The Angel To Become an "Irish Pub"
Decatur Metro | July 3, 2008I’ve gotten a few inquiries lately regarding the fate of The Angel building, sitting lonely and vacant at the Western end of Ponce, with only the occasional contractor or parked car to keep it company.
The masses are getting restless.
Speaking as a Ponce Heights resident, it seems I’d gotten a little too used to having such a close option for food and drink. Especially on a Sunday, Little Azio and Tastings are the closest options, and they seem miles away. (I know…my life is so difficult)
But I’ve made my bed and have to lie in it. I got a little ticked at the Angel upon their closing (for reasons I won’t rehash) and since then I’ve had to sit idly by and bite my tongue while slow progress was made on the building’s renovation. (I think The Angel sign just came down a few weeks ago)
But finally we have a tidbit! And we’re so starved for any info on this place, just a little rumble of info classifies as major news/rumor to me. Though we’d been hearing things about it being turned into a “chef-inspired restaurant”, Jeff at Whit’s End tells us that the owner of the property says the Angel will become an “Irish pub”. It ain’t much in terms of detail…but it brings a smile to my face. A pub would be most welcome.
So let’s bury the hatchet and start over Angel. Especially since it seems that we need each other.
More details as they surface.
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I’ve missed the Angel. I hope they keep those red velvet seats in the Irish version, whatever they end up calling it.
As one of the faithful (former) regulars at “The Angel” who’ve been tracking the rumor mill closely, I can offer these little tidbits we’ve heard second-hand from Darren the new owner himself, acquaintances of his and interested former members of the staff about the “Irish Pub” …
– Projected opening date is late August or Early September.
– New name possibly to be “The Gorge” (hate it – what kind of logo / branding can you do with THAT).
– the bar is going to be managed by Darren’s sister who has many years in the bar /restaurant management biz.
– The new owner has promised “the best pint of Guiness in Atlanta” (for those who care about that kind of thing – most of the ex-regulars I know will be happy as long as they keep Stella & Fullers ESB (and/or Wells Bombardier) on tap.
– the menu will include a selection of American (including pizza) and British (Irish?) food.
Wow…thanks for all the “tidbits” Cliff! You’ve been holding out on us!
So I guess this means that this is no longer a Derek Lawford Pub?
Sounds like what a reincarnation of what was there before…ZZZZzzzzzzz
Can’t wait to tip back another pint, sitting in that mafia-style table/cove in the back. Really hope they don’t change the name; the angel works great for an irish pub too.
No – Derek Lawford Pubs is now just a bad memory, thank God. And I wouldn’t count on the “mafia booth” remaining – it always seemed to me that that little alcove was designed (and best suited for) a couple of dartboards. It wouldn’t surprise me if the same idea hasn’t also occurred to someone else (like the new owner). It depends on how much they want the new place to be a “restaurant” (where they’d want to maximize their seating capacity) versus a true “pub”.
The new owners are a young couple from Ireland. So we should see some authenticity
Any word on the prices? That’s what sunk the Angel. It was more expensive at that place than it is in London, the most expensive city in the world.
If the new owners are reading: it’s a pub, keep it cheap.
Agreed about the prices. Though the half price Mondays that they started were a good idea… if they did that every day. From what I understand, the last remaining pub in that chain, an old firehouse near North Ave. and Peachtree, has shut it’s doors as well.
Agree if you’re talking about the food prices, but most people who think the beer prices were high overlook the fact that the Angel served full 20 oz. imperial pints (568 ml), which is 20% larger than your standard U.S. pint (473 ml). So which is the better buy – an imperial pint of quality English beer for $5, or a U.S. pint of a (usually) lesser beer for $4? Depends on your POV … Fullers ESB or Wells Bombardier is worth the extra buck for the extra 20% to me every time
The only remaining Derek Lawford Pub open is the “Hand In Hand” in Va-Hi last I heard … things change daily with that organization though, so my info may be out-of-date.
I was talking about the food prices. $12.99 for fish and chips should be a misdemeanor.
Agree on the pints, though. There are some places, like the new sports bar Stats in downtown ATL, that are serving 12 ounce “pints”. That too should be a crime. And you can’t find Bombardier just anywhere.
Here’s to the new Irish pub getting it right.
An authentic Irish pub would be great, but the rumors about pizza and “British” food are disconcerting. If they try to be all things to all people they’ll fail. If they serve good, authentic Irish food and have good Irish music they’ll have a shot.
That’s correct, I was talking about the food only. Drink prices were average, and the drinks were always good, and worth the price.
Even though the food was priced about double what it should have been, the food was pretty good I thought (at least before they changed the menu). Though I only ate there a few times, given the prices. It’s a shame, because the location was one that’s so close for lots of people to walk to, that it could have been an every day place for many. Instead, it was a place for special occasions. Couldn’t get out of there for less than $50 for the two of us, whereas we’d have just as enjoyable of a meal and drinks at Taqueria for $25. (I know they are totally different kinds of places)
The City Commission approved Darren’s alcohol license this evening for The Grange Public House.
I put “British” food in quotes because I don’t know that there’s a heck of a lot of difference between “British” and “Irish” (maybe you can tell me? More potatoes perhaps?) … but I hope you’re wrong about the Irish music – I’ve been in the Joyce when they’ve had bands playing and it’s difficult to think, never mind hold a conversation with someone. I like a nice *quiet* pint myself
Cliff!!
Do you realize how excited I be that they’ll be back up and running in time for this year’s PiratePalooza? I’ve simply stopped going to pubs since that last night when we shuttered the doors of the Angel for the very last time, the night that Brie brought the case of wine. I’m hoping to sit with our new pubmasters very soon to iron out the details.
The most intriguing rumor I’ve heard is that they might open up the BACK porch…. do you know if that be accurate?
Your pal,
Drew
I did trivia at the Angel for years. (Hello, Cliff!)
When they reopen, I would love to do trivia one night a week for them again. It would great to recreate the fun of a few years back!