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Name: Dark Horse Tavern
Address: 816 N Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA, 30306
Telephone: (404) 873-3607
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.34

Dark Horse Tavern

816 N Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA, 30306

(404) 873-3607
Store is closed

Dark Horse Tavern Menu

Appetizers

Black Angus Sliders

Tavern Egg Rolls

Fish Tacos

Dixie Pickles

Fried Calamari

Hot Spinach & Cheese Dip
Salads

Caesar Salad

Side Salad
Tapas

Buttermilk Fried Pork Loin

Pulled Blackened Chicken

Fried Calamari

Bbq Pork W/fried Green Tomato

Fried Gulf Shrimp

4 Jumbo Wings

Tavern Eggroll

Andouille Sausage

Grilled Chicken & Swiss Chard
Sandwiches

Tavern Bbq Sandwich

Black Angus Stacker

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Grilled Salmon Sandwich

Grilled Veggie Burger

Build Your Own Burger

Shrimp Po Boy

Philly Cheesesteak
Classic Bar Food

Classic Bar Food

Chicken Nachos

Buffalo Wings

Buffalo Wings
Desserts

Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Chocolate Cake

Healthy Meal suggestions for Dark Horse Tavern

Appetizers

Black Angus Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tavern Egg Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dixie Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Spinach & Cheese Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Side Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tapas

Buttermilk Fried Pork Loin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Blackened Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Pork W/fried Green Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Gulf Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Jumbo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tavern Eggroll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Andouille Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken & Swiss Chard [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Tavern Bbq Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Angus Stacker [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Veggie Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Build Your Own Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Po Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Philly Cheesesteak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Classic Bar Food

Classic Bar Food [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Strawberry Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Kathleen M.

Holy sausage fest!! This past Saturday night, I'd say there was easily a 4:1 guy to girl ratio here. Not that I'm complaining (well, actually, I kind of am as only about 1% of that was actually attractive) but it was definitely surprising. When we arrived around 10:00, the place wasn't close to crowded but by 11 or so it was packed to the gills. The bartender was friendly, attentive, and quick even during the busiest parts of the evening. Although their beer list is long I wasn't especially impressed by any of the options. Like the rest of the Highlands, I imagine it's a much nicer place to be from Sunday through Thursday. As expected, it's pretty much the typical Saturday Virginia Highlands crowd, meaning recent college grads and current college students. If you're 30, or even close to it, you probably shouldn't bother... unless there's a cradle you'd like to rob.
(3)
Quincy S.

Hadnt been here in a while and ended up there with some friends at the end of last night. We seemed to get there at its peak around 12 because it slowly emptied out as 2am approached. The bar is divided into 3 floors, the top having a DJ, the middle one the regular bar and bottom floor is a karaoke bar with a live band. Ive never been upstairs but hear that they usually charge and $5 cover and the DJ is consistently good. The karaoke is always fun but can get obnoxious with drunk people thinking they are Bono. As for the middle bar, it does have an Irish pub feel with a 4 sided bar made of dark wood. Although it was slammed, it only took a minute to get drinks, I stuck to beer but my friend said his vodka red bull was average. We also happened to luck into finding a booth pretty quickly and had a great server named Bonnie who was attentive and didnt mind shooting the shit when she had the time. The only problem came when my friend, who had given Bonnie his card to open a tab, went to the bar to get shots and the bar tender said he didnt have an open tab. My friend took the shots anyway and said to talk to Bonnie about it, which the bartender obviously got pissed about. People were a good mix of people including hipsters and Brooks Brothers. Lots of dudes, not many good looking girls, luckily we brought our own. Oh, and my friend got some chicken fingers and fries at the end of the night that were pretty on par for bar food. Ill probably never go out of my way to go back but am not adverse to meeting friends there.
(2)
steven c.

We ended up at 10 High yesterday after a few boring drinks down the street. At first we thought we were just going to watch. Which is pretty good. Ron Jovi rocked pretty hard, and then a guy named Kurt did an impressive Nirvana performance. Anyway, we all ended up getting on stage. I have minimal talent, but everyone was supportive, and it was more fun than I've had on a Monday in recent memory. It was also nice, because there really wasn't much of a wait. Before I've tried, and only waited unsuccessfully for hours. This time I put my song in and was singing Clash 15 minutes later.
(4)
Kari S.

So I've been the Dark Horse and 10 High hundreds of times. But last Saturday experienced my first Metalsome Karaoke. It was probably the funniest time I've had in the Highlands in awhile. After the very first performer, I was happy that I didn't sign up b/c he rocked it! There were a couple "virgin" karaokers but most people performed like they had done this numerous times before. The $8 cover was way worth the price. I recommend checking it out if you get a chance.
(5)
M A.

The tots? 5000 stars. Seriously, I'd eat my weight in those tots. Delicious. The rest can be just so-so depending on the night and who's in the place, which on a Metalsome Monday night it was rather vacant. I've been here before and it was PACKED, so I'm not sure why it was empty. I'll assume it was the big thunderstorm outside. Honestly, not all the food here is great. There are some good sandwiches and there are some that will make you say "Could've made this at home." But those tots! Delightful and hot, gooey and crisp, they're a bite of heaven in a grimy bar. The beer selection is also pretty decent, though I don't remember there being a lot of unique things on draft. I enjoy trying new beers, so I'm guessing the lovely Georgia alcohol/beer laws are preventing some great things from passing through the border and into my glass. Boo. Still, it's a decent selection so you won't go home thirsty. It just seems so hit or miss, however. Sometimes the servers are friendly and nice, other times you wonder if they fell into a black hole and disappeared. The food can be good or just so-so, but as long as you stick to the tots, you're fine. I'm not kidding! Noise level can be a bother, and while I'm not single so I don't notice the number of guys in a bar, I could easily see it being more of a guy hangout than girl. Guess that's a bonus for all you single ladies out there...
(3)
Nikkie F.

This is more a review of 10 High, because I've been to Dark Horse only once and kind of hated it. It was packed, I don't drink, we didn't order any food... so, I just sat on the porch out back (yes, there's a porch) and smoked my head off until the group decided to leave. I've been to the 10 High only a few times, and I've never had the courage to jump up on stage but I have drug a good number of my friends there and it's so much fun. You never hear "karaoke" and "fun" in the same sentence, without the word "not" in the middle... but seriously... this is AWESOME! A live rock band backs you as you rock out to your fav hits. If you're not sure when you jump in, or how the song starts, that's okay -- the amazing band will help you get started. After all, what's a band for, if not to support their lead singer? Whom ever that may be at the time! If you are having a silly fun girls/guys night out, and want to just chill out, have a good time and not worry about looking stupid, getting hit on, picking anyone up or anything pretentious like that -- GO HERE! You will have SO MUCH FUN!!! I promise you.
(4)
Rita M.

"What in the hell is a 'Metalsome'?" I remember thinking to myself when I was first approached about going to some downtown, underground lair. Luckily for me, my friends know me well, because it was love at first sight for me and the 10 High and Metalsome. Is the 10 High a basement bar? Yep. Nice? Well, not particularly, but what rock and roll bar worth its salt is "nice"? Good drinks? Ohhhhhhhh yes. Good music? You bet your ass. Curtis' band of merry men are the tightest cover band I have ever heard. Ever. We've made the pilgrimage every month or two since that first time, and it's still awesome, every time. English Nick keeps the place hopping, Coolio keeps everyone signed up and lined up, and Curtis and the rest of the band keep the entire place mesmerized by absolute perfect renditions of every rock/metal song you ever sang along to in your Camaro. Yeah, it's Karaoke. On Steroids. It doesn't get better than Metalsome. Pure gold.
(5)
Camille M.

Recently, I attended Metalsome, and I was very impressed with it! I am not much of a rock music fan, actually, but I thought that having such a spot-on cover band for rock music karaoke was the coolest thing. I'm also not gutsy enough to get on stage and sing, but each person who did looked like they were having the best time ! Whenever friends come in from out of town, I will be sure to take them to see this. It's such a treat. If someone like me, who does not even like that kind of music that much, thinks that this is a cool spot, then it's definitely worth checking out. I docked the rating one star because it was a bit too loud for me. I can handle pretty loud environments, but this actually caused me physical pain. However, this shouldn't stop anyone from going. I was excited and moved to the front. Closer to the back doesn't hurt your ears as badly, but you can't see the band and the performers as well from back there. Rock on.
(4)
Scott S.

Dark Horse has been a Va Highlands landmark and institution for years. It has a deep down, cool pub feel and the bar is cozy with bartenders putting together anything you can think of. There is also a dining area and outdoor patio in the back. They do allow smoking so it you are sensitive, you might be better off outdoors. The dark wood and atmosphere is down to earth. The noise levels can be a little high during peak times and weekends. We started with an appetizer, The Hummus and Pita. It's tahini hummus served with warmed pita, cucumbers, olives, and peppers. It wasn't too bad and helped curb my appetite. It was plenty for two people to share. For main meal, I had the Salmon Sandwich, it was grilled and served on a sourdough bread. The bread tasted freshly baked and the salmon was grilled just right. I was impressed on how well put together this was. I had the tator tots as my side with the sandwich as it's always a nice sinful treat. The service was decent as was the cleanliness of the restaurant. I would say the pricing is on the low-moderate scale. Plus check out the 10 High Club downstairs afterwards for some homegrown rock music.
(4)
Peto F.

Incredible ! I have been there like 5 times...even with my 66 year old father once. Every time is a blast. The 80's metal Karaoke is incredible fun...not to mention I won tickets to the Poison concert by singing a song ! This place is 100 % fun. I wish I lived closer to visit it more often. If you love Rock music...this is IT !
(5)
Caitlin L.

I went here on a Saturday night having no clue about "metalsome". I simply thought we were going for karaoke at some dive bar--I was so so wrong. We were led down two flights of stairs to the basement of Dark Horse to find a ton of people--no joke! a ton! There's a live band (which was awesome) and people rocking out to anything from metallica to pat benatar. We could see the bar across the room from the corner we were squished into but it was near impossible to get to. Anyone who loves karaoke should definitely come here, and come early! Otherwise I think it may be really hard to get on stage.
(5)
Marian L.

The food is okay and the beer prices are decent. I like to grab a table and hang out when I visit my sister. I wish people weren't allowed to smoke in bars in Atlanta. Sometimes I need to go outside to breathe!
(3)
Liz L.

