The Vortex is an unconventional bar with attitude, adorned with a very eclectic and visually stimulating assortment of bizarre decor, including everything from suspended airplanes and skeletons overhead to hung mooseheads and motorcycles. The clientele in this unique establishment is just as diverse, ranging from bikers to yuppies at night, and mostly businessmen during lunchtime. There are two locations: a slightly swankier one in Midtown, and the original location in Little 5 Points, which has a deck and is known for its fun-house style entrance through the mouth of a giant laughing skull.

The Vortex boasts Atlanta’s most impressive selection of beer, with 40 taps, 83 bottled domestics, 11 malts, 119 imports, and their own Laughing Skull house beer. The bar’s alternative vibe is evidenced in its décor, customers, staff, and even its unconventional menu littered with wisecrack remarks about getting an attitude and asking for substitutions. It’s all in fun though, and the air inside this unusual setting is actually very jovial; in fact, Vortex was the winner of Atlanta’s “Best Neighborhood Bar”. Another unique draw is their Bike Night every Thursday.

By far the biggest draws, though, are Vortex’s infamously huge, sloppy, oh-so-juicy handmade burgers. They’ve consistently won "Best Burger in Atlanta" for their cooked to order flavored burgers topped in a wide variety of cheeses and sauces. If beef’s not your thing, the Cajun turkey burger and tuna melt are excellent, and for vegetarians they have an award-winning veggie burger as well as the delicious black bean appetizer. The fresh fries are great too.