With a handsome, library-like aesthetic—complete with a rolling ladder gracing the back bar—Empire State South feels like it’s been around for longer than its nine years. It also feels a world apart from the corporate Midtown office building where it’s housed. Bar manager extraordinaire Kellie Thorn prides herself on the nuances of her drinks, which are approachable yet subtly complex—and, mirroring owner Hugh Acheson’s culinary ethos, always created with seasonality in mind. The Pimm’s Cup, made with caramelized lemon syrup, is a signature drink, but you can’t go wrong with one of Thorn’s concoctions featuring her beloved darker spirits, especially cognac; she’s a certified expert on the stuff. 999 Peachtree Street, 404-460-6425, empirestatesouth.com
24. Empire State South
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