Back in the day, I used to go here to play trivia on Thursday nights. The trivia itself was pretty cool - it was Jeopardy style, so you got to slam on a buzzer when you knew the answer. (Or if you didn't know the answer, much to the chagrin of my boyfriend.) It's the place where my roommate once got so mad that we had beat her buzz that she punched me in the face. Seriously. This place is where heroes are made. However, this is also a story of a frat boy named Dirty Carl*. Dirty Carl used to go to trivia here every Thursday night too, and the Trivia Master dude LOVED HIM. Seriously, Trivia Master dude (the dude who once had what could only have been a stripper hanging from the pole next to him all night for no apparent reason) and Dirty Carl were like BFFAEAE. It was weird. So, one night, after it had become preeeeetty clear that TMD was helping the Dirty dirty Carl win by giving him super easy questions, my boyfriend saw Dirty Carl go into the bathroom and throw up, wipe his mouth, and then go back out and do a shot of whiskey. Let's all raise a glass in honor of Dirty Carl. He's a good man, albeit one that's probably died of cirrhosis. Needless to say, after that night, we didn't go back. But, if trivia is still happening there - remember this. If you buzz in and don't know the answer, you can always yell SHOT, and gain extra points from shooting one down for the team. Oh, and one more thing. There's a waitress here who is pretty much evil incarnate. Okay, that's all. *name has been changed to protect the innocent, and because I never knew his real name to begin with
(3)
Tiffany H.

I'm a bit partial to 10 High because it is where my boyfriend and I went for the second part of our first date and we have been back many times since. There's really nothing like listening to Metal Karaoke with the band being live. That in itself is pretty great. You also factor in the dark atmosphere, the cheap beer, and half naked table dancing girls and you've got yourself the ingredients to a good night. I definitely drink way too much when visiting the 'ol trusty 10 High, but have no fear, everyone else is drinking way too much as well! It kind of feels like a crowded house party with all of your favorite people... meaning.... there are a TON of people packed into a medium sized space, but no one wants to leave because it's just that much fun. As for the Dark Horse, used to be a cool spot and I guess it's still okay but, now it's more preppy dudes hitting on every girl imaginable trying to get a piece (it's more of the people who frequent it that I don't like versus the actual place). They also offer an upstairs area to chill and a server will come up to check on you and get you whatever you need. I do, however like going there during lunch when it's pretty dead and eating their yummy grilled cheese and ham sandwich and drinking pints of Guinness. Their menu is pretty typical of bar food, but I like it!
(4)
Elizabeth S.

Was introduced to this place for the first time tonight (haven't been in the area that long) and, as someone living in midtown, was SOOOO Happy to find LIVE music and ROCK music @ that!! Much better than nearby Crescent St (Not that there's anything wrong w/that ;) Have never seen karoake w/a live band before. The singers really get into it and the band is great. $4 beer, not too bad. Parking was a nightmare but Iucked out in the end. Awesome time!!
(4)
Min Y.

I've been to both 10 High and Dark Horse Tavern a few times so I've experienced both sides of this place. 10 High is in the basement of this dual-bar and is where the famous Metalsome Mondays occurs. Although I have heard that lately it's expanded to even more nights due to its popularity. Metalsome is basically live rock band karaoke... a full band with a drummer, a bassist, and i believe two guitarists are there playing songs for you while you sing. the host is actually the lead singer for the band but he gives up the microphone to whoever is karaoke-ing. I can't remember if the cover is 5 or 10 bucks, but it's pretty reasonable considering the entertainment.. The drinks there are reasonably priced as well so money wise it's not too bad. As for the karaoke itself, if you actually want to sing in front of a crowd, you should get there early and sign up because the list gets long. You can sign up later on in the night but you have to pay per song, so that sucks. The band is pretty good at re-creating the songs so it all sounds good, the only thing that's variable is you. If you suck at singing though, it's better that you try, otherwise they get pissed at you for just standing around. Even if you do suck, they can drown you out by turning down your vocals and turning up the background vocals from one of the guitarists. I've heard some pretty bad singers here and it's entertaining but it's not as friendly a venue to the drunken idiot mumbling lyrics as other karaoke bars are. I've also heard some EXCELLENT singers and Metalsome Monday pros but while impressed I also feel a little sad because it's almost like I'm seeing failed rock star dreams over and over again and I feel bad for the singers because they take it a little too seriously. The song selection is your typical Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Metallica, super popular arena rock fare. I guess they're trying to appeal to as many people as possible but it gets a bit tiring to hear the same type of mainstream radio rock over and over again. I'm a decent singer but I have zero interest in singing any of the songs available. I kinda wish they'd throw in an indie rock band every once in a while, then I might get the courage to go up there. Are you telling me people wouldn't at least somewhat recognize the biggest hits of a band like Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, or Modest Mouse? As for Dark Horse, there's not much to tell. it's just another typical VaHi bar, filled with the same old VaHi people. It does get SUPER crowded on the weekends to the point that you can't even find room to stand. The occasional eye candy is good but the intense volume and crowded feeling makes it not the best bar to go to. If you really want the VaHi crowd, it'd be better to go to somewhere like Neighbors, Hand in Hand, or Fontaine's.
(3)
Talib K.

Been here for about 20 years and I've never noticed 'em. I guess I am not their target audience. Despite this I had a good experience here. It is a typical bar and restaurant (A-T-L Style). However, they do have karaoke downstairs and the drinks are relatively inexpensive. The location suggest yuppie bar, but the staff and vibe are more neighborhood hangout (which, I guess, makes it a yuppie bar). I like this place and will return for a mid-afternoon drink. They have big screens with a news/sports mix, free wifi, plenty of windows to check the Va-Hi scenery, and two levels of outside patio. And oh yeah, in case you missed it, cheap beer. Holla at the brotha in the Kangol at the bar on his Mac if you roll through! p.s. They have Galaga....I'm such an 80s nerd!
(3)
Fiona S.

Been back a few more times in the last couple months, and I definitely like what they've got going on at Dark Horse. The weekend crowd is a good one - lots of young professionals, mostly guys, there's always a game on and some laughs to be had. Service is reasonably quick, considering how slammed it can get on a Saturday night. I also like that they have two decent-sized patios that are covered (and heated in the winter) so there is plenty of room for a big group. Drinks are reasonably priced - in the $6-7 range for your standard stuff, ~$4 draught beers. Can't complain. Only warnings - it does get pretty crowded, pretty loud and pretty smokey. I can live with that, but some people might want to find a quieter spot.
(4)
Alicia W.

I'm really surprised to see the 2 and 3 stars. I love this place! I suppose everyone has their different experiences so I can understand. I'm all about the rock and roll and darkness that is the 10High. I've been going here for a lonnnggggg time and although it isn't a regular hang out for me I am never disappointed when I go. I'm not big on paying a fee to get in but who cares, it's only $5 - $7 and the drink prices make up for it. Brandon is awesome and so is the female bartender (I can't think of her name but she rocks too) I would think the most you'd pay for a draft beer is $5 and I love my Stella and if you're more like a dollar menu kinda person then you can grab a PBR or Miller Hi Life for $2 and some change. Also, if you're getting a little hungry you can also jump upstairs to DarkHorse Tavern and grab a bite to eat. They don't have a problem with you going upstairs and coming back in as long as you get your hand stamped. It's dark and the ventilation sucks but the place still rocks. and speaking of Rock "METALSOME MONDAY" and I think that's also Wednesday Thursday and Saturday as well now. If you drop by and it isn't Metalsome then they'll have some great theme and party to go along with it. If you don't know what Metalsome is it's a live rock band that plays while you sing anything from Guns and Roses, Billy Idol, and maybe some more recent stuff. It's awesome though and I have never honestly encountered any rudeness from the staff or the patrons. Just remember these key things before you go or when you go: 1) Dark 2) Dirty/ smokey 3) Cheap 4) Rock and roll all the wayyyy 5) awesome!!! 6) non pretentious (did I spell that right? lol) ....Yes I put Dark, Dirty and awesome in the same category. The place which pretty much is Metalsome rocks 100%.
(5)
Austin J.

It was a fun atmosphere! Crowded but not overcrowded. Drinks weren't overpriced. The tavern is more of a laid back atmosphere with the dancing going on upstairs. You do have to pay to go upstairs, but the Tavern is free. Great place to go and hang out with friends!
(4)
Chuk V.

Had a gaht-damn blast at Metalsome! ...I don't really remember it all, to tell you the truth, but I DO remember my Danzig came out epic and the pictures we took are some of the most hilarious documentation of straight-up fun I've got. The Win.
(4)
Vincent V.

This used to be one of my regular haunts when a friend of mine lived down the street. When I didn't have to deal with parking and we were regulars at the bar, it was pretty cool. Now that we both live outside the Highlands, I don't make it nearly as often. Dark Horse has become more and more populated by Buckhead expatriates, so that's probably another major reason why I don't go there very often anymore. The frat guys in baseball caps and skinny girls in sun dresses can get a little irritating, especially when you're packed in like sardines with them on the three level deck in the back. Stick close to the bar if you can, the bartenders at Dark Horse have always been some of the better ones in the Highlands.
(3)
Justin B.

I read every single review for this place and noticed that nearly everyone agreed about how crowded this place gets. The immense density of the crowd that hangs out here on a regular basis is something that many people, including myself, find displeasing. In light of the unavoidable fighting for elbow room scenario at Dark Horse Tavern, I feel that I must heed a warning for those female bar hoppers out there: Do not wear open toe shoes to this place. I went here with a gang girls a couple of months ago and after we left I heard nothing but cries of agony and complaints about how many times their feet were stepped on. Dark Horse is not all that bad though. The large crowds do act like a wing-man for those individuals who are out on the town looking for that special someone. Think about it, if you are hitting on a cutie at the bar, she does not have the ability to walk away instantly because of the cramped environment. This allows you to have the time necessary to show her how sensitive you are and how your compassionate personality makes you a one in a million catch. Blake makes a good point to about some of the individuals who frequent this place. Some of the guys that hang out here look like they spend 20 hours at the gym every week. This is probably one of the reasons that I saw a brawl ensue on one of the rare weekend occasions that I was dragged here. Alcohol and steroids just do not mix I guess.
(3)
Maria C.

