As Atlanta prepares to welcome more than 500,000 World Cup fans, Irish-born Major League Soccer commentator and FIFA FanFest host Kevin Egan is betting on one timeless match-day truth: “Everyone knows the best place to meet for a cold one is an Irish pub!”
Opening this week just steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Irish Exit is part of Atlanta’s growing Centennial Yards development. The modern Irish pub comes from a partnership between Egan, Atlanta hospitality leader Pierce White and the award-winning team behind New York’s The Dead Rabbit bar, twice crowned World’s Best Pub. “We are beyond excited to show Atlanta what modern Irish hospitality looks like in midtown, all within a brand-new, phenomenal entertainment district,” Egan says.
While The Irish Exit will carry the same attention to quality and hospitality that has made The Dead Rabbit internationally known, the Atlanta pub is designed to have a personality all its own. “We’ll have curated craft cocktails, the best Guinness in the South and staff that understand how to blend Southern hospitality with Irish charm,” Egan says.
Beyond the beverage menu, guests can expect a lineup of fan favorites with Irish touches, including a house hot dog with Ballymaloe Irish Relish, Corned Beef & Cabbage Tacos, Crispy Chicken Sandwiches with Irish cheddar and hot honey, and plenty more.
At the center of the space is a large, welcoming bar built for volume without losing warmth. Six different wells can accommodate up to nine bartenders, helping keep pints, cocktails and game-day orders moving. TVs line the interior, making The Irish Exit an easy home base for match days, watch parties and the kind of downtown energy Centennial Yards is being built to attract.
Wrapping the whole space in warmth is a custom 45-foot mural by Irish artist David McMillan that fuses the best of Irish and Atlanta culture. Nods to Atlanta’s hip-hop scene sit alongside references to traditional Irish Tunes while Falcons players share space with hurling players. “Everyone is brought together over a nice pint of Guinness. Everyone’s enjoying a drink, everyone’s having a nice time, and that’s kind of what the Irish Exit feels like.” McMillan shares. “It’s this communal place and very much has that Irish sensibility.”
That sense of community is central to the concept. As Centennial Yards continues to take shape as one of Atlanta’s most anticipated new entertainment districts, The Irish Exit arrives with a clear point of view: serious drinks, satisfying food and an atmosphere where visiting fans, Atlanta locals and sports lovers can all feel at home. “Everybody’s welcome at The Irish Exit,” Egan says. “I’ve craved this type of establishment in Atlanta, and it’s finally en route.”
Learn more about the Irish Exit Atlanta at irishexitatl.com and check out Egan’s guide to making the most of The World Cup at bestselfatlanta.com.
