Three  colleagues and I were in the area for work and stopped into SoCo, for lunch, based on its historically stellar Yelp reviews (and my recommendation based on the notion that we should try something none of us have been to yet).
What in the wide-wide-world-of-sports is the Yelp community thinking on this one?!
Walking in the door (after parking in the dirt lot out front), your feet immediately start sticking to what I hope is just spilled and un-cleaned beer residue... while you search for a table in the dark. Â Finally, you settle on the nicest seats in the house... which are wood-top, metal framed, long, narrow, fold-up picnic tables that are just barely less sticky than the floor... and sit down uncomfortably low in plastic chairs you won't even want to look at for fear you might just want to stand and eat.
Eventually, we were greeted by a waitress - a seemingly kind-hearted older gal with a slow walk and a southern drawl - who I questioned about the draft beer selection. Â She had to look over at the bar to refresh her memory because they have a massive selection that includes Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light, Yuengling, and... yeah that's it... Â Still hoping for something potable, I asked what they have in bottles... and literally tried not to laugh at the response, which was, "Oh, we have just about everything! Â Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Miller, Pabst Blue Ribbon..." Â As she trailed off at the end... I was hoping she was going to add to the list... but nope... that was all she could think of in stock. Â I guess we'll just agree to disagree on the definition of "everything."
I went with sweet tea... and everyone else followed suit with regular iced teas.
After the teas arrived two-at-a-time (three or four is apparently too many to carry at once. and they must not have any sort of trays to put anything on.), I started us off by ordering a chili cheeseburger with fries.  The next guy ordered a patty melt, but changed to a cheeseburger when the response was, "I'll have to go back and check and make sure we still have those."  Still have those?  You know a patty melt is just a burger with a particular kind of cheese and served on rye bread (usually with onions), right?  Unless you just have no rye bread, there's no way you can make burgers and not patty melts...  Anyway, the poor guy just didn't want to  deal with it... and the next guy also went for a burger (but with no lettuce and chili cheese fries).  It was the last guy who was brave enough to try their breakfast-served-all-day and ordered sausage, scrambled eggs, and toast - bravo, sir!
The food arrived... and it was hard not to just immediately begin making fun of my terrible choice for lunch.
The fries are definitely from a bag and, our burgers are all haphazardly slapped together and tossed on our plates and, of course, there's no silverware, ketchup, napkins, etc... until we ask for it all. Â It was just cheap ol' bar food that looked like it belonged on a paper plate in someone's last minute backyard barbeque, ya know? Â Of course she also forgot the guy's chili cheese fries... but the real winner was the breakfast... that was two tiny pieces of previously frozen sausage patties smashed down to millimeters thin, two pieces of slightly burnt toast from the smallest loaf on the planet, and eggs that looked almost white (leading us to believe it's likely a pre-made egg wash with WAY too much milk and not enough actual eggs).
The burgers, we all agreed, were just okay... and at least filling... but our poor pal didn't even bother touching the eggs. Â No doubt he remained hungry.
We actually never saw our waitress again... and had to ask the bartender for our tabs. Â When we paid with plastic... we were told the minimum charge was 10 bucks, regardless of the 7-dollar-and-change totals. Â Laughable. but about on par for this dingy dive at this point... so we just resign ourselves to slightly over-tipping for the service we received, throw our 10 bucks on the cards, and walk out... me already getting regularly ribbed for my phenomenal taste in dining establishments, of course...
The ONLY reason this place gets anything more than just the ONE star it probably really deserves was the music. Â They have a fairly modern juke box near a dance floor... and someone has some pretty good taste in 70s through 90s country and rock music. Â Sad when the only redeeming quality about an entire location is the music... so I'm 100 percent certain none of us will ever be back again.
Where else are you going to meet a guy named Spider, who just happened to be in Janis Joplin's band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. As well as George Jones, well maybe not the George Jones you may be thinking of but hell, the owner's name is George freaking Jones. What other kind of cred do you need to be the best dive honky-tonk bar in Atlanta.
The first time I visited here, I ended up singing "Jackson" with a legit cowboy from Wyoming named Tommy. His stetson was majestic. And yea, there are some older very drunk gentlemen who hit on you but it's a small annoyance compared to the awesomeness of this place.
I was really impressed with how warm and inviting the staff are, George spent a lot of time chatting with us, telling us all about the history and the various movies that Soco has been showcased in. He even had a song that he had written about his son that he asked us to read and get our opinion about. One waitress in particular actually drove us to my apartment when our cab never showed up! That's right, drove us home. And didn't ask for any money, but we gave her a hefty tip of course, man I still can't believe she actually drove us home. If that isn't customer service I don't know what is.
