The Square Pub

...is having the Brick Store as your neighborhood pub. Yes, the beer selection is fantastic. Let's not slight that. How wonderful is it to walk into a pub and have over a dozen beers on tap -- and none of them of the Bud or Coors variety? Brick Store gets beers that few else in Atlanta can serve, and they are served in the correct glasses. (There's also an enormous selection of bottled beer, but that's not my own preference.) Then there's the food. No, it's not gourmet. But it's much better than the usal pub food, and it's consistently prepared well. Fish and chips; burgers; sandwiches, a couple of salads. That's what you get here -- and that's all you get. But you know what you are getting -- and you'll enjoy it. But what I appreciate most about the Brick Store is the staff. You would think this group of indie-twenty-somethings would sneer at the parents and kids, the old and the not-so-hip who come in. But no. They are, quite simply, one of most accommodating waitstaff around. (Including the staff at places that are supposed to be family friendly.) I've been going to the Brick Store for years, and this has been true the whole time. My hat's off to the person who hires them. Being at the Brick Store will make you want to live in Decatur, if only so you can walk home after having one pint too many. more

This was one of my favorite pre-kids hangouts. I could sit for hours drinking beer, eating food with just the right amout of grease, and having great conversation with friends and strangers. The selection of beers is truly impressive, and if you are having trouble making a choice, your waiter or waitress can help out. The thick cigarette smoke has kept me from bringing the kids, but I'll still sneak out for a beer and basket of chips when I can. more

The Brick Store Pub takes beer very seriously. They pride themselves on pouring beer the right way and pouring it in the right glass. The owners also lobbied the state to allow Georgia to serve high alcohol content beer and, when the new law went into effect, celebrated by tapping a keg of high alcohol Belgian beer at midnight. The pub also serves good food, nothing fancy but very good, especially the fish and chips. Upstairs is an addition called the Belgian Bar, which has the feel of a European bar. The downstairs can be noisy when crowded. more

This is the real deal. Local people, eating a lot, talking a lot and really enjoying themselves. The fish and chips are amazing if you can get past the guilt of ordering them at all. However if you have never tried Brunswick Stew before you're in for a real treat. Get it in the bread bowl called a Volcano and sit back and fall in love with Southern Food. The pretzels and mustard are worth a trip by themselves. more

This pub was the driving force behind Georgia's passing the high gravity beer legislation. They have more Belgian [and American] high gravity beers than any other place in Georgia. David Blanchard, one of the owners, is always there meeting and greeting and his staff stays for years . . so you always see someone you know. The bar is non-smoking, is two stories [the upstairs is an authentic Belgian Pub] and has artwork [available for purchase] from local artists on the walls. Food is typical pub fare - but great and consistent - try the fish and chip [huge] or the Rueben. more