The 2019-2020 Flagpole Guide to Athens

File Under: American, Bars and Clubs. Features: Beer, live music, trivia. Hours: 12–10 p.m., seven days. The Look: Large brewpub in a warehouse-type space, with a huge bar, a view of the tanks and crowlers to go. Menu: Some bar stuff, some nicer things (pork chop, grilled salmon). Beer is used as an ingredient. Good snacks, like fried cheese curds and fries served with dips. Good kids menu. Ramen nights. Drinks: Craft beers made in house, as well as guest brews. Offerings change daily, with lots of interesting options. Available in flights.

File Under: American, Bars. Features: Catering, outside seating, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. 

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Catering, outside seating, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Longtime Athens sports bar. Menu: Tasty bar food with good vegetarian choices: burgers, wings, sandwiches, fried pickles, fish tacos, barbecue and chili cheese fries. "Fat" Tuesdays bring po'boys, Cajun burgers and more. Downtown lunch attracts lawyers and other types in suits. Drinks: Beer on tap and in bottles, including local brews. Standard cocktails plus a Bloody Mary bar on Saturday and Sunday.

File Under: Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, live music, outside seating, movies, art, trivia. The Look: A townie bar featuring music, stand-up comedy, cult movies and a gallery wall. Complimentary popcorn and mints. Drinks: A full bar with a solid beer selection, wine, retro cocktails and boozy slushies.

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, live music, counter service, trivia. Hours: Dinner and late night, Mon–Sun. Lunch, Mon–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Family-friendly neighborhood bar with eats. TVs for sporting events. Menu: Good hot dogs and veggie dogs with an array of toppings, fried cheese galore, tons of veggie and vegan choices that work for meat-eaters. Broiled grapefruit with gin, Cointreau and Lillet for brunch, plus biscuits and gravy. Drinks: Full bar with 15 draft beers, plus a well-curated selection of bottles and cans. Half pours, whiskeys and classic cocktails. Check the site to see what's on deck.

File Under: Bars and Clubs. Features: Live music, trivia, outside seating, art. Hours: Dinner and late night, Mon–Sat. The Look: Upscale cocktail bar with soft lighting, reclaimed wood walls, live jazz and silent disco. Menu: Snacks and heavier options from Trappeze, to which it connects. Drinks: High-end cocktails carefully crafted with small-batch liquors and fresh ingredients. Seasonal offerings.

File Under: Bars and Clubs. Features: Full bar, live music, trivia, outside seating, Wi-Fi. The Look: A spacious bar, music venue and dance floor for the local crowd. Outside, you'll find a large, dog-friendly patio decked out with a camper, boat and cornhole. Drinks: A variety of bottled beers and rotating drafts that include seasonal brews. Wine and cocktails, too.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Catering, delivery, outside seating, trivia, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Psychedelia meets sports. Menu: This Atlanta-based chain founded in 1974 has been in Athens a long time. Lots of toppings and specialty pies, plus pretzels made with the same dough, salads, subs, calzones and munchies. Drinks: 40+ beers on tap, covering regional and crafts; bottled/canned beers, too, as well wine and liquor.

File Under: American. Features: Full bar, trivia. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Sunday brunch. The Look: TVs for sports, but marketed more to lawyers and business types. Menu: Big menu, with standards like wings and burgers (the latter are $5 on Tuesdays), but also grilled chicken with various sauces, pork chops, steakhouse sides and large desserts. Breakfast burger at brunch. Drinks: Domestic and craft beer, cocktails with 9–to-5-inspired names.

File Under: BBQ, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, live music, outside seating, take-out, trivia. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, Wed–Sun. The Look: Big complex with a great patio (with porch swing and cornhole) and a bar that serves a different menu from the restaurant proper. Menu: Chicken, pork, brisket, ribs, tofu, heftily topped baked potatoes. Classic sides. Lots of types of sauce. The bar has snacks like pork nachos and fried mac-and-cheese balls. Drinks: The separate bar is open seven nights a week serving local beers, cocktails and wine with plenty of weekly specials.