I just moved to Atlanta and I love karaoke with a passion. I attended the Monday night show and I loved singing with a live band. Also, the crowd was incredibly friendly and supportive. Do make sure you know the song you plan to sing, because unlike traditional karaoke, you have no indication of when to sing what parts. Cheap beer and friendly staff is another big plus! I can't wait to go again!!!
(5)
Jenny B.

I hate writing bad reviews. But, this place really deserves it. The food we got was awful, typical tasteless bar food. And, when we told the waitress that we wanted to have some of our food brought out later, she told us to "remind her to put in the order." LOL. I wish this place were good, because it's a stone's throw from my apartment. Oh well!
(1)
Stephanie S.

Rock Karaoke! Classic Rock Bands! And an older "I don't give a $***+" crowd who just wants to smoke a cig, wear their tattoos with pride in jeans and t-shirts, and rock out like they were promiscuous teenagers again. This is basement right below Dark Horse in the Highlands is the only place I know of in Atlanta where you can experience everything Van Halen. The bands are talented rock stars equipped with bandanna and holey jeans and cut off shirts and leather jackets. They were probably alive and well back in when rock was still rock. So don't expect to catch any cheesy frat boy cover band playing here, this is the real seen. I went here last Saturday for Metalsome, a three man rock band that plays back-up to locals who are brave enough to sing karaoke on stage to a crowd crammed in to this smoky basement. The stage took up an entire wall, and the bar was in the back. The bar tender was amazing at remember my drinks and as soon as he saw me approach the bar, he had my drink ready for me to sip. I would have tried my chances on winning over the crowd with my singing, however, by the time I was ready to put my name on the list, it was full. The girl did say that I could guarantee a spot for twenty bucks, but I was out of cash after the $7 cover. I also noticed that cellulite was peaking through the fish net stockings of the two female dancers on pedestals in front of the stage. The two go-go boot wearing dancers didn't take a break the whole night from their fat shaking pole dancing and you couldn't stop but wonder why they weren't skinny if they work this hard. It was an overall great night full of energy and rock. You can't really socialize much in this club, except for in the bathrooms where you can dish about how gorgeous the long blond haired man with the tattoos is at the bar.
(5)
Beth B.

I went to the 10 High last night for the improv show and it was really funny.. I haven't ever been so, I don't know what this place is like on a normal night. But check it out on Wednesday nights.. $5 cover, improv from like 9-1130ish..
(3)
Joe C.

The Dark Horse.... what can I say. Not much for a bar in the highlands. Everytime I go out to the highlands, I try to hit every bar but this one. The people and the atmosphere are just blah and each time I've ended up there it's nothing special.
(2)
Scott M.

I never found the bar choices in Atlanta to be especially appealing, although to be fair I was "ballin' on a budget." However, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Dark Horse. This is a place attracting a variety of student-types from Emory, Georgia Tech and Agnes Scott, making it a good mix of nicely-dressed, friendly folks just looking to have a good time. If you are in that scene then you almost always run into somebody you know here. The place is well-decorated and thankfully lacks the variety of crap that besets the walls and ceilings of places like Moondogs, which I frequented one too many times. In addition to a ton of Friday and Saturday nights, I spent a good chunk of New Years Eve '08 here and from the little bit that I remember, everybody was just having a hell of a time. However, despite reviews to the contrary, I did not find this place to be especially crowded except within 10 feet of the bar itself. There it was very very crowded, and the way the bar is situated in the room there is a whole side with only a few feet between it and the wall. Getting a table to sit at was never really a problem and there are not very many people roaming over there. The best thing about Dark Horse is, of course, their Long Islands. At $7 a pop, down 2 or 3 of them and you are pretty much set for the evening. If they get rid of those, then...well, a letter to my Congressman just might be in order.
(5)
Kat G.

SUCH a fun crowd on Saturday nights! Lots of movement and conversation, and the bartenders were quick to get my drinks to me and my card back when I was ready to pay. Good music, good crowd, funny things happening with drunk people... what more does a bar need?
(4)
Reba Jean B.

Ok. I cannot begin to tell you how bad I hate this place. I remember the Dark Horse Tavern being the best bar in the Highlands, next to Atkins Park, of course. Well, that was 10 years ago. Now, it's total crap. How do you make such an awesome bar venue located in a historic ATL building into total shit? You turn it into today's Dark Horse offering 7, yes SEVEN, televisions (or more, I dunno), lousy food, asshole staff, terrible New Orleans esk decor and Ambita on draft (ick). The owners of this place seriously need to reconsider what the hell they are doing here. And as far as I can tell, I'm not the only one that feels like this. I never see more than ten people in this joint. Yeah, NO, I have not been here on a Friday or Saturday night when I'm sure that recent SEC college grads flood this place. You couldn't pay me enough to deal with the assholes you find in the Highlands on weekend nights. The only reason I go to this place is because of Yacht Rock downstairs in 10 High and the awesome hot blonde bartender that I feel so sorry for because she has to work in this shithole. I'd give Yacht Rock and the hot blonde 5 stars, but this ATL establishment that seems that it would rather be down in Nawlins on Boubon Street- ZERO stars.
(1)
D.L H.

This place has bad food, is over crowded, and may as well be an importer of hair gel. This, at least in the last few years has been a primarily dude looking to score bar with a noticeable lack of females. It is always packed though on Friday and Saturday. So if your looking to pile in to a sweaty, smoky bar with lots of 20-30 year old guys and a few chicks looking to score some hair gel and sortable snortables then bingo!
(2)
Stephie Z.

I hate this place with a passion. The bartenders are completely unfriendly and arrogant (I really wanted to insert some less than stellar language but held back- you're welcome) and the bar is always packed out with meatheads and barely 21yos. This place reminds me of a dressed up version of the meat market known as Wooden Nickel back in my college days. Just wanted to share with y'all my harsh feelings. OH and here is a rather embarrassing story of me for you that pissses me off even more about this place. While incredibly wasted one night and after my friends, who were not to the point of my birthday drunkeness, told the bartender to quit serving me shots b/c I was falling down drunk ( no, I'm not a lush, just a person over-enthused with her birthday) he proceeded to serve me 14 shots which he watched me drink. Though I am an adult and should have been responsible for my own actions, I still can't believe he served me when I was that obviously wasted. I would like to say he didn't realize I was that drunk, but from what has been relayed back to me I broke multiple shot glasses while trying to help him get the glasses back and I was also falling all over the place. So the moral of the story is don't go to the Dark Horse wasted or you will walk out of there in blackout mode with over $100 less in your pocket or just never go to the Dark Horse.
(1)
Tanya F.

Visited this place last night for the weekly improv show and had a great time! The troupe was incredibly talented, and everyone was really smart, spontaneous and up on current events. The bartender, Rama (sp?) was really nice, which was great--you wouldn't believe how much a couple of beers made it even more of a belly clutching, knee slapping, yelping good time.
(4)
Steakhead ..

I celebrated my 40th birthday at 10 High this past Saturday night with Metalsome, and LOVED IT!!!! This was perhaps the most fun I have had in Atlanta since moving here 10 years ago. I am a natural ham, so this was right up my alley. But if you like metal or even anything from the 80s, and are okay with making a fool of yourself, this is definitely something to do. There is a screen that shows the words, but I memorized my song so I could play more to the crowd than looking at the teleprompter. Absolutely recommend it!!!
(5)
Kori M.

Brought some of my friends to eat at another restaurant but turns out it didn't open until later so we walked down and ended up at Dark Horse Tavern. It was around 4 so it was nice and empty. We sat outside on the upstairs patio. Our server was super attentive and friendly and the food was awesome and oversized. I got a wrap that was as big as my head!! Definitely not the average variety of bar food. Everyone really enjoyed their food. I'm not sure what this place is like when it's crowded but I'll definitely be back soon.
(4)
Katie W.

I'm gonna go ahead and give this place five stars since my hungover friends and I have been laying on our respective sofas and calling each other all day talking about how much fun we had last night at Metalsome Saturday at 10 High. (Actually, I am not really hungover anymore but I just choose not to get off the sofa). The beer is cheap (good beer and cheap, not cheap beer and cheap), which is probably why I feel like I do today, but I really can't fault the establishment for this. Also, my ears are still ringing from the loud music but I did expect this, too (I forgot my earplugs). The cover charge was $7, which was not too bad, IMO. I have to admit that I grew up in the heyday of metal and hair bands so this sort of thing is right up my alley. I did not sing this time but I had fun just watching and listening and, of course, totally rockin' out. I think that the $5 charge to sing is pretty reasonable and it kinda makes sense to me. Everyone I knew who wanted to sing was able to sing even though there were tons of people there, and I think a $5 charge keeps the whole signing up to sing process much more orderly than it would be otherwise. This karaoke features a live band, too, which makes it infinitely better than your average karaoke (which I do also love, BTW). I also found the people staffing the karaoke booth to be quite friendly. The band is great, too; they are capable of drowning out the really band singers and they make an effort to assist clueless performers by chiming in to make sure they are singing the right thing and the right time - thank goodness because a LOT of people needed this. There were a lot more men here than women which was good for me because there was no line for the women's restroom all night. I wouldn't say it was an overly attractive crowd but everyone was having such a great time; it was a fun crowd! And, there is no need to dress up - bust out those Dio, Dokken and Black Sabbath t-shirts, jeans and comfortable shoes you can easily headbang in (and earplugs - seriously). It is my understanding that Monday night attracts a much more talented singing crowd so beginners beware (someone told me that on Mondays there are actually a lot of professionals who perform). Saturdays seem to be more of the amateur night where no one is taking it too seriously. I have also been to 10 High just to hear regular bands and it is a great place for that. It's totally a dive bar but it's a cool place to hang out although it is very smoky so be prepared for this.
(5)
Lauren S.

Great, dirty, underground bar. Went to Medalsome Karaoke on Monday with co-workers during my last visit to Atlanta. Best karaoke I've seen and most fun I've had out on a Monday in a long time. Go.
(5)
Manny F.

The service here was terrible! I almost saw some people get into fights with the bar folks.
(2)
Brian M.

This bar is not a relaxing place. I don't enjoy elbowing around people to order, and the log jam of people in front of the juke box is less than ideal. Sometimes the bouncers are surly, but I guess you have to have that on the weekend when its packed out and drunks are all around you. Don't mind going but there's better options in the Highlands and certainly elsewhere.
(2)
Molly D.

