Atlanta's Best Trendy After-Work Bars

Everyone in Atlanta needs to "chill-lax" in the words of the now deceased and well missed Bernie Mac. You need to hit the scene, roll up to the spot, or check out, that after- work bar and get the long awaited hot meal or appetizer. You and the work crew have skipped lunch and everybody is not only famished but they are also getting quite rude and cranky. All would be good, if you could just get that cocktail you could not have earlier during work hours, but have been salivating for during the boring company business meeting.

You are so ready to mellow out after sitting in the horn honking, lane jumping, "please just let me over!!!", horrific city traffic. No matter where you live in the Atlanta Metropolitan area you will experience the wrath of the city's traffic, the silent curse words that the perturbed opposite driver lip syncs to you, or witness double finger birdie's being nastily raised at you that you catch glimpses of in the rear view mirror. I'd say an after- work bar is needed and sought after when 5:00 p.m. pops up on your blackberry and the long super challenging workday has finally, matter o' fact-lee ended. Hooray!!

You can loosen up that tie, or women can kick off those amazing pumps that have been killing your feet under the table and just take a load off, check out the game or CNN news etc. in your favorite little after- work bar with your classy work colleagues that you don't mind dining with after work hours.

Gilbert's Mediterranean Café

Gilbert's Mediterranean Café is a great place to unwind after a long day of a ridiculous work load. The small mid town café radiates with a strong beam of energy that is upbeat .This is due to the joyful crowd of patrons. Maybe this is because of the full service bar that stays open late. Get your $5.00 dollar martini specials offered every day. Not your cup of "tini"? Try a Guava and Mango Mojito. Of course designate someone in the "work party" carpool to drive. Wednesday is Karaoke. The food consists of contemporary Mediterranean dishes with fantastic flair and a tasty edge.

The best food choices are a tender chicken shish kebab that is heavily spiced ,just right. The Lamb burger on Ciabatta bread with a Turkish Shepherd Salad is the way to end the evening. For vegetarians the vegetable plate is really good. It has sautéed spinach, grilled squash, zucchini & red peppers w/hummus and w/a pita. The best dessert would have to be the Baklava filled w/ground walnuts & soaked w/ sweet honey and cherry syrup.www.gilbertscafe.com

East Andrews Café & Bar

What a charming spot in Buckhead to get signature cocktails, and have fun, let loose. Mildly groove to the weekly acoustic music. East Andrews Café & Bar is an awesome place for having your drink of choice a little opposite sex chemistry flow and some smooth night life. Young professionals are dressed to impress in their named brand sophisticated garb. No baseball hats, athletic wear etc. strict dress code enforced. Thursday is ladies night; take fellow co-workers for $2.00 bubbly champagne, $3 Firefly Sweet Tea's etc. Rock out to funkier music with the DJ working at Andrews Upstairs "the sister bar" from Thursday to Saturday evenings. Catch an awesome band on certain calendar dates and pay for tickets to see them.

There are 3 menus. One menu is a bar food menu. The items are average type bar food like chicken wings and chicken pot stickers. The BBQ Nachos is a good choice, with a bit of red onions, cilantro, and BBQ. The Tilapia Fish Tacos w/ pineapple Salsa Fresca hits the spot. The outside patio has been remodeled. On the best weathered nights people congregate and enjoy a European styled brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. The best phrases to describe East Andrew Café& Bar would be trendy scene, outdoors fun, exotic drinks, and the hottest after-work bar. Best spot for minglin' singles.www.eastandrews.com

"Surf & Turf" Dantanna's Turf

Dantanna's is Atlanta's upscale sports restaurant. You are in for a sophisticated, yet casual 5 star culinary experience. The interior spells class, a few steps up from your average sports bar. There are translucent television screens that can be viewed from either side of the place. Every delicious item is prepared fresh from scratch. Dantanna's is perfect for lunch, dinner, and an awesome after-work bar. The new American menu focuses on seafood & steak chilled main lobsters etc. Indulge in the best Surf & Turf in Atlanta. The prices are moderate. There is also an enclosed cigar club section in back with a huge selection of premium cigars. Meet up with your "after-work crew" to catch the game. The open airy patio creates a sense of comfort and relaxation.

Choose from over 900 bottles of fine wine from the wine wall. Whichever alcoholic mixed potion you choose, be assured the drink will be the freshest you have ever had. Dantanna's uses freshly squeezed juices made everyday including orange, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and sour mix.

