Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant - Atlanta

Fado used to be a favorite little Irish pub of mine BEFORE it tranformed into the gel -head mecca it is now. I loved the atmosphere at the old place, with legit bands. Now, it's impossible to get a drink and you are surrounded by a bunch of 20 something wasted wanna-be's. Please, save yourself the energy, your night would be better spent at a Celine Dion concert... (and I am NOT saying that is a good thing!)

Pros: Cool setting

Cons: Everything else.

Posted 10/05/09

The scene to go to be seen...3 levels of fun, including an open air patio and bar with fire pit and comfortable surroundings. The cheesy garlic burger is mouth watering, or choose from the homestyle fish and chips or bangers and mash. Nice array of brews on draft. Meet new people or just sit back and people watch as young professionals make their rounds.

Pros: Great atmosphere with an Irish feel

Cons: Loud and crowded on weekends, lots of stairs

Posted 01/25/09

Fado is a great Irish Pub. If feel like I'm back in Ireland everytime I walk in. It has been a classic in my book.

Posted 11/04/08

Went there once before at the Old Location and found it to be good. this new one is better and the night scene was electric! Loved it. the food was great too!!

Pros: Thumbs Up

Cons: None

Posted 08/01/08

Went to Fado's on Friday night and ended up on the terrace .. first off if you are going to build a terrace that is 3 flights of stairs it might be wise to put restrooms on that floor.
Another thought is if you have a bar on that floor, you may want to consider offering the same beer optinos as the fist floor. Our waitress was downright rude.. I ordered a Sam Summer and was told that she did not have it up here and it was too busy for her to go downstairs to get it. So i went and got it myself ! Great service huh? needless to say her tip reflected the fact that she did not do her job. Too bad too we had a table of 8 and we are usually very generous with the tip. When she brought the food she just aobut threw it on the table and walked away don't know what her problem was but maybe she should look into a new career.
The food was ok i would not order the Salmon Botxy's there were what appeared to be four flat tater tot's with a few pieces of salmon on them, not worth it. I probably will only go back if friends are meeting there but other than that there are plenty of places to go that have better service and much better food.
I will say th ebartenders down stairs were very good and kept up with the crowd, we did not wait long for drinks and they were very friendly.

Posted 05/05/08

So very friendly, they had ok sevice at peak hours, my suggestion come early...moderately priced and good food

Posted 01/31/08

Sad to say, I have never been to this place other than Friday nights. I have not experienced their delicious food but I have experienced their nightlife. Wow! I love it! I have probably gone every Friday for the past 5-6 weekends and I am obsessed with the band they have. Justin is Amazing!

$5 to park at Cheesecake Factory
$5 at the door
But all the single people you get to meet is PRICELESS.

Highly Recommended

Pros: Great Music, Great People, Great Time

Cons: Lots of people = making the bar feel like a 10x10 room.

Posted 07/18/07

I admit it...I am a midtown girl. I haven't been to Fado since, well...probably the olympics. So i thought it was weird when my girlfriends wanted to meet me here for dinner. I was expecting frozen foods brought to life in the fryer and served dripping with grease...crappy bar food...but, boy was I wrong!!!! The food was fresh and delicious!!! And i can't remember the last time I tasted a beer that cold and fresh tasting (maybe about the time of the olympics?!?!?!) Seriously, try the pear salad, salmon bites appetizer and lamb appetizer. (BTW, the fish and chips my girlfriend had was fresh and a huge beautiful portion of flaky white fish). I will definately be back!

Pros: delicious food, cold, fresh beer

Cons: not in midtown :(

Posted 02/19/07

We have to call Fado's an establishment, because it is much more than just an another Irish Pub. It has became one of the mainstay's in the changing Buckhead Village. Singles are welcomed, families with children, or just anyone wanting a warm feeling of Ireland. All the best Irish/British Ales are on tap, as well as terrific bottle selection. Have a black/white ale. And then order the best Fish 'N Chips, you will ever put in your mouth. The Irish Stew, is something to write home about also. Drop in for a unique Sunday Brunch. The rumor is, a second location is coming to Atlantic Station. We are waiting, until then, on to the Buckhead Village. Service is tops.

Pros: Atlanta's Top Irish Establishment! Irish Stew! Right-On Service!

Cons: Parking Can Be Tight!

Posted 01/24/07

Although you wouldn't think it, this place has the one of the best brunches in Atlanta complete with bloody mary bar. The service can be a little slow depending on whether you have a server that worked the previous night shift or not. I guessed that was the case, but who knows. It's well worth it. Well priced, too.

Pros: Brunch, bloody mary's

Cons: parking?

Posted 11/14/06

Love this place. Good beer, and pretty good bar food. There is always a great crowd - even on a Monday.

Posted 11/13/06

If you like this place then we probably don't have much in common. It is not swanky, imaginative, or moody. It is common hangout w lots of beer. If you like sports and yell outloud at a score but think you are too cool for Jocks and Jills then this is your spot.

Pros: Value?