This place is terribly crowded on the weekends. It is impossible to get a drink and the bartenders don't care and usually cop attitude. They have a juke box so the music usually stinks and there are so many people nudging you the whole night it's just not fun. Oh lord and now that Buckhead is closing I hate to think how many people will be heading down to the Highlands now. One time I was in there early in the night and we were sitting on the corner of the bar right next to the area where the servers pick up their drinks. I would like to reiterate: NEXT TO, and the chairs were there before, we did not move them to that spot. Well we've been served by the same bartender the whole night, tipping well taking shots, living the life until (jukebox stops, silence) I ask for a water. Suddenly the bartender tells me I can't order a drink from where I am sitting anymore I must get up and walk to the other side of the corner of the bar to order. For those of you who know how corners work, this is two feet, at most, from where I am sitting. The bar is totally packed at this point and it will probably take me 10 minutes to get to this section of the bar (two feet away) and when I do he for sure will ignore me knowing that I intend to order a water. I want to explain to the bartender how absolutely ridiculous that is but know that I will probably slur my words and just embarrass myself. Unfortunately the boys I am with are not as willing to let it go and begin to yell at the bartender. Still no water so we decide to leave, I don't want a scene and I still really want some water. To add to the insanity as we get to the door, through which we fully intend to exit, we are stopped and told that we MUST LEAVE. Really, we're doing that already, thanks! Anyway it was one of those ridiculous situations that could have been avoided easily but escalates to this stupid level quickly. I don't know why I couldn't get a water in the same spot I was happily served a vodka soda but I do know I won't be going back to find out, which is a shame since I live very close to that place.
(2)
Shane W.

This review is about 10 High which is located below Dark Horse. My experience there was for Metalsome Saturday and it completely rocked! I recommend taking any friends, in or out of towners, there for a fun filled night of cold beers and loud music!
(4)
Elizabeth S.

True story: My friend found a roach in her salad here once! Gross! Of course, this was about 4 years ago that it happened, but you just don't forget about things like that, you know?
(1)
garbanzo b.

Ohhh the hang out of hang outs in Virginia Highlands...where we celebrated the end of intern year... where memories and friends are made :)
(4)
Michael S.

Two words.... Metalsome Monday. There are few things in this world that money just can't buy you, and talent as a rock and roll frontman is one of them. I have been skydiving, hang gliding, and bungee jumping and I can without a doubt say that singing Kiss's Rock and Roll All Nite was one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life. The rush that you get from being on stage with a crowd full of singing fans and kick-arse band behind is like nothing else. 10 High, in the Virginia Highlands, has karaoke every monday and saturday night. However the band makes some other weekly stops around the metro atlanta area. Check out metalsome.net for more details. I cannot recommend this any higher. And I would tell anyone that this is definitely something they should do once before they move on to the next life.
(5)
Masked U.

too much smoke for me. sticky floors.
(1)
J. D.

This is a dirty little rock club in the basement of The Dark Horse Tavern. The room is tiny, with the stage taking up almost half the space. The sound is decent albeit really loud for mostly local alternative bands and some touring acts. 10 High is home to "Metalsome Monday" a legendary "live-band karaoke" band. The band plays the music while you become the rock star and sing with them. It is loads of fun. A couple of negatives to this club--it is SMOKY to the point of being unbearable, and being in the basement can sometimes feel clautsrophobic.
(4)
Rebecca O.

Very chill place to hear some live music in the Highlands. It's underground, which adds to its cool factor. It's a total dive, but guarantees a good time.
(4)
Cody B.

went there randomly for some drinks based on a local's suggestion. the bartender was very nice upstairs. we headed down to the basement for the Yacht Rock show--they are freakin' sweet! if you want to hear some songs you never thought you would hear live at a bar, go see these guys, very fun! drinks are reasonable. downstairs is a small venue, so be prepared for tight quarters. but hey, even the merch table people were fun to watch.
(4)
Kate H.

I recently went to the weekly Improv show they have on Wednesday nights. The cover was only $5 so I figured why not, grabbed a bunch of friends together and went. I had so much fun and the performers as well as the host really engaged the crowd so that it was not just one or two people shouting out suggestions. Had a blast and will be going back for more :)
(4)
Margo R.

Dark Horse lets far too many people in at once; patrons are not ants. You can barely move once you step through the door on a Saturday evening. The bar certainly is dark, to the point where you should get a few good looks before giving out your number. The crowd is a nice mix of people in their 20's and 30's who are out to meet one another and have a good time. Similar to Buckhead but slightly less pretentious, I suppose. I prefer Dark Horse during the week, because the crowd is equally fun but slightly smaller. The odds of getting a comftly booth are in your favor. If you go on a Saturday, good luck navigating through the four inches of space!
(3)
Diana K.

Seeing as I have never been to the 10 High Club before and my first time was this weekend, this review will be of my experience at "Metalsome". Unless you are a middle aged, washed up, chain-wearing hair band rocker, I don't think this place is for you. I had heard about Metalsome Monday and thought that it sounded pretty fun so decided to check it out for my Bachelorette party since I LOVE karaoke. BIG MISTAKE. Every single person was rude to me from the moment I walked in. Then when you go to sign up to sing with the amazon karaoke Nazi woman (I was one of the first to sign up), she doesn't tell you that only a select few people get to sing for free and then you are not guaranteed a spot, but if you do get the "chance" it will cost you a whopping 20 dollars on top of the cover that you pay to get in to the smoky dump. Meanwhile you have to stare at women (at least I think that they were) wearing practically nothing who REALLY shouldn't be wearing anything remotely revealing. Horrible, horrible place. I think that I had a nightmare last night about it.
(1)
David G.

This is my favorite bar in the highlands. While I dont like going to the highlands too often this place is it if you want a more buckhead style bar. Usually loud and crowded on the weekends its great to meet people. Even saw a world famous poker player there once and watched my friend lose money to him in paper-rock-scissors. Priceless
(5)
Emily C.

Basically, wall-to-wall yuppies on Friday and Saturday nights. If you're a girl, you should get in line when your bladder is 3/4 of the way full, because your wait will be long and agonizing. I ended up using the men's room, much to the amusement of the guy who walked in after me. "I know this must be really weird for you," I said. "I'll be quiet so you can piss, but I hope you don't feel violated by my presence." My nostrils were thoroughly ravaged by the smell of stale urine, but I felt like a real trailblazer there for a minute. So that's minus half-of-a-star - they really need more than two stalls in the ladies room. The other half-star, and this is not the fault of the management at Dark Horse but rather a testament to the kind of clientele they serve, is being docked for a particularly unpleasant experience I had at the metal karaoke. After I finished my 8th beer of the night, I decided it was time for some headbanging. I don't even like metal, but anything is possible when I'm three sheets to the wind. I'm not necessarily conservative, as you may have guessed, but it is utterly ridiculous how many times I had to slam my elbows into the dbag who came up behind me and started grinding on my ass. This is metal, bro, not Kanye West, and even if it was, you basically just molested me. Would you walk up to me at a park and just put your d on me? I think not. Get out of here with that, that -- THING. Mind you, I hadn't spoken a single word to this guy in my life. Anyways, I hope his dbag friends at least gave him hell in the morning for getting violently rejected by a mildly-rotund drunk chick at a mediocre metal karaoke gimmick, which, by the way, would have costed me $7 had I not said "f that" to the guy at the door, and been promptly admitted fo' free. And the full star is being docked for the total ripoff that was the shrimp tapas. I paid 5 dollars for 3.5 shrimp. Yes. Three-point-five SHRIMP. I know it's tapas, but at least give me one for each dollar I spent. Spare me the nouvelle cuisine crap - I'm trying to soak up a couple of drinks here. Other than that, I really like this place.
(3)
Pam D.

If Clermont Lounge is where strippers go to die, then the same could be said for Dark Horse Tavern and twenty-somethings who don't want to admit college is over. I've been here a few times on Friday & Saturday nights and I've never had an experience that made me want to come back. It is always packed to the point where- I'm not kidding- you can not walk without getting intimate with a stranger. In fact we got into multiple altercations during our time there on Saturday because we were constantly be SHOVED by guys and girls alike, without any "excuse me" or "Sorry about that...". Patrons crowd the bar and don't move, so it may take upwards of 15 minutes to even talk to bartender. And when you do, don't expect them to be friendly, crack a smile, or pour mixed drinks strong. The crowd here is about a 80/20 mix. 80% of the people think they were the "cool kids" when they were in college and act like entitled brats. 20% of the people there are actually kind of nice and friendly, but it's not the norm and it's probable their friends are a part of the 80%. Dark Horse is jammed with groups of men who are looking for their prey, and enough girls who were definitely not old enough to drink that some eyebrows were raised. Also, my eyes were watering from the smell of smoke, even though this place is supposed to be non-smoking..? The only redeeming quality is that they have Whynatte and can serve up my new favorite drink, a Whippet. But we paid $8 for it, and it came in a half-filled plastic cup. Classy.
(2)
Emily K.

The third and final stop on the birthday pub crawl and easily the worst. After several rounds at Hand in Hand and Atkins Park (and God knows how many beers before I got there), the birthday boy wasn't feeling much pain and wanted to make this our last stop. The waitress was atrocious. Clearly she wasn't in the mood to work and that was evident. Hon, you're in the service industry. Get over yourself. I asked for a diet Coke twice and never got it. She refused to split the check, claiming that the machine couldn't do it. It's one thing to have a firm no splitting check policy, but don't pawn it off on a helpless piece of machinery. Fortunately everyone's drinks were roughly the same price so it wasn't a huge deal to split it up evenly. That was about the only saving grace. I would be very, very hesitant to come back here, especially if I saw her working. I don't expect my wait staff to be super excited about their job, but at least fake it. Especially if you want a tip. I'd call it 1.5 stars, but I'm not sure I want to give them another shot at improving that.
(1)
Laura R.

ok, so I stick by everything in my original review. except when it's football season. Dark Horse is a gem as the new ITP Saints bar. The usual smoke filled disaster of a place actually cleans up pretty well prior to the bewitching hour. I went with some girls last night to watch the Saints on Monday Night Football (I'm refusing to jump on the MNF bandwagon). The place slowly but surely filled up with a bevy of fans. They offered a special "New Orleans style" menu with crawfish tails, etouffee, and poboys. There were also great drink specials and they were stocked with Abita. The hands down, best part was the trumpet player they invited in to play "When the Saints Go Marching In" after touchdowns!
(4)
Sandy A.