I like the random things they sell sometimes like decorative flags or roses. The last time I went they were selling roses and some nice gentlemen bought us some beautiful white roses.
The karaoke singing is some of the best Atlanta has to offer, they have more songs than anyplace I've ever engaged in karaoke. I love the mix of people this place attracts, east Atlanta crowd mixed with hardcore loyal locals who've been going there for years. I saw two people wearing the same Toby Keith shirt one night.
I give this place mad props for its authenticity, friendliest staff ever, and never running out of song choices. I LOVE SOCO!
I felt like I had walked back in time to Micky Gilley's place in Urban Cowboy. I went on a Sunday night, spur of the moment. The staff kept telling me the place didn't pick up until after 11:30, man was I surprised when half of Little 5 showed up. Some great singers. They have karaoke Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. I'll be back.
Review Source:A few friends and I stumbled down to Conyers, GA this past Sunday for a little late-night revelry, and here's what we came across:
Atmosphere: Pulling into this honkey tonk south of 285, you'll soon figure out that this is no wannabe dive bar... this here ya'lls the real thing. Eighteen wheelers line the gravel parking lot and plenty of country locals mill about. Inside the space is open with a legitimate music stage, sound system and dance floor. Signed photos adorn the "Legends" wall -- paying tribute are Nascar greats, Country Western singers and the occasional actor/actresss. Old wood paneling rounds out the rest of the bar and long, group tables (think bingo hall seating) comprise the main seating. Â Poker machines are located in the back, of course.
Food: I didn't try any bar food as it was after 1 AM on a Sunday when we arrived.
Drink: Cold beer. Cheap beer. Â What else would you expect? My friend who was drinking a mixed drink with bourbon, stated she tasted mostly bourbon. Â Bonus.
Service: Our waitress was attentive and friendly and kept our drinks replenished well into the wee hours of the morning. Â
This bar is the real deal where you're sure to find a mix of drunk locals, rednecks, truckers, prostitutes and of course the hipster city crowd looking to legitimize their scenester superiority.
I arrived here about 2am on a Saturday night (Sunday morning).  It was very late so I thought that they were wrapping up but it seemed the party was just getting started.  Security greeted me and my friend outside and told us to come on it b/c it was 'never too late for a cold one.'  Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.  They had live music  which was pretty good even though you could tell the singer had quite a few tasties.  Next time I will go a bit earlier.
Nice people and cold (free - thanks to a nice gentleman at the bar) beer. Â What more could you ask for?
"Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, it gets hotter than a hoochie-koochie." This fine country classic along with other popular tunes were belted at my friend's going-away-for-the-summer karaoke party at SoCo. One of the sweet staff members, DeeDee, set up vases of streamers and containers of blowing-bubbles to bid this Tuesday night regular farewell; the tabletop decor perfectly complemented the streamers that hung from the ceiling and neon Tim McGraw Bud Light sign.
The tatted regulars rule and truly can croon, surely disgusted by my sad attempt at Fiona Apple's "Criminal." Luckily they didn't have to witness my version of "Gangsta's Paradise," as two hours passed after I had put my name in with no hope of it being called, and I had to get to bed. I'm not sure how the rotation works, but the two main people working the karaoke computer performed their own songs to every three or four patrons. Maybe that's part of their wages?
Just so you know, their 80,000-song library does NOT include Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Crossroads" or David Bowie's "Life on Mars."
This is the place, though, to massage your honky tonk blues and build a pyramid of cans in the pale moonlight.
Ok I admit it I was frightened at the fact of getting down at a country western bar, but was equally surprised at the amount of other "brownies" there. yay! Seriously from the moment I entered ( even from the 2 guys stationed out front in the back of a pickup truck) I was welcomed in! Large spacious dance floor and video poker games in the back. It was also more than gracious of them to even decorate Scott K.'s birthday table as well! I even had a gentleman send me over a drink...what did I order?.. PBR of course!
Ps.... on the way here I got lost.. ended up in some back road trucker area.. pulled over to program my GPS and was approached by.. ahh ahem.. "lady of the night"...
"Do you know where this is?" "No, we just need to keep our eyes..." (pull around semi) "Oh."
Greeted with honest handshakes while still in the parking lot. Â Everyone was happy. Â Decorations aplenty for the birthday boy, people he didn't know buying him shots, and a song just for him.
And the band is *tight*. Â Exhaustion had set in, but I wish we would have pushed a bit harder to end up on the dance floor. Â And yes, they played Skynyrd. Â Gimme three steps, gimme three steps mister, but I ain't headin' for the door. Gimme three steps, gimme three steps mister, and I'll be out on the floor.
