You walk into Moe’s and Joe’s and the first thing you notice isn't the decor. It’s the smell. Not a bad smell, mind you. It’s that specific, localized scent of decades of spilled Pabst Blue Ribbon, fried wings, and the ghosts of a thousand Emory University midterms. It’s a Virginia-Highland staple that feels like it’s been there forever because, well, it basically has.
Since 1947, this place has anchored North Highland Avenue. While the rest of the neighborhood gentrified into $4 million bungalows and high-end boutiques, Moe’s and Joe’s stayed stubbornly, wonderfully divey.
It’s legendary.
The Beer That Built the Bar
Let’s talk about the PBR. Most bars treat Pabst like the "budget" option you order when your bank account is crying. At Moe’s and Joe’s Atlanta, it’s a religion. They are consistently one of the top sellers of PBR in the entire country. We aren't just talking about a few cans here and there. They move through roughly two full kegs a day.
If you show up on a Tuesday, you’ll see the "Pitcher Night" madness. Back in the day, a pitcher of "the finest"—which is what legendary server Horace McKennie called PBR—was the cheapest thrill in town. Horace started working there in 1949 and stayed for over 50 years. He used to wear a crisp white shirt and a red bow tie, serving cheap beer like it was vintage Cristal.
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He’s the reason people still ask for "the finest."
The Krinsky brothers, Moe and Joe, were WWII vets who took over an old delicatessen. They weren't trying to build a "brand." They just wanted a spot for people to hang out. There’s even a famous story—documented by a photo in the bar—where they traded 1,700 pitchers' worth of beer certificates for a 1947 Rolls-Royce. Imagine the logistics of that. A regular customer just driving off in a luxury car paid for in future hangovers.
What’s Actually on the Menu?
People don't go here for a farm-to-table experience with microgreens. You go for the MoJo Burger. It’s been on the menu since the doors opened in '47. It’s small. It’s cheap. It’s basically a snack. But when you’ve had three pitchers of beer, it’s the greatest culinary achievement in human history.
- The MoJo Burger: It’s around $6 now (inflation hits everyone), but it’s still the go-to.
- The Wings: They claim they have "Atlanta's Best Wings." That’s a bold statement in a city that takes lemon pepper very seriously. Honestly? They’re pretty great. Get them extra crispy.
- The Sides: The onion rings are massive and actually crunchy, which is rarer than it should be in dive bars.
There was a big scare in 2014 when the place expanded. Locals were terrified that the "new" side would ruin the vibe. They knocked a hole through the wall into what used to be a bar called The Cavern. Thankfully, the owners had the sense to leave the original side untouched. The old brass cash registers from 1927 are still there. The wooden booths are still scarred with decades of initials. The floor is still a little sticky.
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It's perfect.
The Vibe (and Why It Matters)
If you’re looking for a craft cocktail with hand-carved ice, you’re in the wrong place. Go down the street to Little Spirit or Dad's for that. At Moe’s and Joe’s, you’re getting a heavy pour and a plastic pitcher.
The crowd is a weird, beautiful mix. You’ve got old-timers who have been sitting in the same booth since the Nixon administration. You’ve got 21-year-olds from Emory and Georgia Tech who are just discovering how cheap PBR can be. Then you’ve got the neighborhood parents who managed to escape their kids for an hour.
It’s one of the few places in Atlanta where nobody cares what you do for a living.
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Knowing the "Rules"
- Don't expect table service: It’s a dive bar. If it’s busy, go to the bar.
- The bathroom situation: It’s tight. If someone is at the urinal, you aren't opening the stall door. It’s a bonding experience you didn't ask for.
- The Claw Machine: There’s a PBR-themed claw machine. Yes, you can try to "Grab a Can." It’s harder than it looks.
- Trivia Night: Wednesdays at 8:00 PM. It gets packed. If you aren't there early, you’re standing.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
Atlanta is a city that loves to tear things down. We love new shiny glass towers and "mixed-use developments." But a city without a soul is just a collection of buildings. Moe’s and Joe’s Atlanta is part of the soul.
It survived the 1960s decline of the neighborhood. It survived the interstate projects that almost gutted Virginia-Highland. It survived the craft beer revolution by doubling down on the "finest" cheap lager known to man.
When you sit on that sidewalk patio on a Saturday afternoon, watching the foot traffic on North Highland, you realize this is the real Atlanta. It’s not polished. It’s not curated for Instagram (though the neon sign looks great in photos). It’s just a bar.
And sometimes, that’s all you need.
To get the most out of your visit, aim for a weekday afternoon if you want to actually chat with the bartenders and see the memorabilia. If you want the full-throttle, shoulder-to-shoulder experience, show up on a Friday night after 10:00 PM. Just make sure you bring a designated driver or have your rideshare app ready—those $8 pitchers of PBR sneak up on you faster than you'd think.
Check out the original side first. Look at the photos of Horace. Look at the 1947 Rolls-Royce swap photo. It’s a history lesson that comes with a side of fries. Once you’ve soaked in the history, grab a seat on the patio and realize why this place hasn't changed in nearly 80 years. It didn't need to.