These 5 stars go out to Metalsome and the many times rocking out with English Nick and the Metalsome band Monday and Saturdays, sing on stage with a live kick ass rock band. Bring a gas mask for those of you without lungs of steel.
(5)
Erica D.

Divey and dingy... just how I like it! Great happy hour spot or "I want to get off the beaten path" for a hot minute kind of spot. Decent bar food. Great wrap around bar makes for great stranger danger conversation. Never know what you will see. Worth popping your head in. More local you are the better the experience...
(3)
Christin K.

Cute but douchey
(2)
Greg R.

Located in a "trendy" neighborhood but the food is not so trendy. Nice interior and decent set up for a sports bar but not all that great as a place to eat a good dinner.
(2)
Ivan S.

My girlfriend is addicted to Rock Band. More specifically, my girlfriend is addicting to drumming in the game Rock Band. My girl went from being a sweet Southern Belle to an angry, competitive Neal Peart knockoff. It's not just my girl. First Guitar Hero and now Rock Band, everyone I know is living out their own little rock operas. Like any boy coming of age in the late 70s, I grew up to appreciate AC/DC's Big Balls and, being a good Floridian, I flirted with Orlando's own Molly Hatchet. But the discovery of college radio ultimately led me down the twin paths of old school rap and the "new wave." So I left metal to the stoners and the creepy trench coat guys at the other end of the cafeteria. Now conservative chino-clad engineers regale me with teenaged tales of Dokken shirts worn and Camaros being driven. Their eyes go glassy at they very mention of Ronnie James Dio. And so Rock Band represents the return of the metalhead. But what if mashing multicolored buttons and diddling plastic clits aren't enough to get you off? In this case, my acid washed friend, it's time to run to the hills of the 10High for their legendary MetalsomeMonFriSaturday. The concept is simple. The concept is brilliant. The concept is well executed. You choose from a menu of metal, sign up ($5 please), and for one song live out your wildest metal fantasies, accompanied of course by the house Metalsome band. Sing, screech, sleep with groupies, rise to the top then fall unceremoniously from grace in a drug-fueled downward spiral as you alienate friends, family, and the rest of your band. Yes, this can all be yours in the span of one loud, glorious song. No "I Will Survive," no "Margaritaville." This is not Korean karaoke on a flatscreen. There is only metal to test your mettle and no bouncing ball to help you sing. You're reading from what is essentially a Word doc, so you really should know your Maiden from your Motorhead. Don't fear the Reaper though as the band will help you if you encounter any rough spots. The best part is that the 10High actually looks like one of the beginning venues in Rock Band. And after an unfortunate accident, that British Bulldog English Nick is back and still around keep it all together. So suit up, practice those David Lee Roth splits and get ready to rock. 10High? This one goes up to eleven.
(4)
Kristin B.

Two Canadian religion professors walk into a bar... It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but it was actually the start of my rather awesome Friday night. Apparently, Esquire recently featured Dark Horse as "the" place to come to in Atlanta, and these fellows in town for a conference took that advice and ended up hitting it off with the small group of girls I was out with. I can honestly say I had never had a conversation about Jesus in a bar before. Jesus aside, the $5 martinis were nasty (to be expected I suppose), but the Strongbow on draft was greatly appreciated and reasonably priced. Though the place was packed, we managed to score a table and a sufficient number of chairs within minutes of arriving, and our server did a great job keeping up with the variety of drinks, payment methods, and shifting members of our group. Yes, there's smoking inside, but it wasn't particularly offensive and there wasn't much lingering scent on my clothes/hair. I look forward to seeing what other characters I will meet at Dark Horse.
(4)
Jennifer M.

The basement was very reminiscent of wacky ole hole-in-the-walls in Brooklyn. Very impressed, Atlanta. Thanks for not throwing me out.
(4)
Carrie Neal W.

So now that I work in the Highlands, I get to have my pick of places to go after I'm done for the night. Last night's main *attraction*, so to speak, was the cute boy I'd met on Thursday. In town for only a couple of weeks for a convention (perfect, no?) he called to say that he and the gang of co-workers he was with had decided "that Virginia Highlands area sounds like fun, and we're going to Dark Horse - will you come once you finish at work?" Um, yep!! Dark Horse is one of those places that's great when you're in the mood for it. By that I mean, be ok with dealing with a crowded spot. Most of the servers are pretty cool and they're generally as efficient as possible. Last night, that's just what we got. As the only chick with a group of five or so guys, I lucked out and didn't have to worry about a tab and got to order first, and our server (they had scored a booth, towards the back) was great. Quick as possible with drinks, and even went to double check the cover at The Warren ($25??? WTF? That ain't right . . . but I digress . . .). We did order some late night snacks, and I'll say that it's pretty cool that they have a pretty wide choice of meats for their sliders. We went with the beef with mozz, which were tasty - if, IMO, a bit small. I know they're sliders, but they're probably 2/3 the size of those at, say, P71. Just a side comment. The boys dug the potato skins. I had a bite; good stuff. Tots, I echo Michelle A - YUMMMM. We left before the managers started flashing the lights and hustling everyone out (they do this, seriously, no playing around when this place is ready to shut down!). A good, chill, easy night at a pretty packed bar in the Highlands. My new out of town friends had a good first trip to this part of the ATL (um, as they call it!).
(3)
Taylor A.

I love that 10 High gives you easy access to the easy-listening superstars of Yacht Rock every Thursday night! The band is amazing and even if you're under 30 like me you'll still know some of the songs. Especially Africa and Baker Street. They absolutely kill those songs! Easy access to can beers by the front door and mixed drinks and drafts in the back. My only major problem with this place is the insane amount of smoke that this place concentrates. I get smoking in bars, but the low-ceilings, poor ventilation, and lots of smokers overwhelmed me. Maybe they need to take a hint like Smith's Olde Bar and go smoke free....
(3)
Rob P.

You may enjoy this place if you're 25 or younger. I am not. Too crowded, lame people, I'm too old for this shit.
(2)
Michael H.

I agree with Zed. The typical guy there is a total, total total lame.... Like striped polo with the collar up and drunk off light beer...shorts with sandals at night....dropping the microphone on purpose....just total tool time. Every one of them likes to bump into you intentionally as if it's a mosh pit....but that's what they do when they run in packs. Lots of liquid courage when they're with their friends. However, the band is A+ and they kill the songs they cover. It's really cool to watch them play. I wish they had a few more songs, but when it's a live band playing behind you as you karaoke, there can only be so many songs that they totally nail. If the band wants to learn 3 Pigs by Green Jelly, I'll come and smash it!
(3)
Ziyan C.

What can I say.. I'm a New Yorker so I have high standards. Simple sports/dive bar. Low key, good vibe. Not too crowded for 9pm on a Saturday but by the time we left an hour and a half later there was a decent crowd, not packed. We got the margarita pitcher and there were comments all around that it tasted like juice. Even for me and I'm a lightweight. I asked for salt around the rim of my glass and they must've taken that to mean salt IN the glass to because my drink ended up tasting like.. salty juice. Props to our server, who checked up on us regularly and immediately came to help clean up when we accidentally knocked over a glass. Brought over another glass.. empty one though =/ (hey, one can always hope...)
(3)
Huntting B.

The home of Metalsome Mondays (and friday/saturdays too). Live rock karaoke! Which means you sing while a live band plays the songs! The music is metalish for the most part so be ready to belt out some old school heavy rock. Oh, and an unwritten rule: No moshing, even fake moshing for fun with someone you are flirting with.
(4)
Tom C.

So after I received my fly hair cut from Key Lime Pie, I went next door to Dark Horse Tavern to use my gift certificate that I received from work. I came during the day around 4pm. What did I order? I ordered Tater Tots...not bad...it does the job. I ordered 2 Royal Flush Shots and 1 Red Snapper shot. It cost approximately $25. To me that was a freaking baragin. The Royal Flush shot was done well. You can taste the Crown Royal but yet it was mixed well with the cranberry juice and peach schnapps. Other places...don't do it very well. The bartender...although lacking personality looked like Doc Brown from "Back to the Future"....I thought that was pretty cool. I will definitely come to check it out again.
(3)
Leah V.

I usually come here before or after Metalsome. Each time I do, I regret it. The three stars are for the early days or nights when I visit. The staff is nice, and I typically enjoy myself. But the location is a curse if you wanna avoid steroid raging douchebags and their saline-filled, plastic arm candy.
(3)
Phil M.

Metalsome Karaoke is a dying has-been fun time that is ultra HOMOPHOBIC. Why in the hell would you hate on a 30-40 person birthday party of predominantly gay men? When all night we watch lady patrons sing songs by male artists and when a man signs up to sing a song by a female artist we are told by the Metalsome staff "that's a girls song and kinda gay." So that at that moment our entire birthday crew left the 10 High and won't come back. Metalsome Karaoke... DIAF.
(1)
Julia D.

I came here with my sister for Metalsome and it was epic! The people who sang really knew their stuff! I had never been to anything like this and it makes me wish I lived in ATL. The band members were really interesting to watch and seemed really into the music. DEFINITELY WORTH GOING TO!
(4)
Leah D.

A group of me and my friends all ended up here one of many of the nights we have gone but its always the same story. This particular night I asked the bartender to suggest a fruity shot not knowing this was such a unreasonable request. He simply said "no, I'm not going to do that. You tell me what you want". Dude, reality check, you are a bartender and this is what you do. Always crowded but its in the highlands so what do you expect. It takes forever to get drinks with or without a tab. Heaven help you if you are the fool that ends up with the tab because many times there are 2-3 extra drinks on it. It is so loud that you can't really carry on a conversation and the people that go there are just annoying and well beyond wasted. I try to avoid this place but every once in a while I forget and somehow get talked into giving it another chance.
(1)
Vivian W.

A bunch of us came here last Thursday to celebrate a birthday with drinks and Yacht Rock. We got here a bit early (before the band really got going) so we snagged a table upstairs at the Dark Horse Tavern to have some drinks and chat. Once the show got going we brought our drinks downstairs for the music. There's pretty much no seating downstairs but there is a very conveniently located bar. The show was a lot of fun and a good time was had by all. My only gripe is that smoking is still allowed indoors, which would probably be ok if it weren't so crowded downstairs (watch your hair people - *singe*).
(4)
Jeremy A.

