Midtowners head to this chic drinking spot for fizzy cocktails and happy-hour oysters. A regularly changing menu of small plates includes charcuterie dishes such as mole-scented salami and booze-soaking snacks like devilled eggs or crispy gulf shrimp. There's an outdoor patio for sultry evenings.

This North Decatur neighbourhood tavern pours a solid range of Georgia-brewed ales at a bar built from old railway sleepers. You can also take your pick from a choice of US and international bottled beer, and slide into a leather booth for house burgers, mountain trout or ribeye steak.

The décor might be high camp but this bar and 'ping-pong emporium' is pretty down-to-earth, even though celebrities including Lady Gaga and Jonah Hill have popped by. Come for table-tennis tournaments, karaoke nights and tarot readings. You can also buy art created by Sister Louisa herself (aka Grant Henry) at the bar.

Tucked beneath the Biltmore Hotel near Georgia Tech's campus in Midtown, Halo is a basement-level lounge and one of the best places in the city to socialise. A hip crowd orders drinks at the sleek, glowing onyx bar and sips cocktails from stylish seating surrounding the dancefloor, where DJs play chart tunes.

Local DJs play a diverse range of tunes while bartenders pour inventive cocktails at this small underground club in Midtown. The chilled-out venue is set up like an old-fashioned lounge, with antique-style chairs and sofas surrounding cosy rugs and a fireplace. Mood lighting on exposed brick and wood-panelled walls adds to the den-like ambience.

Retaining the top spot for nightlife in Atlanta, this swanky Midtown venue has played host to guest DJs such as Tiesto and David Guetta. The cavernous space is designed to feel like an opera house, with upstairs VIP booths in place of opera boxes and a huge dancefloor packed with glamorous club-goers.

Named after Georgia blues legend Blind Willie McTell, who influenced Bob Dylan and The Allman Brothers, among others, this is the best bar in town for live blues music. Cajun cuisine and whiskey cocktails accompany a nightly line-up of top-quality bands and artists.

It's worth the trip to Sandy Springs in the city's north to visit this iconic jazz café. National and international musicians take to the stage every night, playing a mix of mainstream, funk and contemporary jazz. While you're relaxing to hot tunes, you can dig into platefuls of steak and seafood.

Revamped in 2016, this intimate venue is housed in a converted WWII cinema with an art deco facade. It's one of the best places to catch up-and-coming bands on a national or global tour, as well as old favourites making a comeback.