The Old Pal

The Old Pal on Prince Avenue in Normaltown is a cocktail bar that has earned a 4.6 star rating with 172 reviews by doing what the best cocktail bars do: making excellent drinks in a space that feels like a genuine neighborhood spot. The bar brings a modern cocktail sensibility to the Normaltown corridor while maintaining the warmth and accessibility that the neighborhood is known for. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally, with drinks that are creative and well balanced without being overly complicated. The bartenders have the kind of knowledge and technique that you expect at a serious cocktail bar, but they deliver it without pretension. Whiskey, amaro, and seasonal ingredients feature prominently, and the menu changes often enough to reward regular visits. The Prince Avenue location in Normaltown gives The Old Pal a different energy from the downtown bars. The crowd leans local, the pace is more relaxed, and the atmosphere is conversational rather than competitive. The $$ pricing is fair for handcrafted cocktails. The Old Pal is open evenings through late night. The bar does not take reservations and operates on a first come, first served basis. For Athens residents who want a quality cocktail in a neighborhood setting, The Old Pal fills that role perfectly.