The food here is horrible and the service was laughable. Theres not much else I can say besides that. We found out about this place by walking down there from our place and man it was not good. The wings tasted like they had been fried for 20 minutes then sat our for another 15 before being served to us. I havent been here for drinks but I think it could be an ok place for that, the food just forced me to swear off this place for the most part. -4 for a bad restaurant but plus 1 because this place sits on top of the 10 high club, a great bar to go see a hilarious 80s band.
(1)
J L.

First, I'm going to touch base with 10 High club. Pop on that sailor hat and get down to Yacht Rock every thursday night, downstairs at Dark Horse. You'll pay 8 dollars, and shimmy to some of 70's jams. With a crowd ranging from 20-40 yrs of age, this place is a fun time. The musicians are hilarious well-choreographed. Don't fight me for best dressed. I'll just beat you with my jazz flute. Dark Horse is great. They make a damn good gin and tonic, and I don't mind the crowd too much, either. It's a good place to go chat with people, but large enough that you can avoid drunkards wanting a ride home. There is plenty of seating, but does get obnoxiously crowded sometimes. Not to mention, they could use about 4 more stalls in the restrooms. Just a few nights ago, I was many a beer under, and we ordered some fully loaded tots. Couldn't finish them, but I certainly gave them to a homeless man selling flowers outside. Well whatever, I'll be back.
(5)
Alexis R.

I've only eaten at Dark Horse once, but I've been to 10 High's Metalsome night more times than I should probably mention. There is nothing quite like the experience of singing with a live band onstage... or making fun of the drink people who brave it before you. It's a great, cheap evening for your out-of-town guests and a total blast for a post-work-happy hour group that is okay waking up feeling a little bit more bonded with their coworkers the next morning. English Nick is a fabulous host, although I wish he'd change up his opening set list. But maybe that's more concerning for a regular like myself. As for the Dark Horse Tavern, I tried out the food there and it was pretty good. The veggie sandwich was rich and satisfying, but little else was memorable. Mostly a great place for drinks, fun, and live heavy metal karaoke. And really, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Jerry T.

This is a pretty cool bar in the Virginia Highland neighborhood. It is way overcrowded on weekends, but most bars in the area are. The drink prices are alright, if a little high. The staff is very helpful, and the bar is quick.
(3)
Kathy D.

Dark Horse: three stars 10 High Club: five stars average: four stars Dark Horse: The food is amazing. The mixed drinks are a bit stronger than I'm used too, but hey, I'm not complaining. Great service. When they're busy, obviously it takes them a bit longer to get around, but it's no big deal. I give them THREE STARS. That's in no way a bad thing. It's very average, and there isn't anything that helps them stand out. 10 High Club: A pretty original idea (Metalsome INC) and it's lots of fun. They're very friendly and joke around with you like you're family. They're courteous and bartenders are the fastest women I've ever seen. Everyone greets you with a smile and it's one of the few places I've been to that you can just have fun and no one cares. I'm not a smoker so sometimes it's hard me to deal with it, but they put filters up which I think is great. Design is beautiful and I think everyone should try it at least once. If rock is there thing, I'm sure they'll be back.
(4)
Anne L.

OK----THIS PLACE IS EPIC. Atlanta is definitely at the forefront of the karaoke movement, beating out big guns like Miami and New York. LIVE BAND KARAOKE? It's such a simple yet genius idea---why haven't we all thought of it?! Next Atlanta vacation: #1: Karaoke. #2: Karaoke. #3: Karaoke. ... I'm not even a huge fan of metal, but the best thing is that YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE. This place is for everyone. Great energy, great times.
(5)
Sherry W.

Your average bar, with a young yuppie crowd. The people are pretty good looking from what I remember, but nothing really stood out about the night I had at all. They play typical bar music, and there's group seating in the back where you can also order food. Decent beer selection, and average prices. I remember checking out the back and going up a set of stairs to what probably was the 10 high club. We didn't end up going in because they were charging a decent cover, but I remember it looked more interesting than what was going on downstairs.
(3)
Josh G.

As others have said, enjoy this place while you're young and don't know any better. It's as soulless and one dimensional as it's young patrons.
(1)
Blake B.

I've never been in here for more than five minutes. Just about every evening this place gets so packed out that they stop letting people in. A lot of times you'd think a lot of people swarming somewhere would mean good things. Until you see the kind of people swarming: beefcake college dropouts with red faces from slugging so much booze, and the women they can get drunk enough to convince they aren't ugly as sin. In the lower level is the concert area, where local bands play several nights a week. They have open mic nights here as well as scheduled acts. I always cringe a little when someone mentions their band is scheduled here. It's basically a tiny, undecorated room with a bare ass stage and more bar space.
(3)
Breanna R.

Awesome atmosphere & Great Drinks !
(5)
Annie T.

I really like how there is a ton of bar real estate here. The problem however is that the bar takes over the entire front room practically so there's not much more you can do but lean against the wall or lean against the bar. Yes, it was extrememly packed when we were there. But, it's a bar, it's in Virginia Highlands and it seems like a big ol frat party scene. What do you expect?
(3)
Will M.

If you have a special event, do NOT go here. There is so much disorganization, and the bipolar band has so much control over the management, you will not experience what you expected. Next to "sensitive" in the dictionary is a picture of a mohawcked* suburbanite named Curtis who - contrary to the promises of management - has carte blanche over the music list. I called three times in the last week to plan a special event for my fiancee's 30th birthday. When I expressed my concern about getting access to the playlist for the event with 15 friends and us, the owner said it would be no problem to guarantee her performance. What was omitted was the 2 song limit even if you shell out $20 for the duet as the second song. We were told she could sub for a cancelled performance for $20. We waited for 45 minutes and learned she had been passed over. When we mentioned it to the hair band has-been, Curtis, he denigrated me as a spoiled patron and called security on me. Kudos to the management, from Doug to Laura, Sarah, and Doug. We were more than happy to exit at this point, but shame on them for not communicating the "2 song limit" when we communicated the importance of our event (ie, a 30th birthday). If it's not a special event, and you just want to witness foolish, drunken singers, there are far better places in the area. * Define "mohawked": urbandictionary.com/defiâ€¦
(1)
Chris P.

Great place for those under thirty and single. Even when I was under thirty I would have still given this place just three stars. The service is just slightly under par for a bar in that area. I mean its as crowded as the rest in the area but time to get food or drink whether at the bar or a table on a busy night is pretty bad. During the day it is pretty average but at night it dips down.
(3)
Paul M.

This is my second favorite bar in the entire world. After 8.00pm it's just like any other bar - full of people, jostling to get served, jostling for a seat, if you are with your pals and having fun, that's good, if you are not, neither is it. But between 4 and 8pm this is a magical place. For some unknown reason there really is no happy hour business here - it 's a late night bar, so between 4 and 8 - even on Fridays - it is a quiet respite from the great unwashed who invade ViHi ( why did that term never take off??- it's much freakin cooler and more evocative than the erroneous Highlands). Yes, come here at that time and have a quiet drink at the bar before the masses arrive. I came in here last week for the first time in 3 years and was immediately greeted by Joe the daytime bar man who even remembered what The Honey used to drink. The only other people in the bar were a couple sitting in our seats. I envied them.
(5)
Nikki K.

I have to say that I have no love for the Dark Horse Tavern. I have been dragged here a few times (by coworkers) to see some show, or to have a drink in the "cool" part of town. Virginia Highlands is fun during the day to shop but I avoid it like the plague after about 6 pm on the weekends. The bar is always ridiculously cramped, with people literally overflowing out the doors. The patrons are generally blasted out of their minds by 11 pm, and the dudes are always looking to hit on anything that resembles the opposite sex. Like Blake said, the downstairs concert area is crap and it looks like a creepy basement so I won't go there unless my friends from Memphis come to play a show. And after they got screwed out of money the last time they played there they will never go back. Thank God. Yeah, I'll stick with my favorite pubs, where I can actually get a seat and not have to squeeze by sweaty frat boys just to get around.
(2)
Amanda G.

I like the dark horse in a certain kind of mood. It reminds of the White Horse back in Allston - boys boys boys. In my profession, I don't see boys all that much, so occasionally it's nice to have a bit of eye candy, even if they're fratty or wasted. Beggars cant be choosers. But honestly - want a confidence booster? Do a round at Dark Horse. How does this place attract so many single straight men? I don't understand how this miracle has happened, but I can definitely see myself meandering back over there from time to time. Oh ya and the service and drinks were pretty good too :) Newcastle in a pitcher?! Sign me up!
(4)
Lauren Vanessa Z.

Before Metalsome, I'd never found an Atlanta bar that I actually got excited about going to. Good grief, did that change once I discovered this gem in 10 High. The band rocked my face off. As for the karaoke, when it was good, it was good, and when the karaoke was bad, it was even better. Even if you don't have the balls to sing onstage, you can bet your behind you'll be singing from the floor. Can't wait til some of my out-of-town friends come visit, because this will be number one on our list of weekend debauchery. Rock on!
(4)
Christopher C.

This was my first time eatting dinner at the Dark Horse. GREAT BURGER, GREAT STAFF, GREAT PEOPLE WATCHING! It was a great burger, but it was Joy the bartender and the other staffs --customer service that will bring me back. The truth is I pick and chose the places I spend my money primarily on the atmephire. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE DARK HORSE...first for the --people watching-- antics of the customers and secondly for humor and PATIENCE of the staff who are dealing with them :0)
(5)
Delaine R.

Metalsome at 10 High is one of my favorite things to do on Friday!
(5)
Rick B.