Cons: Beer swillers galore

Posted 11/13/06

Everytime friends come to visit I take them to Fado! The menu items are authentic and the service has been excellent for the most part. I like to be served by upbeat, witty and menu knowledgeable wait staff and generally find that here. After dining in one of their adorable nitches my friends and I move to one of their bars and easily pretend we are somewhere in Dublin. The place has so many diferent personalities. You can move around from area to area and find either a private romantic spot, quaint small table dining areas or pub style ambience that encourages ale songs and laughter!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE and my friends for out of town request Fado on their every return! Thanks guys!

Posted 10/12/06

Living in Atlanta my entire life and visiting all pubs; Irish/English/ect. Fado's is the best pub to get a pint of beer and a good meal. The meal's prepared are something that you would expect in a high end resturant, at a affordable price. The beers are worth the trip. After my numerous visits, the employees informed me that the pub takes great lengths to serve a perfect pint. The interior design makes you feel like you are visiting a historic pub in Ireland. I highly recommend visiting the pub on a non-week-end...... The weekend-warriors distract the clients from a good experiance, but do not let them distract you from the unique experiance. Fado's Irish pub is a good place to visit for a good beer, meal, and friends................

Pros: The staff (Kelly the server).......... and the food..........................

Cons: No Bud light..... The newcastle makes up for it........

Posted 09/04/06

We're regulars... Sundays at Fado can't be beat. Our bartender knows us by name and knows our drink order. As far as the food goes, you really can't go wrong... The blackened shrimp rollog, the fish & chips, the blue crunch salad.... And the Guinness.... Sunday is a good crowd - ok for lunch with the kids too. It can get crowded during the evening - suggest getting there early to get a good seat at the bar. If I were to own a business, I'd want this one.

Pros: the service (Russell), the food, the football

Cons: we don't have the time to go more often

Posted 08/17/06

For Buckhead, this place isnt bad. If you go on Friday or Saturday night,though, be prepared for large crowds, loud cover band music, and yelling to communicate with everyone in your group. But there are a lot of good looking women here so that makes me tolerate the 3 bad things. The patio is nice, but it is small. The food here is great for bar food as I've eaten here a few times...give the Southwestern Rollog a try.

Pros: good bar food

Cons: LOUD

Posted 04/23/06

Rude, obnoxious employees are the tip of the iceberg. Food came out room temperature. That's fine if you're eating bread. Never saw a smile on any employee or manager in the restaurant. Guinness was okay. Had better in Boston, NY, Philly and Dc. Not going back to Fado. Just too comercialized and too much attitude from employees. Something you wouldn't expect to receive at an Irish pub.

Posted 02/03/06

Never had a hard time getting good service,a good drink or a good time at this place.The New Castle Brown Ale on tap is the best in town,hands down.Guiness ice cream is a good way to end an evening out on the town.Crowded at times but so worth the quality of service,food and beverage selection.Fados is not a bar,its a way of life with a style unmatched in Atlanta.Cheers to all!!!!!

Pros: Food, New Castle on tap

Cons: cant get there enough

Posted 09/26/05

This is a great place to go after work, get a drink or 2 and fill up on the most delicious food! 10 bucks for food and I had alder smoked salmon with fried shiitakes, a huge seafood tagine, and marinated swordfish fajitas with gorgeous sizzling vegetables. It was outstanding!

Pros: food, value

Posted 01/21/05

This year's New Year's (2007)celebration was the third consecutive one we have spent at Fado. Phenomenal!! (get there early enough, eat and there is no cover charge, then stay for the party) The party is fun, but believe it or not my husband and I come for the food! This years specials may have been the best meal we have ever had. Period. My husband had to-die-for filet medallions with herb goat cheese and I had prosciutto wrapped halibut. I have never put anything better in my mouth! I seriously can't believe I'd be saying his about an Irish pub!! Thanks Fado, and great job!

Pros: food, food, food

Cons: None that i can think of!

Posted 01/20/05

I am a chef from New York and recently worked my way through Atlanta restaurants. Nothing special food-wise . .. until happy hour the last day. Maybe it was I expected less from this place, but the stuff was great. And I appreciate technique when a see it. Perfect brunoise veggies, perfectly cooked and seasoned food. Does anyone know what the deal is with the guy at Fado? Props to him.

Posted 01/16/05

I've been all around Buckhead, and this is by far my favorite place! The crowd here is so diverse: young and old, college and professional, etc. But every here has so much fun! The staff is awesome- hard to find a funnier, better-looking bunch. Definitely the best Guinness in town, and I should know--I've drank my share! Always something going on there, poker night, live music, soccer games, never a dull moment. I would recommend Fado to anyone looking for a refreshing escape from the otherwise dull Buckhead scene.

Pros: Hot staff, Great beer, Good food

Posted 11/17/04

If you have never eaten here, you must!!! The bar is cool, the beer is quality, and served perfectly, but the food is incredible. Read my lips, some of the best in Atlanta. Anywhere. I am talking about Happy Hour, of course. It's incredible. The other food is good. But go for Happy Hour. Creative courses that match any restaurant. No kidding. A great value for 2.95. Will fill you up. And guess what . . .not crowded.

