Atlantans certainly won't go hungry or thirsty this summer with yet another new lounge popping up on the radar. Meet Willow Bar.
The charred cauliflower and cucumber shared plate.
When The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel refers to its three food and beverage concepts as crown jewels, it’s for good reason. Between mod and moody The Betty, funky and flashy St. Julep and now the debut of its ethereal outdoor oasis, Willow Bar, you’ll be hard-pressed to find us anywhere other than the Buckhead hotel on a Friday night.
Nestled behind the hotel’s lobby living room area, double doors open to unveil a captivating garden-esque sanctuary, complete with the bar’s namesake willow oak tree and thoughtful touches like illuminating floor lanterns, a fire pit and winding pathways between Willow Bar’s courtyard seating areas. To the left, you’ll find the main covered seating area and—most importantly—the bar, both of which can be closed off via sheer curtains for added privacy.
One way Willow Bar draws on the energy of the surrounding landscaping is by serving patio-friendly wines and cocktails.
At the helm of Willow Bar’s beverage program is sommelier Joe Billesbach, who has curated a selection of what he dubs “patio-perfect wine offerings.” Mediterranean whites, rosé and effervescent options make up the list of 12 by-the-glass wines and nearly 70 bottles. For those on the hunt for something stronger, the bar menu offers plenty of enticing cocktails, from the refreshing Aperol spritz to—our official drink of summer—the Bed of Roses, a masterpiece of Ketel One Botanical grapefruit and rose, elderflower and tonic.
In the kitchen, executive chef Brandon Chavannes whips up delicious plant-based shared plates—including smoked shiitakes with green tomatoes and walnuts, and jerk cauliflower with tamarind—alongside nonvegetarian standouts like the chef’s picnic basket with fried chicken, potato salad, fresh fruit and all the fixin’s. It’s Southern soul food at its best.
The Honey Bee with Watershed chamomile gin, honey, lemon and egg white.
Much like the hotel, Willow Bar draws influences from the surrounding nature and lush greenery. The simplicity of the raw wood furnishings, the touches of green found in the mosaic tiling on the bar and the use of plants as decor all give subtle nods to the surrounding landscape. Mix the shareable plates with patio-perfect sips and dreamy outdoor digs, and Willow Bar is giving us major daydrinking vibes.
Photography by: Photographed by: Andrew Thomas Lee
