Dinner in Atlanta, GA: Punch Bowl Social
Walking into the Punch Bowl Social in The Battery Atlanta will take you right back to the kid in a candy store you once were. The Denver-based Punch Bowl Social has revolutionized the experiential food and beverage concept. I mean, you can sip on a handcrafted punch while playing a virtual reality game just steps from a 360-degree upscale bar. I don’t believe it gets much cooler than that…and I think your kid-self would agree. Lucky for us, the Punch Bowl has landed its first Southeastern location right here in Atlanta.
Boasting two ginormous floors with multiple bars throughout, the Punch Bowl Social is perfect for nearly any occasion. Through carefully designing an experience in which the food and beverage offerings don’t fall behind the state-of-the-art entertainment options, the Punch Bowl has nearly perfected giving guests exactly what they never knew they wanted.
Most notably, the restaurant includes a menu curated by Top Chef judge and Atlanta-loved Hugh Acheson while the entertainment includes an 8-lane retro bowling alley adjacent to the dining area – providing a fun, energetic atmosphere for people-watchers and participants alike. The private karaoke and vintage arcade games are also a fan-favorite. Perfect for a night out with friends or even your next corporate holiday party, the Punch Bowl Social will surely exceed everyone’s expectations.
Once we finished taking in all there was to see, we sat down to enjoy some food and drinks. We started with the infamous punch which certainly lived up to the hype. The King’s Cup – made with Bacardi 8, Coconut Rum, Pear Tea, Pineapple Seed Shrub, Simple Syrup, and Fresh Lime Juice – opened my eyes to alcoholic punch on a whole new level. Absolutely delicious!
Next, we indulged in two “Shareables”: Green Chorizo Fries and Hummus. Now let me tell you, these fries – decked out with Chorizo, Monterey Jack, Pickled Fresno Chiles, and Cilantro – were to die for. Shared among two of us but legitimately big enough for a group of 5+, this appetizer was a load of deliciousness. Paired perfectly with a punch, this would be a great snack to enjoy while playing a table game or two. The Hummus with Garbanzo Beans, Tahini, Olive Oil, Lemon, Garlic, Paprika, and Parsley was equally yummy + generously-sized and was absolutely tasty with Multi-Color Cauliflower; humor yourself with this “healthy” option. 🙂
Choosing an entree was no easy feat with this menu, y’all. Ultimately, we went with the A La Bama Chicken Sandwich and Roasted Poblano Baked Mac & Cheese because how could either of these not be amazing, right? Right. A perfectly crispy chicken sandwich with White BBQ Sauce and Rosemary Fries hit the spot, as did the oh-so-creamy mac & cheese. Highly recommend both.
As if we still had any room for dessert (we always do somehow), we were kindly treated to three of the Punch Bowl’s best sweets. We enjoyed Pumpkin Cheesecake, Coconut Cake, and an Almond Joy Adult Milkshake….yum, yum, and yum. Wow. My mouth is once again watering just remembering these three dishes. Both cakes were so decadent it was unreal! Still dreaming of the Coconut Cake, especially. As for the adult milkshake, I can’t say enough. A very cool addition to the Punch Bowl menu, there are a few options for alcoholic dessert milkshakes but we chose to try the Almond Joy and boy was that a good choice. The creamiest, thickest, most delectable milkshake I’ve ever had plus liqueur…I’ll definitely be going back for another.
You’re probably feeling stuffed just reading about our experience…but you must go try this place out for yourself! Whether you’re in the area this spring for a Braves game or just looking for a fun night out that’s different from the norm, the Punch Bowl Social has it all; a one-stop shop for all things fun and delicious. Run – don’t walk – to the Punch Bowl Social at The Battery Atlanta.
Ellie is a senior at the University of Georgia studying Advertising. She considers herself a bagel connoisseur, but enjoys trying any and all restaurants around Atlanta.