Quick Look: Graveyard Tavern

East Atlanta bar hosts Backyard Bikini BBQ Blowout

By Jonathan Williams

Special to Metromix

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East Atlanta has no shortage of places to grab a drink with some friends while taking in live music, DJs or other entertainment. But in the past couple of years the Graveyard Tavern has become a popular spot for people from many walks of life thanks to its inviting interior, delectable pub grub and a variety of interesting events and happenings on pretty much any night of the week.

 
Resurrected from a long-vacant former bike shop, Graveyard is a great place for an early evening dinner, but often turns into a vibrant party place once the sun goes down. Touting itself as “A sunny place for shady people,” Graveyard hosts events ranging from Atlanta Rollergirls afterparties and horror-themed parties with Splatter Cinema to DJ dance parties and dinner and drink specials. The low-lit interior features dark wood booths, pool tables, dartboards, a dance area and a few cozy alcoves with couches, tables and lamps.

 
On July 18,  Graveyard takes over the back parking lot and a side street to throw the Pabst Blue Ribbon-sponsored Backyard Bikini BBQ Blowout, where the tattooed and toned girls who normally take your drink orders won’t be the only ones encouraged to wear beach attire. The party features DJs, a mist tent, sand art and PBR giveaways throughout the day, with a performance by local indie electro act Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun that night. Cooks will also be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, providing the perfect complement to cheap beer and the faux beach environment.


Like many events at Graveyard, there is no cover charge for this beach party, with cheap food and drink options. Other weekly events include Dive Bar Dance Club Industry Mondays with tunes by DJ Brian Paris and specials on Grand Marnier, Jagermeister and Jameson shots; swing dancing on Wednesdays; and Naked & Famous Fridays with Rare Form DJs and Jose Cuervo specials.


If all that sounds like too much of a party for you, you can also enjoy half-price wings and beer pitcher specials on Tuesdays, vegan specials every Thursday and regular events like the Unibroue beer dinner on July 29, which features three food courses and four beer tastings. Sure, you might dig your own proverbial grave with all this debauchery. But at Graveyard, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.