The only downside is the lack of local-ish brews. Â But they won't be able to serve Sweetwater, Terrapin, etc. for their prices, so I understand it. Â I can imagine Jerry Reed kickin' back here and giving the waitresses a hard time. Â Good place.
If you peruse these reviews, you'll gather pretty quickly that a bunch of Yelpers converged on the Southern Comfort on one particular night for one particular event. That should give you some context as to the positive reviews. That said, we ALL did have a great time that night thanks, in no small part, to the atmosphere, the company and adorably unironic efforts of the staff at The Southern Comfort.
Much like Vanessa, I'm wary of the hipster habit of "slumming." Hipsters either get off on mocking the denizens within or they co-opt it for themselves in an effort to seem more "authentic." I say this as a lover of dive bars. Some may point to the inherent hypocrisy of my last few statements until they realize that I actually like dive bars because I'm a cheap ass sonovabitch; you can drink cheap in a dive. Â The Southern Comfort is no exception.
Heh, I just noticed that I pretty much echoed Shannon L.'s review. Where I'll diverge is the bar staff and regulars seems so earnest, it seemed nearly impossible for our group at least to make fun of everything. "What? Y'all having a birthday party? Well, we're gonna decorate for you!" Which they did. In spades. Sure, the result was a cross between the way your co-workers decorate your cube the morning of your birthday and a kid's party at Chuck E. Cheese, but the effort was definitely appreciated.
Our waitress (because here, there are no "servers,") kept our much wandering, ill-defined group well-lubricated with drinks, nary an eyebrow raised at the obvious invaders we were. (OK, ONE eyebrow was raised when, after she asked if I wanted to start a tab, I followed with, "Will you need a credit card?" The look she gave me was an awesome mixture of disbelief and "Ya ain't from 'round here, is ya?" The answer, for the record, was "No.")
Yes, The Southern Comfort has fake wood paneling on the walls. Yes, said fake wood paneling is covered by numerous tributes to George Jones. Yes, there are questionable characters playing questionable video poker machines in the back. Yes, it looks like Dalton should be walking the perimeter. (RIP, Patrick Swayze.) But there's a big dance floor, the house band was actually pretty good, and the beer was cheaper than a one-legged hooker who looked like Abe Vigoda. (I dunno. That sounded like something you'd say in a honky tonk.)
I've seen better, I've seen worse (believe me, WAY worse.) My opinion may be change depending on the night and the crowd. (Maybe I'll return for karaoke.) But for this one night, for this one party, 4.5 stars.
I had reservations about coming here. Â I don't really have any business being in a honky tonk establishment. The gentleman in the parking lot who greeted me with a military salute melted aforementioned reservations away.
This place is so legit, it makes my little black heart sing. Â I had such a genuinely great time, dancing to the live band, finding confetti in my boots, singing loudly along to the only two songs I knew, and splitting my tight ass jeans on the dance floor [not from dancing, but from squatting. Long story].
The servers and other patrons didn't raise an eyebrow at our large group and some even joined in on the revelry. Â It was all just wonderfully laid back and celebratory. Â
Cheap drinks, loud live music, and locals who don't give a damn. Â Sign. me. up.
This place is great! Â From the Diesel stained parking lot, to the smoke stained interior, this place is Atlanta's authentic honky tonk. Â George F. Jones (emphasis on the "F" ) is a gent; he chatted with us for quite a while and made sure we were enjoying ourselves...
I've been to SoCo a few times over the years and would not qualify as a regular but when we show up the place has always provided as much second-hand smoke as it has pure, good fun!
Everything about this place is awesome. the drinks are strong, the beers are cheap, the food is fried and fantastic (plus the kitchen's open 'till 2). I've met some super nice people here and they're all the ones that a lot of people go there to laugh at. tons of pool tables in the back, great service, and plenty of room to spread out. Karaoke on Sunday nights (as well as others, I'm sure). God Bless Southern Comfort.
Review Source:Southern comfort is my dream bar.
I can listen to merle haggard without offending other patrons.
I can also drink 17 long island iced teas after 6 shots of tequila and a 5 dollar beer bucket on a wednesday at 4pm while watching a lady my moms age work it in lingere.
Its like the clairmont is talking to charlie daniels on a rhinestone studded CB radio while smoking a kool filter king..
My search for The South of legend has ended!
Big rigs and monster trucks lining the parking lot, you know you're in for something authentic the second you arrive!