On paper, Dark Horse seems like a pretty awesome place. My best good friend is a lifelong Georgia resident and a current Emory Law student (shoutout). With all the conversations via phone call and snapchat, I couldn't wait to get down to Atlanta and check it out. As a lifelong karaoker, I was excited for a new venue, but pretty disappointed with the experience. It's much like a fratty 1-star basement that offers live karaoke. The concept is cool, and I think they rely solely on that characteristic. Beyond the band, Dark Horse doesn't have a ton to offer. It's very dirty, incredibly crowded on weekends, the drinks are whateverly priced, and they let people smoke inside. Add to that the fact that you likely won't get to sing, or you'll pay a decent bit to bump up in line. Nothing against the band, however. I think they do a phenomenal job engaging the crowd, and they really do rock. It's a handful of older guys that get paid to do what they love, which should be just about everyone's dream. The lead singer has got a pretty awesome voice, and he helps backup people that clearly cannot sing. I don't mean to sound snooty, but its hard to disagree with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's Karaoke n' Roll business model at the end of Step Brothers. A one-time visit isn't enough to give them a 2-star, but at this point, I'd rather listen to Katy Perry's Dark Horse on repeat than hang out at Atlanta's Dark Horse. Maybe next year.
(3)
Jenny M.

I've experience the Dark Horse Tavern only once, on a crowded Saturday night. The upstairs bar was pack with 20 somethings drinking a socializing in very tight spaces. I wedged my way through the crowd to make it downstairs, which I hoped would be less crowded. It wasn't- it was way more crowded and I felt like a fish swimming upstream, a very smokey stream. Trying to get to the bar was no easy task, and the typical southern charm was no where to be found. Luckily I found a small open space between the stage and the bar, which gave me a decent view of the live band karaoke. The live band karaoke was awesome, and the only reason I can give Dark Horse 3 stars. If you plan on singing, make sure to arrive early as all slots were already taken by 11 PM when I arrived. You have less than 100 songs to pick from, but all of them are classics and the crowd gets really into them. During the more popular songs, you can't even hear the singer over the crowds. Once a song is chosen, it is taken off the list for the night. The first song you sing is free on Saturday nights, but any song afterwards will cost you. So will duets ($20) and a bump in the karaoke line ($20). The band was awesome and did a great job at engaging the crowd. This is definitely a bar I want to try out again at little earlier in the night.
(3)
John E.

Awesome place. The bottom floor with the karaoke is the best
(5)
A.J. C.

Dark Horse was some good times back in the day. Nice mix of college, yuppie, and older crowd if I remember right. And EXTREMELY busy. One of the go to spots when I used to drink for sport.
(3)
Andrew D.

I like Dark Horse for what it is, an up market option in Vihi with a great assortment of draft beers and well priced drinks. As others have noted the service can be slow since it is a small rectangle bar, the staff can come across a little slow. I mean they are not speed bartenders I guess. It is a Virginia Highland Crowd. Think a year or two out of the the Frat House, but if you here knowing and expecting that then it shouldn't be an issue.
(4)
Alex P.

Been to dark horse on 5 occasions or so. It's decent. Gets very crowded on weekends. Seating is limited and it does get pretty dirty. They seem to have a leak from the ceiling a little too often for my taste. Crowd is a healthy mix of Emory students and other early 20somethings. So if that's your scene, give it a shot. If not, plenty of other bars to explore in the area and little five points closeby.
(3)
Anthony L.

Great atmosphere, great people, great staff. This is the place you hold dear to your heart while in college and long afterward.
(5)
Kelsi V.

The karaoke to a live rock band....it's pretty much just AWESOME! The band actually plays behind you while you sing/scream your lyrics. I've been twice. The first time I just watched but last night I went for it... Luckily I had another tone def partner to complete the duo we called, "Destiny's child". A positive of this place is the drinks are cheap and there are two bars directly above it if you want to escape the rock band life style of the basement.
(4)
Lele L.

OMG! My BFF and I found this bar one evening after work and we have been regulars ever since. Adam is the head chef at The Dark Horse Tavern and he is magnificent. A super cool Chef that prepares the most delicious tapas and entrees on North Highland Avenue period! Come see for yourself, ask for Kelly the best bartender ever. They serve food till 2:00am when most places around here are calling it quits.
(5)
Trillvia P.

Somebody should have told me this was some young, faux-hippy, sorority row/frat sh-t. My goodness! I'm a mid twenties post post grad and I was so amused and just not ready to be in the thick of it. It's reminiscent of rush week or sing - haven't seen SO many blondes dressed & look the same since college. Friday night, people watching is a riot, lol, and the music was on point. Too many girls being loose and inebriated over guys. Definitely a guy's (re: douche) haven - I watched subpar looking men point out, laugh at, and plot their pickings in amusement. Woe.
(2)
Justin C.

This past weekend was my first time at any of the bars in this area and I had heard good things about Dark Horse, turns out they were all true. My bar tender Kacey was awesome!
(5)
Mario T.

I come here quite often. There is always a crowd, good music, and reasonable drinks, Lately, I have come across the bartender with the pink hair always smoking behind the bar. I understand this is a smoking bar; but, why on earth must she smoke (with other bar guest) behind the bar then proceed to make cocktails and serve food? Its gross and unprofessional. I would like to see that behavior stopped ASAP or at least Ms.Pink hair wash her hands every now and then Overall, my experience here is usually good and entertaining. I mean who doesn't want to see a grown-up in his mid-30s rock a shrunken wife beater with suspenders...ha! Pure comedy at this place!
(3)
Taylor L.

This place is ballin'! My review is based on both Dark Horse Tavern and 10 High Club. Despite Yelp's error, they are two different businesses. Dark Horse is on the corner of the street and you are able to enter 10 High Club through Dark Horse as well, although 10s is in the basement. We visited Dark Horse on our last day in Atlanta, which happened to be on a Monday. Having said that, we were not expecting it to be busy at all. Dark Horse was kind of laid back around 8 pm when we arrived. The location around these places, nicknamed VaHi (Virginia Highlands) is a college town type environment, so once 9:30 pm rolled around it started getting quite busy with 20 somethings. We headed downstairs to 10s around that time and it had just opened. The pink haired bartender was so friendly! She immediately greeted us and started a tab for us. She was even talking to us about how the place works and what kind of crowd we should expect on a Monday night (mostly regulars). You are able to pick which songs you would like any time and it seems that they go in order of who picks songs first. Around 10:30 is when the band started warming up. The band did a few songs all together, then starting picking people to come up for karaoke. Despite some of the bar goers being super drunk, the band still kept up with everyone and the background singer kept the lyrics going. You are able to sing one song solo for free, and any songs after that are $10 or duets are $10 also. They do have quite a good selection of music that you wouldn't expect from a place like this either. People were picking all different genres which was really cool and surprisingly enough, they were sold out of songs before midnight on a Monday no less! My only two complaints about this place are that the bathroom is super small, only one of the stalls is actually accessible and it was so dirty, with no soap to wash your hands. The main floor was also so sticky that my shoes got stuck so many times. I understand that it's a collegetown hipster bar, but we arrived when they opened and I was expecting it to be a little cleaner at that time at least.
(4)
Kitt R.

Can be very young and college like. This spot is hit or miss. Pretty dead on weekdays.
(2)
Jen L.

This place is kinda crazy, I'm not gonna lie! It's filled with people between the ages of 21-35 and PACKED! We could barely move that's how packed it was. I do love the Highlands and there are many bars in the area. Drinks are really cheap and you can find free parking in the area if you'd like to take a little walk. If not, you can find $5 parking pretty much anywhere in the area. It has very little seating for the size of the establishment. Feels like a fire hazard... The drink sizes are a little bigger than usual which is nice! The bartenders work their hardest to get to everyone but there aren't really enough of them to go around. The music is extremely interesting. I was expecting something totally different stuff but it happen to be rap/hip hop the entire night. The bottom floor has live music, usually karaoke. It definitely has a rock feel to it and smoking is permitted. I'm not in a rush to come back here but had a good time.
(3)
Erik B.

I like going to this bar Monday-Wednesday when it isn't so hectic. Lots of tvs to watch sports on and a really diverse set of music is always playing due to the all walks of life clientele that is in there. Now Thursday-Saturday is a no go for me. It turns into a completely different place. It is packed in there with all the doods trying to hook up with all the ladies, definitely not my scene since I am not in my 20s anymore. Don't get me wrong, if I was a bit younger this would probably be my spot but I'm done air-humping in bars for the hopes of hitting pay dirt. I like their wings, good sauce but sometimes they serve those little tiny wings(pigeon wings :) and those always bum me out. If you want a chill night go early in the week and if you are looking to carpet bomb the night away in getting phone numbers from the ladies, hit it up during the weekend.
(3)
Stef T.

Definitely a good VaHi nightlife option, but nothing extraordinary. There is a karaoke bar downstairs but you have to pay like 20 dollars to sing if you don't want to song by yourself. There's a nice patio out back... A good spot for some drinks with a couple friends.
(3)
Whitney H.

I really liked this place. The night I went with friends they had karaoke downstairs which was cool. (I ran into this preacher's kid I grew up with- it was awkward) Upstairs was chill and low key. A lot of sorority Stephanies and Frats but ehhh where else are those breeds of human going to run off to on a Saturday night?
(4)
Kurt N.

Let me start by saying this is just absolutely not my scene. But even given that, the tavern is lacking. The beer menu is crap-only, which is not what I expect in VaHi. It's also beyond crowded and loud, and could use the fire marshal visiting.
(2)
Steve J.

Probably my favorite bar in ATL. The upstairs bar is nice and the bartenders are quick. Drinks are fairly priced and the band is awesome. Music starts at 11 downstairs. It doesn't really matter how bad you are at singing because the band makes up for it. I dont sing but just enjoy listening. I'm more of a Metallica/ACDC type fan and depending on the crowd there that night the music selection can be very different. If you don't like rock music, loud music or crowds then don't go downstairs.
(4)
Jonathan F.

Buckle up folks. This place is yuppie central. Break out your plaid shirts and boat shoes...this is the highlands. Oh wait.... I'm wearing plaid....when did that happen.....oh well. Back to the pertinant information. Its not a bad bar but it is extremely crowded on the weekends. I know. No surprise there. It's a typical bar. I would rexcomend heading downstairs to Metalsome myself. This isn't a bad place for a quick stop off before you head on to bigger and better places. However if you go to Metalsome downstairs itnisbthe best!! Seriously the most fun bar in Atlanta and the bartenders are the best!!
(5)
Hoss M.

This place was awesome. Came here the weekend the Bears played the Falcons. Great crowd, lots of tv's patio, and they have bands in the lower level. The staff is quick and courteous. Worth the cab fare.
(4)
Tiffany B.