Order your favorite drink and the best high quality steak. The cuts are the finest Creek Store Farms premium Black Angus beef. What's your favorite cut? Filet mignon, New York Strip, Prime Rib or an 18 oz. juicy Cowboy cut Rib-eye steak. The steaks are served with their 4 signature sauces and gourmet side dishes, your steaks are guaranteed hot, tender, & full of flavor. Dantanna's also serves up fresh seafood flown in twice daily. It can't get any fresher than that .The chicken is raised naturally and the pork is free-range.

Leave room for dessert. Jack Daniel's spice cake is a raisin-apricot spice cake served with warm Jack Daniel sauce and Edy's Vanilla Bean ice cream is one dessert to try. The Chocolate Bourbon Pie was named the Best Chocolate Dessert in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine. www.dantannas.com

P'Cheen

Located on Highland Ave. is P'Cheen a lively, very trendy, warm wood finished, shabby-chic international pub with a dynamic social scene. Menu selection prices are $30.00 and under. The art work is dynamic some of it has a mystic feel. After-work you should take a friend and jump on in the mix. This inviting after-work, night pub has divine wine selections. Pick reds, white wines, and sparkling dessert wines from all over the world and a top notch selection of seasonal beers. People love to be sociable and mingle in this cheerful spot. The prices are exceptional. Make your reservation online at www.opentable.com for convenience; make the reservation while at work to ensure the best table availability. You may eat light if you choose foods from the Snacks & Munchies, Soup & Salads, or Small Plates & Appetizers Menu. From the Small Plates & Appetizers menu the Shredded Lamb and Blue Cheese Pot Stickers w/ brandied whole grain mustard, and caramelized onion is a hit or the Hellfire Nachos made with black beans homemade guacamole and salsa, hot melted cheese and diced tomatoes. Vegetarians choose your own "Adventure Vegetable Plate." The choices are garlic roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, buttered lima beans, grilled brocolini, roasted spaghetti squash, mushy peas, English chips, onion rings, side salad and a cup of warm squash soup. The" job crew" will love you for choosing such a savvy after-work bar to enjoy. Let this become your new favorite after-work hot spot. www.pcheen.com

The Chocolate Bar

The Chocolate Dar located in downtown Decatur on Ponce De Leon Avenue is so warm and inviting. The dress code is casual. Basically wear what you would like. The atmosphere is charming and quite fanciful. The art and elegance of the dessert offers a real appealing eye teaser. The Chocolate Bar is a chocolate lover's dream. Not feeling chocolate? Wrap your sippers around the sensational "Culinary Cocktails." a Grapefruit Margarita, or the Watermelon Spritzer. Oh yeaah.

Enjoy blissful dessert and the small dessert plates. Order wine from the notable wine list. Feeling daring, darling? Try the famous" Chocolate Martini "or Chocolate Cosmopolitan. The dynamite flavors are Pumpkin Pie, Tiramisu and Espresso Martinis. Some love these flavors and gave the drinks high ratings some patrons did not. These drinks I give a 3 star rating. Don't let that stop you from giving the chocolate drinks a tongue twistin' whirl.

Drop in after putting in a little overtime on that latest work project. The Chocolate Bar Staff is even running an "Economic Stimulus Plan" of their own. This means drink specials are at affordable prices. On Monday's get beer on tap for only $1.50. A new international beer featured each week. The martinis are $7 instead of $10. Wednesday's the awesome drink called "Apple Hot Toddy" which is Fuji apple cider, Warm spices, and Apple Brandy infused together to form your drink is only $5.00.

The Chocolate bar allows you to have uninterrupted, hassle free, sophisticated late night snacks. The Chocolate bar is also an impressive" date spot", ask out the co-worker you have been diggin' and dying to get a little closer to. If you don't feel like too much dinner and want to dive straight into dessert (I'm talkin' about the Chocolate Bar, not the hot co-worker) the choices are top quality cakes, brownies or cheese cake. You can order cheeses, and bar snacks as well. Select goat, cow, or sheep specialty cheeses, along with marinated olives. The bar snacks are perfectly roasted nuts. It's hard to decide on which truffles to order. They are all impeccably delicious and fresh.www.thechocolatebardecatur.com

Check out any one of these trendy, class act, After-Work Bars. They are all Sizzzlin'.