Step inside and you're in a huge room full of beehives, cowboys, cheap beer and belt buckles as substantial as hubcaps... as big as Texas!... no... wait... belt buckles the size of  Waffle House waffles! (nailed it!)!
Yee-freaking-ha!
Everyone was drunk... and I mean everyone... bartenders, the band, and even the little old ladies with blue hair!
You're going to need a designated driver, knee pads and a  industrial helmet... but if you play your cards right, the odds of you waking up in another State next to a 70 year old, smoking a menthol are excellent!!!! Just be prepared to hear the regaling of the nights exploits with out of date colloquialisms!
Like...
" I'm 'finer than frog hair! "
"It happened faster than a knife fight in a phone booth."
"Well, if that don't put pepper in the gumbo!"
"I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt."
... to name a few!
Good Luck! You'll need it!
The dive bar that we all love. SoCo is by far the coolest place in Atlanta, period. Super cheap drinks that are poured with manliness, even cheaper beer, and decent food start the experience off right, but add to that really good live music on the weekends and tons of activities during the week from karaoke to a lingerie show (!) and you've got a hell of a good time, any time. And you can bring everyone you know because the place is huge, bigger than any decent high school cafeteria. Great for people watching, shooting pool, singing, or scoring a romp in the parking lot later, it's all there at the SoCo.
Review Source:I feel conflicted about Southern Comfort. On the one hand, they've got cheap beer and unpretentious live music and dancing. On the other hand, it's kinda sketchy and it seems as though non-regulars only love it so much because they romanticize the working-class locals (while simultaneously making fun of them).
The pluses:
-Opens at 9:00am (if you're so inclined)
-Very large space = good for big crowds, also not super smoky
-Live rock/country music
-Cheap drinks
The minuses:
-Cover charge for men on weekend nights
-Limited beer selection
-Most likely illicit activities involving drugs and prostitution
If I really liked dancing but didn't want the club atmosphere, I might come here more regularly. Other than that I can't think of any reason to go out of my way to go back, since I can get cheap beer anywhere and I think it's rude to go into a place where you're clearly not part of the community and proceed to make fun of everyone in there but then brag to your friends about how you found this "awesome dive bar where the people are so real."
The country band rocks out. Â Free line dancing on Weds. Â WIFI. Great drinks just about any liquor you can think of! Truckers, Lot Lizards and hard workers are what you will find at this gold star dive bar. Â I love it. Fun for groups too. Â The people are authentic and there have been movies shot here. Â Tyler Perry shot a scene from his movie "A Family that Preys" here.
On fridays they have a 10 oz Ribeye dinner w salad and potato for 5.95
Mitzi and Jean are the BOMB bartenders on Weds and Thurs
You might want to learn this song
or Toby Keith "I love this bar" <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXtfCcwMV3-o%26feature%3Drelated&s=13466f44afc90b81d17a14b8a2d970511961277ead561965340a5750704a0b7b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a>
Toby Keith - I Love This Bar
From the album "Shock 'N' Y'all"
We got winners; we got losers;
Chain smokers and boozers.
An' we got yuppies; we got bikers;
An' we got , thirsty hitchhikers.
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars.
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar.
We got cowboys; we got truckers;
Broken hearted fools and suckers.
An' we got husslers; we got fighters;
Early birds and all nighters.
And the veterans talk abouth their battle scars:
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar.
I love this bar,
It's my kind of place.
Just walk in through the front door,
Puts a big smile on my face.
It ain't too far; come as you are.
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar.
I've seen short skirts, we've got high-techs,
Blue collar boys and rednecks.
An' we got lovers; lots of lookers;
I even seen dancing girls and hookers
Ande we like to drink our beer from a mason jar:
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar, yes I do!
I like my truck, (I like my truck),
An' I like my girlfriend, ( I like my girlfriend),
I like to take her out to dinner;
I like a movie now and then:
But I love this bar,
It's my kind of place.
Just toeing around the dance floor,
Puts a big smile on my face.
No cover charge; come as you are.
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I love this bar.
Mm, mm, mmm, mmm, mmm, I just love this ol' bar.
The best honky-tonk dive bar in Atlanta. Â The beer is cold and cheap and the clientele is friendly. Â I've not had the food but I'm told the fried items are the way to go.
There's generally live music on the weekends and karaoke during the week. Â The band is country-and-western through and through but the karaoke is all over the map. Â If you're lucky, you'll be treated to a gaggle of middle-aged and/or geriatric ladies doing "My Neck, My Back" by Khia. Â Oh dear.
Beware of intown hipsters who have started to discover this place in the last year or two.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