Pros: Food, Food, Food

Posted 11/16/04

Fado is the only place to go in Buckhead if you are a girl! You feel completely safe and the scene is comfortable and fun! The service is always great and the staff takes care of you! Thanks for all the memories (or lack there of)!

Pros: Comfortable, Nonthreatening, Fun

Posted 06/04/04

Fado is still the best place to go in Buckhead and Atlanta!! Everytime I go there I have a great time and meet great people!! Their staff always takes care of me and the vibe is always fun!! Definitely an island oasis and an Atlanta classic!!

Pros: Music, Atmosphere, Girls

Posted 06/04/04

The boxty I had was wonderful. The staff is friendly. Go early evening to eat and stay late for the crowd. There are plenty of places to sit even when Fado gets crowded.

Pros: Food, Service, Environment

Cons: Parking

Posted 12/28/03

Fado is by far the best Irish pub in Atlanta! The new happy hour food menu is a unbelievable not to mention the build your own bloody mary bar and brunch menu on the weekends! Fado is always doing something new! The Leffe beer is a cool new addition that I can't find anywhere else. Keep it up!!

Pros: Great food, Great Music, Great Brunch

Posted 06/23/03

This place use to be a lot more Irish and a lot less trendy. Still, it's one of the best choices for a Harp and a "Who the $%& is Alice!" on the rare night. I wish they would bring back the old menu and let those who weren't Irish (all you damn tanned people) experience a little more of what makes the Irish pubs the best in the world.

Posted 02/23/03

This bar is such an awesome place to meet your friends and just hang out. I was there about a month ago, and we got one of the booths and we had such a good time. Fado is definitely my favorite Buckhead bar.

Pros: service, beer selection, food

Cons: small parking lot

Posted 01/23/03

I loved this place!!! Their infamous "boxti" dishes were absolutely divine (as far as bar food goes).

The bartenders are courteous, warm and always smiling! Jenny is the perfect Georgia Peach!

The patrons are very friendly with both locals and tourists. This is one place that I would definitely visit again & again.........

Some people say they left their heart in San Francisco......I say I left my heart in Atlanta....at Fado's.

Posted 11/06/02

good irish bands and the most down-to-earth people you'll find in any bar in buckhead (except maybe maike&angeloes.

Posted 09/02/02

The best time to visit Fado's is during St. Patricks Day in Atlanta...actually this is the best time to visit Atlanta. My best friend and I had so much fun that we want to go every year. The only problem I had with Fado's was that they played too much modern music and not enough Irish/Celtic music at night. It has a great atmosphere and wonderful patrons. You may even get asked to join the football team (soccer to those of you who don't know what I mean), we were. Everyone who is everyone in Atlanta goes to Fado's...you should too. Have fun and drink one for me!

Pros: Big Cups of BEER, Crowded, great hang out

Posted 09/02/02

My favorite place to go, because of the crowd. You can wear a cocktail dress or jeans and it doesn't matter. It's a great local pub to meet your friends.

Pros: Great Crowd, Great Atmosphere, Great Music

Cons: Bad Parking

Posted 08/26/02

Fado offers a little of everything...I was pleasantly surprised when we had dinner there the other night -- the food was outstanding. Not to mention excellent Guinness -- the best I've had.

Oh yeah, they picked up my parking fee too -- pretty cool!

Pros: Food, Best Guiness, Great Crowd

Cons: Friendly Staff, Cool Music

Posted 08/26/02

Fado Irish Pub is an excellent, authentic bar. Since they opened in Atlanta, they have continually had great Irish entertainment, authentic Irish food, and offered a friendly and inviting environment that effectively establishes a regular patronage. My friends and I love it there. However, recently, I feel Fado has begun catering to a younger crowd. The entertainment has changed, particularly on Saturday nights, to a "rock" band that is annoyingly loud and sounds awful. Saturday night around 10:00p is no longer an enjoyable place for my friends and I to go. Every other night of the week is great!

Pros: great atmosphere, great food & drink, excellent staff

Cons: parking!, location, bad music on sat. pm

Posted 08/20/02

Before my visit i thought crack in buckhead could only be found on the street corner, after entering Fado for the first time I learned of a better place to find "craic". I noticed the word on the sign before entering with friends and after a few beers felt inclined to inquire about it's meaning. One of the bartenders explained that it ment fun or good times in gaelic. I must admit that Fado delivered on it's promise of good fun. It was my first visit to the pub, but it will not be my last.

Pros: good drink prices, outstanding atmospher, free parking

Posted 08/16/02

What can I say...
b
est pint in Guiness, only bar to serve Lucasade - 2 flavors at that, great bartenders, great craic (Gaelic for fun)!!!

Posted 08/15/02

This place is awesome...we had a great time! I can't wait to go back. Free parking is a great idea!

Posted 08/12/02