This is such a great bar that meets my expectations. Well priced drinks and shooters on a menu. Not a fancy joint but fun place to be to eat and drink with friends. Play a variety of pop and hip hop so you can dance a little too. There menu is good and has a good variety of bar food. The calimari is tasty!
(5)
Justin S.

So yeah this review is actually for ten high which is the BEST karaoke place in the world and for whatever reason doesn't have it's own separate place to review. I guess it's part of Dark Horse. Dark Horse is kind of lame and full of preppy dudes. Ten high is home of metalsome. I have been going for years now and it is a ton of fun. Who wouldn't like live rock band karaoke? If you don't you have serious issues. Seriously...
(4)
Tiff H.

A hoppin' place on the weekends, very crowded., which makes it hard to order drinks. I've never had food here so I can't say the food isn't worth it, but I have seen people order wings and appetizers while I'm here and it definitely smells amazing. The bar offers a good number of shots and bombs on their menu to choose from. Close to other bars in the Highlands, kind of in the heart of it all. Downstairs they have a karaoke bar, where you can choose a heavy metal song and sing with a full band on a stage with plenty of moving/walking room. There's also a small bar downstairs that serves a select number of bottled beers, I advise you bring your drinks from upstairs if they let you. I enjoyed the experience downstairs much more than the crowd upstairs, but I also couldn't hear at all once I left...
(3)
Larry C.

Went there tonight St. Patrick's day. I had never been there before. Waited nearly an hour and never had waitress approach table. Excuse was that they were busy. The bar was busy but it was inexcusable that a waitress never even came to even give menus. Security tried to get wait staff several times to no avail. We left disgusted. Would not recommend.
(1)
Vishal P.

Nice place for a drink. They get busy at night so come early if you don't want to wait in a line. There are multiple floors with couches tables in the upper floor. The lower floor has live music. The crowd if young and mostly college-esque so not the type place you'd want to bring someone on a date but a great place to hang out.
(3)
Diedre R.

I don't consider myself to be a Virginia Highlands kind of girl, but a recent bar crawl to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in this area, seems a lot more appealing to me than the bar crawl in the East Andrews area, and it gave me a chance to try out five bars for the price of one so I went for it. Dark Horse was by far the best of the five and the only one I think I would consider going to again. (does anyone know the "best nite") I'll start with the bad, and proceed to the good. I think the promoters of said bar crawls need to be more descriptive as to when the bar specials end. According to the website, registration was from 1pm to 6pm. You would think from that time frame that the bar specials would not end at 6pm. IMO, if I sign into an event at 6pm, I don't want the bartender to tell me, oh we stopped those specials a while ago? This is what we experienced here. We entered about 5:00pm and order food and a couple $5 Patron Skinny Margarita. As we were leaving about 6:20pm, the bartender gave me my comp drink, but told the other 3 people in my party that they were no longer giving out the comp drinks. We requested to speak to the manger, and she did agree to pony up the other three complimentary drinks, but it did put a damper on the day to even need to speak with a manger about this. What if we hadn't just spent almost $50 in food and was in fact, just signing in and starting the crawl. I ordered the tapas and two others in my group shared a Nachos. All the food was fresh. I had the Tapas wings and blackened chicken. Next time, I will remember not to get the blacken chicken. It was simply a chicken breast that had been chopped into small pieces and placed on a saucer. The nachos were great, and just what you expect Nachos to be, full of meat, more meat than lettuce, i was able to even borrow a few of the chips to scoop up the blackened chicken. The Patron Skinny Margarita. Just like I make them at home. I would have order more than two, but two other restaurants on the list were also serving them up at $5, so I figured I'd get one later. Any bar that plays Tootsie Roll, wins in my book. There was a good combination of music played and I think overall everyone felt comfortable. Not like when you go to a place and only one type of music is played and you leave with a headache, because its not the type you prefer. Overall the wait staff was friendly, the bartenders, not so much. But its a bar crawl maybe they felt overworked, but the entire time we were there, I don't think there was a total of 100 people in the restaurant at one time. Was able to watch the game and sip on Margaritas. Not a bad place to spend a Sunday afternoon. 46 of 100.
(3)
Mengting L.

I had absolutely the worst experience here last night. The bartenders were SO RUDE!! I understand that it was a busy night and the bar was understaffed, but after waiting for 30 minutes, my friends and I still didn't get to order out drinks. Worst part was, we got bounced out after I expressed my dissatisfaction. We were aware of that people who got here after us have got their drinks. it felt like the bartenders purposely ignored us. Was it because we were minority (my friend group consists of Asians and Hispanic) and they were being racist? I really hope the manager sees this: I'm going to quote the bartenders from last night here "we don't want your business, get outta here b*tches" Two pieces of advice: If you don't want business, shut down already!! Maybe try to hire more educated and polite staff members?
(1)
Jason B.

Nice place to grab a quick bite to eat in the Virginia Highland area. The waitress was cool and made sure we were taken care of. They also had some nice specialty drinks.
(4)
Mackenzie B.

Dark horse tavern is a great hangout spot in VA highlands and it's usually pretty poppin'. I usually get service just fine. However, about 5 friends and I tried to order drinks last night from a particular tall, slim bartender with short dark hair and were completely ignored for over 30 minutes. There were only 10 or less people total in the upstairs part of the bar. It was a Monday, so we expected somewhat prompt service. The bartender stood and talked to 2 gentlemen on the other side of the bar with his back towards us almost the entire time we were there. We tried to order shots when he finally acknowledged me, and when I told him I wanted a round he didn't say anything and instead greeted the 2 girls next to me and continued to serve them within seconds of sitting down. He then began talking to them and ignored me for a while longer. A friend joined us and we moved to the other side of the bar to expand our seating and hopefully get the bartenders attention. He finally approached us again and we got our shots (3) and beers (2). He asked the joiner if he had a tab and he said he wanted to start one. The bartender then ran has card for all of the drinks and closed the tab out. He didn't even ask us if we had a tab or wanted to pay separately. So we went downstairs to the other bar for karaoke and out of frustration. There is no draft beer downstairs so about 10 minutes later I went back upstairs to try to get my last beer and he immediately greeted me. When I ordered my beer he said "is that all?" When I said yes he walked away and began talking to 2 other girls. At this point it was just the 2 girls, the 2 guys he was originally talking to and I. He never poured my beer. He just stood with his back to me and acted like he was doing something on the computer with a card and talked to the girls until I had to just walk away. Overall, the bar is fine, but my experience with the particular bartender makes me never want to return and tell all of my friends this story. I am a bartender and server myself and would NEVER treat a customer the way he treated us. And the most confusing part is I don't know why he did it. The lady tending bar downstairs was great by the way!! Too bad the upstairs bartender ruined my experience. :(
(1)
Randy H.

This place looks really nice with the decor. I went on a Saturday night so it was pretty packed on the main floor. Everyone looks to be enjoying themselves and it was pretty busy. I did not get to check out the other floors of the building. I will definitely have to update my review when I visit again. The place looks decent !
(3)
Jessica Y.

So went here on Saturday for my first night out in Virginia highlands.....All in all this was a pretty decent bar except for the fact they had run out of the beer I wanted. Would go back here again on a night out, a pretty safe bet but lacks that something special which would give it extra stars.
(3)
Annie L.

Eeeee this place gets SO busy on the weekends. But yeesh, I can't help but love it. A great place for all my college kids out there looking to venture to other places than East Andrews area. Drinks are always strong and around $6-7. Not bad. There's also a secret room upstairs that has a view of the entire bar. If you've got a group with you, this is a great place to hide out! I guess not so secret anymore!!
(4)
Lauren A.

It's your personal frat party right in the middle of the highlands! This is one of the "go to" spots for bar hopping in the highlands. Be sure to come with somebody big enough to push their way to the front of the bar line on a Friday or Saturday because this place is always slammed. If you are over the dealing with the super crowded bar days of your college years, you'll probably want to pick a different spot. If you are right in the middle of your party in packed out bars days, this is perfect. Regarding food, I think I've only had the nachos here. They weren't bad, but nothing special. At 1am most nachos taste better than usual anyway. I do remember the portions being hugeeee.
(3)
Sandra F.

Great hangout place to have beers with friends. Love the atmosphere and live entertainment. I came here one time to see Metal Monday Karaoke. It was really fun to watch people perform onstage with a live band. I have not tried the food, but will consider the next time I come back.
(4)
Shelly G.

Never in my life have I received service this awful. I came here last night for Emory's "Highland Hop." I understand the bartenders were stressed because the place was packed with drunk, obnoxious students, but the service (or lack thereof) that my friends and I received was absolutely god awful. After refusing to make eye contact with us for at least 30 minutes (maybe he's never seen a girl before) and serving everyone else who came up to the bar, one bartender with a beard (he later refused to tell us his name; I think it was Adam) begrudgingly took our orders. For $8.50, I was given a Red Bull vodka with no vodka. Neither of my friends tasted any alcohol in their drinks. When I asked about it, he became defensive and shot back, "What, you don't think I know how to make a drink? No, I'm not adding any alcohol, and it's not my problem because I've already swiped your card." Yes, he was such a lovely man. Dark Horse should consider employing more bartenders with social skills. It might actually encourage people to return.
(1)
Kate T.

This place is extremely busy every time I come here. The service is friendly and the drinks are decent priced. It takes forever to get a drink or even find a place to attempt to sit down if you want to eat anything. The servers are nice and try really hard to do all they can with all the people packed at the bar. I saw John Cho here! That made my night! It was very weird to see him by himself just bar hopping the Highlands. He was very cool and took a picture with my group of friends.
(4)
Belle S.

I've always heard so much about how amazing this place is from Emory kids, but I went this past summer and really didn't care much for it. It was just another bar, but overly crowded enough where we had a hard time getting drinks. People just stood around talking or sitting like any other bar. And the atmosphere reminded me of a diner with a few extra neon lights and signs. The cool thing about this place is that you can just walk around to other bars nearby if you get bored... which is what we ended up doing.
(2)

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Address : 816 N Highland Ave
Atlanta, GA, 30306
Phone (404) 873-3607
Website https://www.darkhorseatlanta.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Dark Horse Tavern

816 N Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA, 30306

Dark Horse Tavern Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Tapas

Sandwiches

Classic Bar Food

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Dark Horse Tavern

Appetizers

Salads

Tapas

Sandwiches

Classic Bar Food

Desserts

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