deals on drinks based on the days of the week, so be sure to keep an eye out for the advertising when you enter. Students enjoy cheering on the Dawgs at Sand Bar on a Saturday, but there is no food served here, so make sure you eat beforehand!
4. 1785 Bar and Grill
Photo Courtesy of 1785athens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 12-minute walk
Address: 420 E Clayton St
1785 Bar and Grill is one massive room with a bar on each side of the space. It has karaoke on Sundays and is a fun place to go with your friends if you’re in the mood to dance! 1785 also has a wide menu that offers everything from shareable bar bites like fried pickles and mozzarella sticks to full meals like wraps and burger baskets.
5. Double Barrel
Photo Courtesy of doublebarrelathens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 11-minute walk
Address: 429 E Broad St.
Double Barrel is known as a hotspot for socializing among UGA students. There are three bars throughout the venue, very popular among students who are ready to meet new people. Don’t expect a lot of dancing if you go to Double Barrel because that isn’t the bar’s reputation. It is known for being a “chill” place to hangout and get drinks. Double has nightly deals on drinks based on what day it is, so look out for those!
6. Silver Dollar
Distance From Rambler: 11-minute walk
Address: 262 College Ave
Silver Dollar is located next to Sand Bar and features a giant room with a pool table. Silver Dollar also consists of an upstairs and an outdoor area where you can hangout after ordering your drinks. It is a popular bar for students on Thursdays through Saturdays, and many students love the pool table!
7. Bourbon Street
Photo Courtesy of bourbonstreetathens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 10-minute walk
Address: 333 E Broad St
Bourbon Street is located about a block from Double Barrel and is known as a dancing bar. There is a main area with a bar and tables when you enter. There is a pool table located at the back of the upstairs bar. The dance floor on the main level is a fun place to end the night. Pro tip: the bar on the upstairs level is usually easier to get a drink from when the main bar is crowded!
8. Empourium
Photo Courtesy of empouriumathens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 11-minute walk
Address: 364 E Broad St
Empourium is a new bar, featuring a wall made out of artificial grass to the right when you enter, which makes for a great photo opportunity! The upstairs is an outdoor rooftop area with another bar where you can purchase drinks. Emporium is especially nice because it has air conditioning inside, but you can get some fresh air on the rooftop. Emporium is located across the street from Double Barrel and Bourbon Street.
9. The Clayton Social
Photo Courtesy of claytonsocial Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 12-minute walk
Address: 335 E Clayton St
The Clayton Social is a common bar venue for a lot of Greek life date nights. The main level of The Clayton Social has tables with benches at which you can sit. There are also lower and upper level bars in addition to the main level. All levels of the bar have a similar vibe; late at night, everyone loves to dance on all three levels. Clayton has a grassy wall with the phrase, “How ‘bout them Dawgs” displayed in bright letters, a popular place to take pictures on a night out.
10. General Beauregard’s
Photo Courtesy of generals_athens Instagram
Distance From Rambler: 9-minute walk
Address: 164 E Clayton St
General Beauregard’s is known as the “country bar” because it exclusively plays country music. General’s has bars on both the main level and the upper level. It is a fun place to go to if you are in the mood for some country music and swing dancing.
Read Next: 8 Best Happy Hours near The University of Georgia
As you can see, Athens has many popular bars that students love to attend on any night out. Regardless of the occasion, these spots are all conveniently located just a short walk or ride from Rambler.
If you’d like to learn more about Rambler Athens or student living near the University of Georgia, just contact our leasing staff, who are happy to answer any questions you may have!
